Hooray for Christmas trees!
So yay, I finally got my very own Christmas tree! I think I did a pretty good job decorating it, if I do say so myself. It turned out to be a bigger undertaking than I imagined. I knocked it over twice trying to put on the lights and I had buckets of needles on the floor, but it's all done now and hopefully it will stay standing (as long as Champ gets over his desire to leap at the ornaments). And if anyone thinks my tree is ugly, keep it to yourself!
Anyhow, I really don't want to go back to work tomorrow! Everyone else got a four-day weekend; I had two days off, worked two days and then had two more days off. And I'll be working Christmas so I don't really have any holiday to look forward to. I guess I can't complain too much though; I didn't want a regular job -- I love my odd hours that
allow me to sleep in, and the price of that is not getting normal days off. If I wanted lots of holidays, I would have been a banker :-P.
I don't have much to say tonight since all I've done for the last two days is sleep and Christmas shop, but I must quickly comment on something that bothers me. The damn girls from "Dawson's Creek" ruined the show for me. That show like defined my high school years, now the girls I thought were so cool have illegitimate children while still in their mid-20s. They're supposed to be out there living it up, enjoying the Hollywood hype with men I can only dream of -- but no, Katie Holmes had to get impregnated by stupid Tom Cruise. I've lost all respect for her. Michelle Williams is a little more forgivable. At least her could-be hubby is hottie Heath Ledger who hasn't shown any signs of missing a few screws. (P.S. this rant comes after much watching of E! this weekend which has been showing previews for the E! True Hollywood Story of the Dawson's Creek gang, which I will probably still watch.)
I paid my Rent
Rent is definitely rentable. Joelle and I went to see it and we were thoroughly unimpressed. However, for anyone who has never known and loved the Broadway production, you should see it just to hear the songs and watch the original actors play the characters. They seem to fit into the roles like a second skin. Props to Rosario Dawson and the other new chic (she plays Joanne) for having incredible singing voices, but you could tell they just didn't fit with the rest of the cast, the six originals.
For a really great review, check out one of my favorite blogs by a Hollywood insider,
Chad Darnell (he writes about it in his Nov. 23 entry). I agree with most of what he says, except I
really disliked Maureen's performance piece. I thought it was really weird. On the stage it was
funny and enjoyable. One of the great things Chad rants about is the commitment ceremony between Maureen and Joanne. I thought that totally didn't fit. I mean come on, it's supposed to take place in 1989. People then didn't have commitment ceremonies, their parents were not totally cool with them being gay and they certainly didn't have big parties to celebrate it in nice country clubs.
I guess that's what bugged me most about the movie. It's like Chris Columbus couldn't decide whether to update it or leave it the way it was. When I saw the play it didn't bother me that all the people with HIV were living with the fear of their certain death in a very short period of time. In 2005, that's not the case anymore. People are living fuller, longer lives with HIV these days. Yet instead of letting that just be a part of the story, they kind of hit you over the head with the virus in the movie, like during "La Vie Boheme" when Collins writes "Fight AIDS" on the chalkboard. But none of the characters with HIV bothered to put on coats when they went walking in the freezing cold and snow -- way to take care of yourselves!
Despite all the little things that irritated me, I enjoyed hearing the musical numbers again. The interpretation of "Tango Maureen" was great, and Maureen's movements in "Take Me, Baby" made me really want some pleather pants. And all day I've been singing "
Out Tonight."
Ok -- if you couldn't care less about
Rent, here's how the rest of my holiday week has gone. Despite my dad's bitchiness I survived a trip home for the holidays. He gave me some big lecture about how blogging is going to get me killed because someone could track me down with the information I've put out in cyber-space.
Right. Like there aren't thousands of white 4Runners in Charlotte -- I saw 2 others exactly like mine in the movie theater parking lot!
I managed to do some shopping online to avoid the insane crowds. I still have a few things to get, but I can work on that Mon. and Tues. I really need to get some sleep because today was exhausting at work. I had to catch the website up on all the stories we've been running since early Friday since Mike only worked a few hours in the morning. Now I just have to make it through working Christmas. Woo hoo.
Just some random thoughts
I got some terrible news today. I almost downright cried. Brace yourselves people -- "Alias" has been canceled. The last episode ever will air in May. I can't say I didn't anticipate it just a little, but I was hoping for the best. I was hoping for a few more years of watching Jennifer Garner kick butt. But alas, it's not to be. I think I was more upset by the fact that my only other die-hard "Alias" fan at work, and resident cutie, Adam Butler, wasn't there for me to have a shoulder to cry on. The producers are promising a big finale though, so I'm banking on my boy Vaughn being back to wisk his bride and baby off into the sunset.
Anyhow, I had finally given up on checking for the
Halloween party pics on the web, and Travers was a little hurt today tha
t I didn't notice the pics were posted on Sunday. I look a tad blitzed in some of the pics, but in my defense, in one of them I was just very thrown off by the appearance of poker chips next to my head out of nowhere. I chose this one of me and Mike Solarte, our lead sports anchor, cause I think it's my favorite, although you can't see my adorable belly or sweet earrings. By that point I was kinda over the whole costume thing and just needed to sober up to get home! Man, that was a good time. Everyone should check out the pics; they are pretty amusing.
Next random thought: I have to start saving up because in just six months I'll be traveling to Spain for one of my best friend's weddings. I was the maid of honor at her "official" wedding, but this one is the big ceremony that will include all the family and the trimmings. She married her Spanish husband last December so that he could stay in the country, but this wedding will really be the celebration of their love. As the previous maid of honor, I feel it's my duty to be there, and of course I want to be there for her! So, I have to start saving up so I can have a really good time there. No more $50+ bar tabs!
Nashville-bound?
The hellish shopping season has begun. I tried to get a jump on it today by going to the mall, but that didn't work out so well. First of all, there was nowhere to park -- what the hell were all those people doing at the mall on a week day at 3 p.m.? Then I ended up buying a lot more for myself than for anyone else. I needed the khakis, but I definitely didn't need all the stuff from the Body Shop. Damn good smelling stuff! But whatever, I made a tiny dent in my Christmas shopping and that's what matters.
I've decided if I ever move out of the Carolinas, I need to head to Nashville. I watched CMT's "20 hottest videos of 2005" last night; since
when did the country singers get hotter than the rock stars? I always thought I belonged with a musician. I envy that kind of talent, and I find it soooo sexy. My sister laughed at me when I came home from
Walk the Line and was gushing about wanting to marry a musician because they have so
much passion. She was kinda like: Duh, what else is new -- you've always felt that way. It's true, and there's something about a melodic voice that just gets me. When I was about five I wanted to marry Teddy Ruxpin because I loved his voice. I know, it's weird to want to marry a talking teddy bear -- but come on, I was five! I've spent the last 8 years dreaming of marrying Rob Thomas, but watching him at the AMAs tonight singing "
Ever the Same" I realized he'll probably never get divorced; he and his wife seem like a perfect match. I just hope I get that lucky and find someone I click that well with. So, now I'm dreaming about Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley (gotta love a curly-haired boy who adores his pooch!), and they are mighty dreamy. Hell, thinking about them is a lot more fun than any real relationship!
Not so wild weekend
I love my job. Today not long after I got in I heard someone on the scanner say
that a person was unconcious at Wal-Mart. Carl on the assignment desk yells out, "Watch out for falling prices!" I thought I was going to fall out of my chair! It was hilarious. I told him maybe the yellow smiley bounced on the dude's head; he thought that was funny, but it wasn't nearly as witty as his comment.
Another bonus has been all the food at work the last few days. I took home a whole pumpkin pie because there were still two others left after the Thanksgiving lunch on Friday. I figured it was going to go bad just sitting out there. (Ok, ok, really I kinda hijacked it, but it just tastes so good!) Then today one of the reporters did a story on the price of sugar going up and she interviewed a lady who owns a bakery so she brought back tons of cookies. They were some of the best cookies I have ever tasted. I probably gained two pounds just from working the weekend.
This weekend was actually pretty low-key. Tracey and I had Italian at Frankie's on Friday; I'd been dying for some tiramisu so now I finally have my fix. Then we hit up the auto show and dreamed about having rich men buy us nice cars. Next we saw the movie that will most likely sweep the Oscars this year --
Walk the Line. I loved it. The acting was extraordinary, the music was great and the story was fantastic. I especially loved it when the Carters chased off the drug dealer with shotguns. The movie really makes you want to believe that some people are just meant to be together. I've always respected Johnny Cash's contribution to music, but I never had any idea his love story was so inspiring, and his wife was so strong. Everyone go see it! I could watch it again right now.
Last night I watched
Elf with Kris. I laughed at so many things because I hadn't seen it in so long. Now I'm definitely in the holiday spirit. I'm ready to get myself a tree and wrap some presents. Guess I'd have to go buy them first though. Argh. I better get some sleep so I can get up and shop tomorrow before the damn frenzy begins on Friday.
June Carter: Is that a hitch in your giddy-up?
Girl talk
I'm so going to get myself in trouble at work watching comedies. I have that (what my family refers to as annoying, I call it endearing) habit where I'll laugh outloud at the TV. Last night I cracked up at "My Name is Earl" when I was supposed to be concentrating on my work, then tonight I laughed at "Sex and the City." I remember wondering why people were so crazy about the show when the only thing I knew about it was that dealt with sex and fashion. I had no idea how much I would relate to the friendships in it. Tonight Aidan was looking super hot. Carrie was trying to get back with him and she and Miranda had this exchange:
Carrie: His words said "no," but his lips said "yes."Miranda: That's the common justification for date rape.
I was highly amused. It reminded me of my girl friends when we're being particularly clever. I love my girl friends. I grew up around nothing but boys and most of the time I loved it, but sometimes it could be so damn frustrating. Now I have people I can relate to. Katie and I had a lovely exchange this afternoon. She said she'd seen one of the guys from my work at the hospital filming a piece about a race-car driver visiting kids. I had an idea who might have shot that. Our little convo that had me smiling went something like this.
Me: Was he cute?Katie: Yeah. He was wearing a black, short-sleeved polo.Me: Oh yeah, I know who it was. That's XX, he's a hottie.Katie: Yeah, X was his name.Me: I might have a little crush on X, he's pretty amusing.Katie: I give him two-thumbs up.Ya just can't have a convo like that with a guy. I mean really, among other things, what dude would remember what someone was wearing the day before? (Other amusing details were removed to protect the identity of said boy.)
Entertainment tonight
First I must say that the idea of registering at a liquor store for your wedding is genius! I don't care if it was a joke on "My Name is Earl," it's still genius. You could supply the entire open bar at your wedding. It's not like you don't already have all the house crap you need. I say, get the alcohol and party down!
Anywho, Tracey and I went to see
Derailed last night. I wasn't sure I could see Jennifer Aniston as a femme fatale, or whether she even was one in the movie, but I definitely think she pulled it off. I enjoyed the movie. It was one of those movies where when everyone was leaving, we were all quiet because we weren't sure what to make of it. After a little thought Tracey and I agreed we liked it.
Then today I saw this pic on Yahoo photos of December's
GQ. She is so beautiful, I don't know how Brad Pitt could ever want to divorce her. Then again, I don't know if
I could pass up Angelina Jolie! I just hope Brad is a big insensitive jerk and she's better off without him. Heck, no guy that good-looking could be even remotely sweet. It would just be unnatural. I just hope she's really happy with Vince Vaughn. (And I really hope I'm that cool and sexy in my 30s.)
Warning: May be sappy
Despite how silly "Grey's Anatomy" can be, it still made me cry tonight and I don't cry easily at TV shows. I didn't even cry when Nate died on "Six Feet Under" and that was devastating for me! But tonight there was this old couple on that reminded me of my grandparents. The woman came in and needed gallbladder surgery and the surgeons discovered she had advanced cancer. The doc told the husband and he asked her not to tell his wife because he wanted her to be happy during the few months she had to live. Then, because she obviously was obligated to tell the woman she had cancer, the doc informed her patient, who then asked her not to tell the husband because she didn't want him to be worried or upset.
Meanwhile, in the real world, the second anniversary of my grandmother's death from cancer is quickly approaching and my mom
and I have been talking about her a lot lately. Her ashes are about to be placed in a new mausoleum thing at the church. So the show got me thinking about my grandma and how amazing she was and how much she and my grandpa loved each other, and I started to cry. I feel silly still crying when I think about her because it was so long ago and she was in her 70s; she felt like she was ready to die. But I miss her. I respected her wisdom and I feel like the world is at a loss without it. And she was one of the few people who always understood me without me ever having to say a word.
Grandma kept her illness hidden from almost everyone one because she didn't want anyone to worry, and she refused to have it treated. She was so strong. This time two years ago no one could even tell she was sick. The last time I saw her was at Thanksgiving when I took my and my roommates dog over to her house to visit. She always loved animals, just like me.
Anyhow, there's an upside to my reminiscing. As I sat here at the computer shopping online for Christmas presents, Jazzie curled up next to me and started her sweet little purring snore. I looked at her content little face and something about it really comforted me. I know my grandma would have adored her and she wouldn't have thought I was silly for how much I pamper my pets. Jazzie stretched and put her little paw on my arm, and I thought to myself (as
cheesy as it sounds): this is what makes life worthwhile -- God's creatures big and small -- family and love and taking care of each other. Fuck the politics, nothing else matters. And in case you're wondering (Mom!), I'm not talking about romantic love, I'm talking about the genuine heart to heart connections that exist unconditionally between people. For example, despite all the shit I've been through with my ex Kris, and although I don't think we belong together, I will always love him. When he called me tonight and said his dad is in the hospital, I was ready to spend all night there with him if he needed me, no questions asked. He said he'd be ok, but I'm still going to keep one ear open for a phone call . . . just in case.
Yeah, so I got lazy with the links
Country music cracks me up. I should listen to it more often. Today I walked into work with a smile on my face because I'd just heard the song "
Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." (God I love XM radio!) I could make a whole CD of country songs that make me laugh. I would have to include "
Tequila makes her clothes fall off" and Brad Paisley's "
Alcohol." Who doesn't want to put a lampshade on their head after hearing that song? Dierks Bentley's hilarious lyrics initially attracted me to his songs, but I've actually fallen in love with his song "
Come a little closer." I usually try to avoid the slow country songs, unless they're sung by Faith Hill or Tim McGraw, but somehow that one grew on me.
Anyhow, it's strange to be talking about country while living in a city. I was never a huge country fan; that was my sister's thing (especially since she named our old dog "Toby" after Toby Keith). But somehow I couldn't help but start liking some of it when I was covering good ole rural Franklin County. The only clear radio station in the county was a country one. It only seemed natural to blast it with the windows down as I cruised past all the farms. I must have listened to Toby Keith's
Greatest Hits 2 and Kenny Chesney's
When the Sun Goes Down like a hundred times each. Since I moved to Charlotte I have spent much more of my time listening to Linkin Park and Rob Thomas.
Speaking of music, do you ever have one of those songs that you are embarrassed to say you really like? You know, one of those songs by some cheesy artist that gets stuck in your head for ages. On Halloween I was sitting at the computer desk in my parents house while my little brother's girlfriends watched "Laguna Beach" and the boys played pool. Ashlee Simpson's "Boyfriend" started playing on the show and I couldn't help but shriek, "I love this song!" I thought Dean was going to die of embarrassment. I got the obligatory, "Lindsay!" The female yunguns tried to make me feel better by all saying they love the song too, but I'm old compared to them and thus it was totally uncool for me to like the song, according to Dean.
Holy crap! A "Family Guy" I haven't seen! I better go so I can really watch it.
Why am I a gift horse?
I am such a freak. My parents came to town and wanted to buy me something for my birthday. Instead of getting something for myself, I took them to PetSmart and got my cats a really awesome cat tree. Actually it's one nailed on top of another one for a more interesting and taller tree. They of course are thrilled, but my dad thinks I have totally lost my mind. I, on the other hand, am rather pleased with my decision. I like to give things, and that includes giving to my cats. I've never been a good "receiver." I don't know how to react when I get gifts, I'd much rather give them. I look forward to the holidays because I get to give things to the people I love, preferably unique, well thought-
out gifts. Of course I love the holidays for other reasons -- the family gatherings, the decorations, the songs and the midnight Christmas service -- but for as long as I can remember I've been creating or buying
gifts for my family, far longer than any of my siblings. Like most kids I looked forward to "Santa" bringing me toys, but that never meant as much to me as the Christmas tree or dressing my dolls in their holiday dresses. In fact, once my little brother was old enough to know there was no Santa and started begging to open presents before Christmas morning, I always offered to give everyone my gifts because I couldn't wait for them to see what I got them. I didn't even want to open any of mine.
I have no idea why I'm this way; it's not like I think I can buy their love or something, it's not about materialism. I even used to give flowers and things to the little boys I had crushes on in pre-school. I'm such a weirdo! Luckily only one person has ever taken advantage of my giving nature. That jerk got me to buy him so much stuff before he got caught cheating on me. But whatever, it hasn't changed me one bit. If I see something that I think someone I know would like, I always feel tempted to buy it. But somehow, this season is different and I can't find
anything I want to buy for any of my loved ones this year. With only a little over a month left I am starting to freak out a bit. I'm picky too -- I don't want to be generic, I want to give each of them something special. But what do you give to the people that seem to have everything? I don't want to give my sister more crap she'll have to pack up every time she moves in and out of a dorm, and she's too picky about clothes. I can't afford the techno-weenie gadgets my brothers adore. So this is a plea -- anyone have any ideas for me?
Happy Birthday to me!
I am officially 24 and then some. I'm not sure whether I'm happy about that or depressed. Sure I'm another year wiser, but I'm not where I thought I would be at this age. I feel like I wasted an entire year in Raleigh getting nowhere. Birthdays and New Years always leave me with this strange mixed feeling. At least I know it will pass in a few days.
Anyway, I had a blast going out Saturday night, although some of it is a blur. Tracey, Steph and I were all giggles at Bailey's for several hours. (You can check out Tracey's version of the events on her blog.) Tré came out for a little bit and so did one of Steph's men, Jeremy. But after the boys left we decided it was time for a
change of scenery and headed uptown to the Holiday Inn. Classy, eh? I got to see Katie and Will for a little while, but after they left I looked around and all my friends were otherwise entertained. So I found myself talking to a 27-year-old named Chris who had just been best man in his friend's wedding. He was definitely dishing out the sweet talk, but I humored him. He wanted to know how a beautiful girl like me didn't have a boyfriend, and if I was always all-smiles. Whatever; I was entertained while I tried to sober up a bit. Finally the rent-a-cop kicked us out and Tracey took us to Tré's where Steph proceeding to wake him up at 3 a.m. so she could pee inside. That boy is a saint. I don't think any other guy I know would have been that nice to us after our drunk asses rudely awoke him at 3 a.m.
Anyhow, I made it back to north Charlotte and got a few hours sleep before dehydration woke me up at 8 a.m. I napped a little before the birthday phone calls started rolling in and my bestest bud Maribeth arrived from Charleston. She really wanted to go out and spend some time with the friends who have been so entertaining to me here, but I think everyone was partied out. Trace was busy with her mom's b-day and Tré needed a weekend without everyone haunting his apartment, so MB and I did our own thing. We went out to Japanese and then headed uptown and had a few drinks at Fox and Hound. After that we went to Harris Teeter for some more wine, since MB is quite the wine connoisseureir, and were more than entertained by the Halloween decorations on clearance. This weird black cat thing would make an evil "meow" and stick its butt in the air -- it was hilarious! Maybe you had to be there, but MB and I just crack each other up. So all in all, it was an uneventful but fun day. It still ranks as one of my better birthdays I think.
So -- now I still have 2 more days off and I don't know what I'll do with them. I'll definitely be doing some cleaning, but hopefully I'll be able to round up some friends to help me finish off birthday cake in the next few days. Any takers, let me know!
Good dayz
Despite my eagerness to get the hell out of the station from the moment I walked in, today has turned out to be a pretty good day. First I found out that tomorrow is the last week I have to
work the night shift on a Friday. Although I'll miss sleeping in, I'll essentially be gaining another weekend night to do whatever I want with my friends. Getting off at 11:30 can really suck sometimes. It definitely rules out movies, concerts and the like. Also I had birthday cake with my co-workers (which was delicious), "Dateline" was fascinating, the Bobcats won and in about 2 hours I'll be downing a pumpkin spice beer at the Gin Mill without having to worry about getting home to get up for work tomorrow! Yippee!
For a change my life is lacking drama while the rest of my family is plagued by it. Don't get me wrong, there are things I'd like to change and improve, but all in all -- everything is pretty peachy. It sucks to not be able to help my mom feel better when she's depressed, and I can't help steer my sister the right way in matters of the heart, but my own biggest battle is simply with my lack of patience. I have a hard time riding the wave of life; I want to make things happen
now. But some things only come with time -- like experience, senoirity, money, friendship, love, etc. I just have to chill and wait it out, and hopefully one day I'll wake up and it'll all be there when I least expect it.
Me sleepy
I love a good comic. If you have a hard time reading that, you can also check it out
here. Anyhow, I wanted to share that before I hit the hay early tonight. I decided to forego going out to the Gin Mill with the crew so I could spend a little time with the neglected kitties and get some much-needed sleep. It's so weird; I spent my weekend sleeping in my childhood bed, and for the first time in my life I didn't sleep well in it because it didn't feel like
mine anymore. I wanted to be at "home." I missed Jazzie's snoring and Champ's cuddling and those wonderful navy curtains that keep the morning light out. Besides, I have to rest up for my big birthday weekend. Really I'm just commandeering my closest friends for as many hours of fun as possible. And since I only truly know a few people in Charlotte, and my closest work friends will pretty much all be working, any and everyone is invited. I think we're going to start out at Hoops & Dreams on the corner of 5th and Tryon to watch the last half of the Carolina homecoming game, have a few drinks and rounds of pool and then maybe check out some other places. Saturday is also the first home game for the Bobcats so several places are bound to be rowdy by late afternoon. Gotta live it up while I'm still young, right?
I feel the need for speed
Good news -- the Halloween party pics will be up by the weekend. That's the word from the man in charge; I of course asked the question of the week as soon as I saw him at work. So, yay! Anyhow, as I was flying to work this morning I realized I am long overdue to have to try to talk my way out of a speeding ticket (knock on wood). Somehow I cruised to G-vegas and back without
seeing a single cop or trooper, which of course makes me feel like I have license to speed. So, I started to think back to the last time I got pulled over. Turns out I have never been caught in my 4Runner. Maybe, just maybe, I chose a lucky car! Maybe the silver Sebring convertible looked a little too sporty and cops enjoyed picking on me for that reason. I came up with some original stuff to try to weasel out of tickets. Sometimes it worked, most of the time it didn't. But karma got that one asshole cop that got me when I was rushing to Greenville to check out a 4Runner my parents had found before the dealership closed (ended up being the one I bought). When he pulled me over he got a flat tire. Haha! Damn I love my good-looking, clean SUV! Ok, I should do some real work now.
So yay, I finally got my very own Christmas tree! I think I did a pretty good job decorating it, if I do say so myself. It turned out to be a bigger undertaking than I imagined. I knocked it over twice trying to put on the lights and I had buckets of needles on the floor, but it's all done now and hopefully it will stay standing (as long as Champ gets over his desire to leap at the ornaments). And if anyone thinks my tree is ugly, keep it to yourself!
allow me to sleep in, and the price of that is not getting normal days off. If I wanted lots of holidays, I would have been a banker :-P.
