it was a great shower

I had gotten back from my run and was getting ready to take a shower.  All was quiet and peaceful in my apt as I turned on the water and got ready to unwind with a nice relaxing piping hot shower.

I left the bathroom at just the right moment to see the detective, apparently feeling the need to give my shower musical accompaniment, run straight towards the couch and jump on my computer keyboard.

SOMEHOW he managed to go IN to itunes, CHANGE the playlist, CHANGE the volume, and start blasting Talk Dirty To Me.  I was so impressed that I decided to leave it and ended up having a more "rock out" shower than a relaxing one.

He actually set it on an 80's rock playlist so I heard some Jefferson Starship, REO Speedwagon, and Great White, among others.  By the time I finished my shower I wasn't even angry at that rude cat anymore.  Until I stepped out of the bathroom to discover that he had trashed my apt like he was living out his 80's rockstar dreams.

And where was he while Pat Benetar was blaring at the deafening volume that HE SELECTED?  Of course, he was hunched over the fish bowl staring at me, jowls dripping, waiting to see if I would notice him or not.  At least it seems that Jonathan the fish has realized that the Detective couldn't care less about him so he's not as terrified when that giant angry face comes down from above.  I still don't like him drinking that water though.

How is he so bad?!

I wasn't lying

Online ColorIQ Challenge Results

Your score: 129

FM Hue Test Results

A lower score is better, with ZERO being the perfect score. The bars above show the regions of the color spectrum where hue discrimination is low.

source

Click on that source link and it will take you to a color blindness test.  It was the hardest test I've taken in a long time.  I'm just so terrible with shades, my eye kept furiously scanning the bar while I second guessed ever minute change I made.  

This is why I have to memorize all the real colors of the clothes at work.  It's the only way for sure I know I'm getting the right thing from the back.  Every time I try to just wing it I end up getting it wrong.  

That's why I try to stick to blue and gray for my clothes.  When I do stray from those colors it's with something unmistakeable like hot pink.  Because you know what goes well with hot pink?  Blue, and gray.  

I like Mike

Jon and Joe finally made it past Deb's deluge and arrived in South Florida.  I took them on a tour of Ft. Lauderdale before finding our way to breakfast.  We encountered Michael in the parking lot.  I assume that's Michael anyways.  He certainly seemed to take ownership of that box.

At breakfast we were visited by three ghosts:

All three bill holders were delivered by our waiter who most decidedly did not look like an Ariel.  I guess he just wanted to remind me of her.

After breakfast the boys needed to sleep so we went back to my apt for naps.  I actually ran errands while they snoozed the morning away but it was just as well since Deb still hadn't released her grip on South Florida.

By afternoon they were ready to go again so we headed to Sidelines to play pool.  I'll just put this here and let you all decipher how it went:

Since Jonathan lost he took us to get ice cream afterwards which made it all better, I assume.

On the way home Joe asked if we could stop at the beach since he still hadn't been.  I had to oblige so I pulled over on A1A and we managed to make it to the water and back before Deb realized that we were trying to have fun on her watch.

We didn't even make it back to the car before Deb pounded us with her ice rain.  No bueno.

Last night was spent in doors playing video games and watching movies.  Though we've already had a freak 5 minute deluge this morning it looks like we might get a nice day for the beach after all.  Showers are being taken now, we will be heading out shortly.  I'm excited to finally see the sun again.

So many crime scenes

source

Thank you Craig for sending me this article, you're right as usual, I like it very much. 

I like how the dots seem to correlate to areas where nobody would mind you filming in nyc.  

"Olivia, we found another strangled model at the chelsea piers.  They should really put some patrol down here" 

And is that a red dot I see on 100th st?  There certainly should be one, we reported enough violent sex crimes during the years we lived there. 

some more Blount

Driving Sarah around all day on Friday meant plenty of opportunities to run in to my old friend Blount.

As usual these pictures are only a fraction of the total number that I saw.

Miami house party

Friday night Sarah had her birthday house party that we've been anticipating all week.  As part of her gift I offered to be her chauffeur for the day while she picked up party supplies.  I also got to spend a lot of time with her two little chihuahuas  : (((

The only reason I got that picture is because that is the timid one who spent most of her time looking at me suspiciously from just out of arms reach.  The other one was too much of a wiggle monster for picture taking.  But I loved them both and now I want a chihuahua even more than I did before.

Part of the days adventures took us to the mall where Elliot gave Sarah the greatest birthday gift anyone could ever want to get:

I tried to keep it to myself, so as not to take attention away from the birthday girl, but I was GREEN with envy.  A giant foam fist with a cup holder in it?!  I would take that with me EVERYWHERE.

The days activities had really taken their toll on both me and Sarah by the time the guests started arriving.  It didn't take long to get our energy back up though.  I guess I can only really speak for myself as I barely saw Sarah all night but when I would see her it would almost always be in context like this:

Fun fact, we hung the cupcake pinata with mint dental floss because nobody thought to look in the garage where there were several feet of nylon rope.  It took a couple hand washings before I got all the mint wax off my hands.

Most of the people I knew started leaving at some point in the wee hours of the morning so I followed their lead but apparently the party continued well in to the morning.  I got a text from Sarah but otherwise I assume that she's still asleep.

Good for her, she deserves it.  Sarah throws a good party.

happy 3rd birthday

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Can you believe it, we are starting year 3 of my blog.  Finally out of the terrible twos.

Hopefully have some big things on the horizon for this year, guest writers, more fabulous vacations, visits from strangers.  And barbie, there will still be barbie.

So thanks guys, for reading this silliness for the past two years, I hope I can keep you entertained for a few more at least : )

And thanks to all of you who have helped me provide original content.  You are all my muses.

"just be with me"

When Sarah and I discovered that we both had the day off today it started a weeks worth of planning for her pre-birthday day.  Of all the things I offered to do with her today the only thing she requested specifically was, "just be with me".

So that's the main plan.  I got the benz fixed, washed, and full of gas.  I have two exciting birthday presents for Sarah, and three of the six cds in my changer are Mariah.  Plus I still have satellite radio, so I think I've got all the bases covered.  I'm super excited about the party tonight.  I hope it goes a little something like this:




As the oldest person at the party I will assume the role of Melissa Joan Hart of course.  That will give me a great opportunity to segue seamlessly in to this:




Cause you know while everyone else is dancing I'm usually at the bar standing awkwardly to the side and cheering on the bartender while he makes pina coladas for strangers.

I'm looking forward to a great night.

happy longest day of the year!

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Both Elliot and Sergio seemed confused and skeptical when I told them today was going to be the longest day of the year.  Elliot was convinced that it had to do with daylight savings times and sated himself with that regardless of my corrections.  Sergio at least listened to my explanation of the earth revolving around the sun, but I could tell he was suspicious that I was just bullshitting him.

I swear I'm not though!  It really is the longest day of the year.  Sadly I will have to work today and as I still haven't been able to shake this cough I was in no mood to get up at daybreak this morning.  That being said it's only 8:45 and the sun is already blazing through my living room window.

I am at least going to go for a run today and enjoy some of the sun before I reluctantly hide myself away in the cold and shadowy mall.

It's definitely crazy to look back to a year ago today and think about how much my life has changed.  I wonder where I'll be next year.

I want this right now

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Meghan's FIANCE Sam was at the Today show this morning assisting one of his chefs from Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria.

That looks really amazing and I love how interested the ladies are when they come on at the end, they can't take their eyes off of him.

I can't take my eyes off that pasta.  Me want now please, thank you.

I'm still trying to be as cool as Andrew

Of course, a little over a month in and the check engine light came on in the benz.  No amount of placating stories from my father about how "sometimes it's just cause you didn't screw the gas cap on till you heard 3 clicks" were enough to drown out the Andrew's clucking tongue in my head.

I know, you warned me this was going to happen.  You are right, I am wrong, as usual.

So while I was at the rental car counter looking over my options I couldn't resist asking for a Volvo T5.  Unfortunately they didn't have one to loan me but the clerk suggested a Pathfinder.  The universe is being pretty clear with the signs today.

Congratulations Andrew, I hope you're happy, I just can't get you out of my head.

the Blounts keep coming

I've actually seen a couple but this was the only one I was able to take a picture of.  Thankfully I now have other people keeping watch for me.

I got these two texts from Rebecca:

Please note that the sedan is IDENTICAL to the one I saw at night, but the license plates are different.  I really don't understand.

And it seems like when I rarely do see a car from somewhere else in Tennessee it is always something completely different than a Chevy hatchback.

Like this:

I will not rest until I get a satisfactory explanation for all of this.

she came back

Today I was visited by the one and only Fabienne of this fame.  #3 most viewed post on my blog with over 200 views.

And she did not disappoint on her return visit.  In fact, I think I fell even more in love upon finding out that she made her crazy golden claw nails herself.

It reminded me of this:




Her comment on them was, "they're really good for picking your nose".

When I texted Jon that he replied with, "she's my hero".

I agree!

San Fran: the final day

UNfortunately Will had an unexpected doctors appointment during the day on Friday so I was left to fend for myself on the mean streets of San Francisco.  He was nice enough to drop me off in front of these houses which he was under the impression was the best he could do for the full house house.  While they looked familiar I just couldn't believe that one of them was really the house.  I ended up looking it up on my phone and discovered that these are the houses in the background when they are having their picnic but the actual full house house is on a different street that was way too far out of my way.

So I'm sorry Sergio, I never got to take the picture I had promised you, but at least I still have something to do on my next visit to san fran.

I walked from the painted ladies downtown on my way to meet Meredith for lunch.  It was really fun to just wander through the city.  I saw several houses that looked like they just had to be haunted, like this one:

But then I'd turn another corner and come upon something like this dazzling spectacle:

I commented to will that their town hall was certainly gold encrusted and he responded with, "well we are a city founded on gold".

Touche.

Besides the beautiful architecture and landscaping, I also noticed a trend going on with the sidewalks in San Francisco.  In nyc I got in to the habit of reading all the writing in the sidewalk because every once in a while you'd find a gem.  In San Francisco it was like every time I noticed writing in the sidewalk it would be something bizarre and amazing like this:

When I showed that picture to Will he said, "well it clearly looks like it was written by a child" as if that explained everything.  If anything it just raises more questions for me.

And when I have questions there's only one sure answer that I know to turn to:

I got to Paragon before Meredith and noticed all the makings for a find bloody mary behind the bar.  I was please with my order when this arrived.  I sent that picture to Meghan and she replied, "you can tell it's going to be so good from all those bits floating around in it"

I couldn't agree more, the bits are the hallmark of a well crafted bloody mary.  And that was one fantastic bloody.  Made even better by the swift arrival of Meredith in all her beautiful glory.  It did make me a little sad that I can't swing by Mere's work every day for a casual boozy lunch, but I'm still thankful for the time that I did get.

After lunch Meredith pointed me in the direction of the sea lions.  She said it was a bit of a walk but it was along the water so it would be nice, and it was!  Having no way to look up where the sea lions were on google maps I had to rely on faith that I would eventually get to them.  As I got further and further along I would think the bark of every passing dog was surely the sea lions heralding my arrival, but no, it would just be a St. Bernard.  Just as I was beginning to think that maybe I was destined to never see the sea lions, just like the full house house, I stumbled upon this fantastic sign:

Just when you're starting to lose faith, good old Salty shows up to help you out.  And sure enough, a few turns of the boardwalk and I found myself face to face with some VERY nice guys:

Meredith kept commenting, "I don't understand why you would want to see those smelly obnoxious loud things".  Ummm how about because they are handsome and nice and make funny barking noises and just snooze in the sun?  What's not to love about that?  The tourists on the other hand were less than enjoyable, so I only stayed for a little bit with them before I continued on my wandering through the city.

Having to come all the way downtown for the sea lions did yield an unexpected benefit, a closer view of Alctatraz:

I do want to go there, another reason for me to come back and visit.

I spent the rest of the day just wandering through the city, stumbling upon things like this:

I really like that crazy triangle building on the corner too.  It looks like another haunted one, just like this:

I want to live there!

I also found more weird poetic cement writing:

I think San Francisco must be where hipsters are grown.

After a long day of walking all over the city I was exhausted and ready for my red-eye back home.  Will took me out for a farewell dinner at Social before taking me to the airport.  With my belly full of delicious kale salad and brussel sprout chips I was one contended happy camper when I got on the plane.  I slept like a baby all the way which was good as I had to go to work all day today.  The only reason I have the energy to do this post right now is that I'm still on California time, but this sleepy time tea I'm having is making my bed look better and better.  After last night's sleep on the tray table of my aisle seat I am looking forward to stretching out with the detective at my side.

Thank you San Francisco for showing me an amazing time, I look forward to visiting again soon!

my San Francisco best friend

: ((((((((

He's a nice nice guy

When I first got here he came up to me looking all worried and sniffed my hand a little bit before running away.  I knew then and there that we were destined to be best friends.

And even after we became best friends that is the look he gave me all the time.  So anxious!

: (((((((((

I love him and am going to miss him very much.

haha thank you Jonathan

I agree, I also want to be friends with all these girls.

Golden Gate and beach

Yesterday Will took me to the Golden Gate bridge per my few requests during my time here in San Francisco.

It was pretty fantastic actually.  And Will is a great tour guide, when he tells me the truth about things instead of making up lies.

I guess I didn't really understand just how big the bridge is.

It's pretty big.

And I'm glad I got to see Alcatraz, if just from a distance.

I didn't realize but all around the base of the bridge are these old forts and bunkers from various wars past.  It reminded me of Charleston.

I got scolded for taking so many pictures of the flowers.  But they are just so pretty!!  Especially as we headed to the beach.  I have posted enough beach pictures from Ft. Lauderdale that you know when Will said beach I was not imagining this:

It was quite a trek to get down there, and though the sand was nice and warm it was not the inviting hospitable beach that I had in my mind's eye.

Still really cool.  The walk back up was a long one.

So I stopped frequently to take pictures of all the pretty flowers.

There are so many and they are so tiny and colorful.  I love them.

Will was not as impressed.  The only flower he deemed worth a picture was this one:

It is pretty fantastic.  I think the combination of hiking and sun was more than either of us prepared for.  By the time we got back to the top we were both running on empty.  I got to go home and take a nap while Will had to unfortunately go do life chores all afternoon.  Other than a greek feast in the evening we didn't end up doing much of anything with the rest of the day.

It's ok though, I'm glad I got to see as much as I saw, and I still have all day today to explore.  I will find the full house house.

doing stuff and seeing things

Ok ok, I'll say it, San Francisco is pretty great.  Congratulations Meredith, you were right all along.  

Yesterday will took me to breakfast at this crazy tiny restaurant perched along the edge of the Pacific: 

where we sat in the perfect corner booth.  That picture up top was the view to my right as we ate and this was my view across the table: 

Awww so nice.  

Apparently the craziness we were looking at below us is the remains of an old bathing house from back in the day.  They even had a picture of what it was like before it burned down:

My favorite part being the guys in the water: 

doing their daily calisthenics, good for the body and mind!  

Sadly all that remains are the remains.

Still pretty cool.  I was also astounded by the big rocks in the ocean.  I mean look at those things!  You don't get rocks like that in the Atlantic, at least not in my Atlantic.  We also don't have awesome sea caves. 

"Oh sure, you can wear flip flops" -Will.  

That black cave sand is cold let me tell you what.  But totally worth it.  

After breakfast Will took me to the legion of honor to see sculptures by Rodin among other things.  This also happened: 

By the time we finished the clouds had cleared and I was beginning to see what all the fuss was about with San Francisco.  We found out that our admission to the legion of honor would also grant us access to the de young, where we climbed to the top of the tower for this view:

If you look close you can see the golden gate bridge! 

We didn't end up spending much time at the de young looking at the art, mostly just looking at the views of the city.  Will did instruct me to take a picture of these crazy tumbleweeds:

Otherwise I was too anxious to get back outside and enjoy the nice weather.  Nobody told me that it's only summer for like a couple hour during midday, otherwise it's just bitterly bitterly cold.  But during those precious midday hours it is really beautiful.  

And apparently there are youths around every corner, ready with a choreographed song and dance routine for all to enjoy: 

And enjoy we did.  

In the evening Will and I parted ways and I had all my dreams come true by having dinner with Meredith, Peter, Amelise, and Ben.  I also got to see Meredith's apartment which was like some kind of dream. This is her view from the living room: 

And her precious angel dog Jolene: 

: (((( She's so nice!  It took almost the whole night, and about two sticks of string cheese, but we finally became best friends right before it was time for me to leave.  

But leave I had to, as Meredith had gotten me wasted on delicious margaritas at nopalito.  And yes, again, you're right Meredith, the mexican food is better in California.  

I've done so much but I still have so much more to do.  Headed out now for another day of San Francisco fun.