Mrs. Jinx in Brooklyn
Friday, February 03, 2006
Thursday, February 02, 2006
We Love Brooklyn - WAH! - Don't Make Us Leave - WAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Yes, we are weeping in our Brooklyn Lager. Only one more day commuting on the C Train from Prospect Heights to Tribeca.
One more day of alternate side of the street parking. Getting lucky and finding a spot near "the Fluffies", or by the park.
One more day to possibly receive a Fresh Direct delivery.
One more day of Disco Linda above our head.
One more day of the legless beggar in the wheelchair on my way home from work.
One more day of being a 10 minute walk away from one of the most beautiful museums in America.
One more day of being a 10 minute walk from 300 different cuisines, all of which can be had for less than $20 and eaten in, taken out, or delivered to your doorstep.
One more day of instant access to the $18 mani/pedi - Monday thru Wed only...
One more day of Gary, The Cracker, MLE, John and Zoe, PROSPECT PARK (no more runs in the park, I can hardly choke back the tears), 7th Avenue, 5th Avenue, Jones Beach, Coney Island, Court Street Bakery, Nino's Pizzeria, Mazolla's Bakery, 200 5th Avenue, Purity Diner, Brownstones - BROWNSTONES! - farmer's market, Christine, 5th Ave Cat Clinic, Park Slope Veterinary, Happy Dry Cleaners, WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I have to stop, I can't take it anymore. It's just too sad. How are we ever going to live in the suburbs? I mean, how do people do it day in and day out? Will we survive? Or will you be reading about our new Brownstone in Sunset Park in about 10 months?
I guess we'll just have to take a great big breath, wave adios but not good-bye, pack our Budget Rental and not look back. I am sure we can do it. There are just far too many great things about Brooklyn to list in any one post. The memories go on and on.
Thanks to our extended Brooklyn family. We are going to miss you guys, but we won't be far away. We will be back for concerts at the Balabans, Brunches with the Heaths and Dinner with the Rowes, drinks with Christine, etc. I promise.
One more day of alternate side of the street parking. Getting lucky and finding a spot near "the Fluffies", or by the park.
One more day to possibly receive a Fresh Direct delivery.
One more day of Disco Linda above our head.
One more day of the legless beggar in the wheelchair on my way home from work.
One more day of being a 10 minute walk away from one of the most beautiful museums in America.
One more day of being a 10 minute walk from 300 different cuisines, all of which can be had for less than $20 and eaten in, taken out, or delivered to your doorstep.
One more day of instant access to the $18 mani/pedi - Monday thru Wed only...
One more day of Gary, The Cracker, MLE, John and Zoe, PROSPECT PARK (no more runs in the park, I can hardly choke back the tears), 7th Avenue, 5th Avenue, Jones Beach, Coney Island, Court Street Bakery, Nino's Pizzeria, Mazolla's Bakery, 200 5th Avenue, Purity Diner, Brownstones - BROWNSTONES! - farmer's market, Christine, 5th Ave Cat Clinic, Park Slope Veterinary, Happy Dry Cleaners, WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I have to stop, I can't take it anymore. It's just too sad. How are we ever going to live in the suburbs? I mean, how do people do it day in and day out? Will we survive? Or will you be reading about our new Brownstone in Sunset Park in about 10 months?
I guess we'll just have to take a great big breath, wave adios but not good-bye, pack our Budget Rental and not look back. I am sure we can do it. There are just far too many great things about Brooklyn to list in any one post. The memories go on and on.
Thanks to our extended Brooklyn family. We are going to miss you guys, but we won't be far away. We will be back for concerts at the Balabans, Brunches with the Heaths and Dinner with the Rowes, drinks with Christine, etc. I promise.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Brooklyn Brunch
This is the Rowes, The Heaths and The Adzentoivichs at brunch in Park Slope last weekend. Our last social outing in Brooklyn.
Countdown to Blast -off
5-Days:
Well, I begin this post with a heavy-heart. Although I have been awaiting this day for oh, I don't know, YEARS maybe? - now that it is upon the horizon I reflect on what I am about to leave behind.
Five days until we leave Brooklyn.
I love Brooklyn.
I have lived in Brooklyn since May 1997. I moved into my sister's lopsided 17th Street apartment with two duffel bags and about $200. I had a job in Greenwich, CT. I commuted backwards for 2 hours each way. I did this for about 2 months before I told my employer that I had moved out of CT and couldn't do the commute any longer. And besides, I couldn't afford the commute any longer.
I put my beloved 1993 Toyota Celica CONVERTIBLE for sale in my grandfather's front yard. It sat there for 6 months before we got an offer. Luckily for me my grandfather was a sweetheart and continued to pay my car payments until it sold because I was broke.
Remind my again why I moved to Brooklyn?
Oh yeah, to be an actress. And, apparently, to go broke.
Eventually my sister's lease was up and she and her roommates went their separate ways. I took over the lopsided apartment and began the hunt for roommates. This consisted of putting posters up at the SAG/AFTRA/Equity offices in Manhattan. I got plenty of calls - from crazy people. Eventually I found Lorna - who was OK except for a few eccentricities.
Lorna was an actress and was about 5 year older than me. She had a clinical case of acne and was hopelessly single. She grew up in a trailer park and was very protective of that.
Every night Lorna took a bath for 30 minutes. Every night.
Every month Lorna stuck a Q-tip up her cat's hoo-ha. Every month. She thought this kept her from whining every time she went into heat. Gross.
Lorna was a temp somewhere in Manhattan. She had a co-worker named Kevin who ended up being our 3rd roommate. His girlfriend became our freeloading 4th roommate. Boy - it was a blast.
So, blah, blah, blah. Time passed. I went on auditions and took more acting classes. I did some weird Shakespearean adaptation at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the Lower East Side.
I did another show on the upper West Side where I played a dead person who pushed around a coffin.
I did a more conventional play; Our Town with the father of Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( the original one). This was at some weird, old fashioned men's social club. No, not that kind of men's social club. The kind where there is a women's auxiliary and they do community service, have potluck dinners and black tie fund raisers and put on semi-professional theater four times a year. They also had a professional choir which was combined with the women's club. I don't honestly know how I got involved in this one. This place was located in Murray Hill - I think. Like 34th Street between Park and Lex. I got to meet Charlie. He looks exactly the same, but bigger.
I did some extra work in a bunch of movies. Some that I don't even remember the name of. Some I do: Summer of Sam, The Cradle Will Rock. There was also that TV show about firemen.
Eventually I went on a US tour as the Wicked Witch in a children's theater production of the Wizard of Oz. It was a three month van tour. It was awesome.
I met Ernie just before I went away and when I returned we went on our first date. The rest is history.
Brooklyn was the supporting character in all of this. I ran in Prospect Park. I shopped for cheap clothes on 5th Avenue. I ate $1.25 pizza from Lenny's every night between pay checks. I shopped at the store front produce market and got a week's worth of produce for $4. I bought homemade sauerkraut and mushroom pierogies from the Polish Market on 5th Ave. for $3 (this was all before Park Slope became FANCY). I walked to the Farmer's Market at Grand army Plaza. I met Emily who became my running partner.
I moved out of the lopsided apartment and into Ernie's place where he was renting a room from a friend. Saxaphone player Kevin. Kevin also happened to be a classmate of my sister's from college. We slept on one of those foam chairs that flattens out to a bed(?). It was only wide enough for one person so Ernie let me have the foam and he slept next to me on the floor. It was very sweet. We had nothing.
I followed Ernie to countless jazz gigs arouns Manhattan both before and after we got married in November 1998.
We began our Real Estate obsession when we only had a few thousand dollars that Ernie's parents gave us.
We bought our first place on 5th Ave when it was still inhabited by crack heads. Our little studio with a backyard was our haven for more than 4 years. We sold when the block turned into Hipster central and we could no longer afford to eat at the restaurants or shop in the shops.
OK. I need to reflect a bit more.
Well, I begin this post with a heavy-heart. Although I have been awaiting this day for oh, I don't know, YEARS maybe? - now that it is upon the horizon I reflect on what I am about to leave behind.
Five days until we leave Brooklyn.
I love Brooklyn.
I have lived in Brooklyn since May 1997. I moved into my sister's lopsided 17th Street apartment with two duffel bags and about $200. I had a job in Greenwich, CT. I commuted backwards for 2 hours each way. I did this for about 2 months before I told my employer that I had moved out of CT and couldn't do the commute any longer. And besides, I couldn't afford the commute any longer.
I put my beloved 1993 Toyota Celica CONVERTIBLE for sale in my grandfather's front yard. It sat there for 6 months before we got an offer. Luckily for me my grandfather was a sweetheart and continued to pay my car payments until it sold because I was broke.
Remind my again why I moved to Brooklyn?
Oh yeah, to be an actress. And, apparently, to go broke.
Eventually my sister's lease was up and she and her roommates went their separate ways. I took over the lopsided apartment and began the hunt for roommates. This consisted of putting posters up at the SAG/AFTRA/Equity offices in Manhattan. I got plenty of calls - from crazy people. Eventually I found Lorna - who was OK except for a few eccentricities.
Lorna was an actress and was about 5 year older than me. She had a clinical case of acne and was hopelessly single. She grew up in a trailer park and was very protective of that.
Every night Lorna took a bath for 30 minutes. Every night.
Every month Lorna stuck a Q-tip up her cat's hoo-ha. Every month. She thought this kept her from whining every time she went into heat. Gross.
Lorna was a temp somewhere in Manhattan. She had a co-worker named Kevin who ended up being our 3rd roommate. His girlfriend became our freeloading 4th roommate. Boy - it was a blast.
So, blah, blah, blah. Time passed. I went on auditions and took more acting classes. I did some weird Shakespearean adaptation at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the Lower East Side.
I did another show on the upper West Side where I played a dead person who pushed around a coffin.
I did a more conventional play; Our Town with the father of Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( the original one). This was at some weird, old fashioned men's social club. No, not that kind of men's social club. The kind where there is a women's auxiliary and they do community service, have potluck dinners and black tie fund raisers and put on semi-professional theater four times a year. They also had a professional choir which was combined with the women's club. I don't honestly know how I got involved in this one. This place was located in Murray Hill - I think. Like 34th Street between Park and Lex. I got to meet Charlie. He looks exactly the same, but bigger.
I did some extra work in a bunch of movies. Some that I don't even remember the name of. Some I do: Summer of Sam, The Cradle Will Rock. There was also that TV show about firemen.
Eventually I went on a US tour as the Wicked Witch in a children's theater production of the Wizard of Oz. It was a three month van tour. It was awesome.
I met Ernie just before I went away and when I returned we went on our first date. The rest is history.
Brooklyn was the supporting character in all of this. I ran in Prospect Park. I shopped for cheap clothes on 5th Avenue. I ate $1.25 pizza from Lenny's every night between pay checks. I shopped at the store front produce market and got a week's worth of produce for $4. I bought homemade sauerkraut and mushroom pierogies from the Polish Market on 5th Ave. for $3 (this was all before Park Slope became FANCY). I walked to the Farmer's Market at Grand army Plaza. I met Emily who became my running partner.
I moved out of the lopsided apartment and into Ernie's place where he was renting a room from a friend. Saxaphone player Kevin. Kevin also happened to be a classmate of my sister's from college. We slept on one of those foam chairs that flattens out to a bed(?). It was only wide enough for one person so Ernie let me have the foam and he slept next to me on the floor. It was very sweet. We had nothing.
I followed Ernie to countless jazz gigs arouns Manhattan both before and after we got married in November 1998.
We began our Real Estate obsession when we only had a few thousand dollars that Ernie's parents gave us.
We bought our first place on 5th Ave when it was still inhabited by crack heads. Our little studio with a backyard was our haven for more than 4 years. We sold when the block turned into Hipster central and we could no longer afford to eat at the restaurants or shop in the shops.
OK. I need to reflect a bit more.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Ernie Loves My Job
Yes...he does. Not because of my great salary.
Not because of my great health benefits.
Not because of my super-flexible hours.
Mostly because he gets to go to lots of open bar parties and drink with Kyle.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
NASCAR Get's Political
From Yahoo News:
Yes, that is the President and Tony Stewart looking at his car parked at the White House.
This is hysterical to me...I just can't put my finger on why.
Yes, that is the President and Tony Stewart looking at his car parked at the White House.This is hysterical to me...I just can't put my finger on why.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Bryan - the Motorcycle Maniac
Photo courtesy of Rich Makin circa 199-something?
(thanks, Rich - on left)
Bryan won his class in his most recent foray into motorcycle racing this past weekend in Los Angeles. Horray!
Apparently he has found a new racing circuit and will be making regular appearances. Stay tuned for some actual racing photos and updates on his progress. Maybe the man himself will grace us with an interview?
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Identity Theft
The Adzentoivichs have been victims of identity theft.
Ernie got a credit card from Shop NBC in the mail right before Christmas. We thought it was a promotion. Soon after he received a bill for $2500! Apparently someone opened a credit account with this ShopNBC (TV or Online store), using his name and his SS# which was off by one digit. The issuing bank gave them the credit anyway - even though the SS# was incorrect.
The NYPD are now involved and have been very helpful. The Shop NBC account has been closed and somehow the merchant has "recovered the merchandise" yet they won't say how. Apparently they shipped the items to our address but there was nobody here to sign. The thief called UPS and asked them to send it to another address, apparently. The funny thing is that we never got the slip from UPS saying we missed a delivery - this makes us believe that someone who has been in our building is a part of this.
The Detective found a suspect via a phone number. This person lives in Queens. They need more evidence before they can question this person. They are working on it.
Today we received in the mail our bank statement. Apparently this thief got into our bank account as well. There were multiple points of purchase at places like The Coach Store and Toys R Us. Two places where we obviously don't shop. This caused some of our own checks to bounce (which has never happened in Adzentoivich history. I think Ernie is more pissed about that than anything..). They managed to steal about $1,000 from our bank account as far as we can tell.
This is a nightmare.
They also took cash from an ATM so somehow our bank issued them an actual ATM card.
How can this happen?
We are now in the process of closing all of our credit cards and our bank account. Citibank doesn't seem to have any form of fraud or theft protection. For example, we asked them if they could protect our cards by somehow disallowing purchases made over the phone or online and they said that they can't.
This is not good timing. I want the NYPD to find this person and go all Sipowitz on their ass.
UPDATE: We just found out they stole more than $2900. Mostly all spent shopping in Long Island. Foot Locker alone was more than $500. Someone is walking around the city with really nice sneakers that we bought for them....I think Ernie is going to burst a blood vessel.
Ernie got a credit card from Shop NBC in the mail right before Christmas. We thought it was a promotion. Soon after he received a bill for $2500! Apparently someone opened a credit account with this ShopNBC (TV or Online store), using his name and his SS# which was off by one digit. The issuing bank gave them the credit anyway - even though the SS# was incorrect.
The NYPD are now involved and have been very helpful. The Shop NBC account has been closed and somehow the merchant has "recovered the merchandise" yet they won't say how. Apparently they shipped the items to our address but there was nobody here to sign. The thief called UPS and asked them to send it to another address, apparently. The funny thing is that we never got the slip from UPS saying we missed a delivery - this makes us believe that someone who has been in our building is a part of this.
The Detective found a suspect via a phone number. This person lives in Queens. They need more evidence before they can question this person. They are working on it.
Today we received in the mail our bank statement. Apparently this thief got into our bank account as well. There were multiple points of purchase at places like The Coach Store and Toys R Us. Two places where we obviously don't shop. This caused some of our own checks to bounce (which has never happened in Adzentoivich history. I think Ernie is more pissed about that than anything..). They managed to steal about $1,000 from our bank account as far as we can tell.
This is a nightmare.
They also took cash from an ATM so somehow our bank issued them an actual ATM card.
How can this happen?
We are now in the process of closing all of our credit cards and our bank account. Citibank doesn't seem to have any form of fraud or theft protection. For example, we asked them if they could protect our cards by somehow disallowing purchases made over the phone or online and they said that they can't.
This is not good timing. I want the NYPD to find this person and go all Sipowitz on their ass.
UPDATE: We just found out they stole more than $2900. Mostly all spent shopping in Long Island. Foot Locker alone was more than $500. Someone is walking around the city with really nice sneakers that we bought for them....I think Ernie is going to burst a blood vessel.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Buying Furniture
We had a lot of fun shopping for furniture during all of the January sales. Yes, it is time to graduate from compact, practical apartment furniture, to real grown-up house furniture!
We shopped around until we found the best stuff at the best prices (of course, we're Adzentoivich). It may have taken us three times as long to buy one chair as it takes most people to furnish an entire house - but we got a great deal!
We are still hunting. It is like a game...screw you Lillian August.
YES!
We got new chairs, but still no couch! Rug is from Aunt Marjorie's house.
I am thinking of taking the tree down sometime before Valentine's Day.
Bought some stools at Pier One for the breakfast counter. Now that was a real bargin! Cushions, too.
Ernie decided we would save the $100 delivery fee on our already incredibly "affordable" dining room set by picking it up from the store- Fortunoff "the Source" - and assembling it himself. It only took 4 or 5 hours and minimal cursing (and at least one bottle of wine).
These would become our chairs.
Carpet is from ABC Carpet and Home in NY. Purchased from the DUMBO location which was having a "Closing Location" sale. Can you say BARGAIN! (the leather wingback living room chair also comes from ABC).
Ernie soon discovered that the chairs weren't necessarily balanced and each needed to be adjusted so as not to wobble. This called for a beverage break.
Yes, the counters are messy - we're in the middle of moving, give me a break.
He finally got his "little soldiers" assembled and situated them at the far end of the dining room (that other furniture doesn't belong in the dining room but it has no place to live yet).
And the finished product...
We had our first Sunday dinner the following day with my mom, dad and Grandfather. We are looking forward to many, many joyous meals and memories being enjoyed around this table.
We shopped around until we found the best stuff at the best prices (of course, we're Adzentoivich). It may have taken us three times as long to buy one chair as it takes most people to furnish an entire house - but we got a great deal!We are still hunting. It is like a game...screw you Lillian August.
YES!
We got new chairs, but still no couch! Rug is from Aunt Marjorie's house.
I am thinking of taking the tree down sometime before Valentine's Day.
Bought some stools at Pier One for the breakfast counter. Now that was a real bargin! Cushions, too.Ernie decided we would save the $100 delivery fee on our already incredibly "affordable" dining room set by picking it up from the store- Fortunoff "the Source" - and assembling it himself. It only took 4 or 5 hours and minimal cursing (and at least one bottle of wine).
These would become our chairs.
Carpet is from ABC Carpet and Home in NY. Purchased from the DUMBO location which was having a "Closing Location" sale. Can you say BARGAIN! (the leather wingback living room chair also comes from ABC).
Ernie soon discovered that the chairs weren't necessarily balanced and each needed to be adjusted so as not to wobble. This called for a beverage break.
Yes, the counters are messy - we're in the middle of moving, give me a break.
He finally got his "little soldiers" assembled and situated them at the far end of the dining room (that other furniture doesn't belong in the dining room but it has no place to live yet).
And the finished product...
We had our first Sunday dinner the following day with my mom, dad and Grandfather. We are looking forward to many, many joyous meals and memories being enjoyed around this table.
Friday, January 13, 2006
NYC Cabbie Strikes Back!
OK. Here is another hysterical blog, brought to my attention by my company blog. Go figure.
It is written by a female NYC Cab Driver. I only got through the three most recent posts so far. Fascinating and funny. You've got to check it out.
Did you even know there were Female cab drivers in NYC?
It is written by a female NYC Cab Driver. I only got through the three most recent posts so far. Fascinating and funny. You've got to check it out.
Did you even know there were Female cab drivers in NYC?
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Nancy Wood - That's Me!
In case you can't read this, the title of the album is "The Best of Nancy Wood".
In case you didn't know it, that's my name; Nancy Wood.
So does anyone know anything about this chick who is going around impersonating me in a cowboy hat and a bad western shirt?
I can't find her anywhere else online. I checked Amazon and there are no CDs with this title. I think she is a fraud.
I found this album cover when I searched this weird search engine called Red Zee.com. I searched images for Nancy Wood (You never know if someone might have posted one of my old headshots or high school photos online. You gotta do a vanity check every so often, right?).
This is not the first time I found someone trying to pass themselves off as me.
One of the most annoying things is that there is a new-agey artist named Nancy Wood. She does Native American art or books or something. One of the reasons I was happy to change my name when I got married was so that I would avoid any and all future confusion between the two of us. I mean, it was embarassing to go to the Indian Casino - I mean the way they fawned (fauned?) over me.
It is a bit confusing since our Wood family lore suggest a Native American heritage. Do you think this woman has truly stolen my identity? What if I really did write all of those poems about mountains and moons? I mean, I have thought about those things. It's all very transcendental. I mean, maybe she is my spirit-guide or something? I think spirit guides are typically wolves or something like that - but I guess it can be a person. I don't know what the rules are as far as that goes. But she's probably not because as far as I can figure she is still very much alive, dancing in a purple dress on the Continental Divide.
Mountains that are looked at have a particular grace,
some are rounded and gentle, others have a wildness
of spirit, the sharp rock face of invincibility.
Still others beckon with deceptive calm, luring the unwary
with their raw beauty, heads buried in clouds, sunlight
dancing on meadows like sky fingers.. The great rock god
Of the mountains sleeps with one eye open to catch eagles
and elk, wind and rainbows, the strong of limb who climb
those peaks because a mountain lives inside them.
~ Nancy Wood, from Dancing Moons
Well, all I know is I am damn glad I changed my name. Now I am free to write my own nature-based poetry from the front porch of my farm as I stare out at a couple of hills we call mountains.I might make an album but I would never wear that shirt or be that tan ever again - so there is little chance of confusion between me and the singing-cowboy version of me. Plus I have a banjo, not a guitar.
Short Story
Grandpa has a birthday
He turns 88 (EIGHTY-EIGHT)
He walks himself into the CT Department of Motor Vehicles - assisted by his walker-on-wheels
They renew his drivers license for another 8 years
He drives away
The end.
He turns 88 (EIGHTY-EIGHT)
He walks himself into the CT Department of Motor Vehicles - assisted by his walker-on-wheels
They renew his drivers license for another 8 years
He drives away
The end.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Don't Get Your Panties in a Bunch
What does it say about you when you notice that you put your undies on inside out....
And then decide to leave them that way?
And then decide to leave them that way?
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Coal Miner's Prayer
Ernie's Grandfather was a coal miner.Our farm is in the Pennsylvania Coal Region.
This tragedy is too sad for words. And the fact that it may have been avoidable is unbelievable. There were numerous safety violations against this mine and this mining company as recently as December.
Nobody should have to work this way to make a living in the year 2006. And certainly nobody should have to die this way.
In case you can't read this publication from 1904, this is what it says:
Oh Lord, after I have worked my last day and come out of the earth and have placed my feet on Thy footstool, let me use the tools of prudence, faith, hope and charity. From now on till I will be called to sign my last pay roll, make all the cables in the machinery strong with Thy love. Supply all the gangways, slopes and chambers with the pure air of Thy grace and give me the Holy Bible for my last shift, so that Thou, the General Superintendent of all the colieries can say, "Well done, thou good, faithful miner come and sign the pay roll and receive the check of eternal happiness." Amen.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
January 3rd
Well, we all seem to have made it through to 2006. Phew!
I did not swim with the Polar Bear Club. It was raining and cold and I just couldn't do it. Plus, I was already coming down with a cold/flu and didn't think it would be very responsible of me to jump into the Atlantic Ocean. Yeah - that's the ticket.
I didn't answer my own corny questions on New Years Eve. Ernie tried but I just couldn't get into it. Instead, we ate a lovely meal off of our make-shift diningroom table (two TV trays set under our chandeliere) and listened to Garrison Keihlor (however you spell it) and then to the New Years Eve Gala at the NY Philharmonic - which ended at 10pm, duh. Then we opened the token bottle of twist-off cap Andre "Champagne" (early, lest we fall asleep before we remembered to open it), and retired to our bedroom floor (where our lovely foam camping mat serves as our bed) to watch Carson Daley on the only channel that we could get in on our TV with our rabbit ears antennae.
It was very festive.
Ernie tooted the Tuba at 12:01. I mean a real tuba, not the "tuba", or not "tooted" the way you do after a large Mexican meal.
At 12:03 we were both sound asleep.
We have to stop partying like this.
I will probably do a year in pictures sort of thing - like I did last year. But not right now. I am still sick with that cold/flu thing. It sucks. I spent most of my birthday complaining about not being able to breath through my nose while dealing with painful chapped lips resulting from my constant mouth breathing (iew.).
So bear with me, pictures will be posted soon.
Happy New Year.
I did not swim with the Polar Bear Club. It was raining and cold and I just couldn't do it. Plus, I was already coming down with a cold/flu and didn't think it would be very responsible of me to jump into the Atlantic Ocean. Yeah - that's the ticket.
I didn't answer my own corny questions on New Years Eve. Ernie tried but I just couldn't get into it. Instead, we ate a lovely meal off of our make-shift diningroom table (two TV trays set under our chandeliere) and listened to Garrison Keihlor (however you spell it) and then to the New Years Eve Gala at the NY Philharmonic - which ended at 10pm, duh. Then we opened the token bottle of twist-off cap Andre "Champagne" (early, lest we fall asleep before we remembered to open it), and retired to our bedroom floor (where our lovely foam camping mat serves as our bed) to watch Carson Daley on the only channel that we could get in on our TV with our rabbit ears antennae.
It was very festive.
Ernie tooted the Tuba at 12:01. I mean a real tuba, not the "tuba", or not "tooted" the way you do after a large Mexican meal.
At 12:03 we were both sound asleep.
We have to stop partying like this.
I will probably do a year in pictures sort of thing - like I did last year. But not right now. I am still sick with that cold/flu thing. It sucks. I spent most of my birthday complaining about not being able to breath through my nose while dealing with painful chapped lips resulting from my constant mouth breathing (iew.).
So bear with me, pictures will be posted soon.
Happy New Year.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
New Year's Thoughts
One tradition I have tried to instill is one of reflecting on the past year on New Year's Eve. It is meant to be funny and thoughtful. Here are the questions Ernie and I will try to answer wihle drinking a bottle of wine tonight. Maybe I will post our answers, maybe not.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
1. Funniest memory of 2005
2. Biggest personal accomplishment of 2005
3. Biggest professional accomplishment of 2005
4. Most inspiring moment of 2005
5. Biggest decision you made in 2005
6. Most difficult decision you made in 2005
7. Biggest disappointment in 2005
8. Someone who did something nice for you in 2005 – what did he/she do?
9. Someone you did something nice for in 2005 – who and what was it?
10. Stupidest thing you did in 2005
11. Smartest thing you did in 2005
12. Most challenging thing you did in 2005
13. Weirdest thing you did in 2005
14. One new thing you tried in 2005
15. Name a new person you met in 2005
16. Biggest purchase of 2005 (monetarily)
17. Best purchase in 2005 (emotionally)
18. Strangest thing you saw in person in 2005
19. Strangest thing you saw on TV or online in 2005
20. A good joke you heard in 2005
21. Favorite outfit in 2005
22. Something you’re sorry you did in 2005
23. Someone you owe an apology to for something you did in 2005
24. Someone who owes you an apology for something he/she did in 2005
25. Who did you have your biggest fight/argument with in 2005?
26. One person you made laugh in 2005
27. One word to describe your year
28. One word that you hope describes the year ahead
29. Personal prediction for 2006
30. Professional prediction for 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
1. Funniest memory of 2005
2. Biggest personal accomplishment of 2005
3. Biggest professional accomplishment of 2005
4. Most inspiring moment of 2005
5. Biggest decision you made in 2005
6. Most difficult decision you made in 2005
7. Biggest disappointment in 2005
8. Someone who did something nice for you in 2005 – what did he/she do?
9. Someone you did something nice for in 2005 – who and what was it?
10. Stupidest thing you did in 2005
11. Smartest thing you did in 2005
12. Most challenging thing you did in 2005
13. Weirdest thing you did in 2005
14. One new thing you tried in 2005
15. Name a new person you met in 2005
16. Biggest purchase of 2005 (monetarily)
17. Best purchase in 2005 (emotionally)
18. Strangest thing you saw in person in 2005
19. Strangest thing you saw on TV or online in 2005
20. A good joke you heard in 2005
21. Favorite outfit in 2005
22. Something you’re sorry you did in 2005
23. Someone you owe an apology to for something you did in 2005
24. Someone who owes you an apology for something he/she did in 2005
25. Who did you have your biggest fight/argument with in 2005?
26. One person you made laugh in 2005
27. One word to describe your year
28. One word that you hope describes the year ahead
29. Personal prediction for 2006
30. Professional prediction for 2006
And Now for Some Photos
Before the New Year's Post - Here are some pics from Christmas 2005.
What's with the spots on the images? Camera malfunction or spirits of loved ones passed?
What's with the spots on the images? Camera malfunction or spirits of loved ones passed?
Aunts and Counsins
Thanks Grandma - we're still having Chritmas Eve together.
At the O'Neills.
Don't know why I'm not in any of these. I actually looked pretty good that night!
At the O'Neills.
Don't know why I'm not in any of these. I actually looked pretty good that night!
Ernie and Mom in Rockefeller Center
MIL came to visit for the week before Christmas. Of course we had to make the trip to see the tree.
Playing Pop Culture Trivial Pursuit
After dinner and karaoke, I beat everyone in Trivial Pursuit. Tha's mom giving me the horns.
Adzentoivich Christmas 2005
The tree came straight from Adzentoivich Woods. I cut it down myself. That bass case was for my dad - Ernie did not get a new bass for Christmas. He did get a Stratecaster Guitar though...
Before the New Year's Post
I have to post some Christmas photos.
We spent Christmas Eve at the O'Neills for the first time. It was a lot of fun to be with all of my crazy Germano cousins.
Christmas day was just Ernie and I at my parent's house. we managed to amuse ourselves anyway.
It was our first Christmas in the new house with our little tree.
Some of these photos have spots on them. Especially the ones in the cathedral and around my dad when he opened his Christmas present. It is something wrong with my camera? Or is it the spirits of loved ones who have passed?
We spent Christmas Eve at the O'Neills for the first time. It was a lot of fun to be with all of my crazy Germano cousins.
Christmas day was just Ernie and I at my parent's house. we managed to amuse ourselves anyway.
It was our first Christmas in the new house with our little tree.
Some of these photos have spots on them. Especially the ones in the cathedral and around my dad when he opened his Christmas present. It is something wrong with my camera? Or is it the spirits of loved ones who have passed?
Thursday, December 29, 2005
So You Wanna Write a Book?
Go to this site. It is so cool! You can self-publish right online. It seems to be reasonably priced. And it's also a marketplace. What a great idea! I just stumbled upon it when I clicked on one of my Google ads on the blog.
Neat!
Now if I could only come up with a good story.....
Neat!
Now if I could only come up with a good story.....
Miss. Doxie - She Funny
OK. So Ernie has been trying to convince me to read this Miss. Doxie blog for months, He found her through Anne's blog. Anne sometimes gives her a shout out and has a link on her blog.
Well, seeing as it is the week between Christmas and New Years and every one of my clients and the Search Engines themselves are all closed - I am bored, bored, bored. I already updated my Friendster profile, worked on MySpace and read The NY Times online. So what next? I read Steph's blog, not updated. Deanne's blog. Anne and Josette have obviously taken a blogging hiatus, as has Searchviews. So I had nowhere else to turn but to Miss. Doxie.
I read two entries and was peeing my pants at my desk. I literally had to stop reading and look out the window because I was crying from laughing and didn't want my co-workers to see me. You see, our boss is out on vacation and I am the Senior team member this week aka The Man. It would be very unprofessional for my team to see me hysterical over reading a blog during the work day. But there I was.
And so, Miss. Doxie you now have my vote. Not that you need it. She has zillions of comments for every blog post. Oh my God. I just read one about a shark encounter she had while helping to clean up a beach after one of the hurricanes, oh my God...If you're looking for a laugh.
So now I will add Mss. Doxie's blog to my list to the right. Please read her in good health. And Miss. Doxie - keep up the awesome posts!
Well, seeing as it is the week between Christmas and New Years and every one of my clients and the Search Engines themselves are all closed - I am bored, bored, bored. I already updated my Friendster profile, worked on MySpace and read The NY Times online. So what next? I read Steph's blog, not updated. Deanne's blog. Anne and Josette have obviously taken a blogging hiatus, as has Searchviews. So I had nowhere else to turn but to Miss. Doxie.
I read two entries and was peeing my pants at my desk. I literally had to stop reading and look out the window because I was crying from laughing and didn't want my co-workers to see me. You see, our boss is out on vacation and I am the Senior team member this week aka The Man. It would be very unprofessional for my team to see me hysterical over reading a blog during the work day. But there I was.
And so, Miss. Doxie you now have my vote. Not that you need it. She has zillions of comments for every blog post. Oh my God. I just read one about a shark encounter she had while helping to clean up a beach after one of the hurricanes, oh my God...If you're looking for a laugh.
So now I will add Mss. Doxie's blog to my list to the right. Please read her in good health. And Miss. Doxie - keep up the awesome posts!
This is the End
My friends...
So as we wind down and head into 2006 I thought it might be fun to look back on the early blog posts. I suggest you click on a few of the archived weeks in the right sidebar. It is really fun.
For example, I forgot that back in January when I packed up clothes to take out to the first weekend on the farm I put them in Rubbermaid containers to protect them from all of the sawdust and mess that would be generated by the construction. THE CONSTRUCTION! Construction from CONTRACTORS! ha, ha, ha. Little did I know......where are those contractors anyway?
Enjoy!
So as we wind down and head into 2006 I thought it might be fun to look back on the early blog posts. I suggest you click on a few of the archived weeks in the right sidebar. It is really fun.
For example, I forgot that back in January when I packed up clothes to take out to the first weekend on the farm I put them in Rubbermaid containers to protect them from all of the sawdust and mess that would be generated by the construction. THE CONSTRUCTION! Construction from CONTRACTORS! ha, ha, ha. Little did I know......where are those contractors anyway?
Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Happy Birthday Deanne!!!
Hey lil' sis - Happy Birthday to you.
Enjoy it.
Sing karaoke.
Drink some wine.
Swim with dolphins.
Get a pedicure.
Love your life.
Here's to wishing you many, many, many more happy and healthy birthdays to come.
- TLCBS
Enjoy it.
Sing karaoke.
Drink some wine.
Swim with dolphins.
Get a pedicure.
Love your life.
Here's to wishing you many, many, many more happy and healthy birthdays to come.
- TLCBS
The Be Good Tanyas
Surely Anne, Josette and I can do this. Can't we? I really, really want to. I want to learn to play fierce banjo and sing old traditional songs. I think if the three of us get together we could really have something here. And if I could convince my sister from LA to give up those pie in the sky dreams of celebrity - boy howdy, how cool we could sound.
I'm practicing the songs right now. You can easily find lyrics online. Drink a bottle of wine and see what you come up with. I bet Ruth would do this with me. Let's do it.
I told Ernie if he would just become a rock star I could sing like this and market the crap out of it - all while fulfilling my soul.
Check them out - The Be Good Tanyas. They are so cool. And we can do the same thing girls. The harmonies are all a 5th. The lyrics are all old traditional songs. All we need to do is come up with melodies - easy.
Seems so easy.
Isn't it easy? I have such a crush on them. I want to be a Tanya. Be a Tanya with me, please?
I'm practicing the songs right now. You can easily find lyrics online. Drink a bottle of wine and see what you come up with. I bet Ruth would do this with me. Let's do it.
I told Ernie if he would just become a rock star I could sing like this and market the crap out of it - all while fulfilling my soul.
Check them out - The Be Good Tanyas. They are so cool. And we can do the same thing girls. The harmonies are all a 5th. The lyrics are all old traditional songs. All we need to do is come up with melodies - easy.
Seems so easy.
Isn't it easy? I have such a crush on them. I want to be a Tanya. Be a Tanya with me, please?
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Polar Bear Swim
Anyone care to join me this year?
January 1, 2006 New Year's Day
Join the Coney Island Polar Bears for their 103rd annual New Year Day's swim, 1:00 pm, on the boardwalk at
This year we will again be hosting the Special Olympics New York. Make a pledge to the Special Olympics and have a hearty pre-swim breakfast at the New York Aquarium while enjoying the penguin and walrus feeding and sea lions show.
The Coney Island Polar Bears wish to thank all the sponsors for their support: Special Olympics New York, the New York Aquarium, Jimmy Dean, Junior's Cheesecake, Coca Cola, Statewide Coffee, Crowley Foods, Aunt Butchie Cakes,
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas
‘Come bring with a noise,
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log to the firing,
While my good dame she
Bids ye all be free,
And drink to your heart's desiring.
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log to the firing,
While my good dame she
Bids ye all be free,
And drink to your heart's desiring.
With the last year's brand
Light the new block, and,
For good success in his spending,
On your psalteries play
That sweet luck may
Come while the log is a teending.
Drink now the strong beer,
Cut the white loaf here,
The while the meat is a shredding;
For the rare mince-pie,
And the plums stand by,
To fill the paste that's a kneading.'- Robert Herrick (17th Century)
Friday, December 23, 2005
For the Rest of Us...
So last night Ernie and I Aired our Grievances. You know AOG, today being Festivus and all (photo courtesy of Wikipedia).
I told him I wanted a divorce and he told me I was just stressed out. I decided he was right and then he wrestled me to the ground (If you don't get it, then you just have to click on the link and figure it out for yourselves).
Today is actually the true Festivus, we just decided to start a day early because I was already pissed off. Well, it worked and now we are all made-up and having our Festivus Feast - well, if you can call a bottle of Pinot Noir a feast. Last night we ordered a deluxe pizza after the AOG, so maybe you can call that the Festivus Feast, if you want.
You can actually buy a Festivus Pole, but we didn't this year. This year it was really more about the AOG than anaything else. Maybe next year we can do the pole thing. I think it can double as a vertical bike rack the rest of the year, or a prop for a stripper, depending.
You may be surprised to know that Festivus is a true holiday. I guess it is a way to clear out all of the old crap so that you don't carry any grudges or negative crap into the new year. It allows you to accept the Christmas, Hanukkah (MSWord spells it with one K, Google spells it with two) or Kwanza presents without any guilt, because you can really feel like you like, or even love, the person who is giving it to you (now that you've gotten all those grievances out in the open).
I have to say that I don't have many disappointements to air to all of you. You have all been faithful Blog readers this year.
I guess do feel that you could contribute more, though. It would be nice if someone wrote back once in a while. I mean, Tony C. tries every so often, and when he does it is a pisser (I know I have been using the adjective/adverb piss a lot in this post. Ernie just told me that Tony C. used to be in a band called Piss. How cool. Would love to hear some of that). But come on. Linda? Hello! I know you are reading this. Why don't you ever write? Randy? Steph? What gives? Are you guys all take and no give? Show me the love. And what about my dearest, who loves to be a backseat blogger but won't ever step up to the plate himself? MIL? You too...
Anne - your write so well, you're blog kills me every time, and I rarely write to you, so I won't include you in this airing. But Josette is another story, and I have no way to know whether or not Aunt Francie has been lurking here....
Now that I have a house - even though I don't live in it - I vow to hold the yearly Festivus. On Dec 23rd we will gather to honestly Air Our Grievances and then show feats of strength before enjoying a Feast and exchanging crappy re-gifted Festivus gifts.
Then we will all get drunk on Boil-o (photo courtesy of Google Images - Michael, you should be careful what you send to the nether regions of the internet - don't blame me Josette, I almost pissed my pants when I searched Boilo on Google Images and it gave me this...) and wake-up two days later to a truly Happy Holiday.
Enjoy!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Senate Rejects Extension of Patriot Act
AP - 5 minutes ago (via Yahoo! News)
"WASHINGTON - The Senate on Friday refused to reauthorize major portions of the USA Patriot Act after critics complained they infringed too much on Americans' privacy and liberty, dealing a huge defeat to the Bush administration and Republican leaders."
YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Now I Get It
Finally! Now I know what Mrs. Jinx is and where she comes from. I knew she was no ordinary cat. Seems they just discovered a new species of mammal in Boreno...
Here is a little quote, "... The animal appeared to be a cross "between a cat and a fox" and may live in trees during the day, coming down at night..."
And
"...slightly larger than a domestic cat with dark red fur and a long bushy tail...has very small ears and large hind legs, was spotted in the Kayan Mentarang national park in the mountainous jungles of Kalimantan, where vast tracts of rainforest still remain..."
These mammals also can be spotted sleeping on beds and scaling to the tops of acoustic double basses in apartments in Brooklyn and homes in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. There have also been a few spottings at the beach and in the woods...
Here is a little quote, "... The animal appeared to be a cross "between a cat and a fox" and may live in trees during the day, coming down at night..."And
"...slightly larger than a domestic cat with dark red fur and a long bushy tail...has very small ears and large hind legs, was spotted in the Kayan Mentarang national park in the mountainous jungles of Kalimantan, where vast tracts of rainforest still remain..."
These mammals also can be spotted sleeping on beds and scaling to the tops of acoustic double basses in apartments in Brooklyn and homes in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. There have also been a few spottings at the beach and in the woods...
More Pictures
Hmm...I am not sure what pix to put up here. I will have to search my iPicture Library to see what I have neglected the past couple of months.
Give the people what they want - I always say...
This is a nice one on a snowy December morning. Ernie as "Ocean Man" in Barbados...
And here is a little Green Monkey - mon, hanging out by the beach...
And, when we were tan. It lasted, like, a day...
Ahhhh. Now I feel much better. When I woke up this morning to more snow and wind all I wanted to do was pull the covers up over my head. But looking through my photo library reminded me of lovely warm Barbados. It is a place of happiness. You should go there. Maybe we'll buy our next piece of real estate down there - kidding! Shut up!
Don't get me wrong - I do love winter. Remember this?
Notice the giant aluminum soup pot on the ground behind me? It must have fallen off my sled. That's right, sled. Remember?
I don't know if we will be spending much time out at Adzentoivich Woods this winter. But last year sure was fun!
BTW - My sister says she likes Scions. What!? It must be an LA thing, because she isn't a 22 year old car-enthusiast boy trying to make it into 2Fast 2Furious 3 - or is she?
Next thing I know she'll be serving Turducken for Christmas.
Give the people what they want - I always say...
This is a nice one on a snowy December morning. Ernie as "Ocean Man" in Barbados...
And here is a little Green Monkey - mon, hanging out by the beach...
And, when we were tan. It lasted, like, a day...
Ahhhh. Now I feel much better. When I woke up this morning to more snow and wind all I wanted to do was pull the covers up over my head. But looking through my photo library reminded me of lovely warm Barbados. It is a place of happiness. You should go there. Maybe we'll buy our next piece of real estate down there - kidding! Shut up!
Don't get me wrong - I do love winter. Remember this?
Notice the giant aluminum soup pot on the ground behind me? It must have fallen off my sled. That's right, sled. Remember?
I don't know if we will be spending much time out at Adzentoivich Woods this winter. But last year sure was fun!BTW - My sister says she likes Scions. What!? It must be an LA thing, because she isn't a 22 year old car-enthusiast boy trying to make it into 2Fast 2Furious 3 - or is she?
Next thing I know she'll be serving Turducken for Christmas.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Ernie Plays Lincoln Center
This Thursday Ernie will accompany the Brooklyn Youth Chorus in a concert at a private event at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
nice
nice
More Pictures!
This is what I have heard from you guys lately.
I was so proud of myself for actually writing again and now I find that nobody cares about what I might have to say - they just want to see some goofy phots instead. So OK, here are a few to tie you over until the Holiday pics are ready...ENJOY!
The Family at Dad's 60th Birthday Non-Surprise Party:
Autumn in Adzentoivich Woods:
Godzilla wishing you a Merry Christmas (you didn't think we could get the hat on the other one, did you?):
I was so proud of myself for actually writing again and now I find that nobody cares about what I might have to say - they just want to see some goofy phots instead. So OK, here are a few to tie you over until the Holiday pics are ready...ENJOY!
The Family at Dad's 60th Birthday Non-Surprise Party:
Autumn in Adzentoivich Woods:
Godzilla wishing you a Merry Christmas (you didn't think we could get the hat on the other one, did you?):
The Scariest Cat Not on TV (Image)
OK. So remember the story about Mrs. Jinx eating my hair in the middle of the night? One of you made comments to me about how she sounded posessed and the new house sounds like the Amityville Horror (but please, it is in Connecticut, NOT Long Island - iew!...). Well, here is a recent photo of Mrs. Jinx to help you understand just how terrifying something that weighs 7 pounds can really be, middle of the night or not.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Christmas is Coming
And you can't run and hide. Even before Thanksgiving there were carols on the radio, JCPenny Ads and wreaths at the grocery store. What gives?
Did anyone have Turducken for Thanksgiving? Other than Tony C, of course, who tells me he wrapped his turducken in ham and cheese, then deep fried it - yum, yum. I know he's kidding 'cuz if he isn't I am going to have to alter all of my Wedding photos to remove him from the party - and I really have much better things to do these days.
Traffic. Hate it.
I swear that drivers take Gran Turismo 4 and Grand Theft Auto (video games, for those of you not of the Gamer generation) to the streets. Sort of like how the NASCAR drivers practice their skills with the EA Sports NASCAR video game during their off time.
I mean, here I am driving along, la, la,la...singing along with Lite 106fm, who went to an all-Christmas-all-the-time radio format on Thanksgiving day (I guess their programmers and DJs get an entire month off for the holidays) minding my own business when WHAM! all of a sudden a car appears in my rearview going about a zillion miles an hour. I watch my mirror and hold my breath as he comes up on my tail (oh, sounds a little fresh...) and cuts it hard to the left just a fraction of a second before slamming into my rearend (he, he, he - you can tell driving terminology was created by men), veering his car into the left lane narrowly missing my left fender and giving me a heart attack. Then I watch the guy do the same thing to three other cars before he is quickly out of sight.
I don't get this style of driving. There is no point behind it other than to scare the shit out of other drivers and to see just how close you can get to another car before swerving. It is like every other driver is an involuntary participant in an ongoing game of 75 mile per hour chicken. But then how come I get pulled over for speeding?
Oh my GOD, I just found what could become my new addiction. Maybe someone will get this for me for Christmas? Steph, you need to get it to prepare for Daytona!
I also spotted a few accidents on the way back from the farm on Sunday. One was a little Scion or something equally boxy and ugly, that had somehow gotten itself turned around facing into oncoming traffic while the passenger side was jammed up against the Jersey barrier. I saw two kids inside. The other car involved was a Lexus or Infiniti SUV sitting up ahead a ways as if nothing had happened, and I swear I saw a woman with blonde hair and perfect makeup in the driver's seat. I had to think this was a game of highway chicken gone terribly wrong. And guess who was the aficiando?
Stereotyping? Sure, maybe, but I am now beginning to understand the appeal of the SUV. And all the while muttering to myself - "where do these kids learn to drive these days?"
Did anyone have Turducken for Thanksgiving? Other than Tony C, of course, who tells me he wrapped his turducken in ham and cheese, then deep fried it - yum, yum. I know he's kidding 'cuz if he isn't I am going to have to alter all of my Wedding photos to remove him from the party - and I really have much better things to do these days.
Traffic. Hate it.
I swear that drivers take Gran Turismo 4 and Grand Theft Auto (video games, for those of you not of the Gamer generation) to the streets. Sort of like how the NASCAR drivers practice their skills with the EA Sports NASCAR video game during their off time.
I mean, here I am driving along, la, la,la...singing along with Lite 106fm, who went to an all-Christmas-all-the-time radio format on Thanksgiving day (I guess their programmers and DJs get an entire month off for the holidays) minding my own business when WHAM! all of a sudden a car appears in my rearview going about a zillion miles an hour. I watch my mirror and hold my breath as he comes up on my tail (oh, sounds a little fresh...) and cuts it hard to the left just a fraction of a second before slamming into my rearend (he, he, he - you can tell driving terminology was created by men), veering his car into the left lane narrowly missing my left fender and giving me a heart attack. Then I watch the guy do the same thing to three other cars before he is quickly out of sight.
I don't get this style of driving. There is no point behind it other than to scare the shit out of other drivers and to see just how close you can get to another car before swerving. It is like every other driver is an involuntary participant in an ongoing game of 75 mile per hour chicken. But then how come I get pulled over for speeding?
Oh my GOD, I just found what could become my new addiction. Maybe someone will get this for me for Christmas? Steph, you need to get it to prepare for Daytona!
I also spotted a few accidents on the way back from the farm on Sunday. One was a little Scion or something equally boxy and ugly, that had somehow gotten itself turned around facing into oncoming traffic while the passenger side was jammed up against the Jersey barrier. I saw two kids inside. The other car involved was a Lexus or Infiniti SUV sitting up ahead a ways as if nothing had happened, and I swear I saw a woman with blonde hair and perfect makeup in the driver's seat. I had to think this was a game of highway chicken gone terribly wrong. And guess who was the aficiando?
Stereotyping? Sure, maybe, but I am now beginning to understand the appeal of the SUV. And all the while muttering to myself - "where do these kids learn to drive these days?"
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving...
...All you Turkeys!
And I'd better not hear of one single person having Turducken this Thanksgiving. It is the most vile concept I have ever heard of. Demonstrates the vulgar over-indulgence and complete disregard for the natural world that is so prevalent in this country. Gross.
If you have no idea what Turducken is, I applaud you. But here is a link. Let me know if you find it equally repugnant. Supposedly it is a Cajun delicacy so it is all over the news in homage to New Orleans. It was the most searched term on AOL this week (good thing nobody is searching for useless things like Tom DeLay...or Troops in Iraq...).
BTW - all three animals have no bones, explain that one to me. This is what the people with the upsidedown Christmas trees are serving for Thanksgiving this year - I betcha.
It's just wrong!
Gobble, gobble
And I'd better not hear of one single person having Turducken this Thanksgiving. It is the most vile concept I have ever heard of. Demonstrates the vulgar over-indulgence and complete disregard for the natural world that is so prevalent in this country. Gross.
If you have no idea what Turducken is, I applaud you. But here is a link. Let me know if you find it equally repugnant. Supposedly it is a Cajun delicacy so it is all over the news in homage to New Orleans. It was the most searched term on AOL this week (good thing nobody is searching for useless things like Tom DeLay...or Troops in Iraq...).
BTW - all three animals have no bones, explain that one to me. This is what the people with the upsidedown Christmas trees are serving for Thanksgiving this year - I betcha.
It's just wrong!
Gobble, gobble
Monday, November 21, 2005
Emmy Awards
We have had the good fortune to find out that Adzentoivich Music (specifically, Ernie) has been nominated for an Emmy Award nomination!
Yes, that is right. Nominated for a nomination.
What that means is that Starting Over has been submitted to the pool of possible Emmy nominees in the category of Music Composition. This means that Ernie, along with the other composers, are in the running for a nomination.
So if you happen to be in the Academy and are allowed to vote for who gets nominated, then please vote for Starting Over (who, by the way has already won a few Emmy's for past seasons).
The nominees will be announced in February, so stay tuned....
Yes, that is right. Nominated for a nomination.
What that means is that Starting Over has been submitted to the pool of possible Emmy nominees in the category of Music Composition. This means that Ernie, along with the other composers, are in the running for a nomination.
So if you happen to be in the Academy and are allowed to vote for who gets nominated, then please vote for Starting Over (who, by the way has already won a few Emmy's for past seasons).
The nominees will be announced in February, so stay tuned....
NASCAR
The 2005 NASCAR season has ended and Tony Stewart is the new Champion.
YAY Tony! I think Grandpa would have been pleased.
Here's looking forward to the Daytona 500 in February (hey dad, how about that family six-pack of tickets??? hint, hint...)
YAY Tony! I think Grandpa would have been pleased.
Here's looking forward to the Daytona 500 in February (hey dad, how about that family six-pack of tickets??? hint, hint...)
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Mrs. Jinx is the Scariest Cat Not on TV
This weekend I spent the night at our new house in CT - the one we don't live in yet - with my cats. Ernie is in Los Angeles on business for a few days.
So me, Mrs, Jinx and Godzilla got in the car and dropped daddy off at Laguardia Saturday morning. The ride to Stamford was quite uneventful as I find it usually is as long as Mrs. Jinx approves of what is on the radio. Usually she prefers anything top 40, not hip hop, rap or KROC type stuff. More like Kelly Clarkson and Rob Thomas. And usually she likes it when I sing along (but sometimes not).
So Saturday morning I tried something different and tuned into Public Radio. They were playing old-timey stuff like Sinatra and the like. Mrs. Jinx was quiet as a mouse (Godzilla ia always an angel, it is the primadonna we always need to worry about) until some female crooner came on. She did not approve - not one bit. This woman apprently has just released a compilation of Irving Berlin tunes. Well, Mrs. Jinx did not give her a favorable review. I was forced to switch over to WPLJ - greatest hits of the 80's, 90's and today! She calmed down almost immediately. Crisis (and headache) averted.
That evening as I slept on the foam mattress in what will someday be my master bedroom, I was awoken by a strange feeling at the top of my head. I open my eyes a crack and in the dark of night I can just barely make out the silouette of Mrs. Jinx peering down at me from the pillow above my head.
She was sitting on the pillow pawing at my scalp! It seems she was trying to pry loose strands of my hair from between my head and the pillow. She was going at it with such intensity. It was almost like she was trying to tease my hair into some odd up-do. The thing is, as soon as she got a small clump free SHE STARTED TO CHEW ON IT! I immediately became 100% awake and brushed her off the pillow screaming "What is wrong with you! Are you insane?" and went back to sleep.
Later - I have no idea how much later because it was all like one long nightmare - I was re-awoken to Mrs. Jinx noshing on my hair again! I twisted my neck to see her and she was staring into my face with this look of utter concentration. I swear she wanted to eat through to my brain. This time I pushed her off the foam bed completely and pleaded to Godzilla to protect me from her. I threatened to lock her out of the bedroom. Since I was on the foam mattress I was basically on the floor at prime cat access level...I was completely exposed!
It happened again. I am not kidding. It was right out of some teen horror flick. I am sure she was intent on eating my head, had I let her. Straight through the hair to the scalp, to the brain. Like she isn't smart enough? Now she wants my brain too?
This time I think I scared her because she didn't come back for fourths (at least not that I am aware of).
Later on that morning, when I woke up at a more normal hour, there was a clanging in the basement. I hadn't gotten out of bed (off the floor) yet but assumed it was the furnace turning on. Well, it must have disturbed Mrs. Jinx (who was sleeping now that it was daylight). The next thing I know I see the bedroom door slowly swinging shut. As it shuts I see Mrs. Jinx is behind it, on two legs, pushing it with her front feet until it closed. She was sort of walking along behind it until it shut all the way. Once shut she sat there and looked at her reflection in the mirror that hangs on the back of it.
Is this normal behavior for a cat? I mean really?! I am afraid of her.
Have I ever bothered to mention that Mrs. Jinx weighs a whopping 7 pounds?
The Horror!
So me, Mrs, Jinx and Godzilla got in the car and dropped daddy off at Laguardia Saturday morning. The ride to Stamford was quite uneventful as I find it usually is as long as Mrs. Jinx approves of what is on the radio. Usually she prefers anything top 40, not hip hop, rap or KROC type stuff. More like Kelly Clarkson and Rob Thomas. And usually she likes it when I sing along (but sometimes not).
So Saturday morning I tried something different and tuned into Public Radio. They were playing old-timey stuff like Sinatra and the like. Mrs. Jinx was quiet as a mouse (Godzilla ia always an angel, it is the primadonna we always need to worry about) until some female crooner came on. She did not approve - not one bit. This woman apprently has just released a compilation of Irving Berlin tunes. Well, Mrs. Jinx did not give her a favorable review. I was forced to switch over to WPLJ - greatest hits of the 80's, 90's and today! She calmed down almost immediately. Crisis (and headache) averted.
That evening as I slept on the foam mattress in what will someday be my master bedroom, I was awoken by a strange feeling at the top of my head. I open my eyes a crack and in the dark of night I can just barely make out the silouette of Mrs. Jinx peering down at me from the pillow above my head.
She was sitting on the pillow pawing at my scalp! It seems she was trying to pry loose strands of my hair from between my head and the pillow. She was going at it with such intensity. It was almost like she was trying to tease my hair into some odd up-do. The thing is, as soon as she got a small clump free SHE STARTED TO CHEW ON IT! I immediately became 100% awake and brushed her off the pillow screaming "What is wrong with you! Are you insane?" and went back to sleep.
Later - I have no idea how much later because it was all like one long nightmare - I was re-awoken to Mrs. Jinx noshing on my hair again! I twisted my neck to see her and she was staring into my face with this look of utter concentration. I swear she wanted to eat through to my brain. This time I pushed her off the foam bed completely and pleaded to Godzilla to protect me from her. I threatened to lock her out of the bedroom. Since I was on the foam mattress I was basically on the floor at prime cat access level...I was completely exposed!
It happened again. I am not kidding. It was right out of some teen horror flick. I am sure she was intent on eating my head, had I let her. Straight through the hair to the scalp, to the brain. Like she isn't smart enough? Now she wants my brain too?
This time I think I scared her because she didn't come back for fourths (at least not that I am aware of).
Later on that morning, when I woke up at a more normal hour, there was a clanging in the basement. I hadn't gotten out of bed (off the floor) yet but assumed it was the furnace turning on. Well, it must have disturbed Mrs. Jinx (who was sleeping now that it was daylight). The next thing I know I see the bedroom door slowly swinging shut. As it shuts I see Mrs. Jinx is behind it, on two legs, pushing it with her front feet until it closed. She was sort of walking along behind it until it shut all the way. Once shut she sat there and looked at her reflection in the mirror that hangs on the back of it.
Is this normal behavior for a cat? I mean really?! I am afraid of her.
Have I ever bothered to mention that Mrs. Jinx weighs a whopping 7 pounds?
The Horror!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Shooting Star - Or Fireworks?
This weekend marked the year anniversay of my Uncle Bernard's death. He was struck by a car and killed while crossing the street near his house on a rainy Friday evening.
We had a family dinner at my parent's house on Saturday to commemorate him. As I was driving home down East Avenue in Norwalk I saw a huge shooting star/meteorite/firework blaze acros the sky. It was so bright and fast that I gasped and said "Oh My God" out loud to no one. It was huge and for a minute I thought it was a missle or something that was going to land right in front of my car. It was frightening. So I quickly made a wish - just in case it was a shooting star. So far I don't know if my wish has come true so I can't tell you if it was a star or not.
I kept looking in the sky to see if maybe it was a firework there would be more. I didn't see any more.
So thanks Uncle Bernard. We were thinking of you too.
We had a family dinner at my parent's house on Saturday to commemorate him. As I was driving home down East Avenue in Norwalk I saw a huge shooting star/meteorite/firework blaze acros the sky. It was so bright and fast that I gasped and said "Oh My God" out loud to no one. It was huge and for a minute I thought it was a missle or something that was going to land right in front of my car. It was frightening. So I quickly made a wish - just in case it was a shooting star. So far I don't know if my wish has come true so I can't tell you if it was a star or not.
I kept looking in the sky to see if maybe it was a firework there would be more. I didn't see any more.
So thanks Uncle Bernard. We were thinking of you too.
Upsidedown Christmas Tree Update
This is a site debating whether or not this is a hoax. It is really funny.
I tried clicking through my Target link in the original post but Target no longer has the upsidedown trees on their web site!
Anyone know what this is all about?
It just gets more and more strange...
I tried clicking through my Target link in the original post but Target no longer has the upsidedown trees on their web site!
Anyone know what this is all about?
It just gets more and more strange...
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Adzentoivich Music in LA
Ernie will be travelling to Los Angeles today for the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference. Adzentoivich Music will be meeting with some of the top film and TV music composers.
Stay posted for updates.
Stay posted for updates.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
What the?
Upside down Christmas Trees?
Now I am convinced it is the end of the world. Or at least the end of intelligence on this planet - or at least in this country.
What the fuck?
And it's $499!
This is no joke. I wish it were. There was actually a story about it in Yahoo! News this morning.
The argument for this innovative new product goes something like this:
Oh goodie. More room for larger and a greater number of presents. Maybe this idea was brought to us by our friends at Wal-Mart: Wouldn't want to stifle consumerism this holiday season by limiting the number of large gifts that can fit under anyone's tree. Right?
I guess to be fair I should mention that some web sites claim this was the original 12th Century tradition. But, whatever.
Here're my questions
1. Can any Christmas Tree be turned upside down and hung from the ceiling - or do you have to buy an entirely new tree made for this purpose?
2. If you do indeed need to purchase a whole new tree, can old rightside-up trees be traded in towards a new upside down one? Sort of like the Government plans to do with the new digital TVs?
3. Will people now need to install Upside Down Christmas Tree brackets on their walls and/or ceilings?
4. If so, will these brackets become standard features in new McMansions?
5. Is it gauche to hang a silver or white Christmas Tree upside down? Is it only fashionable to have a natural fake upside down tree?
I suppose for those of us living in small urban apartments (recently reduced, by the way...) this will become all the rage, since all of the promotional material touts these upside down trees as being perfect for "...using a minimum of floor space, the unusual tapering shape allows the tree to stand in places that do not accommodate a traditional holiday tree, such as between two armchairs or in a corner." But if I see one in anyone's place this holiday season - and there is drinking involved - I might just have to turn the thing rightside up.
Now I am convinced it is the end of the world. Or at least the end of intelligence on this planet - or at least in this country.
What the fuck?
And it's $499!This is no joke. I wish it were. There was actually a story about it in Yahoo! News this morning.
The argument for this innovative new product goes something like this:
this unique 7' pre-lit fir is inverted to ensure a smaller footprint for less-spacious areas, and allowing more room for the accumulation of presents underneath
Oh goodie. More room for larger and a greater number of presents. Maybe this idea was brought to us by our friends at Wal-Mart: Wouldn't want to stifle consumerism this holiday season by limiting the number of large gifts that can fit under anyone's tree. Right?
I guess to be fair I should mention that some web sites claim this was the original 12th Century tradition. But, whatever.
Here're my questions
1. Can any Christmas Tree be turned upside down and hung from the ceiling - or do you have to buy an entirely new tree made for this purpose?
2. If you do indeed need to purchase a whole new tree, can old rightside-up trees be traded in towards a new upside down one? Sort of like the Government plans to do with the new digital TVs?
3. Will people now need to install Upside Down Christmas Tree brackets on their walls and/or ceilings?
4. If so, will these brackets become standard features in new McMansions?
5. Is it gauche to hang a silver or white Christmas Tree upside down? Is it only fashionable to have a natural fake upside down tree?
I suppose for those of us living in small urban apartments (recently reduced, by the way...) this will become all the rage, since all of the promotional material touts these upside down trees as being perfect for "...using a minimum of floor space, the unusual tapering shape allows the tree to stand in places that do not accommodate a traditional holiday tree, such as between two armchairs or in a corner." But if I see one in anyone's place this holiday season - and there is drinking involved - I might just have to turn the thing rightside up.
Friday, November 04, 2005
NIN - How Cool Am I?
Yes - last night I took my old, cranky ass to the Nine Inch Nails concert at Madison Square Garden. How cool does that make me? AND I didn't even go with my husband. I ventured out on my own with my friend Randy from Reprise Media. Crazy - huh?
It was such a flash back to 1995 and the scene of my last NIN concert. I saw Trent Reznor and David Bowie at The Meadows outside of Hartford, CT. That same year I also saw Marilyn Manson and The Beastie Boys - those were great times. Driving around CT in my convertible Toyota Celica thinking I was all the shit blasting my CD player with the booster under the seat. Ahhhh...memories.
Flash forward to 2005. Here I am, 30+ something years old. Working my ass off 10 hours a day for the Man. Buying houses, getting in debt, trying to have babies. And I shrug it all off for one night to go see one of the original loves of my life - Trent. I have to say he is looking mighty buff. Gone are the days of the Heroin Chic. His arms were like guns. His thighs looked very thick in his leather jeans. His hair was shot on the sides and floppy on top - but still jet black. He still had the moves though - and is still sexy as hell.
The band was incredible. They were so tight - of course. I explained to Randy the Pro-Suite rig that sat in front of us on the floor. He was a but dissappointed to hear that bands play their tracks, loops and fills a la computer and just sort of sing and play along on stage. For me it was really cool to look at the show from a more technical perspective and try to figure out how they were getting the sounds, etc. No matter how they did it - they sounded excellend and had more energy than I could ever muster.
They played all the favorites; Head Like a Hole, Animal, Hurt, etc., etc. Trent got all political in the middle of the show and brought out the old video projector with images of tanks, bombs and George and Laura dancing in the ballroom. Nice. The crowd went wild.
And speaking of the crowd - they were all old. Well, mostly old. My age. Not so many Goth kids. I mean, I was one of those Goth kids at the show in 1995 - I suppose we all were. Instead I saw guys wearing their suit shirts tied around their waists. Old fat guys behind us got so wasted on the $9 champagne that was being served that one of them was asked to leave - only problem is he couldn't really make it up the stairs. Hilarious and sad at the same time. I hate to think NIN has lost their cache with the younger audience. It's a shame if they have because this was a real live old school kick-ass rock and roll show. Something every kid needs to see at least once in their lives.
The kicker (isn't there always a kicker?) is that Ernie came home from his rehearsal and said "Kevin had backstage passes for that show but he couldn't go because we had rehearsal". WHAT! He could have given them to me had Ernie mentioned anything the day before. So I missed my chance to hang out with Trent and the guys. Maybe next time.
It was such a flash back to 1995 and the scene of my last NIN concert. I saw Trent Reznor and David Bowie at The Meadows outside of Hartford, CT. That same year I also saw Marilyn Manson and The Beastie Boys - those were great times. Driving around CT in my convertible Toyota Celica thinking I was all the shit blasting my CD player with the booster under the seat. Ahhhh...memories.
Flash forward to 2005. Here I am, 30+ something years old. Working my ass off 10 hours a day for the Man. Buying houses, getting in debt, trying to have babies. And I shrug it all off for one night to go see one of the original loves of my life - Trent. I have to say he is looking mighty buff. Gone are the days of the Heroin Chic. His arms were like guns. His thighs looked very thick in his leather jeans. His hair was shot on the sides and floppy on top - but still jet black. He still had the moves though - and is still sexy as hell.
The band was incredible. They were so tight - of course. I explained to Randy the Pro-Suite rig that sat in front of us on the floor. He was a but dissappointed to hear that bands play their tracks, loops and fills a la computer and just sort of sing and play along on stage. For me it was really cool to look at the show from a more technical perspective and try to figure out how they were getting the sounds, etc. No matter how they did it - they sounded excellend and had more energy than I could ever muster.
They played all the favorites; Head Like a Hole, Animal, Hurt, etc., etc. Trent got all political in the middle of the show and brought out the old video projector with images of tanks, bombs and George and Laura dancing in the ballroom. Nice. The crowd went wild.
And speaking of the crowd - they were all old. Well, mostly old. My age. Not so many Goth kids. I mean, I was one of those Goth kids at the show in 1995 - I suppose we all were. Instead I saw guys wearing their suit shirts tied around their waists. Old fat guys behind us got so wasted on the $9 champagne that was being served that one of them was asked to leave - only problem is he couldn't really make it up the stairs. Hilarious and sad at the same time. I hate to think NIN has lost their cache with the younger audience. It's a shame if they have because this was a real live old school kick-ass rock and roll show. Something every kid needs to see at least once in their lives.
The kicker (isn't there always a kicker?) is that Ernie came home from his rehearsal and said "Kevin had backstage passes for that show but he couldn't go because we had rehearsal". WHAT! He could have given them to me had Ernie mentioned anything the day before. So I missed my chance to hang out with Trent and the guys. Maybe next time.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Anniversary #7
Today is our seventh wedding anniversary. Wow, 7 years! Ernie and I were just looking at our wedding photos and I have this to say - boy, were we all young and thin! And I mean all of us; Me, Ernie, Jennifer, Ethan, Bonnie, Tony, Deanne, Bryan, my mom and dad...Josette was pregnant at the time so we can't comment on her...It seems like it was literally yesterday. How does time slip by so quickly?
Thinking back to that day makes me feel especially grateful to all of our friends and family who have been by our side over the past seven years. I love you all and only wish we could all see each other more often. I appreciate everything each of you has done for us and the support you have given, specifically through this past year.
Unfortunately, nobody owned a digital camera way back in 1998, so I have no digital wedding photos to post here. Perhaps I will scan some one of these days.
Thanks Ernie, for being my best friend and going on this crazy adventure with me. I love you.
Thinking back to that day makes me feel especially grateful to all of our friends and family who have been by our side over the past seven years. I love you all and only wish we could all see each other more often. I appreciate everything each of you has done for us and the support you have given, specifically through this past year.
Unfortunately, nobody owned a digital camera way back in 1998, so I have no digital wedding photos to post here. Perhaps I will scan some one of these days.
Thanks Ernie, for being my best friend and going on this crazy adventure with me. I love you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
