Cute Kid Alert: 5 Pumpkins - and Happy Halloween!

So clearly, I am one of Sally's biggest fans. And equally clearly, with good reason. Check out her latest musical preformance.



I should probably mention that Kate puts in a nice performance too.

Happy Halloween!!!

Cute Kid Alert: Shout-out to Aunt Meyahnee!

This little one is sure good for what ails you. I'm one lucky Aunt Meyahnee.

It Will be a Miracle If I Survive Today

So, today is proving to be a bit of challenge to me. Exhibit A - the picture below of my thoroughly soaked pants - the result of spilling 20 oz of HOT TEA all over my lap, desk, chair, files, floor, etc. Awesome.

Jason and I Killed It

Just this weekend, Jason and I were saying how much we enjoy one of fall's new TV shows, The Ex List, on CBS. How it's cute and light-hearted and just a nice show to watch.

And now this:
CBS yanks low-rated `The Ex List' from schedule

In other news, be sure to check out Sons of Anarchy - Jamie McShane started his 3-episode run last week. You can catch the replay of last week's episode tonight at 11:00 PM and then new episodes on Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM.

Scenes From a Bar: You Are Not the Boss of Me

Friday night, I went out with Kelly, Maureen and Gail. Eventually, Kelly and I were lucky enough to be interrupted by the guy next to us and his bizarre friend. I'm thankful though, or I would have gotten to participate in the following conversation. Behold:

Guy that I'm not even remotely interested in: What are you drinking?
Me: Bud Light
G: Can I buy you one?
M: No, thanks. I'm good.
G: Why aren't you drinking wine?
M: Because I wanted Bud Light.
G: Why don't you try a nice Cabernet?
M: Because I am drinking Bud Light.
G: Cosmos are good. Why don't you have a cosmo?
M: I don't want a cosmo. I am happy to drink Bud Light. What do you care?
G: You shouldn't drink domestic beer. You should drink imported beer. Have you tried Stella Artois?
M: I have and I didn't like it. (Editor's note: I'm not sure I've ever tried Stella Artois but that really wasn't the point - especially not this deep into the conversation.) I like to buy American.
G: Domestic beer is only about $6 for a six-pack. Imported beer is twice that. Why don't you let me buy you an import?
M: Who buys six-packs? I don't want an import. I like Bud Light. Why don't you buy me a Bud Light and give me the cash difference?
G: That's funny. Just for that, I'm buying you a Bud Light.
(Editor's note: He also offers to buy Kelly a drink and then tries to backtrack when she orders later. We do not let him get away with it.)

Fast-forward a bit - he interrupts our conversation yet again, so that we can have this exchange.

G: Where would you go on your dream vacation?
M: I don't know. I've always wanted to go to Germany so I think there.
G: Where in Germany?
M: Well, my cousin is near Frankfurt so probably there.
G: Oh no. Frankfurt is the financial city - you don't want to go there.
M: So, let me get this straight. You ask me what I'm drinking, and then proceed to tell me why I'm wrong to be drinking it. Then you ask me where I want to go on my dream vacation and proceed to tell me why I don't want to go there. Um, I have a list of people who are the boss of me - and you are nowhere near on that list.
G: I was just offering my opinion.
M: But I didn't ask your opinion on where I should go on my dream vacation. But thank you for your concern.

He then proceeded to tell me that I wouldn't be allergic to his cats. I guess he is very familiar with my medical history and also an allergy specialist of some sort. Jerk. He still didn't go away nearly soon enough, but eventually he did. Hard to believe, but I let that one get away.

Team Chik-Fil-A is, indeed, my jam

Back in September, I was supposed to run a 5K with Molly, Los Fitzes and my new best friend's The Silks as part of "Team Chik-Fil-A, That's My Jam!" but I had to bow out because it was the same weekend my dad was home. Not only did they clean up at the race (check out Christine's recap here and here), the team signed my shirt and brought it back to me.

Here's a pic of the team, minus the lovely Mrs. Silk who wasn't able to run:


And because Mrs. Los Fitz likes a good challenge and a little friendly competition, she's thrown down a Nike+ challenge at the team for whoever can run the most miles in a month. The challenge started almost 2 weeks ago. I've yet to figure out my Nike+ sportband. But stay tuned, this dark horse might make a comeback late in the game...

Out of the Mouths of Brats, er, Babes

This awesome exchange just in from my mom:

You know how sometimes when I wear my hair behind my ears, I leave a piece down in front of my ear? Cute, huh? Well Jocelyn was sitting on my lap and was tucking the hair behind my ear and I said, “no sweetie, it is supposed to be like that” and she said as sweet as could be, “no, it looks stupid.” Man! Crushed by an 11 year old in 4 words!!

Mommy, I think you're gorgeous all the time!

Bipartisan Pumpkins

The good folks at MSNBC have provided pumpkin stencils for download for the presidential and vice presidential candidates, as well as Hilary, Oprah, Letterman, Colbert, Stewart (Jon not Martha) and Michael Phelps. Enjoy!

Here I Am! (And please, think of the children!)

Sorry for the lack of posting this week. I've been a little under the weather and work has been busy. But never fear - I'll make it up to you.

Things you have to look forward to (in no particular order):

1. Highlights from my weekend in St. Louis
2. Highlights from my weekend in Philadelphia
3. A review of In the Heights
4. A return of TV listings

And, if you need something to keep you busy in the meantime, head over to the Tomato Nation Challenge on Donor's Choose. The challenge has almost raised $60,000 in just over two weeks - last year the challenge raised over $100,000 I think. There's still time for you to participate - and you can donate whatever you see fit - you don't have to fully fund something. I stopped by earlier today and now some kids in Illinois are going to get to dissect some frogs! Ah, the circle of life.

Song Obsession: In the Ayer by Flo Rida

Continuing this week's hip hop theme, I present to you my latest song obsession, courtesy of my trip to Missouri over the weekend where I heard it on the radio no less than 10 times. It's now my theme song for the weekend. Enjoy!

Nothing Says Hip Hop Like...

...an Ivy League school? Seems so, kids. This is not a joke - this is from an actual email I received today.

Cornell University Library invites you to attend . . .
Born in the Bronx: A Celebration of Hip Hop October 31- November 1, 2008

Cornell's "Born in the Bronx" conference and celebration brings hip hop's pioneers and leading scholars together for a two-day event that features lectures, music, and roundtable discussions. Afrika Bambaataa, Jeff Chang, Grandmaster Caz, Grandwizzard Theodore, Mark Anthony Neal, Popmaster Fabel, Tricia Rose, Tony Tone, J.Rocc and Disco Wiz are among those participating in the two-day event.

The conference and celebration marks the official opening of Cornell University Library's one-of-a-kind collection documenting the early days of hip hop, featuring nearly 1,000 sound recordings, the photographic archive of Bronx photographer Joe Conzo, Jr. and a collection of more than 500 original party fliers designed by Buddy Esquire.

Welcoming remarks begin at 2:00 pm on Friday at Bailey Hall with lectures and discussions ending at 6:00 pm; at 8:00 pm select artists and pioneers will perform in Bailey Auditorium. On Saturday, lectures and round table discussions will take place in the Statler Hotel Ballroom from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. Stay tuned on the Web site, where updates will appear as details are finalized.



Be there or be square. Yo.

In The Kitchen: 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

My mom and I received this recipe - the most dangerous recipe in the world - from an Army listserve that we belong to. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks promising.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) (Wait, optional? What? I don't think so...)
Small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Culture Corner: Review of Spring Awakening

From Playbill.com: Based on Frank Wedekind's play of the same name, Spring Awakening boldly depicts how a dozen young people make their way through the thrilling, complicated, confusing and mysterious time of their sexual awakening.

This was one of the most bizarre shows I have seen this season. Alisa, Kara, Jason and Kristen and I went to see it on a Tuesday night. It was a lot of show to take in on a Tuesday night. Pretty heavy subject matter for me to process. And of course, there's the brief nudity. SCANDAL!!!!

The cast is very talented. I would say they are mainly singers first, then actors but regardless, they really are phenomenal. The music is really superb. Hunter Parrish of Weeds was in the production we saw and for the most part, he held his own.

Bottom line? Not for kids or the faint of heart or if you're looking for a fun, feel good time. However, it is a very well done and interesting show.

Jason says: BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. This was my second time seeing Spring Awakening, which I originally ranked as one of my top 3, if not THE top, plays I had ever seen. I saw the original cast, WAY before the TONY was won. Even though I enjoyed that version better (isn't the original always the best?), this one was up there as well. A great performance by all, including Weeds star Hunter Parrish, made for a delightful evening with friends...I wonder how these kids would do growing up IN THE HEIGHTS???

Think of the Children!

I can barely scan through the projects without choking up. If you can spare a few dollars (any amount is accepted towards completion of a project), then please do.