Imma Bee

Day: 380

Photo taken on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 in the parking lot of Applebee's in Huntington Station, NY at 1126pm. (Pictured from left: In front- Me, Heather, and Jenn. In Back- Justin, Mike, and Steve force-feeding Mike his pointer)

Upon learning that I now enjoy karaoke, Heather and Justin invite us out tonight to partake in the festivities at Applebees come ten o'clock. I chicken out when I realize the place is swarming with high schoolers that are hogging the microphone in order to screech out Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. I'm afraid to dominate with my one trick pony Emimen skillz and instead choose to eat my half-priced wings in peace-well sorta, if you can ignore the cats crying in the bar.

Something About Christmastime

Day: 374

Photo taken on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 in Liz's living room at 917pm.

There's something about this shirt because the last time I wore it to my Lovah's apartment, we took one of my favorite photos and now I have another great shot of us! This time I'm holding her Christmas present to me from last year--we like to stay on top of these things. Inside is a cute wooden pig with only three legs (it comes like this don't worry). I have named him Forney and he watches over me from my night table. I really love personal gifts like these and I am lucky to have people in my life that remember the small things about me like my favorite animal.

Nice gift idea, Elizabeth!

^_\

Bowled Over

Day: 367

Photo taken on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 in the living room at 740pm. (Pictured: The Bowl, Heather, me, Steve, and Justin)

Chef Steve strikes again! This time we invite Heather and Justin to taste his exquisite cuisine. Tonight we are dining on thick chicken cutlets seasoned with Italian breadcrumbs and stuffed with ham and swiss, Stove Top stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes, jarred chicken gravy, and fresh asparagus. Okay, so maybe we have to work on the ingredients being more homemade but 2 out of 5 ain't bad.

The Outback Approach

Day: 366

Photo taken on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 on the back porch at Angelface & Kim's house at 1131pm. (Pictured from my big ass head: Steve, Angelface holding his lovable pup, Kevin, Elisa, and Kim F. soon to be M!)

So it's been a year and when I go to put the BLOG to rest I get many requests to continue. I had no idea that my pictures and writing actually entertain some people and that they look forward to where my days lead me. It takes some convincing on their part but in the end, here I am. Though things are going to change this time around:

1. No more writing out the numbers. It's getting too wordy.
2. The picture no longer has to be a selfer in order to get the shot I want. Making it a self portrait limited a lot of potential and I also felt really silly when strangers offered to take the picture for me and I had to explain to them why they couldn't and that it had to sit on top of a dirty trash can on a self timer.
3. I don't necessarily have to be in it, just in the vicinity. Sometimes pictures need no people.
4. I'm going to post the daily everyday and I might not write anything about it until I feel like it. The reason being, I have a lot of upcoming projects that need more attention and I seriously have to get a move on with bettering my future financially.
5. That's it. There is no 5, sorry.

Tonight we are invited over for a delicious home-cooked meal and lots of laughs by our generous hosts, Angelface and Kim. It bothers me a bit today when I realize that the four lovely folks pictured with me never make it into the BLOG in the first year. I had seen them but maybe the picture had been done for the day or I simply forgot and snapped it when I got home. I don't like that, so it needs to change.

I have high hopes for this year and I want you to be a part of it. I lost a good friend this past year because I was accused of ignoring them and excluding them from get-togethers. This is never the case with me and I apologize to those who read this BLOG and feel they are excluded. No one is ever left behind in my book. If you want to hang out, give me your number or if you're unavailable when I invite you out, extend me an invitation the next time you go out. I am very outgoing, open-minded, and caring but sometimes I don't know who really wants to go see a Jackie Chan movie so just let me know if you want to take part in something fun and I'll gladly let you in on my life journey.

I'm a pretty simple person and I don't ask much. What I do ask of everyone is respect: for me, for my loved ones, and for the life I choose to lead. I'm not perfect and I make tons of mistakes so this year I'm making an even greater effort to be conscious of my decisions and not sweat the small stuff. I think we can make this a really great year so let's live it up!

"I'm here for the party and I ain't leavin' til they throw me out."-Gretchen Wilson

CAPTAIN PLANET!!

Three Hundred and Fifty Seven

Photo taken on Sunday, July 24, 2011 outside Broadway Mall in Hicksville, NY at 10pm. (People in back posing as villains: Jon and Steve. Thumbs up by Jess, Paul, and I. Captain America played by Justin and his groupie, Heather.)

I don't think it is very obvious what movie we saw tonight...

Zookeeper was awesome! Go see it!

Swass

Day: Three Hundred and Fifty Five

Photo taken on Friday, July 22, 2011 on the Babylon line with Liz at 608pm.

It is hot as balls today. It is also hot as balls in this train, that is why I am sitting in a middle seat in one of the only air conditioned cars in order to get some relief (but mainly I am sitting here so I can rub my sweaty appendages all over Liz).

I get the text from my Lovah (as I am sticking to a window seat in a suffocating car) telling me she is on my train right now. She tells me she has an open seat next to her with my name on it. I ask her where she is located on the train and she says, "Towards the back." I consider myself at the end of the middle so she must be behind me. I start heading back there happy at the notion I will be in a cool place but as I walk further and further into the bowels of the train it gets hotter and hotter. Also, there is hardly anyone in these cars so I must be going in the wrong direction. I whip out my phone when I see I am in the second to last car.

"Did I pass you? Are you in the last car?"

I start heading back to where I was sitting and proceed to pass it. Apparently Liz and I have different meanings of "back of the train". I laugh and tell her I'm on my way. She tells me to please hurry because her car is packed and people are eyeing that open seat she is claiming is saved for a "friend". I understand her anxiety because commuters can be downright pushy when it comes to standing for 50 minutes. Hot commuters become freaking monsters when they think they have to stand for 50 minutes.

As I am illegally moving between train cars, I find one of the doors is locked. I panic. I tell Liz I'm stuck. She panics too. "Everyone is going to think I'm lying about saving this seat!"

"Fuck em," I say. I then hope that by some miracle I can make it up to her car so I can rescue her from these zombies.

By the time we hit Jamaica it gets so unbearably hot in here that they keep us in the station in order to open the doors between cars so some air can get in and alleviate some of the crazy stirring up. I take this opportunity to continue my trek to the front and as I pass Liz she calls out to me. I turn around to find her in a three seater and the look on the guy's face in the aisle seat when he realizes he has to sit next to a sweaty and smelly me is priceless.

Her car is cool, crowded, and absolutely silent. They're all glaring at me as I take the free seat and begin to catch up with Liz. We chat all the way to Amityville when we realize that our car has passed the station platform. I turn to Liz with a chuckle, "You realize the first two cars don't platform right?"

She laughs and we get up to move back a car so we can get out at the next two stations.

Looks like we really have two different definitions for "back of the train".

^_\

The End of an Era

Day: Three Hundred and Fifty

Photo taken on Sunday, July 17, 2011 after watching the final installment of Harry Potter in the Farmingdale Multiplex at 1030pm. (Pictured from left: The bad guys: Steve throwing a curse, Jenn pointing, and Heather channeling her inner Bellatrix. Neutral wizard: Mike. The good guys: Jon as Neville, Justin deflecting Steve's curse, and a hyperactive Hufflepuff.)

Ten years.

Pottermania has been in my life for an entire decade. And I have loved every single second of it.

I am aware of the Harry Potter books but thinking they are for children, never pick one up until I learn that it is story that anyone can enjoy. One day after hockey practice, my coach offers a movie excursion to Flatirons for Friday, the day Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is scheduled to come out. The majority of the team wants to go as well as my roommate, Sam, who upon hearing I am going, begs to come along. She even runs into her room and retrieves the three books out so far, telling me she's a huge fan. So on Friday, she joins me and the rest of the CU Women's Ice Hockey Team to see this flick. I have no idea what to expect but I am open-minded since I know most of the Hogwarts staff from other movies and enjoy these actors. My reaction? I think I forget to breathe through the entire thing, completely enchanted with the magical world J.K. Rowling has created. I love the story, the characters, the school, the food, the EVERYTHING! I want to stand in front of the Mirror of Erised. I want to sit under the sorting hat. I want to join in the fight against Voldermort.

And so begins the ten years of obsessing over one of the greatest stories of all time. As the years go on, I learn of more friends that share my deep love for Potter: Maeve is a fellow student but not in my house (she's a Gryffindor) though we hit Hogsmeade all the time together; Naughty, EJ, Dormmate Chris, and I play drunken Harry Potter on the original Playstation ("Potter NO! Potter MOVE!"); Naughty breaks out her books on tape while we live in the hockey house; Cameron even comes down from MA to see Goblet of Fire with me; Annie and I get together after the sixth book comes out to discuss what we thought (I bring two pages of notes), Christine brings me to the Wizarding World, and the list goes on. It's the second time this year I am writing about a trip to Potterland but I am afraid this time it will be my last.

I struggle with the ending of Book 7, maybe because it is time to say goodbye to the favorite characters that stole my heart (and then DIED, leaving me all alone to wallow in my sadness over them, and what the hell? Out of my top five-technically six because the twins are a package deal-four die?! So not fair.) Book 7 means it is finally complete, that there is no more yet I still have the movie to look forward to. And when I hear they are dividing it into two I think, that's not necessary but I'll take it! Why not extend this for a few more years?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II is bittersweet. My heart gets ripped out during the Snape montage because he is such a complex character and tortured soul. How much he endures for the sake of saving Harry, the dark front he has to keep up in order to appear faithful to Voldermort, the way he stands there and accepts his fate he knew was coming all along, and how he buries his love for a woman he could never have. He keeps hatred in his heart for Harry because he wants to make him his father but when he demands Harry look at him, he sees the green eyes of Lily as he passes on. So moving, so heart wrenching. How could one not love Severus?

I had been looking forward to the scene in the room of requirement-the fire dragon-I had a feeling it would be freaking cool! Though I am very saddened by the fact that two of my favorites, Fred and Lupin, are not paid the noble death sequence they so rightfully deserve. I have trouble swallowing the fact that out of all the Weasleys, Rowling chooses to split the twins. If I have learned anything from this troublesome duo is that one would never leave the other, even in death. In my world, Fred returns and can rival Peeves anyday!

I admit, I cry when Dobby leaves us. The red hot anger I feel when Sirius dies at the hand of his cousin keeps me awake at night. The tears that are almost endless when everyone lights their wands and raises them in the air for Dumbledore breaks me. But I am not prepared for the emotion I feel bubbling to the surface when the snitch "opens at the close". This is why I love the series so much. This is why Harry is redeemed from Book 5's constant whining (thank you film adaptation for changing that in the fifth movie) and holds a very special place in my heart. He is brave and honorable and chooses to sacrifice himself for the greater good. It's a poignant scene that makes me want to be a better person, makes me want to be more like Harry: a defender, determined and fearless.

I have taken much from this series and I can spend hours of your time talking about it. There are many religious and spiritual themes laced within this story as well has humanity guidelines. I am happy to say I agree with what Rowling is trying to teach us: that love really does conquer all, that loyalty and standing up for what you believe in is important, and that friendship is a treasured gift that can last a lifetime.

These past ten years have been a glorious and wonderful adventure for me. I hope that my love for Harry Potter continues and I thank you all for putting up with my incessant chatter about the series.

"I want you to listen to me very carefully, Harry. You're not a bad person. You're a very good person, who bad things have happened to. Besides, the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."-Sirius Black

Independence Day

Day: Three Hundred and Thirty Seven

Photo taken on Monday, July 4, 2011 in my backyard at 809pm.

Yay for Price Club or else we wouldn't have been able to feed all the people who have swung by this evening to help celebrate the Fourth of July. This is the first time Steve and I have been able to have an outdoor party and it also works because all of our neighbors are super chill and don't mind us running back and forth in front of their decks. When our guests aren't engaging in food intake, they find themselves on the lawn playing with the bocce ball set Caitlin happens to have in her car. I am very thankful for the bocce ball set because the game of wiffle ball ends quickly when the only ball lands on our neighbor's balcony. I really thought the ball would end up in the canal though so I didn't offer up my Spiderman Frisbee when people seem interested in playing some sort of outdoor game. Once the sun completely set, we all looked to the skies to catch several different fireworks displays going on around the houses on the water.

I take some pics throughout the evening and it looks like everyone is enjoying themselves. Thanks for coming out this Fourth and making it a really fun time!

Caitlin, Brian, Michelle, Jon, and Heather have a really intense game of online Mad Gab going on here. I actually own the game but it is packed up in the attic at the moment or else I would have totally broken it out for them.

Angelo and Jen enjoying some drinkies. This is the second attempt at taking this photo since Angelo's hands keep traveling south without Jen knowing ;P

Tee hee, Paul and Mike are being inappropriate while Steve and Angelo are actually being good for a change. I'm not sure who wins this battle of bocce ball but I know us girls try it out next. I don't have pictures of us playing it but Jenn and Heather are kicking mine and Maeve's butt right now. Maeve is doing great; I'm definitely the weakest link on our team but we're having fun tossing these balls all over the place anyway.

Cristina and Brad get in on the bocce action as well. Cristina is a pro since she has the Italian blood running through her veins.

Of course there are crabs...and Angelo totally grabs one bare handed! That's skill!

So my camera "claims" there is a fireworks setting which by the time I snap the picture, they have already fizzled out. Maeve steps up to try and she has better luck than I do. The only light I am able to capture on film is standing over one of the lit Off! candles and even that picture comes out dim. Maybe we should have taken video because the pictures we have do not even come close to the beauty of the real thing or the experience of the explosion or getting eaten alive by gnats and mosquitoes while watching the fireworks.

Look At All Those Idiots

Day: Three Hundred and Thirty Five

Photo taken on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in Friendly's in Levittown, NY at 1159pm. (Pictured from me back and around: Me, Steve getting kicked in the face by Jenn, Mike giving a two thumbs up to that, Jeanette, Paul, Jess, Brian, Heather eating my head, and Justin pointing at the Shenanigans.)

It's a spur of the moment ice cream craving so I send out a bat signal to anyone in the vicinity and many heed the call. The hostess sticks us in the back-away from the quiet customers-and gives us a funny waiter who gets most of our ice cream wrong but eats his mistakes with us once the order is corrected. He even gives us cool bendy straws that change color when they get cold. Then he doesn't stop us when we want to take the selfer but all of us are on a sugar high and can't sit still for more than a second. It takes awhile to get situated and by the time I snap this, our waiter has left because his shift is over.

Zumba!

Day: Three Hundred and Twenty Six

Photo taken on Thursday, June 23, 2011 in the Massapequa Lucille Roberts at 747pm.

I am so happy that Heather has come to Zumba with me tonight! Kristen is one of my favorite instructors (Maeve is numero uno of course!) and her 45 minute classes make us sweat! Kristen is very peppy and if she looks out at us in the mirror and doesn't see enough people smiling and having fun, she will silently turn around, observe us with slumped shoulders, and then imitate us not having fun which immediately makes everyone laugh and start bouncing around a lot more.

Heather is seriously making this class a total blast right now. Whenever we get lost on a move (since we are in the total back and can barely see the front) we start doing our own thing. She has this locomotive move she likes to do where her arms chug around, her hips gyrate, and she grins like a Cheshire cat. I love it! But probably the best steps she makes up is during Pitbull's Pause so you have to come along with us next time! Let me know if you want a free Zumba pass and I'll try to finagle one for you!

The Running Man

Day: Three Hundred and Twenty Two

Photo taken on Sunday, June 19, 2011 outside of Friday's in Levittown, NY at 1018pm. (Pictured from right to left: Mike, my hand, Steve's hand, and Jenn pointing at a running Justin)

When Heather told us NOT to give Justin sugar, none of us listened.

And now we have a grown man running laps around the Friday's establishment we just visited. He had already eaten dinner when he joined the table but we let him get one of those large ice cream Oreos anyway. His pupils immediately dilate and we can't pay the check fast enough before he is out the door and running into the night. He's like a giddy ADHD child when on sugar; the only thing you can do is wait patiently until he burns it off and collapses.

I really want to bring Justin to a 5k race one of these days and right before it starts I'll hand him a candy bar. Once he sprints that out someone will be on the course to hand him a slurpee. When the slurpee wears off, one of us will be there to hand him a thing of cotton candy and so on and so on until he finishes the race sub-15 minutes. I think he can do it, though I'm just going to need several volunteers one Saturday morning.

You Say It's Your Birthday

Day: Three Hundred and Fourteen

Photo taken on Saturday, June 11, 2011 in the kitchen at 1129pm. (Pictured from my thumbs up: Jess, Michelle, Chris Reed looking aghast, Kristen, and Charlie)

Nothing says "Birthday Party" quite like cooking crabs alive and then ripping them apart to feed your guests.

If you would like to read about all the other events prior to the savage killing, Michelle wrote a very nice post of the birthday extravaganza here.

EPIC FAIL

Day: Three Hundred

Photo taken on Saturday, May 28, 2011 in the living room at 904pm. (Pictured: On the love seat: Mike and Jenn. Stadium seating: Me and Jess. Beanbag chairs: Paul, Michelle and her tongue, and Heather. The manly men: Justin and Steve. On the floor: Chris Reed.)

I had planned it for weeks. Day 300 was nearing and I wanted to do something better than Day 200. I came up with a fantastic idea knowing that my friends and family would totally go along with it but when Day 300 came, it left without me realizing it because we were having too much fun.

Heather discovers the Indo board so we all have a go on it outside. She then concocts her "secret special drinks" for us with a variety of liquors displayed on our kitchen counter. We then all pitch in for food and start Netflixing and talking and laughing and I snap this picture. When everyone finally calls it a night and the last person trudges out the door it dawns on me...

I forgot about my epic picture.

I am so pissed at myself.

Imagine all those fine folks pictured above with war faces on, battling it out in our backyard with hockey sticks and brooms, some wearing capes made of towels, others donning silly hats. You can imagine it, right? It would have been epic, right? All those people above would have definitely participated but I feel I have failed them.

But they didn't fail me at all. They came to celebrate the big day with me and you know what? It was EPIC fun.

^_\

We Didn't Start The Fire

Day: Two Hundred and Ninety Three

Photo taken on Saturday, May 21, 2011 on our deck at 314pm. (Pictured at the table: me and Heather. Men in the back: Justin and Steve)

"It's the end of the world as we know it."

The Rapture.

Doomsday.

What way to celebrate our last moments on earth than with good friends and good samwidges? Sure, I already know this morning when Steve leaves for work that the other Hemisphere is still in fine shape at 6pm their time but we can't be too positive. We still have a few hours before our life-ending earthquake hits New York. I just don't want to be doomed for eternity knowing that the last time I ate one of Steve's Infamous Supermelts was months ago, so we heat up the griddle and set to work. When we go to the fiery depths of hell this evening, at least we'll be full.

When 559 rolls around we fearfully lift our beer glasses (Justin opts for rootbeer since he's driving later) and we all stare intently at the cable box clock. It starts to rain (water not frogs) but it makes us wonder a bit... maybe we're not taking Harold Campings' prophesy seriously enough.

At six o'clock we wait a few seconds...

Cheers!

We make it through the Rapture unscathed!

As we imbibe our respective drinks and get back into fun conversations, we get a visitor to our deck. Then she so boldly visits our screen door:

I think she just wants to get in on the action of still being alive and free to jump from tree to rooftop to telephone wire till her little heart's content. Heather makes her a peanut butter samwidge to join in our celebration and as she devours it we all name her.

Meet our deck pet: Beatrice Tabitha Nesbitt

Swans and ducks and now squirrels! Feel free to come to our home and feed the animals (that includes Steve and I as well).

My Hero!

Day: Two Hundred and Eighty Six

Photo taken on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Justin's new apartment in Plainview, NY at 1135pm.

Justin is using his superhero strength to pick up my 180 pound frame specifically for this shot. I entertain the idea of fumbling around with my camera to watch him squirm under my weight but I thought that to be too cruel to do to a good friend. Especially since he let us come over to play Marvels and I drink two of his cream sodas during the game.

When I first arrive this afternoon, he is decked out in a camouflage tee and I make it known to him that he is not dressed up in a Batman shirt and this disappoints me. So Justin disappears into his room only to come back donning a retro Batman shirt instead which totally makes my night.

Super Strength + Vintage Batman = Awesomeness

Random Strangers with a Fork

Day: Two Hundred and Fifty Two

Photo taken on Sunday, April 10, 2011 inside Pancho Villa in Huntington Village, NY at 923pm. (Pictured: my big ass head that is blocking Steve, then Heather the stranger, and Justin)

Justin thinks it looks like just him and I are having dinner and then some strangers got in the picture in the background.

The move continues so being that we are on the north shore to grab another truck load, we accept a dinner invitation with this lovely couple. I like going to Mexican restaurants because you get a free app (obviously chips and salsa) and then they refill it too when you gobble it up quickly. While we are munching on free food, the conversation takes weird and hilarious turns which every dinner conversation should be required to do. Last night four of us came up with a new Olympic sport called Suds-Rolling and tonight we start thinking up how to do this strange new sport and what the rules should be. I have a feeling that in a few months you are going to see a selfer of us engaging in Suds-Rolling in my backyard. I am sure you will be waiting with bated breath for this epic picture.

Gracias!

Day: Two Hundred and Fifty One

Photo taken on Saturday, April 9, 2011 in the back of a now empty U Haul truck in front of our building at 534pm. (These are the Second Shifters: Me, Michelle, Jenn, Mike, and Steve)

You guys are awesome. We have no idea how we could have done this move without all of your help. Next time I promise we will get movers and still feed you because our furniture is too damn heavy to lift ourselves anymore. I think we own too many "grown up" pieces and holy moley we have a ton of crap!

I would like to individually thank you all so I'll start with the folks in the picture above:

Mike: I am so grateful that you kept pushing the time you were supposed to leave back until we got every last box inside the new place. I have never seen those leather couches move so efficiently through doorways EVER! You were so helpful and fast paced you were like a blur up those stairs. I cannot thank you enough for keeping such a strong grip on that damn armoire and not letting it fall on my head! Many thanks!

Jenn: Your endurance for the day amazes me. Even though you went through a rigorous kickboxing work out, you still came over to help! You powered through your ankle hurting and I appreciate everything you did for us. Thank you for getting all those drawers into the proper place for me! I know you guys moved as well last month so I am grateful you helped us today though you probably don't want to see another box for awhile. Thanks for letting me borrow those freezer bags too!

Michelle: I am glad you shot me texts throughout the day to offer help; that meant a lot to me. The fact that you were moving things in today at your own new place and still made time for the Reabs was awesome. Kabuto thanks you as well for safely getting him from the loft in Smithtown to the dining room in Copiague!

I totally dropped the ball on getting a picture with the First Shifters so I yanked some pics of them offline so I hope yall don't mind:

Jeanette: I have never seen anyone react to moving quite like you did and I absolutely loved that! You came in with such a go-getter and positive attitude it made the morning a lot of fun. I enjoyed the tunes you brought along (especially Justin Beiber) as we wrapped all the breakables still hanging around the house. You were an amazing help and the things you lifted by yourself!?! You are truly a master! Thank you so much for being there!

Paul: When I was freaking out about the time and the fact that the truck was hardly full you reached over and patted my back and told me it was going to be okay. In that moment, I felt so much better because it restored my positive energy and we forged ahead. You were just coming off a night shift of lifting heavy things and you still came out to help us move! I cannot even imagine how tired you were but being there for us means the world to me. And thanks a million for setting up the TV in the new digs because I had absolutely no clue what the hell to do.

Kristen: Thank you so much for everything you did for us today! The scavenger hunt to get everything off the walls was very helpful to us and your packing skills are exemplary. I enjoyed your company and having you there lifting heavy things down all those stairs was awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Chris Reed: What can I say, without you today we would have been lost. Though you have to be the quietest mover on the planet, we're all grunting and groaning and you're just peacefully carrying a piece of furniture down the stairs. Thank you muchly for getting up early on a day you could sleep in before work to help us move an entire apartment. Chris Reed, you are the man!

Again, thank you all for putting aside all those hours on a weekend for us. You are the best friends and family a person could have! We owe you more than a meal and our gratitude so whenever you need us, no matter how big or small, we will be happy to help you out. And I promise once the weather gets warmer there will be BBQs. Lots and lots of BBQs and I expect you guys to come, relax, not move anything, eat, drink, and be merry. Love you all and thanks again!

^_\

Annie Sez

Day: Two Hundred and Thirty Nine

Photo taken on Monday, March 28, 2011 after lunch in Bella Cucina on 87th and Lexington in the city at 203pm.

I love when people get into the selfers; this is totally Annie's idea, basking in the sun like this and we are lovin' it! She looks so peaceful as the light streams in, warming our skin. I am so happy they sit us by the street though we don't even spend a second looking out at the passersby because we are so engrossed in catching up with each other.

As we're talking about love and family and work, we end up talking about a common interest: running. Annie is a very good runner and she does it for the right reason: she loves it. Being that she was a phenomenal race walker in her school days, that drive to feel the adrenaline is still inside of her. I am happy to share my experiences with her and listen to her past stories of hard races (I had no idea she's done an ultra! So cool!) and take with it some advice for my upcoming long runs. Annie is inspiring to me, she is a goddess of health and beauty, and I strive to be more like her in my fitness endeavors.

Hee Haw

Day: Two Hundred and Thirty Eight

Photo taken on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the living room at 937pm. (Pictured counterclockwise in a circle after my noggin: Heather, Jon, Justin, Steve, Paul, and Michelle who was next to me but I kept blocking her in the pictures until she jumped into the middle of the fray with jazz hands)

Justin has never seen Clerks 2 so he is currently being treated to the best part of the flick:

The Donkey Show

We are also in the midst of arguing about the Donkey Show when we realize we miss a critical scene afterwards and have to backtrack and end up watching the Donkey Show for a second time.

No one complains.

I am very happy to be hosting these fine folks today. Last night I offer, practically beg, for people to come over today and eat the food in my fridge so it is less we have to carry out of here when we move. I am forcing 5 pounds of three types of buffalo wings, strawberry cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies down their throats. Then they are only allowed to have water from the Poland Spring machine or microbrewery beer. This is a horrible party for them. I can tell they all hate being here and wish that I never paid them to come over in the first place.

The Critic

Day: Two Hundred and Thirty Seven

Photo taken on Saturday, March 26, 2011 before the 950 showing of Sucker Punch in the UA Farmingdale movie theater at 944pm. (We take up two full rows of the theater: Back row left to right-Steve fist pumping, Chris Reed rocking out, Kristen, Frank, Paul, and Jess. Front Row left to right-Clark Kent-er-I mean Justin, Heather, Rachel, Adam, Jon, Jenn, and a thumbs up from Mike. Other front row-me.)

For some reason I think that this movie is coming out the weekend of the 12th so Steve sends out the text to everyone two weeks early to see who wants to come with us. He gets texts back very quickly informing him that he has the wrong date. Steve then sends out an apology text offering the Justin Bieber movie instead.

There are no takers.

Two weeks later, 14 of us meet up at The Stadium to enjoy an action packed CGI* joyride that for the first 20 minutes makes me second guess myself because there is no action what-so-ever. As the movie progresses I sink further and further into my seat. I have been yabbering about this film for weeks now, that it will be so cool, a movie with badass chicks as the main characters, and have talked it up to my friends who accompany me to the theater. I am so worried that they are going to be mad at me for dragging them to some chick flick when I promised coolness. I'm thinking really hard, I'm remembering seeing dragons and guns and swords in the previews so where the hell are they?

And then the main character gets drop-kicked across the screen.

Now we're talking!

I really like the movie: the girls are hot in their two sets of costumes, the music is invigorating, and the action I promise is pretty darn awesome. Everyone has mixed opinions on the flick and we all chat animatedly about it as we loiter in front of the theater, then at the Spartan Diner across the street. I am having so much fun that I don't even realize I am out until 330 in the morning! I'm not going to be on a normal sleep pattern for a few days now but you know what? A night like this makes it totally worth it.

^_\

*CGI: To avoid confusion, I only use this acronym for "Computer Generated Imagery". I do not think I will ever talk about "Common Gateway Interface" in this BLOG, just so you know.