I'm gullible

It's true. I am.

Proof:

The SO tells me that "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" is on the top of his Netflix list.
-Me: really?
-SO: stares at me blankly

On moving day I call my parents to find out their ETA and current location.
-Mom: we're still at home, stuck in the driveway actually. Your dad's trying to dig us out.
-Me: instantly stressed out. seriously? why didn't you call sooner?
-Mom: in fits of laughter. (After all, it was May.)

And one time, I was even coaxed into believing there was such a thing as left-handed silverware.

Yes. Really.

In my defense, it did take some effort on their part to get me to become a believer. And of course, it was something I never lived down. Rightfully so.

I like to think that it's not that I'm gullible so much as that I'm pure of heart and truly trust the people in my life. But, given my overall cynical nature this is hard for even me to believe.

Though even with my recent transition to being a brunette I still play these instances off as blonde moments.

Please tell me I'm not the only one out there who's logical mind slips up every now and again and believes the complete nonsense that people are feeding you...please?

Cheers!

-A

Photography Friday: Hiking

Welcome to Photography Friday - the hiking edition.

These are actually from a little over a year ago, when the BFF and I went hiking on Grand Island out in Lake Superior.

Due to my recent crazy schedule, leaving me little time to head out to snap some nice winter shots, you get to relive this experience with me. Yay!

Aside from the bear encounters, torrential rains, and supposed tornado on the island during our first night (which we didn't find out until the countless voicemails from our concerned friends and family, post-trip), it was a fantastic trip with phenomenal weather - and I managed to get some great shots, too.

You'd never know, by looking at these images, that it was late September in northern Michigan.

(From the campsite the first night. Just before the storm hit.)

(A look at the beach from high atop a cliff.)

(As you can see, the lake rose pretty high in the storms the night before.)

(Check out how blue the water is...hard to believe that's Lake Superior.)

(A day spent hiking the cliffs and relaxing on the beach, what more could a girl ask for?)

A few things about right now

Here's a glimpse into my world with a list of a few things that are going on right now -

~Work is kicking my butt. I'm seriously slammed. Which is why I'm playing up my ADD for this cop out post.

~I secretly (or not so secretly) love being busy to the point that I almost feel overwhelmed. Operative word being almost.

~For someone who is a lover of sports, I don't give a rats ass about the BCS National Championship game tonight. I don't care much for Oklahoma and nobody likes Florida, right? Besides, what about freaking Utah!?!

~Nor do I care about the Cavs/Celtics game tomorrow. Sorry Cleveland, there's just no joining in on this excitement.

~I'm in love with my new blog layout. Seriously. Sometimes I come back just to admire it. Yep, I'm that big of a dork.

~Lately, there have been days where I don't even go outside - get in my attached garage in the morning, park in the attached garage at work, leave work and park in the attached garage at home, workout in my apartment...I'm not so fond of the bitter wind and blowing snow, what can I say?

~It freaks me out, like really gives me the willies, that some of my friends are procreating. On purpose. I know, right? Aren't we a little too young to be having babies already?

~Today is Red Wine Thursday. Enough said.

So tell me dear readers, what's going on with you right now?

Cheers!

-A

Braving the kitchen

As I've mentioned before, I would give anything to be a part of the foodie world. And I have a master plan for getting there, rubbing elbows with the best Food Network stars - okay not really, I'm just hoping something falls in my lap, but let's just pretend, okay?

One of the big flaws in this plan is that, well, I don't cook.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm incapable of cooking, it's more about lack of time and energy. And honestly, cooking for one sucks donkey balls - especially when you're like me and really don't care for leftovers.

Granted, since the SO has been around my kitchen has gotten some use, but not nearly enough to bump me up into the foodie category.

So, I've decided to start cooking more.

Now really, the main purpose behind this is to start saving a little more money - given that budgeting is part of this whole new years resolution garbage, and I've got plenty of expenses coming up in the near future (read: puppy spoiling) - but being classified as a 'foodie' is a huge bonus.

Problem being - I have no idea what to cook!

I wish I could just dive in like Ang - she's totally my inspiration. These dishes look so amazing. And yet, so complex - I'm just not sure I could pull them off in the minimal amount of free time I have left these days.


Given that I'm a vegetarian whose normal sustenance resembles rabbit food, I don't really know where to begin.

And, if I could make something that looks as appealing as it tastes - yes, I know this is a huge feat for a novice like myself, but I'm up to the challenge - better yet!

Mmmm, just look at that!

To all my foodie, and wanna-be foodie friends out there, help! Know of any good recipes I can get my feet wet with?

In the meantime, I'll be sticking to my fab. chili recipe and foolproof Italian dishes until I get the cojones to branch out to something more elaborate. Though after looking at those peppers, I may be inclined to stuff some in the near future (now would be the time to remove head from gutter, thanks). Wish me luck!

Cheers!

-A

Maintenance Man

For those who haven't been keeping up - I don't blame you, I didn't do much bloggie stuff over the holidays, either - my weekend was spent moving.

This was one of the easiest moves yet. Given that I've moved across the country twice now, and once across the state of Texas, I would hope this is the case.

But really this was probably the easiest move I'll ever have - unless of course next time I'm well enough off to hire some movers to do the dirty work for me. This weekend, I moved a total of three floors.


That's right, same apartment complex, better location.


When I found out that this apartment was available I jumped on it - less expensive than before and it comes with a sliding glass door out to a fenced in yard. The perfect set up for puppy ownership.


But anyway, this is going somewhere, I promise.

The move wasn't too painful, though the organization process is slower than I'd hoped. Turns out, I own a lot of shit. The SO was trying his hardest to get me to make decisions on what exactly I needed and what could be thrown out. A lot was pitched, but you'd never know it to look at my new place. Yikes, lots more work to come.

During the post-move organization process, I ran across a few maintenance issues. Lucky for me, I made nice with the weekend maintenance man long ago, so when I reported these issues on Sunday morning, he came over promptly to repair these problems.

Within 15 minutes the apartment was fixed up and George had plenty of time to spare for small talk. Of course, I was more than happy to placate him - you never know when I'll have a dire maintenance emergency again - and actually, he's quite a pleasant man.

He chatted with me about the weather, the progress of my moving, past "situations" in my old apartment, and wrapped up by letting me know that if there's anything I need, to let him know.

So the lesson here - make nice with the maintenance man, you never know when you're going to need him. And you might be surprised at just how nice he really is.

Has anyone else capitalized on such situations before? What are your apartment living tips and tricks?

Cheers!

-A

Friendly rivalry gone bad

As most of my friends and loyal readers know, I'm a big sports fan. And I'm especially passionate about my MSU Spartans as that's my alma mater.

You also may be aware that one of my qualms with living in this state has been the obnoxious OSU fans who assume, because I'm from the state of Michigan, I'm the devil.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good sports rivalry - taking jabs at my friends when we win, the occasional bet now and again, but for the most part, I'll befriend anyone, regardless of where their allegiances lie.

Well tonight, I ran into two of the most ignorant college supporters I've ever met. 

That's a big statement. Huge - given the fact I've run into my fair share of obnoxious sports fans throughout my Big 10 history.

As I was wandering the halls of my building, still in my Michigan State jersey (confident, even after our loss at the Capital One bowl today - hey, I'm no fair weather fan!) I ran into a girl in my building. 

She was quite lovely, actually. Mentioned that she too is from Michigan and she even offered her assistance with moving. Her friends on the other hand, frightened me a little - since we're being honest here.

The girl from Michigan is a U of M fan, which she mentioned in passing. The two others asserted themselves quickly, letting me know, in a most aggressive manner, that one was an Ohio State fan while the other pointed to her hooded sweatshirt with an embroidered Notre Dame logo and proceeded to pound on her chest with a tight fist.

"Notre Dame, yeah that's right!"

"Ohio State, here. Yeah! Just so you know how we roll." - followed by a nice little stare down.

Um, wow. Okay.

I'm sure I looked appalled and rather horrified. I was, and I'm not so great at hiding that on my face. The aggressors noticed, as they chuckled on their way down the hall, "did you see her face, ha!"

Clearly, I was by far the least dominant female in this situation (by about 40 pounds, at least).

If this hadn't have been the case, or even if there wouldn't have been three of them, I would have pointed out that they are friends with a U of M fan and there doesn't seem to be much of a problem. So what gives?

Aside from the time I got threatened by a Cavs fan in a bar bathroom during the 2007 playoffs- "If the Pistons win tonight I'm gonna be the first one to find you and kick your ass" - this was the most aggressive attack by fans of an opposing team.

C'mon people, we're all adults, let's grow up and get along in our friendly rivalries, shall we?

-A

p.s. On the positive side, I may have made a new friend in the building - if I can manage to separate her from the scary friends.

A new year

That's right. For those of you who aren't counting, it's officially a new year.

Where on Earth did the last year go? Hell, where did the last 10 years go? Can't believe we're almost to 2010...I'm pretty sure that means I'm old.

Of the things I've resolved to do this year - c'mon, you know you have your resolutions all figured out too - by far the best goal is to make sure this is a great year.

And it will be.

A few years ago, I made it a point to make myself happy, no matter what it took. Looking back, this was a bigger success than I gave myself credit for. And now, I'm the happiest I've ever been - truly.

Don't get me wrong, 2008 was great, with all the traveling and wonderful people I met - so much so that I was able to start a blog about just that - and meeting all my wonderful fellow bloggers. It's been great, y'all!

*tear*

(Just look at those wonderful new buddies!)

In anticipation of the upcoming puppy arrival, completion of a marathon and a college reunion in LA, there's plenty to help make this the best year ever. 

And let me just say, it's started out well so far. I couldn't have asked for a much better New Year's day that involved sleeping in and watching bowl games with the SO. Too bad my Spartans didn't show up in Orlando, but it's a small price to pay for a wonderful Jan 1.

And now, I get to start fresh by moving into my new apartment -- starting, now. So I'll see y'all back here on Monday.

Here's to a fantastic 2009!

Cheers!

-A