12 August 2008

The Murphy's Rock (or I Love the Suburbs, Part II)

The Reintroduction to Society Summer Tour brought us the infamous Dan Gordon Party at Casa de Murphy this past weekend. I'm pleased to say that shirtless DanGordit! lived up to the hype - not just for Sally (who was obsessed with him), but for all of us I think. To recap:

  • I kicked off the weekend with Dan and his shirt at Wheeltapper Pub. Hilarity ensued.
  • I continue to awesome Alisa's house (well, technically Boyfriend Matt's) for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies where I feast upon delicious Chinese food, Alisa's killer Olympic cake and Matt's dynamite lychee martinis. A lot of lychee martinis.
  • I take the most entertaining ride home where the driver tells me about the men who don't have any money to pay the driver because they've spent all their money at the clubs trying to get the "boom boom." Pretty sure this would have still been entertaining even without a pitcher of lychee martinis in my belly.
  • I wake up to pack and make my way to Penn Station to meet up with Dan. I may not be sober from the night before.
  • I stop to get breakfast sandwiches for the train, as Dan is bringing the gatorosas. I get a text from him telling me he's running late. I immediately text him back to hurry as I'm almost sober.
  • We commence our train ride with fierce blue gatorosas. I decide Dan Gordon might actually be a genius.
  • Some red-headed lady tries to make a move on Dan Gordon, or maybe just his gatorosas. I refrain from shanking her because I do not want to get kicked off Amtrak for life just for that biotch. Besides, Dan didn't think she was "pretty from the front." And more importantly, he didn't dare offer her a gatorosa or he might have gotten shanked himself.
  • We run out of gatorosas just as the cafe car closes. Dan valiantly tries to score some booze at 30th Street station, but comes up empty. We're booze-free for about 30 minutes until the train is moving again and the cafe car reopens. Dan comes back with a half bottle of pinot grigio that we proceed to mix with cranberry juice. It is a vile combination that we chug down and finish in about 15 minutes. Because we are committed.
  • Kate picks us up at the train with Sally who is a little surprised that Dangordit exists, but is pleased about it - especially when he presents her with a stuff Big Bird. She pauses in her celebration long enough to ask Aunt Meyahnee if she remembered the M&Ms. Luckily, I did. She resumes celebration.
  • We get to Casa de Murphy, where John is prepping some of the most delicious food we will ever eat. Dan falls in love with the 16 pounds of ribs the Murphy's have on deck. Much eating and drinking commences.
  • Kate's brother Tom shows up with the Future Mrs. Tom, aka Rebecca. They bring soft pretzels. I immediately fall in love with the pretzels.
  • Other activities that took place? Frisbee, Sally showing us her muscles, Kate showing us her muscles, Kate letting/making us feel her muscles, arm-wrestling (Dan Gordon knocked down both Aichele kids before John Murphy reminded him who's house he was in), a push-up competition (a dispute over proper form and Kate sabotaging John kept us from crowning a clear winner but Dan did take his shirt off so we had that going for us), and perhaps a short demonstration of how I would perform Proud Mary at karaoke with Kate as back-up.
  • The following morning Sally showed us all how awesome she is at running and jumping and Dan even showed off his somersault skills - all pre-breakfast. A trip to the diner (bacon!), a drive around to see houses we can't afford and then back to the house to pack up and head out. And most importantly, pick up the makings for a round of gatorosas on the way home. SWEET!
  • Cap off the weekend with Dan leading me out of Penn Station through a secret tunnel (well, maybe not secret but I wouldn't have gone that way on my own. I watch Lifetime, I know how that can end) and then weaving through the crowds waiting for the Jonas Brothers. We both manage to get through it without shanking any screaming little girls. Barely.

Best exchange of the weekend:
John (watching the Olympics - men's swimming): He's just not a good breaststroker.
Melanie: That's what she said!
FYI - That kicked off a full scale "that's what she said" assault by me for the rest of the day and evening. I had mixed success - not all instances were accepted by the crowd - but even when I was denied they were still pretty amused. So, mission accomplished!

A picture is worth a thousand words. Behold:



And a video is priceless, especially if it is video of a push-up competition. I can't figure out why they are so dark, but I'm going to see if I can do anything to fix it. The videos are much better in their full glory. Suggestions welcome.

The Shirtless Wonder Dangordit shows what he's made of

Tom trys a slightly "different" approach

John gets sabotaged by his own wife

So, who won the battle of the burbs? I think I did because I got to have two really awesome weekends with great friends. I would road trip with Dangordit any day of the week - even with his shirt on. And as for the Murphy Family and Los Fitzes? I guarantee I'll be back to visit each of them as soon as they'll have me. Wait - that's what she said? Hmmm... Nah. She probably didn't say that. But she might. She just might.

Happy Birthday, Dan!

I hope you will all join me in wishing Dan a happy birthday today. I think we can all agree that certainly the world became a much funnier, and likely a better, place on this day many years ago.

You're the balls, Dangordit.

11 August 2008

Happy Anniversary, Ed & Lorraine!

Anniversary shout-out to Ed & Lorraine. Wishing you many, many more!

08 August 2008

The Bar Has Been Set, Murphy Family

Murphy Family - Are you ready to compete with these highlights from post-BBQ hijinks with Los Fitzes?



In the battle of the 'burbs, who will reign supreme? NJ or PA? Consider it brought-en.

07 August 2008

Things Are Looking Up

It's been a rough couple days around the Musings home offices, but perhaps the healing is on the way. And, special thanks to Mrs. Los Fitz and the newly-named, Shirtless Dangordit! (courtesy of the ever-awesome Sally, though I added the shirtless part because otherwise that's creepy and weird and not cute at all) who helped the healing with wonderful IM conversations, excerpted here:

Mrs. Los Fitz (accepting my response for not posting this week): you better be in tip top shape after this weekend and your gatorosas with shirtless dangordit

Shirtless Dangordit! (in response Mrs Los Fitz's comment that I shared): Tip top shape after the weekend? I doubt it. You'll be recovering through Wednesday afternoon.

I hope the Murphy Family is ready for the chaos that is going to descend upon them around 1:00 PM, Saturday.

Sorry for the Silence

But when I'm back, it'll be worth the wait.

05 August 2008

I Heart Seth Meyers

You know I do. I'm sad that no one has put the video for this on the internet yet, but I'm hopeful my time will come some day. In the meantime, enjoy the transcript.

Tina Fey: Now it's time for an old favorite here at "Weekend Update" - "Point/Counterpoint". Here to debate tonight are Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter and Boston Red Sox fan Seth Meyers. Tonight's topic on "Point/Counterpoint": "Derek Jeter Sucks" - "No, I Don't". Derek, why don't we start with you.

Derek Jeter: Thanks, Tina. I know my friend Seth Meyers here is a Red Sox fan, and that's great. The fan really are what keep Major League baseball going. But I hope Seth can see that I play hard all the time, and I always do my best for the team.

Tina Fey: Seth, Counterpoint?

Seth Meyers: You suck!

Tina Fey: Seth, you still have, like, thirty seconds.

Seth Meyers: I'll elaborate. Jeter, you suck in three very specific ways. So Hard, So Bad, and Wicked Bad.

Tina Fey: Derek? Response?

Derek Jeter: Well, I’ve heard this argument before, Seth. In fact, Red Sox fans have been nice enough to share this argument with me every time I play in Boston. Or walk in Boston. Or go on a date in a fancy restaurant in Boston. Also, sometimes they drive to Baltimore, when we play the Orioles, to tell me I suck. [ Seth starts chanting "Der-ek!" in Derek's ear ] But if you look at my numbers, you'll find that I'm a very productive shortshop. Seth, what are you doing? You've been following me around all week screaming at me.

Seth Meyers: I'm sorry, Derek.. really.. I really am. It's just you and people like you ruined my entire childhood. So I swore if I ever got within six feet of a real Yankee, I'd kick his ass. But then I saw you.. and I knew that that could not happen. But, thankfully, this can happen - You suck!

Derek Jeter: Seth, I don't suck. I've won four World Series rings in six years.

Seth Meyers: Valid point. But if there was a World Series of sucking, you'd have, like, a hundred rings!

Derek Jeter: What?! Alright, look.. Nomar Garciaparr's a great player. Is it okay to say he sucks?

Seth Meyers: [ aghast ] What.. did you say..?

Derek Jeter: I don't think he sucks, I'm trying to prove a point!

Seth Meyers: [ crying ] Well, why would you say that..? You said that Nomar.. he has a broken wrist.. and he's so nice.. and he's like my best friend..!

Derek Jeter: Seth, Seth.. I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?

Seth Meyers: Will you come play for Boston?

Derek Jeter: No. No.

Seth Meyers: Then, sign my hat?

Derek Jeter: Sure, man, no problem.

Seth Meyers: Will you sign it as Nomar?

Derek Jeter: Whatever.. whatever.. [ signs the hat ]

Seth Meyers: Thanks, Derek. You know, you don't suck.

Derek Jeter: Thanks, Seth. You do suck, a little.

Seth Meyers: I know.. I know..

Tina Fey: This has been "Point/Counterpoint".

Hands down, my favorite part is "Jeter, you suck in three very specific ways. So Hard, So Bad, and Wicked Bad." I have actually used that line (minus the Jeter reference) in my real life.

04 August 2008

Some Things Just Aren't Meant to Be

Well, dear readers. You voted. And you voted against me owning this print. Back to the drawing board - and stay tuned for future polls!

Things Are Right on Track

Hoping to do a longer post later - many things to catch up on, but not a lot of time to work on quality posts. But in the meantime - really loving today's MSN.com horoscope. Fairytale romance, indeed.

Are you single, dear Pisces? If so, today you might just fall in love at first sight. You may have been frustrated lately by the lack of interesting people who are available, but today you could meet someone one who seems just too perfect for words. And you can rest assured: the attraction is mutual! On the other hand, if you're already involved, you can expect a revival of the fairytale type of romance between you and your significant other. Enjoy!

01 August 2008

One Way to Spend Your Weekend


From the Operation Backpack Site:

Over 9,000 families including 11,000 school-age children reside in the New York City homeless shelter system. Most of these children will go back to school in September without basic supplies, unless we help.

Operation Backpack is Volunteers of America’s annual back-to-school drive that asks the general public to bring new backpacks to designated Drop Locations throughout the city. Over 70 New York businesses participate by engaging employees in backpack and school supply drives. The result is thousands of new backpacks, which volunteers fill with grade-specific supplies during Sort Week and distribute to kids in time for the start of the school year.

Drop a new backpack at any of our Drop Locations from August 4-17 or give online and help a child who is homeless start the school year off right.

If you're interested in charity abroad, my dad is still collecting items for the orphanage, which will also be starting school soon.