Meandering Musings

2007-01-24T12:18:00.000-05:00

I've got to make this short, as my drugs are about to kick in. My moments of lucidity have been brief this week due to some pretty intense pain medications. The long and short of it - my lower back gave out (I was just standing), and then I got a killer flu. The bad combination of pain, coughing, sneezing and some other unknowns caused me to have an oh so Victorian moment on Monday morning. I passed out, and scared the you-know-what out of my boyfriend by convulsing while I was unconscious. This led me straight to the emergency room, and after many tests and 6 hours later, I came home with lots of drugs.

I'm on the mend, but still feeling quite ill. My boyfriend has been a gem...no an utter rock-star by taking care of my invalid, doped-up self. Seriously, lord only knows what would have happened had he not been there.

So, until I am better and come down from my meds, I will not subject you to my babbles. I will be back. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

Support a Good Cause!

2007-01-19T12:12:00.000-05:00

Every year, I focus on a worthy organization where I can donate money, volunteer etc. I have given this a lot of thought, and decided to devote my time and efforts to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. One of my wonderful co-workers is a leukemia survivor, and I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting a number of other lymphoma survivors this past year. Unfortunately, I have also met people who have lost loved ones to the ravages of this disease.

All of these encounters, and encouragement from a very close friend of mine (you know who you are) have persuaded me to join Team in Training, an organization which brings people together who are raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The basic idea - we all train for a Lymphoma event together (in this case, it's a triathalon taking place in San Diego on July 1) and work together to raise the money for a very ambitious donation goal. The kick-off meeting is Saturday the 27th, and after that, we meet 2-3 times a week to train.

So, if any of you readers care to make a donation to this worthy cause, please drop me a note. Every little bit counts, and your support will mean the world to me (especially as I suffer the aches and pains from biking, running and swimming). And, if you are so inclined, I encourage to find a Team in Training organization near you!

Snow in Malibu = End of the World?

2007-01-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

Ok God, what gives???

On January 27th, I officially said goodbye to my Cambridge apartment. Along with the able assistance of my family, friends and boyfriend, I carefully loaded all my belongings into a Penske truck and hoisted my precious car onto a tow dolly. It was a long day of lifting, carrying and climbing, but it was done. And all through it, I smiled.

On January 28th at 7:00am, Allan and I climbed into our 14 footer, and girded our loins to spend the next 6 days in this far-from luxurious truck cab. After lots of hugs, goodbyes and tears, we pulled out onto Route 2 and commenced the Westward trek. Despite the tears, I smiled on.

For the next 6 days, we consistently drove 12 hours a day. I won't lie, it wasn't easy and we were exhausted at the end of every day. We had some fun (notable were the stops at Laughlin, NV, the poor man's Vegas and the beautiful states of AZ and NM), but as a whole, it was challenging - we had to spent New Year's Eve in a cheap hotel in Amarillo, Texas when the I-40 was shut down due to ice storms; we drove through teeth-clenching, rage-inducing bumper to bumper traffic in New Mexico (seriously, people got out of their cars and build snow men while waiting for ANY movement); I had to watch the oil slowly leak out of my car after a wayward rock smashed the oil pan (it cost me $600 to fix!). I think you get the idea. Despite these patience-testing trials, I smiled on.

When we pulled into our driveway in California on January 4th, I was ecstatic. Never mind that I was now a California resident...I didn't have to be in that *&!@#@ truck anymore. We made it. We survived the long haul, and didn't kill each other along the way!

Many of you must be asking - why in the world did you want to drive cross-country, but most importantly, why were you smiling the whole time??? In answer to the first question - I have always wanted to drive cross-country and I don't regret doing it. But, I will never do it again. More importantly, the answer to the second question. Why was I smiling?

Why?

Because the warmer shores of California were waiting for me. Beckoning to me. Calling me. I could permanently pack away the bulky winter sweaters, Timberland snow boots and long underwear. The shovel and ice pick that resided in the trunk of my car could be retired. Snow tires, numb fingertips and salt-stained shoes would be a thing of the past.

Or so I thought...

It's been warmer in Boston then it has in Southern California ... California has had more snow than Beantown ... These are clearly frightening signs of global warming, but seriously God, couldn't you have at least let me enjoy a little Southern California sunshine?

My Candid Confession

2006-12-07T20:20:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since my last post, but I m still here. My head is barely sticking out above the bijillion packing boxes, but I am here. But I need to to talk to you dear reader. Rather than persist in dissapointing you, I need to come clean.

Here I go.

Until I finally settle into my new California digs, my postings will be sporadic. I know, I know - life is hard without me - the reason you get up every day for work, the reason your life has meaning (leave me with my illusions ok?) Believe me, I want to do more, but trust me when I tell you that my blogging will be very consistent once I make it out to the "other" coast. A combination of homesickness, and the inundation of new sights, smells, sound and culture will all be ample fodder. I know I am beginning to sound like Chicken Little, but I promise.

Anyhoo - as I already mentioned, I am neck deep in packing boxes. I am doing my best not to slowly go insane before I head out. The move has been in the works for so long, I just want to be there already. Beam me up Scotty....NOW!

Needless to say my apartment is a little pathetic right now. Apart from the fact that it resembles a cardboard maze, it is sorely lacking in Christmas cheer. Normally, I buy a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and put up my tasteful and subtle decorations. A wreath goes up on my front door and my Itunes holiday playlists start stretching their legs. And, like a little kid on Christmas morning, I cannot wait for the first sign of sunset, so that I can light my Christmas tree and bask in the warm glow of its scintillating bulbs and savour the sweet smell of pine. The absence of said tree is slightly disheartening, and I keep needing to remind myself that Christmas really is only three weeks away.

It's all worth it in the end. On December 28th, I will commence the long trek cross country (yep, driving) to be in my new home.

P.S. If anyone has a desire to lose some holiday poundage, I can supply some good exercise! Come help my load the truck on the 27th, and I promise you'll lose at least 2 of those suckers.

Me and Jimmy Stewart

2006-11-09T18:34:00.000-05:00

I was out for an evening stroll with Mr. Jimmy Stewart the other night, and one of our friends captured a tender moment. I felt so glamorous and the dress I was wearing was a real steal at Nordie's Rack. The martini was just the way I like them: straight up, slightly dirty with three olives. And Jimmy, well, he was a perfect gentlemen - a virtual Romeo who swept me off my feet.

Ok, ok. No, Jimmy Stewart is not my boyfriend (although he does look quite handsome and debonair in that picture). My real boyfriend (who is MUCH, MUCH more handsome and debonair than Mr. Stewart) photoshopped this today, and I can't believe what a good job he did! Unbeknownst to him, he happened to chose a picture from the set of "The Philadelphia Story", a play I did when I was in law school. I love the irony.

For those who are curious, here is the original picture:

Big Events in the U.S.A.

2006-11-08T18:52:00.000-05:00

Wow - it's been a big day. The election results; the Supreme Court hearing regarding partial birth abortion; Rumsfeld's "resignation"; the first woman as speaker of the house; and locally, the election of Massachusetts' first black governor.

And, let's not forget yesterday's earth-shattering announcement that Britney Spears is divorcing Mr. Federline. To borrow from The Onion, "A Shattered Nation Longs To Care About Stupid Bullshit Again." Case in point: despite all the crazy stuff happening in the world, Britney's decision came to my e-mail inbox in the form of a CNN.com alert. I mean really. Does CNN think I really care about this?? Clearly, Britney's decision is far from amazing - it's simply something that even a drunk, LCD-tripping monkey . . .no, wait, that's too smart...a drunk, LCD-tripping Paris Hilton could have called from the first day that Kevin asked Britney on a date. (It's a shame she had to bring two children in the world before figuring it out though).

I just spent four whole sentences on Ms. Spears - now 5 - so I guess I "care." Pfaa. I am watching the news right now, and I almost choked on my wine when one political pundit tried to tie the current political events to the demise of Ms. Spears' marriage. "I guess this is a message to president Bush to get out of Iraq as quickly as Britney ended her marriage to Kevin Federline." Who would have thought the "marriage" of these world events were at all related?

'Nuff said.

She's Back... Finally...But in A Different Place

2006-11-02T18:01:00.000-05:00

I am finally recovering from my long blogging absence.

Now, don't go judging me - It was a conscious decision on my part, as I buckled down for a very challenging past two months. Work had me traveling on almost a daily basis, and I have been wrestling with some pretty weighty (but good) decisions. Given that I barely had time to sleep, much less exercise (gulp)- alas - blogging took a back seat to the more pressing matters of my life.

But, my respite is over. My self-imposed blogging exile is no more. The blogging board has been very vocal about their displeasure over my silence, but I did receive written permission from the same to take a wee break. And for that, I thank you profusely.

So, from now on, my blogging will resume with the same pointless vigour that I had when I commenced this on-line journal. But, there will be one big difference. . . .

[Insert drum roll and suspensful music]

An East Coast girl I will not longer be. You read it right. I am leaving jolly old Boston for the warmer shores of California.

More to come soon. I promise.

Too Skinny for the Runway?

2006-09-10T09:39:00.000-04:00

While reading my daily RSS feeds, I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this little article - "Skinny Models Banned From Top Fashion Show." At first I thought "oops, this must be from "The Onion," because clearly, it would seem highly unlikely that the waifs that have donned our runways would be criticized by the very industry that created them.

But, I was wrong. This is actually a real story.

Apparently, the organizers of Madrid's Fashion week, The Fashion Designers of Spain and the Madrid regional government have decided to use the BMI Index to calculate each of the model's mass index. Any model with a BMI of under 18 was considered too underweight to take part in the shows. Ironically enough, this BMI (which is still very low) precluded Spain's top model, Esther Canadas from participating in Fashion Week.

I applaud this decision. Now, don't get me wrong - staying in shape and taking care of oneself is very important to me (increasingly so as I get older - gulp). I am not one of these women who will hate another woman simply because she is too beautiful (like any other natural born attribute, good for them). I appreciate beauty in other women, and I sincerely admire the looks of these drop-dead gorgeous runway models, including the aforementioned Canadas. BUT, I sincerely believe that many of these Super Models would be even more lethally stunning with just a few more pounds on their undernourished frames.

Of course, not being male, I am not an expert in what is considered the "ideal" female physique. I am also not naive enough to believe that beauty has a uniform definition (what is beautiful to one, may not be to another) and that this ideal encompasses so much more than just the outer packaging. But, I do wonder what the American male thinks about this article - care to chime in? The definition of beauty has vacillated over time, and will continue to do so. Are we on the cusp of another change?

Growing up Creepie

2006-09-09T18:01:00.000-04:00

You guys gotta check this out tonight - "Growing up Creepie" a new cartoon on the Discovery Channel - just take a peak before heading out to the usual Saturday night of drinking debauchery. Someone very near and dear to me has been busting his a$$ on this, so of course, I must make this shamless plug.

Watch it, watch it, watch it ;)

YadaYadaYadaYada

2006-09-05T20:38:00.000-04:00

OOOOOOOOOFFFFTTTAAA - what a day.

What a day, what a day, what a day.

I have literally been on the phone non-stop. All day long. Conference call to conference call. Phone call to phone call. And in between, taking short gasps of air and small bites of food to sustain my manic pace.

And what do I have to show for it?

A pooped out cordless phone and cell phone, nesting comfortably in their charging-stations.

I do so wish I had one of those. Something that I could simply "plug" myself into for a little extra energy boost. Some would tell me to simply drink a Red Bull, have a cup of coffee or simply down a nice swig o' tequila. I honestly wish these panaceas would work, but they always end up making me feel more tired, or completely spastic and unable to focus on a simple coherent thought. Clearly, neither option is conducive to getting any good work done.

So for now, I have had a long night of work to make up for the all day chatting. Granted all my chatting was work-related and each call was in furtherance of some good long-term projects. However, short-term projects always suffer as a result of such talking. Which is why I find myself still hard at work, struggling to put together a very bland, poorly composed blog entry. Believe me, I'd like to do better - honest - but I still have more work to do, bags to pack, dogs to take out before I collapse into an over talked heap on my bed.

Clearly, I am being over-dramatic. I've worked late before and am no stranger to long hours. But isn't there a cosmic injustice in having to work late the weekend after my 31st birthday? Maybe the fact that my weekend was spent laughing, eating good food, imbibing, slothing and generally having a delicious birthday weekend only makes this day more horrid . . .

Humor me dear reader. It was my birthday after all ;)

Tea Partey with My Homeys

2006-08-31T12:11:00.000-04:00

Oh man. If anyone knows New England, this will have you shooting tea from your nose!

Peace out. Word.

Isn't He Dreamy?

2006-08-29T19:13:00.000-04:00

As a rule, I am not a big fan of Sony. The company's notoriety for trying to run a successful business by simultaneously attempting to lock-in consumer behaviour and piss-off their entire consumer base is puzzling. Let's just highlight a few such examples - the Sony "Memory Sticks"; the repeated delay of the PS3 console and it exorbitant $800 price tag; the very, very, very bad DRM public relations disaster; the Blue Ray v. HD-DVD debacle; and the most recent, the recall of millions of Dell and MAC laptop batteries manufactured by Sony.

Don't get me wrong - I own a PSP, PS2 and I thoroughly enjoy the gaming experience on both of my consoles. But, be honest, was the UMD really necessary? Or was that just another lurid example of Sony's creation of propriety hardware to force consumers to buy only their products (I mean, didn't they learn anything from the failed Mini-Disc?) I recognize that, like any company, Sony is out to make a profit, but is this really the way to do it? Sales 101 teaches you to build credibility with your clients and Sony has clearly missed the boat on this basic sales fundamental.

Ok, ok, enough Sony bashing. Apart from my gaming consoles, there is one other Sony product I DO in fact like: the QRIO, aka "Dream Robot." With my birthday fast approaching, I wouldn't be oppposed to getting of these little robot-boys. Granted, I have no idea what I would do with a bijillion dollar robot (slight exageration) that has a 1 hour battery life (truth). It would be cute for about 2 weeks, until my dogs would appropriate it as their new destructo-toy. But, since I saw these robots dance in Beck's "Hell Yes" video, I have been curiously intrigued by their fluid, almost human-like motions.

Perhaps you too will find them Dreamy?

New TSA Mandatory Dress Codes

2006-08-28T23:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the future of flying, where we will be mandated to wear nothing but our birthday suits (hats off to RyanAir who posted this on their website). Honestly, given the pain in the arse it has become to get on and off a plane, I may willingly opt to fly sans clothes. If it means I'd recapture the many hours of my life spent queueing, I'll be the first to disrobe.

All kidding aside, I do appreciate the good work that airport employees are doing to keep me safe. While the whole airport experience is about as pleasant as a colonoscopy, I try not to complain. In my humble opinion, these people don't get paid NEARLY enough money to put up with the vicious impatience of irate passengers. I cannot think of another job where you are guaranteed to work with ungrateful, downright nasty people on pretty much a day-to-day basis. I have personally witnessed amazing - no, SAINTLY - displays of patience, forbearance and grace in the face of some less than ideal conditions.

So, next time you fly, smile and thank the good people at the airport, it will go a long way.

Hell, you'll probably benefit from some nice warm and fuzzies and karmic points. Or maybe even get bumped up to first class ;)

P.S. Yes, dear reader, you are not doubt commenting on the fact that this is yet another flight-related blog posting. I am waiting for the Blog Board to threaten to pull my funding if I don't cough up more diverse subject matters. Rest assured that more variety is forthcoming. I am basking in the glow of a wonderful weekend today, which is guaranteed to inspire.

If I Were An Andy Warhol, I Would Look Like This

2006-08-22T18:28:00.000-04:00

If I had watched the "Ring" videotape, and anyone tried to take a picture of me before my untimely death, I would look like this:

And, if I were a comic book character, I would look like this:

And, if I was sketched in pencil, I would look like this:

And, if I were a female Jesus and could pick my "glow", I would look like this:

Ok, clearly I am procrastinating. I needed a diversion...hence the pictures I just took with my PhotoBooth. I have an apartment that needs cleaning and bags that need to be packed for my trip to Seattle tomorrow. But I just can't. I m too sad. My sister is leaving for Italy this week and I just told her goodbye. I am so excited for her, and I will see her in just 5 months (and perhaps sooner, if I visit her), but I already miss her. And it hurts. A lot. I am seriously fighting tears.

Good luck munchkin and have the time of your life. I'll miss you, but will smile knowing you are going to leave an indelible mark in Europe. Have fun and take some beautiful pictures for me.

I am saddened by my sister's departure to Italy, so I look like this:

Ciao Bella.

English Football Hooliganism

2006-08-20T12:21:00.000-04:00

I was pleasantly surprised by my most recent Netflix arrival, Green Street Hooligans. My sister end I sat down to watch it Saturday afternoon, after a LONG day of moving, unpacking and resulting exhaustion. I didn't know much about it, other than a friend mentioned it in passing, so I thought "what the hell, let's add it to my queue." I'm very glad that I did.

Putting aside that this is an incredibly violent and realistically graphic movie, it has gained a place on my top 100 films list (those with a weak stomach for such violence - like me - might need to avert your eyes during some scenes). The Elijah Wood casting, which at first blush might seem odd, was good. You quickly forget the Hobbit Frodo when you see him launch his first punch. It took some getting used to ("Hey, Frodo, you're 3 feet tall hobbit, you might want to rethink punching that beefy Englishman"), but after the first 5 minutes, the Frodo-stigma was shed. And, Charlie Hunnam who played Pete Dunham, the leader of the Green Street Gang (or "firm") was not only very pleasing to the eye, but his balanced portrayal of a brutal street fighter by night, school teacher by day was impressive. I'd never seen him before, but was shocked to learn that he played the nasty-looking albino from Cold Mountain. What I found most unexpected was that this very masculine, testosterone-laden movie was directed by a woman.

Putting aside a somewhat weak script (some admittedly predictable plot twists), the directing and great acting were powerful. This movie moved me. I know - it's odd that it had such an effect on me, but it's probably because as of late, I have been doing some serious thinking about friendship and loyalty (ask me later). Despite the bone crushing, face smashing visceral brutality of the movie, it was a keen portrayal of the loyalty of true friends...even if the individuals in question are street thugs. It is best summed up by this film quote, "You know the best part? It isn't knowing that your friends have your back. It's knowing that you have your friends' back."

Germs on a Plane

2006-08-17T13:02:00.000-04:00

Alright...I know, your eyes are rolling to the back of your head. "Enough with the Snakes on a Plane jokes," I can hear you telling yourself.

But, I couldn't resist. I had to go there.

I had to post something since it's been a couple of days and I didn't want another stern rebuke from my "Blog Board." I managed to catch a nasty, nasty bug from one of my many recent flights and I have been in bed for the last 2 days(and no, Airborne didn't help). To make matters worse, I am sick on a business trip and am convalescing in my lovely Sheraton Hotel room. I am not even in my own bed. So, dear readers, please be kind.

Truth be told, I cannot take credit for the title of today's entry title (creator of this pun, I thank you). But I had to use it. It made you chuckle just a little, didn't it? Not even a teensy-weensy little smile? Or maybe you were laughing inside...yeah, that's it.

Ok - enough of my delirious idiocies. More coherent lunacies to follow when I am back on my feet again, and most importantly, back home.

Snakes on a Plane - They Have Finally Landed

2006-08-13T21:25:00.000-04:00

After a long, long, and patient wait, Snakes on a Plane is finally being released! This film promises to be the ultimate cheese-fest, but I am looking forward to the festering, putrid smell - bring it on!

There is a small gang of us planning to see the film next Sunday, the 20th at 4:15 at the Loews on Tremont Street. So, come one, come all.

Hey, if the movie sucks, the after-movie dinner promises to be a real hoot!

We're Going to Vegas Baby, Terrorists be Damned!

2006-08-10T21:04:00.000-04:00

It has been a record lapse since my last entry, and for that, a bijillion apologies to my loyal readers...or remaining reader. Thanks to Vijay for the proverbial kick in the pants, when he admonished me: "You must be ridiculously busy? 2 weeks and no blog entry? Your faithful readers DEMAND that you post an entry toute de suite!!! It doesn't even need to be creative or funny. We just need to know you are still out there."

So, Vijay, this is for you. And, yes, I am still alive and kicking...barely.

Let's talk about Las Vegas, good 'ole bastion of debauchery oddly located smack dab in the middle of a desert. I have been going to said oasis once a year for the last four years and flew home last night from my yearly pilgrimage. Hands down, this year's trip is by far the most memorable - ever. My body has been pushed to record levels of sleep and food deprivation and I couldn't be more pleased. Since "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas," details will not be forthcoming. Needless to say, I will never forget this trip.

Unfortunately, my flight home from Vegas coincided with the discovery of the massive terrorist airplane plot. While I am very grateful this horrible plot was foiled, I was very shaken and nervous about my flight home. I have had too many brushes with terror - I was living in NYC and flying home from Europe on 9-11 when my flight was diverted to Newfoundland. I spent that entire week living on church pews before being allowed to return to the U.S; My sister and I were in London the day of the Tube bombings and I was flying on the day of the "shoe bomber." As you can imagine, I was very happy to make it home and hug my two dogs.

I would like to say that I will not need to fly until the terror threat subsides, but my new job promotion has me traveling so much this month, I might as well buy property at Logan and live there permanently. I am not looking forward to my many work-related trips, but I refuse to let terrorists make me live my life in fear. This is the mantra that kept me going when I lived in NYC throughout the many post 9-11 scares (anthrax etc.), and I will continue to hold fast to these words.

The travel will slow down next month, but for now, I press on. Terrorists be damned.

Thoughts at the Airport

2006-07-27T09:56:00.000-04:00

I have been sitting on my keister at Logan International airport trying to get on a flight to Chicago. My first flight was severely delayed because apparently, a vital plane part is missing and they had to order it. Since then, I have been on standby for two flights and have been unable to board either flights. I am beginning to think that the likelihood of me making it to Chicago today is about as likely as me winning $10 Million dollars on my upcoming trip to Las Vegas (a girl can dream no?). I have been shuttling between terminals with another gaggle of passengers who are stuck in the same predicament.

In the grand scheme of things, it's not so bad. Internet access (as evidence by my blog entry), CNN and some colorful conversation make the delay quite bearable. I really love to people watch, and airport delays make for some perfect people-watching fodder. Usually, I am able to make some significant sightings, and I am seriously debating writing a book on "travelers of the world", as there are clearly archetypes on every flight. Here are some of the common breeds of passenger sightings:

- The Salesmen: They can usually be identified by the Bluetooth headset and blackberries. They pace the waiting lounge like expectant fathers, passionately discussing their latest sale. If one does not notice the headset, you might be tempted to think they are talking to themselves.

- The Glamour Doll: The perfectly coifed, beautifully dressed women reading "Glamour" or "Vogue". The airport is the perfect time to catch up on the latest "10 Ways to Please Your Man";

- The Old Married Couple: They are usually sitting side by side, and don't utter a word during the entire wait, no matter how long the delay (I do so often want to know what they are thinking);

- The College Student: These are clearly identifiable by the myriad of college paraphanelia that they are wearing (hats, sweatshirts, T-shirts etc.) They are usually reading a Vonegut book, or something VERY intellectual (or at least, pretending to read it);

- The Loud Ones: Usually a very vociferous group that is sadly mistaken into thinking that everyone else in the waiting lounge thinks that what they are discussing is hilarious (this breed annoys me the most, but alas, they are the most common);

- The Angry Man: Sometimes, this breed is mistaken for the Loud Ones. While they are indeed loud, these can be distinguished by their frequent use of explitives, visible huffing and puffing, and constant harrassment of the gate attendant; and

- The Laptopers (including myself): easy to spot. Usually sitting down on a chair (or often, the floor) and furiously typing away.

Ok - time to move onto another gate. As expected, I wasn't able to get onto this flight. I m hoping I can get a seat on the 11am!

Steven's Internet Tubes

2006-07-23T20:39:00.000-04:00

Wow - two posts in a row. I couldn't help it. I had to post this clip from the Daily Show's coverage on Net Neutrality. Classic.

What the Hell is "Irshal"?

2006-07-23T19:56:00.000-04:00

It's Sunday evening. The last night of my vacation.

And tomorrow is Monday. . .The first day back to work.

Ugh.

I actually have a pretty good job, but really it doesn't matter - the first day back from a vacation is about as pleasant as stubbing your toe. Or getting a root canal. Or getting a spinal tap. You get the idea.

Accordingly, I am embracing my last evening of relaxation. I am sitting at my desk, with some Ella and Louis streaming through my speakers, sipping on a nice glass of Rioja. My window is open and there is a delightfully gentle breeze wafting through my apartment. I just supped on my favorite meal, sushi, and cannot help but look outside my window at the delicate clouds that are mystically back lit by the remnants of the sun. I've been working out like a fiend and my muscles are all sore and warm. Life is good.

This is the the calm before the storm of back-to-regular-life. But that's ok. I feel rejuvenated, ready to tackle reality again (although arguably I've actually been more ensconced in reality this week). I have ignored my blackberry e-mails this week, and know that I will have about a million e-mails to parse through tomorrow. I am off to Chicago at the end of the week for a lovely work affair at the Field Museum which will involve a private viewing of the King Tut exhibit, and I am ardently looking forward to it (although I am dreading the drive to the airport . . . sans tunnel).

Anyhoo, I think it's high time I explained the namesake of my blog, "irshal" as I am often asked about its origin. Unfortunately, I don't have any glamorous response to this query. Simply put, it was a nickname my best friend of 23 years (yeesh) gave me when we we were youg'uns. I m not quite sure where she got it from herself, but she was had a knack for dubbing people, animals and places with creative surnames. Irshal was her namesake for me and it's stuck. And when I started getting into the whole Internet thing (with all it's Stevens tubes and such), irshal was also available. Simple, clean, and I didn't have to add any numbers to it (like irshal456). Perfect.

Of course, I tried to think of a better explanation. I googled "irshal" and was surprised to learn that it is actually a great hiking mountain in Mumbai, India. If you are curious, I found a nice slide-show of one group's trek of Irshal. (I have no idea who these people are, but I am glad that they posted these pictures!) India is on my list of places to visit before I knock off, so a trek on Irshal is a must when I make it over there!

Alright, back to my relaxing Sunday evening I go . . .

New Pictures Are Up!

2006-07-21T14:34:00.000-04:00

So, long story short, but I finally fixed My Picture Gallery so that I can finally start adding more pictures. It's been a long, long time, but I promise and vow to be better about posting my pix (sorry to all of those who have been waiting a long time for this. There are now pix from my travels, my poker nights (including a VERY fun one that lasted until 2am yesterday) and other random assortments. There will be a LOT more pictures coming shortly . . . In the meantime, enjoy! For those of you who want high-res version of any of these pictures, drop me a note and I can e-mail them off to you.

Vacation Exhaustion!

2006-07-19T07:42:00.000-04:00

I've been on vacation this week, and for the first time EVER, I opted to stay home. I am not going anywhere, I am not loading my backpack, and I am not getting on a 15 hour flight to some far-off destination. No diving, no bungee jumping, no hiking, no sipping on pina coladas by the pool for me. Not this time.

Yes, I went nowhere - absolutely nowhere. Gasp.

Have I plateaued. Have I finally "grown up"?

I don't think so. I really think it's partially related to some looming work travel - Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, NYC - and all in the next month and a half. Yeesh. Fortunately, most of them are 2-3 day trips, and on the bright side, I will be stacking up those frequent flyer miles. As it stands now, I am already a super-duper-we-kiss-your-ass-would-you-like-fries-with-that-shake frequent flyer on USair, United, and I am fast working my way back to that status on Continental and Delta. And, I am getting dangerously near to having to actually pay for my personal flights again, and I certainly do not want that!

My vacation timing was also planned to coincide with the arrival of my new pup, Hunter. She landed on Monday night, after traveling all day from Spokane, Washington. So far, so good, but it's only day 3. She still hasn't figured out that she is here for good - I give it a couple of more days before I get to know the real Hunter. She has a very sweet, gentle disposition with a streak of coquettishness . . . so we shall see what comes next. Murphy is reticent to give her a proper welcome, focusing simply on the fact that he now has to share me. I feel slightly guilty, but he'll get over it.

So, my vacation week has thus far been spent puppy training, spring cleaning, cooking (which has been fun), and chellaxing with friends. And, for whatever reason, I am awake every morning at 6:30am - what's up with that???

Needless to say, the combination of the insufferable heat (I'll take this over winter any day though), unplanned EARLY mornings and a constant state of puppy-vigilance (i.e. did she have an accident? what is she chewing? and the like) have me exhausted.

A cruel irony, since, technically, I am on vacation. . .

Ok . . . I am Ashamed to Admit This, But . . .

2006-07-14T21:50:00.000-04:00

I thoroughly enjoyed "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle." I've never considered myself a "Naked Gun" sorta gal, but this movie had me laughing my a$$ off. Many people have recommended this film, and I finally ordered it on Netflix and it arrived today - I still cannot wipe the stupid grin off my face that this movie put there. Not to mention, there is something about that Kal Penn. I cannot put my finger on it, but this guy's comic timing, delivery, and looks are a nice combination.

Also, "Snakes on Planes", the first movie I blogged about will be released on August 18th (yehaw!), and as one of my friend's pointed out in an e-mail to me today, "There are few things in this life that I can think of that are more entertaining than hearing Samuel L. Jackson say "there are mother#$%^in snakes on this mother#$%^in plane" In fact, I am giggling to myself like a 2nd grader as I type these words."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Now, about those Snakes on Planes T-shirts that I really want . . .I am still waiting!

Another Sad Day in Boston

2006-07-12T08:22:00.000-04:00

Boston has been a very sad town lately. On a personal note, last Friday, one of downtown Boston's greatest Irish pubs forever closed it's doors. Tiernen's, a favorite Boston haunt is no longer. My friend is writing a story on it for the Weekly Dig, and I have received countless e-mails from cronies who are saddened by this loss.

But, that's nothing compared to yesterday's tragic events. Yesterday really saddened me, and I want to take a moment to pay homage to a woman I don't even know.

Yesterday, the Big Dig (one of our nation's largest pork barrel projects) took the life of a 38 year old woman, Milena DelValle. She was a recent newlywed who was crushed by the concrete panels which fell from the ceiling of the tunnel. Her husband managed to crawl out of the crushed body of their Buick, but unfortunately, she was in the direct path of the falling debris.

The purpose of writing this is not to sling accusations at the MTA, the builders of the Big Dig, Amarello or Mitt Romney. The press is taking care of that. I really just want to remember Milena DelValle, a woman who was too young to die.

Concrete falls, and a couple's joy is destroyed
By Maria Cramer and John R. Ellement, Boston Globe Staff | July 12, 2006

It sounded like thunder, he said. Angel Del Valle was driving through the Interstate 90 connector at about 10:45 Monday night, his wife, Milena, at his side, to pick up his brother at Logan International Airport. Suddenly, in front of him, the ceiling began to give way. The noise was deafening. He slammed on the brakes of his Buick sedan, but it was too late. Huge chunks of concrete and steel came crashing down on his car, nearly flattening it.

Dazed, but conscious, he pulled himself out of the window on the smashed driver's side and went to try to help free his wife. But debris surrounded the car and the passenger side was crushed, preventing him from prying open her door. He could not get to her.

``It was impossible," he said yesterday, as his sister, Ines, wept nearby. ``I wanted to do the impossible."

Angel Del Valle, 46, stood outside a relative's house in Dorchester yesterday afternoon, holding a picture of his wife on their wedding day two years ago. They had met two years before that, at a Jamaica Plain church service. Immediately upon seeing her, Del Valle knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

``She was the woman of my life," he said, speaking in Spanish. ``And she continued to be until God took her away from me."

Nursing a purple bruise on his forehead from the accident, he spoke of his final moments with his wife, a 38-year-old Costa Rican immigrant who arrived in the United States about five years ago.

The couple were driving to Logan to pick up his brother, Francisco, who was returning from a trip to Puerto Rico, where Angel Del Valle was born. As they drove into the tunnel connector, Del Valle said he could see the chunks of concrete fall a few feet in front of him. He never heard his wife scream, only the sounds of concrete falling on his car.

``They came, one on top of the other," he said. ``It all happened so fast, I can't even understand what happened."

Yesterday afternoon, more than 12 hours after the accident, he still hadn't slept. He seemed tormented that he was unable to rescue her. He had crouched in front of the car and told Milena he would take care of her children.

``We were together for four years," he said. ``They were short, but very happy. That's why I feel so [destroyed] . . ."

Still, one of his few consolations, he said, was that his wife probably felt very little, if any, pain. He believes that Milena died immediately.

``Thank God, she didn't suffer," he said.

Angel Del Valle, who was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital after the accident, suffered minor injuries.

The couple lived in a three-decker apartment on Westerly Street in Jamaica Plain and were always together, neighbors and friends said yesterday. He is a full-time clerk behind the meat counter at Hi-Lo Foods on Centre Street, a supermarket popular with Latino shoppers. Milena Del Valle worked in facility maintenance at Mississippi's Restaurant in Mission Hill. Before that, she occasionally handed out copies of El Planeta, a Brookline-based Spanish weekly newspaper, at Forest Hills T-station in Jamaica Plain and at the Orient Heights station in East Boston.

When Angel Del Valle came home from work, his wife would take off his shoes and socks and rub his feet. He did the cooking. They were seldom apart.

``They were always going out on the weekends, doing laundry," said Rico Figueroa, 35, who lives on the first floor of the apartment. ``They seemed real happy together."

Milena Del Valle occasionally came by Hi-Lo Foods to visit her husband, said Bill Jordan, the store's manager. The chemistry between the couple was obvious, he said.

``I could tell he was crazy about her," he said. ``You could see the connection there. They were always smiling at each other."

The couple did not have children together, but Milena Del Valle had three adult children living in Costa Rica. She had left her family to find a job that would help support her mother, two sons, and daughter. Her ultimate goal was for the children to move to the United States. Until then, she hoped to make enough money to help her daughter start an ice cream shop, Del Valle said. She attended Sunday services at Hispanic Community Church of Boston on Seaverns Avenue in Jamaica Plain for the last two years, where her husband was also active, said the Rev. Lisa De Paz, a pastor.

``She was a wonderful woman who always wanted to give herself to the church," De Paz said. ``She tried to help people, working the coffee hour in the church. She was very, very involved with the life of the church."

Shortly before 3 p.m. yesterday, just before rain began to fall, two State Police cruisers and a black sedan pulled up to the Dorchester home of Angel Del Valle's relatives, not far from Blue Hill Avenue. The entourage was escorting Matthew J. Amorello, chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, who left his vehicle and approached Del Valle's relatives to offer condolences. The visit occurred at about the same time that Governor Mitt Romney was calling for Amorello's ouster during a State House press conference, saying the public had lost confidence in the safety of the tunnel project. Amorello hugged some of Del Valle's relatives. His head lowered, the turnpike chairman ignored a reporter's questions and walked away.

Maria Cramer can be reached at mcramer@globe.com. Globe correspondent Yuxing Zheng contributed to this report.

Hey Honey, Look What I Found in the Ocean!

2006-07-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

On my morning walk with Murphy today, I met a fellow-dog owner with a very colorful story about how he and his wife happened upon their little dog, "Scup".

At first sight, Dave was clearly a sea-faring man, and I was not at all surprised when he informed me that, up until a year ago, he and his wife lived on a boat. He has a full head of white hair, worn hands, and tan, weathered skin. While Dave and I chatted, Scup growled at Murphy. He is a tiny, very proud little Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix who completely bullied Murphy around - it was quite amusing.

My encounter with Dave sent me on memory lane. He reminded me so much of Archie Ross, the late skipper of a boat that would take me to my favorite island off the coast of Freeport, Maine. It got me thinking about him (pictured above) and was a sad reminder of his death a couple of years ago - I absolutely adored him. He would always let my brother and I sit on the top of his diesel-powered boat while we putted our way to the island. Archie was always barefoot, and his feet were so leathered that, if possible, barnacles would have grown on them. He was the quintessential sea-man and he captured my imagination. I was very sad to learn of his death, but I know that he left an indelible mark on this world. Ooof...it looks like my sentimentality is getting the best of me. But, before I continue with my story, if you are up there in heaven reading this, cheers to you Archie.

So, back to Dave - as dog owners always do, we began chatting about our "children" - name, age etc. We started talking about how we each got our respective dogs, and of course, I told him that I picked up Murphy from North Carolina. Dave proceeded to tell me that Scup actually came to him - swam clear up to his boat from the ocean! Of course, Dave and his wife were puzzled, since at the time, there were no other boats within eye-sight. Little Scup was clearly an adult dog, but was untrained and would not respond to English, Spanish or French. It was a puzzle how this little dog simple appeared in the middle of the ocean!

After speaking to the Coast Guard about this mysterious fish-dog, he learned that way, way off yonder there were indeed a couple of boats out in the ocean of Indonesian origin. Apparently, little Scup was a food source that got away!

Pretty amazing story no?

I Couldn't Have Sung It Better Myself

2006-07-08T16:59:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I don't own a honda, nor am I advocating that everyone go out and buy one. However, the company recently went home with two Cleo award for these amazing television ads. Being an ardent vocalist, I was seriously wowed by this (and for you doubters, they REALLY did this. I saw the making of this video):

I also was tickled by this great Rube Goldberg-like vision of the car:

Enjoy ;)

What Do These Three Have in Common? Fireworks, Stomach and Brains

2006-07-04T16:39:00.000-04:00

Happy belated July 4th everyone! It has been a record lapse since my last entry, but I had another house guest, and just assumed a new role within my company. As you can imagine, its been a bit crazy. But, my head is finally above water and as always, I am KEENLY anticipating the upcoming weekend - which will basically be spent watching World Cup Soccer and enjoying the warm weather (that I am confident we will get!)

Otherwise, I do feel a bit remiss in not participating in the patriotic July 4th activities at the Esplanade. Instead, I hung out in the North End and enjoyed a very public display of Italian patriotism, which was in full-force after their victory over the German home team. I had just said goodbye to my good friend Eric, who spent the long weekend visiting me from NYC (Eric and I originally met in New Zealand back in 2001 and we have stayed in touch every since). I was sad to see him go, as it was the first time in a couple of years we had the chance for a proper catch-up. Eric is one of these rare people with an amazing zest for life and child-like wonderment that I have always respected and admired - not to mention, he also has so much energy, I would kill for the 1/10th that resides in his left pinky!

It was fun to see Boston through his eyes - Eric wanted to explore as much of the city as possible during his brief stay here. Like me, he is also a huge film buff (we share an ardent passion for the Lord of the Rings trilogy) so of course, we went to see the new "Superman" (a fun ride, and loved Parker Posey) and he humored me by going to see "The Devil Wears Prada" (the first 15 minutes were really funny, but it was downhill from there with the exception of a deliciously nasty Meryl Streep). We supped at a spectacular French restaurant, "Craigie Street Bistro" and enjoyed some great wine, and a 6 course meal picked entirely by the chef. It was a culinary adventure, which included things like sheep's brain, pig stomach and some more "traditional dishes". We didn't up from the dinner table until 1am.

Otherwise, I am now chellaxing in front of my television, watching the "Battlestar Gallactica" series on DVD. Yes, I am a full-blown geek . . . but I am very much enjoying my sci-fi guilty pleasure ;)

Fabio and His Lovely Locks

2006-06-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

Last night, my friend Joel and I met up at Shays for some drinks, nachos and yummy pub-food. We both had just landed at Logan after attending some out-of-town meetings, and I was in dire need of some good company, grub and relaxation. (If, dear readers, you are ever looking for a good place to grab a brew and relax, I highly recommend Shays).

So, Joel and I are sitting at the bar and eating our oh-so-unhealthy dinners. We opted to sit indoors rather than sit in their patio so that we could enjoy the cool, refreshing air-conditioning. We happened to glance outside to the patio, and noticed two men sitting at the table. One of the men, who we dubbed "Fabio" was repeatedly caressing his hair and then . . . and I am not kidding here . . . .kissed his hair. Joel and I looked at each disbelievingly ("did we really just see that??) and began to giggle like schoolgirls. I know it sounds mean, but some of the other barstoolers noticed this behavior and were also audibly amused. Even the waitress couldn't help but suppress a chuckle.

What followed can only be described as an "MST3K" moment. It was as if all of us at the bar were watching a bad movie, and couldn't resist interjecting our own dialogue. Fabio happened to sitting with a bald man, so one of the barstoolers commented, "That's just mean! He's taunting the bald guy! 'I have hair and it's simply fabulous. Aren't you jealous?'" Everyone at the bar erupted into a cacophony of laughter.

This entertainment lasted for a solid 30 minutes, in which Fabio would not stop fondling his hair. I mean seriously, I was ready to ask him and his hair to get a room. Fabio and his hair "sashayed" away (to quote one of the barstoolers). When he stood up, we all noticed his undersized blue t-shirt which served no purpose other than to highlight his over-sized pecs.

Honestly, I do feel a bit bad for making fun of this anonymous Fabio, but believe me when I tell you, you too would have been greatly amused. Plus, Joel and I were able to make some wonderful new acquaintances with our bar-colleagues (we exchanged contact info), and I know we will stay in touch.

So, I really should say thank you to Fabio. Thank you for making Joel and I laugh our a$$es off, and for helping us make some new friends!

I Don't Remember Moving to Seattle

2006-06-27T07:06:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning at some ungodly hour - 5am - and for whatever reason, was as alert as a chipmunk on steroids (ok...I've never seen a chipmunk on steroids, but the imagery works no?) I did go to bed pretty darn early, but nothing to warrant being so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed while the sun was still dormant (ooo - I may keep the "chipmunkeries" going throughout this whole entry!) So, I leaped out of bed, put my hair in a pony tail, threw an old pair of jeans on and proceeded to commence my day. I washed dishes, I folded clothes, I cleaned up my office and continued working on a presentation for a very large, very important work meeting this week (which could potentially explain my 5am wake-up). I felt good.

Then the sun came up, and it all went away.

Rain....more rain. The sky a dark billowy nasty color, ominously looking above me.

And then the rain clouds began to taunt me, tease me. . ."You want to see the sun?", they say to me, "Here you go."

And slowly, the clouds part to reveal a brilliant blue sky, while the sun's rays cast beautiful hues and shadows on the ground beneath it. Just as quickly, the rain clouds return to cast their darkness. "You'll get to see the sun again, but not for a couple of days."

Haven't we suffered enough rain clouds? We gave up our entire weekend for you, not to mention most of our summer. For the love of everything sacred, when will it end?? I hope my supplications will convince the the rain clouds to show mercy and allow the sun to make an appearance for the weekend of the 4th.

HUNTER - WONDERDOODLE #2

2006-06-24T14:01:00.000-04:00

I promised that my blog would not be about my dog Murphy, but I do need to announce the impending arrival of Hunter, Murphy's new little sister! Hunter will land on the East Coast (she is coming in from Washington state) in mid-July and I couldn't be more excited.

Murphy has only known life with another dog (his first buddy was a Boxer name Whiskey), and since Whiskey's departure he has been a bit forlorn and looking to me to be his constant playmate. After pondering this new addition for a couple of months, I finally decided it was time.

As you can see, Hunter is not a brand spankin' new puppy. She is in fact about 8 months old and will arrive already crate trained and house-broken. Thank God. As much as I enjoyed Murphy's puppy-days, I'd be lying if I said it didn't get really good until he was trained. Hence, when I began searching for Hunter, I knew I wanted and "older" dog.

Of course, I am a bit scared. I have had two dogs before, so the extra work doesn't frighten me (actually, it really isn't much more work to have a second dog...in fact, it can be easier because the two can keep each other occupied and challenged). What does frighten me are the unknowns - will Murphy and Hunter like each other? Will Hunter be as lovely as Murphy? I will not know until she arrives, although my conversations with her breeder and trainer lead me to believe that she will be the right fit.

We shall see - an update will be forthcoming upon Hunter's arrival in July!

"Please Return You Seatbacks to their Upright and Uncomfortable Positions"

2006-06-22T13:16:00.000-04:00

I would like to meet the inventor of the airplane seat and have a nice chat with them. I'd like to know what their goals were in designing these seats. Here are some of my guesses:

OVERALL GOAL: Design the most uncomfortable cushioned seat known to man

- make sure that the back pain these seats will produce gets exponentially worse on longer flights;
- design "cushions" that feel like rock (the "I can't believe it's not rock" sofa);
- keeping in mind that the human back has a concave curvature, ensure that the seat-backs are convex;
- Pretend all of your customers are over 8 feet tall when determining the location of the headrest;
- make sure that the recline on the seat is not noticeable

I mean seriously. I've sat on piles of shattered glass that are more comfortable than airplane seats. And, unfortunately, I fly so often, these "seats" (if one can call them that) take their toll on my back. How hard can it be to make these seats more comfortable?? It's not rocket science is it?

I woke up at 3:30am yesterday to catch a very early flight to Chicago for a day meeting. I was supposed to fly back home on an 8:25pm flight, but because of some nasty weather patterns, I didn't take-off until 11:00pm. I finally crawled home at 3:00am...after being up for 24 hours. I started work at 8:30am.

Ugh.

Perhaps my continued state of sleep deprivation explains my bitterness towards airplane seats. However, lack of sleep notwithstanding, I think the person who invents a quasi-comfortable airplane seat (I am not asking for much), can probably make a pretty penny . . .

If Microsoft Packaged the IPod

2006-06-19T08:50:00.000-04:00

All of my house guests landed yesterday, and since their arrival, it has been non-stop drinking and fun. I have enough alcohol in my refrigerator to keep an entire frat house happy for months. I am not much of a beer drinker (red wine and gin being my usual poison), so this is a whole new experience for me. Everyone was up into the wee hours of the morning playing Texas Hold'Em, and my sister walked away with everyone's chips...hehehehe.

I am a little tired, after sleeping on my "Aerobed". It's definitely much better than sleeping on the floor, but not by much. Even my dog wouldn't sleep on it with me - instead, the little traitor slept with Drew and his girlfriend Anna (the UKers) on the pull-out sofa. The upside to this desertion was that poor Drew and Anna were awoken to puppy licks at sunrise, while I slept soundly until 7:30.

Alas, I am working today while they go enjoy the sites. At 3pm they will be chelaxing in my neighbor's apartment watching the football game (UK is playing), and then at 6, we will all head off to the Red Sox game (yehaw!). The weather is slated to turn sour...a la massive thunderstorms and showers, so there is a small chance the game might be called. We are all crossing our fingers that the sky will hold back it's floodgates!

Alright, back to work I go. In the interim, take a look at this great video clip created by Microsoft employees. I gotta respect people who can poke fun at their own shortcomings ;)

Look Ma, No Hands!

2006-06-18T13:06:00.000-04:00

Today, I have reached a milestone! I have a list of 100 things to do before I die, and one of them is to ride a bicycle without holding the handlebars. For years, this simple task has eluded me. As a wee lass in Belgium, I tried, and tired, but all I got for my efforts were bloody knees and scraped palms.

Fast forward to the present. As of last year, I wasn't really riding bikes (other than motorcycles). I spent the last 7 years on my rollerblades, and I was a total fiend. I would rollerblade to law school, followed by roller-blading to work in NYC and Boston. I lived on my blades, and was affectionately dubbed "roller-girl"...which apart from the salient fact that I did not blade sans shirt, was an apropos surname. Alas, an old blading injury flared up last year, and my doctor told me it was time to cool it and find some other sports obsession.

Re-enter the bicycle.

I purchased my first adult bicycle last year (oddly enough, the same year I purchased my first adult car) and I have been riding it as much as possible. It's a lot of fun, but it has taken some getting used to. It's not rollerblading, but it's fast and is also a great means of locomotion (apart from the obvious health benefits). On the few days of sunshine we have had this year, I am riding my bike.

And today, I am an official "cool" rider...no handlebars :)

Aliens are Invading My Apartment!

2006-06-16T16:12:00.000-04:00

Anybody who knows me well understands that I am blessed (or cursed, depending on how you look at it) by permanent wanderlust. For the past 8 years, I have visited at least two new countries a year. I love nothing more than the freedom of traveling in an unknown country with only my backpack, Lonely Planet guide and my resourcefulness. The wanderlust "bug" bit me back in 1998 when I backpacked in Morocco and made my way through the entire country over the span of a couple of weeks - I made no advance reservations of any kind and simply meandered throughout the amazing country. From that point on, I was hooked - my backpack and I have made our way to Egypt (pictured above - that's me on the camel), South Africa, Guatemala, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Poland, Belize, Mexico...the list goes on. The adrenaline, thrill-seeking, freedom-lover in me has found NOTHING more exhilarating than the thrill of exploring new worlds from the inside out.

Unfortunately, I fear that this is the first year that I will not be able to visit two new countries. I am grateful to have had the opportunities and worldly experiences, so I really am not complaining. I do have a trip to Italy with my little sister, but unless I visit some neighboring countries, I am afraid to say, Italy will be my only international destination. My 8 year streak will be broken and it's hard for me to accept this bitter pill. Perhaps it's a mixture of increased responsibility, growing older (gulp), or simply that the wanderlust bug fever is breaking. Who knows?

So, instead of going out to see the world, the world is coming to me! I have been looking forward to this coming week for a long time now because some old friends from Australia and the UK are coming to visit little 'ole me in Cambridge. These are friends I met while backpacking in Egypt in 1999, and we have stayed in touch ever since. (In fact, I went and visited them in their respective countries). And, as wonderful icing on the cake, an old friend from Switzerland e-mailed me this week to let me know he would be in Boston this weekend, so I am also going to get the chance to see him.

What glee! What joy! I will be visiting Australia, the UK and Switzerland this week! What a lucky girl I am ;)

Back from the Big Apple

2006-06-15T22:18:00.000-04:00

Man..I am so very, very, very tired. I got back a couple of hours ago from a work trip to NYC. It's always fun to go back there, since I did live there for 4 years. I don't think I could ever live there again. As I often say, Boston is the perfect methadone clinic for a NYC addiction. But it's great to have a chance to go back, and luckily, work always provides me with lots of opportunities to do so - see the old sights, see my old friends, and generally feed off of the intoxicating energy there.

Of course, I am a little worse for the wear after staying out too late with my NYC friends on a school night. A cocktail party, leisurely dinner, and some late night conversation with some of my nearest and dearest made my ability to fire on all cylinders particularly challenging today. But, I endured, especially since the difficulty was self-imposed. I caught the shuttle home after a full day conference, picked up Murphy (who I missed tremendously despite my short absence), and just finished watching "The Squid and the Whale". Another must see. The story of a tragically sad family.

With that, I'm off to bed at a pathetically early hour. No deep thoughts today. Maybe tomorrow. . .

A Recipe for some Kick A$$ Music

2006-06-12T22:32:00.000-04:00

Wow - my last couple of posts have certainly been long-winded! In light of (1) the prior lengthy entries, (2) the current time (LATE), and (3) the serious ass-kicking I know I will receive tomorrow (long story - if you want to know more, drop me a note and I'll share), I will keep this post short and sweet.

I want to talk about one of my favorite topics - music. I am pretty much a music junkie, as judged by the size of my hard drive (meow) and the breadth of my musical taste. I find silence distracting - I am being quite serious - and always get more work done with tunes. The sweetest pleasure though, is listening to the perfect album while driving. The combination of some bitchin' music, and the thrill of driving literally gives me chills. I always pick one album and listen to it until I know it inside-out, backwards and upside-down. During the past couple of months I have listened to the following:

Beck - Guero
Madeleine Peyroux - Careless Love
Coldplay - X&Y
Triplets of Belleville Soundtrack
Keane - Hope & Fears
Doves - Some Cities
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Lhasa de Sela - The Living Road
Hank Mobley - Blue Note Fifties Sessions
Napoleon Dynamite Soundtrack
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine

All in their own right great albums (and highly recommended).

My current album pick is amazing and I love nothing more than to blast this band with my windows and moonroof open (when it isn't raining!) Who is it? Well, which band do you get when you mix the following ingredients?

1 cup of Jeff Buckley
1 cup of Rufus Wainright
1 cup of Radiohead
1/2 cup of Coldplay
a dash of Rachmaninov

Muse.

Please listen to one of their albums - you will not be disappointed.

My Blogging Manifesto

2006-06-11T11:55:00.000-04:00

My friend "Joe" and I have a long-standing debate over the wisdom of blogging. (His name isn't Joe, but I am always very cautious about using people's real name on my blog - not everyone is comfortable with the public nature of blogging, and I have strong convictions that one shouldn't be thrown into the public arena unwittingly.) In any event, Joe is vehemently opposed to blogging and has very polarized opinions over this new phenomena. To Joe, a good blog and one worth reading is one in which the individual is making a stand - pushing a cause, or advocating a position. And, he recognizes that it's a catch-22. When one sticks their neck out for a cause in such a public forum, it will invariably come back to haunt you. Ergo, don't blog. Any other type of blog, to quote him "is plain vanilla" and a pure act of narcissism. Ergo, don't blog.

Either way, you lose.

I understand where Joe is coming from, and a recent "blogging incident" served to solidify his opinion. I have the utmost respect for Joe and while I may not always agree with his viewpoints, they are always well thought-out, reasoned and always provide me with good brain food. His comments forced me to sit down and really think about my motivations for blogging. Why do I feel compelled to post entries, and frankly, why do I enjoy it so much? I have thought long and hard about his statements, and at one point, I came very close to pulling the plug on my blog.

I started blogging back in February, and I never expected it to be something to which I would be so devoted. Fomr the beginning, I made the decision that certain topics would be off limits - my work, politics, dating and relationships, and anything else that I might deem sensitive (erring on the side of caution). It also wasn't going to be my place to air out my dirty laundry (other than things like car troubles etc.), or anyone else's dirty laundry.

So, what was left to write about? A lot actually - random observations, humor, and as the title of my blog suggests, any sort of "meandering musings." Does that make my blog vanilla? I m not sure. Of course, my ego would hate to admit that my blog is "vanilla", but upon further reflection, the vanilla title doesn't bother me. I am not looking to be controversial - I don't think this is the place to do it. My goal is to simply put a smile on my face and on my readers' faces. My goal is to help me take my life less seriously, and to help me see the humor in the little things. The past few months have been very personally challenging, and through it all there have been a few beacons of light. My incredibly supportive friends, my family, my dog and yes, believe it or not, blogging. Blogging has helped me view life through a different lens - it has nudged me gently into focusing on the positive even if I've had a bad day, and I love that.

This left me with one more issue to consider - is my blogging an act of narcissism? This one is tougher. I am an actress, singer and overall, performer. Does that make me a narcissistic person? I m not sure. What motivates anyone to write, sing, act, orate or the like? I'd like to think that there are multiple motivations for that, and that they do not stem from pure acts of selfishness. For me, it's the simple desire to connect with people, to share oneself and to find a way to relate to people in a world that seems to be growing more and more disconnected. Don't get me wrong - I am not advocating blogging or any technology (such as e-mail, IM etc.) as the best way to connect with people. I'll take face-to-face communication or a telephone call over this detached medium every day. But, blogging sometimes makes that easier.

So readers, I would love to hear your thoughts/comments on this topic. Don't be shy - please chime in!

Rock, Paper, Scissors Goes Legal

2006-06-09T23:28:00.000-04:00

This really happened. I thought it was a hoax when my friend told me about it, but it's true. Go judge, go. I applaud you. Speaking from experience, too many lawyers waste time and their client's $$ quibbling over non-issues.

Judge orders a round of rock, paper, scissors to settle a dispute between attorneys.
By ADAM LIPTAK, New York Times

Fed up with the inability of two lawyers to agree on a trivial issue in an insurance lawsuit, a federal judge in Florida this week ordered them to "convene at a neutral site" and "engage in one (1) game of 'rock, paper, scissors'" to settle the matter.

Childish lawyers are commonplace, but the use of children's games to resolve litigation disputes is apparently a new development. The judge, Gregory Presnell of U.S. District Court in Orlando, wrote that his innovation was "a new form of alternative dispute resolution."

The proximate cause of Presnell's ruling on Tuesday was a motion saying the two lawyers in the case could not agree about where to conduct the deposition of a witness.

Presnell's order indicated that deciding such things was not part of the job description of a federal judge.

Still, wary that the lawyers would start a new battle over where to conduct the rock-paper-scissors showdown, he gave them a default location — the front steps of the federal courthouse in Tampa.

That will not be necessary, said David Pettinato, a lawyer for the plaintiff. He and his adversary have agreed to meet on June 30, Pettinato said, at "an undisclosed location."

Pettinato added that he has been wasting no time since the order came down and has been training with his daughters, who are 5 and 9. They have advised him to open with rock. Pettinato said he was inclined to agree "because my case is solid as a rock."

That would be an unusual opening for a lawyer, said Matti Leshem, the co-commissioner of the USA Rock Paper Scissors League, which he described as the governing body of the sport, whose headquarters are in Los Angeles.

"I guarantee you right now," Leshem said, "that both lawyers will open with paper.
Lawyers open with paper 67 percent of the time, because they deal with so much paper."

Leshem offered to officiate. "What I don't want," he said, "is some rogue element of rock-paper-scissors coming down from the bench. When the law takes rock-paper-scissors into its own hands, mayhem can occur."

The second lawyer in the case, D. Lee Craig, declined through a spokesman to preview his strategy. Judging from the spokesman's tone, Craig did not find the matter amusing.

My Transformation to the Dark Side Is Complete

2006-06-08T22:49:00.000-04:00

It has been some time since I have updated everyone on my indoctrination into the cult of MAC. As you all know, my first MacBook Pro was a dud and to their credit, the good people at Apple replaced it with a new one. Alas, the second one was also a dud. It was part of the same serial number series, which upon further research, I learned was simply a rotten batch. So, back to the store I trodded (is that a word?), and again, Apple did right by me. In fact, they just gave me an better, more powerful machine on the spot. I am going on the end of month 1 with my new machine, and I am happy. Very happy.

In honor of being officially brainwashed, I wanted to share this very funny YouTube video. It is very ironic that I have made the Mac switch, now that Apple has embraced Intel chips, no?

In keeping with the Star Wars theme, I also couldn't resist sharing a Robot Chicken clip from Adult Swim that had me laughing my keister off. Star Wars junkies enjoy ("Oh Geez, he's crying").

Complex Explosion of Flavor Without the Burn

2006-06-07T23:54:00.000-04:00

My sister came over last night and as always we had a great time. The combination of my sleep deprivation and her elation that she is on summer break, certainly made us one giggly bunch. We gorged ourselves on sushi at one of my favorite local haunts Takemura and found ourselves laughing uncontrollably at some of the silliest things. My favorite was her comment (above) which she made while comparing sushi to Mexican Food (apparently Mexican food is a complex explosion of flavor WITH burn). I told her it sounded like a hemorrhoid commercial or some other weird itch cream, and of course, we laughed about it all the way back to my apartment.

After the giggles had subsided, we decided to watch a movie and settled on a film entitled Everything is Illuminated. I must say it was a very touching film. I had always wanted to see it since I read the book about 5 years ago. The film was pure quality - the cinemotagraphy, the acting, the screenplay adaptation - everything. Hats off to Liev Schrieber, the director and one of my favorite actors since seeing him in the title role of Henry V at Shakespeare in the Park.

So, before I continue, I need to provide you with a bit of background info. In a former life I was a "non-profiteer", where I worked with a lot of Eastern European college students. This job afforded me the invaluable opportunity to travel all over the world, but I always looked forward to my trips to Eastern Europe more than any other region. Since then, that part of the world and it's rich cultures has always had a very special place in my heart.

Hence, it was no surprise to me that my favorite character in the movie was the Ukrainian protagonist, Alex. My sister and I were both enamored of the actor, but we had never seen him before (the actor was clearly a native Ukrainian and sported the sexiest accent). We had to learn more about this enigmatic and strangely attractive person. I promptly booted up my computer (during the film, much to my sister's annoyance) and IMDBed and ran a bunch of google searches to learn more.

The lanky actor's name is Eugene Hutz, and I must say he is one cool cat (pictured here). I'd love to meet this guy. Everything is Illuminated was his first film appearance, and the NYC resident is actually the lead singer of a gypsy punk band called Gogol Bordello. So of course, off to ITunes I went to see if I could get a sneak peak at some of his music, and I really liked it. They also have a myspace page, so if you are at all curious, you should check out their tunes. They really are a complex explosion of flavor without the burn.

Start Wearing Purple.

Sleep is Good

2006-06-07T10:05:00.000-04:00

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa. I promised an entry yesterday and I disappointed. But, faithful readers, I had to protect you from myself. I have essentially been incredibly sleep deprived since last Thursday, when I took off for my mini-holiday and the culmination of this sleep deprivation resulted in some pretty wacky dementia-like symptoms. I sat down a couple of times with the intent to write an entry, but everything I wrote would have been as much fun to read as your shampoo ingredient list. It was as if I couldn't piece together one coherent sentence and the rules of grammar no longer existed. Granted, my usual entries are no great works of genius - I have no delusions there. But, I do like to think that reading some of my entries is akin to reading the back of a cereal box - nothing earth-shattering, but mildly amusing when one is bored and has nothing better to do while they crunch away on Grape Nuts, or Cap'N Crunch or .... you get the idea.

I passed out last night at 9pm and woke up bright and early this morning feeling like a million bucks. Have you ever have that experience of sleeping so soundly that you don't' move the entire night? And, you wake up feeling like you just had the most wonderful experience, or just ate the best meal of your life? That's how I feel right now. Rain be damned, I feel good :)

Gone Fishin'

2006-06-05T16:30:00.000-04:00

Faithful readers, RSS feeders and everyone else who has inadvertently stumbled upon my blog. Rest assured, I have not neglected by blog, nor will my pointless ramblings cease. I will be back tomorrow.

I took a wee bit of a vacation, but will resume life shortly. Until then . . .

Ashtanga and the Downward Dog

2006-05-30T20:45:00.000-04:00

For whatever reason, I have always been intimidated by Yoga - perhaps it's the fact that most yoga-lovers are human pretzels, and I am about as flexible as an icicle. Maybe it's also because I just never saw myself as your typical yoga gal - a tall, thin, zero-body-fat person (who can make spandex look like a wonderful fashion statement) casually toting their yoga mat on their back, as though it were a fixture or a new appendage. I think it also has to do with the fact that the Yoga lexicon is completely foreign to me - you try saying "Vrksasana", "Bhujangasana", "Jathara Parivartanasana" or "Ardha Sirsasana" ten times fast.

I have a lot of friends who have really gotten into the yoga craze. And, the refreshing part is that they are people just like me! So, one of these friends convinced me to join him at yoga class today. And, I was actually looking forward to it all day. He lent me a yoga mat, I put my hair up in one of those stupid ponytails on the top of my head, and we made our way to the O2 Yoga Studio in Somerville.

I was definitely nervous when we first arrived. I found a comfortable, non-visible spot in the back of the room (WAYYY in the back) and waited for the instructor to arrive. I tried to look like I "fit-in" but was very intimated by the other class members who were "stretching" (ie. twisting and contorting in ways that were painful to watch). So, I sat quietly and watched, casting furtive glances at my neighbor.

An hour and a half later I had successfully navigated my first yoga class. And, I gotta be honest. I really enjoyed it. A lot. I haven't felt this good in a long time. Don't get me wrong - it was hard work, and I know my body will hurt tomorrow in places that I didn't even know exist. Apart from the phyiscal challenges, it was such a relaxing experience. I left the class feeling so mellow and utterly chellaxed, as my cousin would say. I am heading back there on Thursday to do a yoga class during lunch.

"I See Famous People"

2006-05-29T18:18:00.000-04:00

Alright. I am seriously reconsidering naming my blog "encounters with the famous." While my sister and I were making our way to Hah-vahd Squah-re, we walked right by Mr. John Malkovich. I always knew he was a neighbor, but I heard that since the Boston Globe outed him (announced that he had just purchased a home in Cambridge) he didn't frequent my town that often. Apparently, he is back!

In any event, I am basking in the glow of my first sunburn. While it is a bit painful, I am just so happy that the weather has gotten nice enough to give me a burn. My cheeks are all rosy, and I feel so happy. I have spent the last two days cycling, so my back is a bit red and sitting down can be a *bit* uncomfortable, but it's all worth it! I just came back from taking Murphy to the park with my neighbor and his dog and am taking a break before heading out to dinner.

I realize today's entry is all over the place, so I'll keep it up. I watched two good movies this weekend and I highly recommend them: Transamerica (hats off to Ms. Huffman), and Shopgirl (suprisingly touching). Also, "Sinatra Sunday" at Lucky's in South Boston is a lot of fun - if the Rat Packs your thang, check it out.

Enough blogging for me. I'm off to enjoy a couple more hours of Memorial Day Weekend before it all ends . . .

Sox Fever

2006-05-28T11:04:00.000-04:00

Normally I am not a huge sports junkie. The one sport I do follow though is baseball (and to some extent hockey). I mean, how can one live in Boston and call themselves a true Beantowner without loving the Red Sox. As a rule, I am not one to sit and watch an entire game (unless of course it's the playoffs or better yet, the World Series). But, when my friend Heather scored two behind-the-home-plate tickets and offered one up to me, I couldn't pass it up.

So, last night we schlepped on over to Fenway Park to go watch the Sox play Tampa. We were both a little worse for the wear after our Friday night bachelorette party (it was very tame mind you), and frankly, neither of were too sure that we would last the entire game. When we arrived, however, that all changed. The energy at the stadium was invigorating (and it was completely packed) and I couldn't believe the amazing, unobstructed view that we had from our seats. Schilling pitched the game, so the audience was on fire every time he ambled up to the mound and struck out a hapless Floridian. Ortiz hit some beauties, and there was lots of scoring going on. A reluctant Heather and I sang along to "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" and "Sweet Caroline" and ate over-priced peanuts (yummy). Before we knew it, the game was over!

All in all, it was a great time. It completely reminded me why baseball is still one of this country's favorite past-times. (Thanks for the invite H!)

The Trolls of Cambridge

2006-05-25T10:10:00.000-04:00

Every fourth week my quaint and quiet little Cambridge street is attacked by trolls.

These trolls are known car eaters, and love nothing more than to capture an unassuming vehicle and whisk it away to their dingy, nasty lair. It's a horrible sight really - watching your innocent, helpless car get tied up and carried away, writhing and screaming.

There are many different types of trolls, and each one has a name. Some are named Bill, while others yet are named B&B, and sometimes, an unknown, unnamed troll will make an appearance to gobble up any left-overs.

Cambridge residents are intimately familiar with the trolls and their planned witching hours. Every fourth week the harassed town-folk are desperately calling each other to warn of the impending arrival of the trolls.

At about 7am, the alarm goes off.

"Get your car to safety and for god's sake, make sure you know where your children are!"

What follows is a flurry of activity - people running to the streets to get their cars, the sounds of closing shutters, the clicking of locks and a collective silence as the townspeople hold their breath while the nefarious trolls make their rounds.

This morning, my car almost became prey to the troll named Bill. I ran to my car as fast as possible, brandishing my sword (ok, not really) and defending my car from Bill's clutches. I furiously fumbled for my key (imagine a horror movie), and managed to turn on the ignition seconds before Bill could catch me. While I sped away, I watched in horror as the other cars were captured. I felt so helpless - there was nothing I could do for them.

Street cleaning days suck.

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Expensive Beer (unless of course, it's Belgian beer)

2006-05-23T09:41:00.000-04:00

I found these fake Public Service Announcements by the cast of "The Office" and had to share. God, I love this show. If you have some free time, fish around this website - they have outtakes, deleted scenes and MUCH more guaranteed to please the Office junkie in all of us.

Bennifer, Part II

2006-05-21T20:26:00.000-04:00

Another crazy weekend, and three days have already passed since my last entry. It was the first time in a LONG time that we Bostonians actually saw the sun. . . Yes! The sun made an appearance and it was - here it comes - warm! I certainly was going to spend ZERO time indoor - it was time to Carpe Sol!

Friday night was spent with my friends in the "Hood". We started the evening off at the North Street Grille and eventually ended up at Tiernens. The next morning, I woke up to birds singing and the glorious, delightful, yummy sun peeking through my window - Can you tell I've missed it? Murphy was antsy for his morning walk, so off we went. I went to Starbucks (no comments please) for my java infusion and had another star sighting. Jennifer Garner and her little baby happened to be departing 'bucks right in front of me, and thanks to Murphy's cutenes, we actually struck a conversation. I have to say, she was much more cordial than her husband, Mr. Affleck who I ran into only a few short weeks beforehand (who practically growled at me).

After my brush with fame, I was all "girlie" and joined my friend Audra for her wedding gown fitting. She looked fabulicious in it. She has already lost so much weight for her wedding, we officially ended her diet by feasting on some yummy pizza at Reginas. The highligh of the day was when we got the call that Matt Black, one of the best guys I know, won his race for the North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council. We (me and all my "hoodies") spent the rest of the day celebrating Matt's win with cheap champagne and beer on one of the reveler's roofdeck.

Oof...You will no doubt be suprised when I tell you that I actually spent Sunday relaxing (*gasp*), and cleaning (*yuck*). I did stop in to visit a friend who was moving, and as is the custom, am spending my Sunday evening with my best friend, my sister.

Ok...it's 9pm...time for Sopranos.

Thou Shalt Not Blog In Anger

2006-05-18T08:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, you may have noted that I did not post my usual end of the day thoughts. By the time I got home from an evening with friends in the North End, I realized that I probably was not in the best mood to blog. In fact, I was quite angry. Now that I have had some time to cool off, and let the steam dissipate from between my ears, I can blog safely once again.

So, why the anger, you may ask? It's a stupid thing really, but its the principle of the event that really p*d me off. When I got back to my car last night, parked on the corner of Prince and Snowhill, I found that someone had smashed my driver-side mirror. Yes, yes, I know - this sort of sh*t happens all the time in the North End - the tight little streets and sharp corners don't help. However, based on the way my mirror was bent, it was clear that my car was hit by someone driving up the one way street, going the wrong way. Ok, ok, yes this too always happens in the North End - invariably, the myriad of tourists driving around in their rental cars always end up going the wrong way on a one-way street. (Granted, this may not have been necessarily caused by a car - a pedestrian walker-by may have found my car offensive - but pfaa, I'll never know.)

Still, this was not what truly incensed me.

What was it you ask? It's the fact that some cop was standing 5 feet away from my car when it happened. I kid you not. When I approached the barely pre-pubescent police officer about the "incident" he scratched his head, thought for a little bit, shifted his weight...and gave me such a blank stare, I really wondered if there was anything going on upstairs. "Um...I m not sure what happened, but you can call the office and file a report." I quickly realized that continuing this discussion would be about as effective as trying to boil the ocean, so I acquiesced and walked back to my car to assess the damage. I called my friend Matt so that I could borrow a pair of wire cutters to cut through the sinew like wires by which the mirror was dangling on the side of my car and made my way home sans driver-side mirror (which was really weird...I never realized how much I relied on that mirror until last night).

Alright, so it was an evening of unfortunate events. And no, I am will not throw the Boston PD under a bus for this incident...I really think the kid on duty just didn't have a clue. I am now in the process of ordering the new car part, and Matt will help me re-attach the appendage. As he aptly pointed out last night "this will be your chance to learn to use a soldering gun."

Cool.

[sidebar: while reading my RSS Feeds, I stumbled upon this story from wired about a Second Life player suing the company in state court over a bum "virtual land" deal. The laywer in me is VERY curious to see the eventual disposition of this matter.]

Doth Mine Eyes Deceive Me?

2006-05-17T09:28:00.000-04:00

Is that the sun I see?

50,000 Mile Birthday

2006-05-16T22:48:00.000-04:00

Two years ago, I purchased the car of my dreams. A Volkswagen, GTI GLX. When I decided to make this adult purchase, I knew exactly what I wanted, and found a great deal on a used 2001 with only 36,000 miles. I bough it below Blue Book value and to boot, it came Certified Pre-Owned by VW (translation: a used car with a two year warranty).

Other than a $500 Volvo station wagon college-junker, which really doesn't count, this was my first "real car." I am well aware that there a much better cars out there, but I love my little hatchback. For the price I paid, it's a much better value than those "other" cars, and I have so much fun driving it (I actually enjoy driving this car more than my friends' fancy-schmancy BMWs).

Now, when it comes to cars, I am a total dork and get pumped by talk of horsepower, torque, cylinders and other "car speak". The mileage is fairly decent for a V6 engine (yep, this little baby packs a V6!). It's small, so I can easily fit it into tight North End parking spaces. It has 180 horsepower, which means this car has some mean power (I did the math - it comes out to about 1 horse per 11 pounds - sweeeet). And, of course, it's a standard - I wouldn't drive anything else. (Yes, I admit, it has as of late had some mechanical problems, but there issues are resolved and were covered by warranty.)

Tonight, my car became a man. It turned 50,000 miles. Happy Birthday!

Mother's Day Re-Visited

2006-05-14T22:07:00.000-04:00

As luck would have it, I spent the bulk of my day in bed with strep throat. Ick. As many commented, my voice has dropped a couple of octaves, making me an ideal candidate for a new job at 976-LOVE. The worst part was not being able to help my mother out at her flower store today. She was able to get some last minute assistance, but I still regretted my inability to help. I basically slept for most of the day, and during my waking hours, watched movies. I watched "Flight Plan", which despite being an action/thriller managed to bore me to tears. Please don't waste precious hours of your life watching this movie...I beg you.

Just as the rain, illness and doldrums were starting to take their toll on my already seriously waning spirits, my mother decided to bring mother's day to me! After she closed her store down for the day, she picked up my sister and they both came over. I rustled us some dinner, and we all watched the HBO line-up. (Actually, my exhausted mother fell asleep on the couch and is snoozing as I type this).

On another note, I was very sorry to hear about Yankee Matsui's wrist incident. The surgery to repair his wrist was deemed a success. I am a die-hard Red Sox fan, but Matsui is the one Yankee player I actually respect. Get well soon Matsui - otherwise, playing your team won't be as much fun!

Spongeback Mountain

2006-05-13T13:23:00.000-04:00

I have never really watched Spongebob, but apparently, many of my adult friends really like the show. I stumbled upon this on YouTube, and had to post in honor of my sponge-Bob loving cronies.

I am in Love with A Local Boy!!!

2006-05-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

Ok...I couldn't resist posting another entry for today. I just finished watching the season finale of The Office, and this comedy show both brought tears to my eyes, as well as some lovely chills down my spine. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who might have TiVo'd it or plans on ITunesing it, but Matt Damon, eat your heart out...there's a new man in town (well, actually, he's a native Newtonian). John Krasinski, who plays Jim Halpert, one of the wise cracking employees of Dunder Mifflin is my new love. I've always harbored a secret crush on this tasty-cake, but this latest episode just sealed the deal. I know, he's acting and he's probably nothing like his character on the show, but still. Yummy.

Be still my beating heart . . .

Mother's Day Madness

2006-05-11T20:25:00.000-04:00

I am spending a quiet night at home tonight, something which I have not done in quite some time. Despite the nasty weather, I have refused to let it stop me . . .My friend Steve and I headed to the Border Cafe on Monday to engage in some post-Cinco de Mayo revelry, and Tuesday and Wednesday was spent with some of my girlfriends. But, I need a break. I must refuel, for I have grueling weekend up ahead of me. Why you may ask? Mother's day...

So, my mother, in a bold and admirable career move decided to leave corporate America a couple of years ago to become her own boss. She purchased a Kabloom flower shop in Westford, and since then has been relentlessly toiling away. She works VERY long hours, and often engages in back-breaking work, but she still cannot wipe the silly grin off her face. She loves what she does, and loves her customers- yes, even Republican governors!

For those who are familiar with the flower business, you are undoubtedly aware that the two biggest days of the year for any flower shop are Valentine's Day, and yes - you knew this was coming - Mother's Day. Accordingly, for the past three years, I usually spend most of mother's day weekend working side by side with my mother, wrapping flowers, helping children chose flowers for mom, and talk down the occasional irrationally irate customers. And this year is no different - I'll be right there. It's my small way of giving back to mom, because I have a feeling that sending her a bouquet of flowers just isn't going to cut it. And hell, she did give birth to me and put up with me all of these years.

So, if any of you haven't already ordered your mom flowers, please contact my mother's Kabloom and she (or I) will take care of it, even if she isn't local. And, those of you with out-of-state mothers and nothing to do on Sunday, feel free to stop by and hang out with mom and I at Kabloom!

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man

2006-05-10T10:49:00.000-04:00

That is a quote by Mark Twain that a friend of mine shared with me yesterday. It came up in the context of talking about our past careers (he was an investment banker in NYC, and I was a lawyer in NYC). We both made a very good living, but at the end of the day, we ended up paying for it with our lives. There comes a point in time in your life where you realize that it's pretty naive to think that you are able to put up with anything for a "phat" paycheck. (Sidebar: We both still work very hard in our current jobs, but generally, are much happier with our chosen career paths).

My friend and I started focusing on what we believe to be one of the problems with Corporate America - endless meetings replete with silly corporate speak (which exacts a heavy toll on the English language). We both noted that, if people actually spoke plain English, most of these meetings would be done in about one quarter of the time. (I guess if that happened though, people would actually have to do something productive in the meantime!)

When I was but a wee associate at a big NYC law firm, my colleagues and I would be required to sit through conference calls that would drag on for hours. We got so bored listening to the droning, that we devised a game which we affectionately referred to as BS Bingo - the words on our bingo card were things like synergy, claw back, circle-back, etc. You get the idea (and most of you are probably intimately familiar with it). It ended up being a very fun way to pass away the hours, and at times, the Partners would even join us in our frivolity!

Another version of this amusement was playing "Office Space." My friend and his colleagues would challenge each other by quoting as much of the movie as possible in big group meetings without anyone catching on. The would say things like yeah, if you could go ahead and ______, that would be great or he is a straight shooter with upper management written all over him or yeah, they are consultants who are here to . Uh, help us, yeah. Bonus points were awarded to for kicking the printer after the meeting yelling I swear to god some day I will toss this piece of sh*t out the window. It was pretty fun game, and only a handful of people (usually the few cool people who had seen the move) caught on.

You are probably wondering how the Mark Twain quote relates to this thread . . . I really have no idea either.

Octogenarian Boogy, High School Reunions and Motorbikes

2006-05-08T19:09:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a weekend. I don't even know where to begin, other than to say I passed out last night without watching my usual Sunday night line up. Pathetic I know, but the blissful sleep and On-Demand made it all worth it.

The weekend was absolutely worth the sleep deprivation. Friday night, my close friend Lauren and I headed out to The Taste of the North End and danced the night away. The irony is that the only people with the guts enough to ask us to dance, were in their 80s. But, these guys could cut a rug better than most able-bodied men half their age! To top the evening off, I ran into one of my good friends from high school and his new wife. Lauren and I eventually hobbled home wearily at around 1am (you try dancing in heels), and were so relieved by the sweet cool feel of the grass between our toes (yes, we walked home barefoot).

Despite the late night festivities, I still got up early (the joys of having a dog), and took Murphy for his morning walk. I had brunch with Lauren, her husband and one of our friends who was in Boston while on a brief train layover. We supped at the South Street Diner, which was the perfect place to soak up the residual alcohol intake from the previous night. Of course, I had another night of festivities planned with some of my cast mates and friends at the Red Fez in the South End.

Even though I was exhausted on Sunday, my good friend Ashley called me up and we spent a delightful afternoon cruising on his motorcycle through Walden Pond, Concord, Sudbury, Acton and the environs. I know it's dangerous, but the adrenaline-junky, thrill-seeker in me loves nothing more than the joys of being on a motorcycle.

All in all, I came away from this weekend with warm, gushy, thank god for good friends feeling.

Junebug, A Must See

2006-05-04T23:44:00.000-04:00

I watched "Junebug" last night, and I can honestly say that a movie hasn't touched me this much in a long time. No other movie has had such a resounding impact on me, save "You Can Count on Me". The Junebug script was amazing, but honestly, the power of the movie wasn't so much in what was said, but more in what wasn't said. The awkward silences and the long close-up of the character's facial expressions were more poignant than the dialogue. Don't get me wrong - the dialogue was great. But that parts that stick out to me more than anything were the silences. Each character in this film was crying out to speak and communicate but for their own reasons, they were unable to do so - each trapped inside their own prison. At times, I wanted to shake some of the characters and beg, PLEAD with them to say something.

Of particular note is Amy Adam's performance. The strained smiles and the obvious pain behind her character's eyes, literally ripped my heart out from my chest. She got a well-deserved Oscar nod for her performance in this movie. ( Who would have thought an actress from "Wedding Crashers" and "The Office" could be so amazing).

I recognize that I do not have the requisite writing skills to do this film justice, but believe me when I say this movie is good for the soul. I have only scratched the surface, and I am sure movie critics are currently scoffing at my trite thoughts. But, my two faithful readers - my point is to merely encourage you to see this movie. On a more shallow note, I have a new crush on the male lead in this move, Alessandro Nivola. Wow.

For those of you who are wondering. Yep, I am now a proud MAC user. I have officially sold my soul to Steve Jobs.

Stephen Colbert - White House Press Dinner

2006-05-02T10:02:00.000-04:00

I love this guy...smart and funny as hell. Check him out at the White House Press Dinner - it's long, but WELL worth watching:

And, catch his mock Press Secretary Audition:

The Bastard People Finally Turned the Heat On!

2006-05-01T23:02:00.000-04:00

It has been one bone chilling cold day for me. For whatever reason, the bastard people (aka my apartment's management company) refused to turn the heat on. I live in a pre-war brownstone, and all 40 or so units are controlled by a giant boiler in the basement. While we can all regulate the heat in our individual apartments, that is only useful insofar as the bastard people actually turn the heat ON. So, today was a work from home day, and it was painful. I worked while clad in two sweatshirts, jeans, wool socks and my winter boots (and my feet still could not thaw). Had a myriad of conference calls and other things not prevented me from doing so, I would have gladly planted myself in the local Peets Coffee to work. Ick.

I was already feeling a bit under the weather this morning when I woke up, but the permanent chill in the air has made it official - I am sick. The flu like symptoms have made a nasty appearance, and I type this having just taken my shot of NyQuil (let the medical inebriation begin!) I give myself about 10 more minutes or so until the meds kick in and I pass out. I was originally intending to meet a friend for dinner tonight at Skipjacks, but cancelled because the incessant yawning, sneezing, sniffling and general malaise would have made me rather unpleasant company. Now, one of my friends postulated I may be getting allergies, which I have never had in my life (something of a blessing). Apparently, allergies can afflict you as you get older. As if aging didn't suck already!

Of course, the irony is that the bastard people turned the heat on about 30 minutes ago (around 11pm). Not that I m complaining, but . . .

"Oh Yeah, About these Personal ads? WTF?"

2006-04-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

I really wish I could take credit for this witty piece, but I can't. However, I couldn't resist posting this, as my sister and I literally laughed for 5 minutes straight (and I almost shot beer out of my nose). "Best of" on Craigslist makes some pretty great reading for a late Sunday night.

I love going through the personals, but there are a few things that are getting on my nerves.
There are certain things that the vast majority of people put into their personals that are just plain stupid. Mostly I'm talking about the women, cuz I don't read the guys very often, unless I'm very bored. But let's go through some of these idiocies....

1. I like to have fun
This is the dumbest thing you can say in your personal. It's sort of like saying, "I see things with my eyes". The whole point of fun, is that you like it. There isn't a person on the face of the planet that will admit that they don't like to have fun. That's not exactly an amazing trait to be listing. In fact, when ever I read that I pretty much assume that the poster has the intelligence of your standard sorority barbie doll, plastic head and all.

2. I don't like guys who play games
I don't think that the men who do play games, would rarely acknowledge that they play games. Hell, most of them probably don't even realize they're doing it when they are. And maybe I just don't read the guys' personals enough, but I very much doubt you're going to find anyone that says, "I like to play games, and am looking to fuck with someone's head". It's one of those crap-shoots that everyone has to ante into when you do the online dating thing. Sort of like when you go to meet someone who hasn't sent you a picture, and you're really hoping that half their head hasn't been taken over by a giant mole. You just never know until you meet the person.

3. No Bush Supporters Please
I'm no fan of Bush either, but some of my good friends voted for him. That doesn't make them inbred retards or horrible people. I can understand that personal politics can be a big issue for some people, but it's not for everyone. By playing the anti-bush card you immediately remove half of your possiblities, and then alienate even more who may not support Bush, but couldn't give a rats ass about politics, politicians, and the people who's lives revolve around pointing out the injustices of the powers that be. You might as well say "My ideal first date includes protesting and civil disobedience".

4. I'm looking for a good Christian who loves Jesus
Have you ever noticed Christians are the only people who make demands that their dates be of the same faith as they are? Seriously. Look around. You'll never find ads that say "Must be Athiest", "Buddhists Only Please", or "Looking for a nice Hindu fella". While this irks me in someway, it's also kinda nice. It plants a big billboard on your personal that screams "I'M A JESUS FREAK". Which to many of us reads as "WARNING: Poster has a loose grip on reality and a limited conversational repertoire. Proceed with great caution!"

5. I've got pictures on my website
No you don't. You have pictures of someone on your website, but it's not you because you're a guy! That's right. I can see through your ruse. You run a porn/model site and you're trying to generate hits. If you were a woman posting a personal, who had also created your own website with pictures of yourself on it, then you would know how to post your picture with your personal. You might fool most people, but you don't fool me!

6. I'm 18 and....
Okay stop right there. You're 18 and you're already resorting to personal ads? Jesus, give the dating scene a change to crush your hopes before automatically resorting to the personals. I don't care how grown up you think you are. If you're 18 you don't have enough life experience to bitch and moan about how hard it is to find the right person. You haven't been trying hard enough. Besides, most of the men who respond to 18 year olds are gonna be 40+, and you don't want to go there.

7. I like to go out somtimes, but I also like to stay in
So you're telling me that sometimes you leave your apartment, and somtimes you don't. That's incredible because that's what EVERYONE ELSE DOES! The frequency varies from person to person, but everyone goes out sometimes, and stays home other times. Is this really worth making mention of? If you're a hermit that never goes out, that might be worth noting. If you're a wild drunken party animal that goes out every single night, that too may be worth mentioning. But making the above statment just tells me that you're trying really hard to sound normal, which leads me to believe that you're not.

8. BBW's without pictures.
Oh man...good luck. Seriously. If you consider yourself a Big Beautiful Woman, you'd better be able to back it up. I am of the belief that big women can be beautiful. But I, like most men, am not attracted to over weight people. I'm rather thin myself, and if you're 6 inches shorter than me, and 100lbs more than me, I'm probably not going to be feeling the sparks. Being big does not necessarily denote that you are beautiful as well. But if you are (or at least think you are) you might wanna post a picture to prove it to the world. Otherwise 99% of the guys are gonna skip right over your message in search of someone more appropriately proportioned.

9. SWF, SWM, NSA, BBW, HWP, PVP, ETC
When you start using acronyms in your personals, you've been doing the personals thing for too long. When I temped at an office, you could tell who'd been there forever because they had abbreviations for everything, that you only understood once you'd been there for a few years. I think the same thing applies to the personals. You don't want to be that person, and I sure as hell don't wanna date that person.

10. Hi! My name is Bethany and I'm 22. If you're interested write me.
What's there to be interested in? You're giving us nothing but your name and age. I can't say that I'm overly impressed. Maybe if you're posting this in the Casual Encounters with a picture of yourself in some frilly lingerie, then maybe you could get away with that. But if you're looking for a date to meet up with at a coffee shop, you're gonna have to put down a little more than your name and age. If I'm supposed to try and talk to you for an hour or two over a cup of joe, I would hope that you can say more than "Hi! I'm Bethany! I'm 22!". Because as it stands now, I'd be surprised if you could tell me the time off a digital watch.

If you're posting a personal ad, try and put a little thought into it. Read through it when you're done and see if it sounds like you, or if it sounds like everyone you've ever met. Make yourself sound unique and present qualities about yourself that most other people don't have. What makes you special? If you like to have fun, you're not special...you're short bus special.

Adventures in Mac Land!

2006-04-27T23:14:00.000-04:00

I almost closed the door on Mac last night. The MacPro book was frustratingly slow, and I was beginning to wonder if all the die-hard Mac junkies were taking some pretty big bong hits. For starters, the MacPro book was slower than my 2 year old Dell. Then, it crashed repeatedly (so much for the "super stable" Mac OS I had heard so much about). So, I got on the phone with the Apple Support people (actually, it was a nice Canadian gentleman...I could tell by the way he said "against") and learned that I had a DUD! On my lunch break, I walked back into the Apple Store and they promptly replaced said dud with a brand spanking new MacBook Pro. Now, I have not had time to play on this new one (that will be a Sunday afternoon activity), but from the brief time spent on it today, it's an AMAZING machine. WOW...I may be ready to scrawl my name on the dotted line and officially pledge my loyalty to Macdom.

On a related note, I have been doing a lot of reading about Dual Core CPU's, and I got a tickle out a Wired review on Dual Core Window-based PCs. (Yes, my shiny new issue arrived yesterday, and I was giddy with delight.) They purposefully did not review the MacPro book because "it runs Mac OS X. That'd be like, um, comparing Apples to oranges." That's funny shi*t. (For all you bloggers reading this, I highly recommend buying the latest Wired issue, which is chock-full-o-vlogging info and great vlog websites).

Rasheru = Rachelle

2006-04-26T21:34:00.000-04:00

That is what my name looks like in Japanese characters. Apparently, it is pronounced "Rasheru". (Consonants are pronounced more or less the same way as in English. "A" sounds like a in father, but shorter. "U" sounds like oo in hook, but with less rounding of the lips. "E" sounds like e in met.) If you are curious to know what your Japanese name is, check this out.

For whatever reason, I keep thinking of the classic line "more intensity" from Lost in Translation, which ranks up there as one of my favorite movies.

Such a fascinating language. I have a "Top 100 things To Do Before I die" list, and being somewhat conversant in Japanese is on that list. Hence my fascination with my Japanese name. I will visit Japan one of these days (not this year...this year is Thailand and Italy). I definitely need to learn more about the customs of this country, as I fear I will inadvertently insult half the country!

The Invitation

2006-04-25T14:46:00.000-04:00

My good friend and neighbor Tim just gave me a wonderful book entitled "The Invitation." I have just begun reading it, and I can already tell that this book is one I will be sad to complete. I plan on savouring it, like a decadent dessert. The opening passage of this small tome is a poem which I found absolutely beautiful and had to share. Thanks Tim, for thinking of me and offering me the book - you truly are one in a million, and I am lucky to count you as my friend.

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dreams
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your
fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

Ever Had One of Those Days??

2006-04-24T22:23:00.000-04:00

Oofta. It's just been one of those days. I'll be back tomorrow.

I've Gone Over to The Dark Side

2006-04-24T09:19:00.000-04:00

After almost a year of research, head scratching and annoying the hell out of Apple employees, I finally did it. I purchased a Mac. Gasp. Faint. Guffaw. Pregnant Pause.

Maybe I was inspired by my virus infected work-issued Dell, or my ancient personal Dell PC, or simply that the weather is so piss-"pour" today (pun intended). I purchased my new computer, and I decided to spend the afternoon kicking the tires, a la Joe Isuzu. I have two weeks to try my MacBook Pro before making the ultimate decision to sell my soul to Steve Jobs. I cannot help but feel like I have been inducted into a new club (as all my Mac loving friends cheer me on) - or that I am finally outing myself. So far, it's been interesting. I am not particularly wowed just yet, but I have been running multiple applications, working with huge files and generally trying to kick the sh*t out of this thing. It's taken the beating quite well, and it has done it with much grace - I am very impressed with the OS and user interface. So far I keep asking myself if the price point on this computer is worth it. . .And, unless I am more "wowed" by it, I am not sure I can justify it.

Star Sighting . . . What Ever Shall I Make of It?

2006-04-23T01:08:00.000-04:00

So, its 1am and I just got home...but, I refuse to go to bed without my blog of the day. It's pouring outside, and I need a little time to dry off anyway. (I am completely exhausted, so readers please be kind). It has been a long day, but a pleasant day, and despite the foul weather, good company kept me in good spirits. Of worthy note is my happenstance encounter with Ben Affleck while on my morning walk with Murphy. Apparently, Mr. Affleck is renting a wee "bungalow" in Cambridge (translation - a multi-million dollar mansion). While I have always been a big fan of his brother-in-film, Matt Damon (hubba-hubba), I must say that Mr. Affleck is actually much better looking in person. Don't worry Matt, you are still my one and only. Hands down.

I have had many past star sightings: Peter Jackson (wahoo), Rachel Griffith (meow - she is my total girl crush), Sam Neil, Bo Jackson (in a Burger King of all places), Rosie O'Donnell, Bobby Orr, Liam Neeson, Tom Green and Drew Barrymore (during their 6 month marriage) and others. Past star sightings have usually been followed by significant events, so I am not quite what to make of this one. . . We shall see.

Oh no, I am getting sucked into "Elizabeth" on HBO (HBO junkie that I am) - I knew it was bad news to turn on the television.

Sovereign Entity

2006-04-22T10:18:00.001-04:00

This is a little Dan Qaylish don't you think? I laughed out loud when I saw this.

Friday Quotelets

2006-04-21T22:32:00.000-04:00

I have been struggling with giving my blog some modicum of order. Not too much order, since I want to keep my quasi-stream-of-consciousness dialogue going, but just a smidgen of order. So, for now, I have decided to institute "Friday Quotelets", in which I will highlight points taken from a book that I am currently reading. I am a voracious reader and will usually be toggling between 4-5 different books at any given moment, so I will only mention one. One of my current reads is Po Bronson's "What Should I Do With My Life" - it's not an amazing read, but it its full of short stories which make it for good bed time stories. As the title suggests, it’s a book about the everyday struggle of finding meaning in one's life. Here are some passages which resonated for me:

* "People who don't have passions don't struggle."

* "There is no official list of honorable, noble careers. The proof is in the individual's experience. You either find the pleasure of connecting with others in your daily reality or you don't - this nobility is not something that can be assigned or predetermined. Often it defies stereotypes."

* "Who you are is more important than what you do. The goal is to bring what you do in alignment with who you are, so you don't end up being someone you don't want to be."

* "The traditional search for a career begins with the question 'What am I good at?' But that's often not the right starting point for finding a calling. You can get good at what you need to serve what you believe in. You can learn Spanish, you can learn budgets, you can learn to listen. The true search is for what you believe in. When your heart's engaged, the inevitable headaches and daily annoyances become tolerable and don't derail your commitment. Let your brain be your heart's soldier."

* "If you feel you haven't had enough experience, don't burden yourself with the expectation that you should be able to 'know' what's right. Find ways to give yourself a taste. Interests evolve into hobbies or volunteer work which grow into passions. It takes time, more time than anyone imagines. In other words, don't be distracted by those rare birds who always seemed to know that they wanted to do. It's common to envy then, and to assume they have it easy. But they often have the hardest time of all when it doesn't work out."

For what it's worth . . .

I Miss the North End

2006-04-20T09:06:00.000-04:00

The North End signifies home to me more than any other place in the world (and I have lived in MANY places - Chicacgo, Miami, NYC, NZ, and Maine to name a few). I attribute this partly to the fact that it appeals to my European roots. Having been raised in Belgium, I miss the "feel" of Europe and nothing brings this back more than the North End. To me, it is the perfect blend of Europe and the U.S. I cherished my mornings wading through the throngs of Haymarket, grabbing a good cup of coffee and saying hello to all my neighbors along the way.

One of the biggest error in judgments I ever made was moving out of the North End (I have made many other errors, but those are for later). There were a number of reasons for this fateful decision, but what's done is done. But, I still consider myself an honorary resident, by vritue of the number of close friends that live there, the times I frequent the "hood", and my involvement with NEMPAC. Don't get me wrong, Cambridge is beautiful, but I find the sense of community seriously lacking. Notwithstanding the fact that I am surrounded by closet Republicans posing as Liberals and a bijillion trust fund babies, I miss the vibrancy, variety and rough edges of the North End. In Cambridge, I find my ears straining to catch sound of a good mean Boston accent. Sigh.

However, the old adage "home is where the heart is" rings so true. Some of my closest friends live there, and as long as they are there and there is a couch with my name on it, it will always be home to me. I just spent a delightful evening with one of these friends, Lauren. We go WAY back, and I can only think of a handful of people who know me as well as she. She is part of my family, and I count myself lucky to have her, her husband and amazing little girl in my life. There are so many others (and you know who you are). Thanks for keeping the North End front porch light on for me ;)

Philosophical Exposition

2006-04-19T19:39:00.000-04:00

I've been spending a lot of time in and out of the vets office as of late because of some recent health issues with my dog. Now, I have promised myself (and loyal readers, all 2 of you) that this blog would not contain endless blather about him. And it won't, so read on you faithful 2. However, I do feel the need to vent about a recent trip to the vet. Maybe it's because Im feeling angry today. Mean people suck, and there are too many of them in the world. Even mean people can masquerade as "nice" people and I seem to be bumping into a lot of them lately - maybe I'm too naive to tell the difference. And, my inner compass, or some warped sense of right/wrong makes me keep my mouth shut . . . I figure, why bother saying anything - what good could possibly come of it?

I digress.

So, back to the vet. Last week, a young woman (let's call her "Betty") brought in a Pomeranian puppy with an all too visibly broken leg (I mean, really gross in a dangly sort of way). The poor thing was whining and wimpering and it completely broke my heart. For whatever reason, Betty took a shine to me and started talking to me about her situation and how she had no money to pay for the vet - not even the $100.00 required for the visit. And of course, she did not have the $3,000 required to actually fix the poor little critter. Betty was very vociferous (aka "goddam loud"), and swore just about every other word, moaning at how the vet didn't care about her dog and how she was going to report them to Hank Phillipi Ryan. Now, I am certainly one to blurt out expletives when appropriate, but this was clearly too much. Everyone else in the waiting room was fast becoming clearly uncomfortable with the situation, and each person looked away pretending not to hear very-vocal-Betty. I know that everyone was silently grateful that Betty had not chosen them as her confessor.

Now, I consider myself a pretty understanding person and I try to be as non-judgmental as possible. But, my impression of Betty is that she is the type of person who would decide to get pregnant because "gee, wouldn't it be fun to have a baby!" with no understanding or appreciation of responsibility and the like. Harsh, I know. But believe me, everyone in the waiting room would agree with this assessment. Long story short, I think Betty left the dog at the vet and never came back for it.

So, what's my point? Why the endless tirade? I just wish that people would put more thought and action into the consequences of decisions that they make (myself included). And not only when it comes to big decisions like purchasing a pet, but also to smaller decisions, such as promises or words spoken to others. They do in fact mean something.

Mr. Potato Head

2006-04-19T08:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I drove down to Rhode Island to attend a meeting at Hasbro. From time to time, my job takes me to some really interesting places, and this was one of them. When I walked into the lobby, the receptionist desk was littered with various action figures - from Star Wars to My Little Pony. Of course, I picked them up and starting playing with them, and another gentleman in the lobby challenged me to a duel. I knew I would have fun. The best part of the visit was the office tour. The hallway entrance is littered with all things Mr. Potato Head - from the first prototype (paper body parts that would actually be tacked onto an actual potato) to a totally blinged-out-Swarovski-jewel encrusted Potato man. My guide regaled me with the whole history of the little guy, and I found myself strangely fascinated with his history. Next, we walked through the G.I. Joe section (yehaw..my brother and I were obsessed with Joe and his gang), and life-size Star Wars model. The Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite life-size model had me riveted!

But for the fact that I was there for work, I would have spent the day meandering the building and playing with all the toys. Life has been challenging as of late, so it was nice to be a kid again.

I am a MySpace Crack Whore

2006-04-17T19:49:00.000-04:00

When my sister first introduced me to myspace, I really thought nothing of it. I created a space for myself and added my sister and some other known users as friends. That has ALL changed. After staying up until midnight with my siblings trolling through my space and looking up old friends, I am officially addicted. The "coup de gras" was finding one of my oldest friends from elementary school just today. On a whim, I searched for her name and found her. I will never forget the ill-fated day that her and her mother moved to New Mexico. My little 9 year old eyes wept and wept until I had run out of tears. To this day, I have tried finding her by running google searches, reaching out to former elementary school alum and looking through old letters to find any clue to her whereabouts. I am literally in a state of shock that I have found her. Now, for those of you who know me, I will soon be embarking on a quest to find my real father. If only finding him is as easy as doing a MySpace search . . .

I'm sure Fox, which recently acquired MySpace, is very happy to feed my growing addiction.

My New Favorite Show - Kath and Kim

2006-04-16T13:15:00.000-04:00

I have been watching Kath & Kim, an Australian based BBC production now playing on Sundance and it is fast becoming one of my all time favorites. (I rank it up up there with Ricky Gervais' "The Office"). Its worth a look see .

And, I'd be lying if the OZ accent doesn't bring a smile to my face. I do so miss my short sojourn in OZ and NZ. . .

Summer Resolutions

2006-04-16T12:33:00.000-04:00

I am so excited that the warmer weather is upon us. Finally. And with it comes my summer resolutions (my version of New Year's resolutions).

Goal 1: Get in Shape
My body has morphed into its post-winter blob-like state and once again, I find myself determined to get back in shape. I absolutely loathe the gym (they bore me to tears), but I also find the artifical environment de-motivating. I cannot repetitively climb up stairs (a la stairmaster) without ACTUALLY climbing up stairs or run to nowhere on a treadmill. I must feel that there is a purpose to such actions. So, last month, I partook in a auction for charity, in which I bid on a triathalon training package. Wouldn't you know it, I won! So, I have been assured a serious ass-kicking with Karen Smyers, a three time World Champion triathelete. I am very excited, very nervous, and I know I will be in for a world of pain. So far, I have the wonderful support of both friends and family which I know will be invaluable for this whole process.

Goal 2: Create My Website
I am in the midst of building my own website. This is a great learning experience, since admittedly, I know very little about the process invovled. But, I am determined to no longer sit by the sidelines and I have rolled-up my sleeves to get filthy dirty in the mud! I've picked up a couple of books and my brother was kind enough to give me a min-course in Cascading Style Sheets. Lots to soak in, but my spongy brain is ready for more!! My goal is to ultimately run my blog from this same website, but don't anyone hold your breath. You may pass out before it ever happens.

Snakes + Plane = Snakes on a Plane

2006-04-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

I know, it sounds idiotic, but, believe it or not, "Snakes on Planes" is a movie coming soon to a theatre near you (August 2006 to be exact). The Vancouver-based "film" (and I use that term loosely), starring Samuel L. Jackson is currently in post-production and has already achieved cult status. I'm not kidding. The tag line is horrible ("Relax. They're first class fliers.") and the plot is even worse. The premise of the film is something like this: "On board a flight over the Pacific Ocean, an assassin, bent on killing a passenger who's a witness in protective custody, lets loose a crate full of deadly snakes." Sounds like an episode of Lost gone way wrong.

Because of the press the film has received, New Line Cinema decided to shoot additonal footage in L.A. to up the anemic PG-13 rating to a robust R rating. I wonder what they have added . . .

However, this movie has become a gulity pleasure. Ever since I read a wee article about it in Wired, I count myself among the idiotic throngs of people waiting for its release. Seriously, I want one of these Snakes on Planes T-Shirts. If you love me, you will buy me one ;) Do it. I mean it. I may even have a Snakes on Planes release party - watch this space...

Here are a couple of interesting links, if you are considering joining me in my lunacy:

- A Devoted Snakes on Planes Blog
- Snakes on Planes Try-Outs
- Movie Screen Shots

Wedding extraordinaire

2006-04-01T11:57:00.000-05:00

So, I realize I have already been remiss in being consistent in my blogging. Life has been insane as of late - with my play, multiple work and personal travel etc. For the first time in a LONG time, I actually have free time and "gulp" what do I do with it!

Well, I went to a wonderful wedding two weeks ago. My very good friend Carmen married her best friend, Brent. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous (a very fashionable affair at the Yale Club in Manhattan), and I haven't had this much fun in a long time. I knew this would be a unique occasion, when instead of having their first dance, Carmen and Brent cleared the stage for a team of breakdancers. That really set the stage for the rest of the evening, in which we basically boogied the night away. I even got to swing dance with one of my old crushes, Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Congratulations Carmen and Brent!!

The Play Reviews are In! It's "OK"

2006-04-01T11:45:00.000-05:00

So, I got a chuckle out of our review in Boston's Metro. We were "OK"!! I love that our review and my picture are sandwiched next to the latest trump wife, a Paris Hilton wanna-be and Sudoku. Being a self proclaimed Sudoku fiend, I particularly enjoyed that. I am certainly surrounded by some worthy ladies - I guess its the one time I can say I got to share some of the spotlight. I'll take what I can get ;)

MURPHY - THE WONDER DOODLE

2006-03-16T20:27:00.000-05:00

I thought I should get this out of the way now - I admit it...I am hopelessly attached to this little red ball of fur and I could not resist posting his picture on my *shiny* new blog (a couple glasses of red wine have also done wonders for my inhibitions).

World, meet Murphy the wonder labradoodle - yes you read that correctly - labradoodle. His dad is a mini poodle, and his mom is a red lab (you can see their pictures on www.tuscanridgelabradoodles.com). I never thought I would be the type to get so attached to an animal, but I must admit - this little guy got to me. And for those who are wondering, NO he is not allowed on my bed - he is well behaved and very well trained little man.

Enough said. I promise, no more blathering about my dog!

Showtime

2006-03-16T14:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, so inspired by my brother and two castmates (cgcraft.com, davepye.com, donpiano.blogspot.com) I have decided to take the plunge into the wide world of blogging. What better way to start then by shameless self-promotion?

For those of you who know me, yes, it's that time of the year again. The latest NEMPAC production, "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" is going live on Sunday. To those of you interested in seeing a bunch of grown-up make complete arses of themselves, and have fun at the same time, please come! There are 5 performances at the Improv Asylum, located on Hanover Street in Boston's NorthEnd. And to make it even more enjoyable, alcohol will be on sale.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance by e-mailing me at irshal@hotmail.com.

Sunday at 2pm (sold out)
Sunday at 7pm
Monday at 7pm
Monday at 9:30pm
Tuesday at 7pm