Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Really? You're Joking Right?!?!

Alrighty, so this world is a strange place, I understand that. But, today, two things in particular had me scratching my head.


First, Happy Straw Wrapper Appreciation Day to everyone. Yup, that's right, its Straw Wrapper Appreciation Day today. Beside the fact that I find this absolutely wonderful, I also find this a little odd. First and foremost, this special day for our paper (and sometimes plasic, thanks Subway) friend could not have come at a better time. If you read my previous post you have realized that I have a special fondness for the straw wrapper and can even cause a little trouble with them. There was nothing better this morning than driving into the city listening to the DJ on the radio express his appreciation for the straw wrapper and encourage us all to remember the times of joy those little guys have given to us. I do heart the straw wrapper.


Now, having said that, who in their right mind declares these days to even exist!?!? Seriously, Straw Wrapper Appreciation Day (hereinafter SWAD, I'm getting tired of typing it)? I admit that I am all for SWAD, but it is only a matter of time before we are celebrating something totally benign, like say... Happy Toothpaste Cap Day! or maybe, Happy Batteries From my TV Remote Control Day! Now, no one is denying that these things are great and albeit important, but who decides what items/people/relationships/historical events get a day?


I hope everyone took advantage of this special day, Happy SWAD everyone!


Secondly, and almost even more disturbing. I went on a tour of the White House today. It was pretty cool even though they only let you on the first 2 floors. Which means, basically, if you ask me if I saw anything that you would want to see the answer is no. I essentially saw all the color rooms, you know, the red room, blue room, green room, etc. I actually liked it cuz I was struck with this crazy realization while I was there and all of a sudden everything I had learned about the presidents became so real. Like they existed because I was somewhere where they had been. I realize I should have known this before, but it was just really ... cool? Now, on with the disturbing part. The White House Vistor Center is a few blocks away (or several blocks away if I am leading the pack, sorry for not listening to you Matty). After (finally) making it to the vistor center, the most interesting things that happened to me occured, where else? The bathroom.


Number 1: This is not really what I was going to talk about, but since I found it revolting, I might as well throw it out there. So, you know how sometimes when you flush those high powered toilets some of the water splashes back up? Normally not a problem, as long as you are away from the can at the time. However, lets just say you flush the toilet and then bend over to get some TP with which to blow your nose (as the freaking cold wind has turned it into a faucet), what do you think would happen? That's right boys and girls, the water splashes up and hits you in the face. I was not pleased.


Number 2: The disturbing part: After getting my face washed by the head, I went to wash my hands and of course dry them (lest they freeze and chip off once I get back outside). Sidenote: I understand that there are environmental reasons at work here, but bathrooms that only have hand dryers and no paper towels really irritate me. And that brings me to my point. Please view the picture of the hand dryer that I took in the White House Visitor Center's women's room:


Granted, it is not a good picture. But, trust me here, its a hand dryer. EXCEPT, the label on it says: Jetair Ultimate: Hand/Hair Dryer. Hmmm. Hair Dryer? Really? I imagine that is irrelevant that it took me about five minutes to get my hands from saturated to merely clammy, and that there is no telling how long it would take someone to dry their hair with this bad boy. BUT, more importantly, is this something we really want to be promoting? Public hair drying? Maybe it is really a face dryer for those of us that are unfortunate enough to bend over in front of the commode at the wrong time? I must say, I was quite baffeled by this.

Good Night everyone!

Happy Hump Day for tomorrow, lets really appreciate it!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Best Weekend Ever!

Ok, last weekend I went up to Boston to suprise L-Star for her birthday and to visit with some of my other friends from Maine. The bestest part was that L didn't know I was coming so I got to suprise her!


Dance Fever

So, upon arriving in Boston, Samson picked me up from the airport and took me to a mall near where he works so I could study (yeah right, hello, can anyone say shopping!) Then when he got out of work we made the trek up to Salem where they live. Let me just say Salem is super cute. When we got to the Star's residence I got to go in first, I think it is safe to say that L was surprised, even in a good way! After imbibing several glasses of wine and welcoming Ken-Star, one of my personal favorites from law school, we waited for L's other friends and then set off to the bar.

L's friend Katie is just about the cutest thing you will ever see, so of course, after having SEVERAL Jack and diets I felt obliged to agree to dancing with her. I believe we danced much of the night away. And, when I could not find anyone to dance with, I prompted danced with a column that was nearby the dance floor. I believe it was Samson that said they were bleaching the column down as we were leaving... yeah, I was getting kinda freaky...

Please enjoy some pics:


One of my personal favorites:








Girl on Girl Action


So, I was super tired by the time the dancing was all done and we got back to the Star's house. Unfortunately there is just one little couch with which to sprawl out on (this is my justification anyhow). Me and Ken-Star proceeded to change into our PJs and do some snuggling:



Yeah, I think we laid like that for about 45 min, we were quite an attraction, but honestly it was just super comfy!

Breakfast...

I believe we all know that I have the maturity level of a 12 year-old boy, please keep that in mind. So, we woke up Saturday morning (L-Star, Samson-Star, and Ken-Star) and walked to a nearby diner to get some breakfast. I went in my PJ's, which consisted of my MaineLaw sweatshirt and bright green thermal pants with Eeyores all over them. While we were at the restaurant I decided it would be super fun to "blow" my straw wrapper at Samson by way of ripping a piece of the wrapper off the straw and then blowing in one end, thus shooting the straw wrapper off the end of the straw. (You all know what I mean, right?) I saw the outcome of my actions having a different end result. Instead of hitting Samson in the face with my straw wrapper, it shot past his face and landed on the gentleman behind him. Now, had the diner patron been wearing ANYTHING else, it probably would have been fine, but as the case may be, he was wearing fleece. As most of you may now, fleece is as close to velcro as material can get, so OF COURSE, the straw wrapper stuck to his jacket and was sticking straight out. I thought I might die. Fortunately enough, the gentleman didn't notice. Unfortunately, the waitress was taking his order at the time, and I find it difficult to believe that she could have missed it. I was trying to contain the laughter that had stemmed from my extreme humiliation while L-Star was begging Samson to "fix it." Samson (the star that he is), merely reached over, plucked the wrapper off the gentleman while muttering "excuse me." Ahhh, to be a mature adult...

Ice, Ice, Baby

So, this particular weekend the town of Salem was doing some thing with all these ice sculptures. All sorts of establishments had ice sculptures outside their doors. We got to see lots of them on the walk home.




Also, on the way home I stopped to get my pic taken in a witch cut out, when all of a sudden a girl in Eeyore PJ pants walked by, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!?!? Had to get a pic of that too.







Then there were the pirates climbing the wall, Samson gave it his best effort:




Quincy, Mass

Ken-Star and I drove out to Quincy to see a couple of friends. It was a good time, but unfortunately the Star's got a little on the "lost" side when they came to get me. There was a couple of tense moments on our trip to IKEA, but it was still super fun. At one point I decided to call 411 to get the address for IKEA so that I could plug it into my GPS (thank God for GPS!). The 411 operated asked me what city, I told him, then he asked how he could help.


Me: "I would like the number for IKEA, please."

Him: "I have a number for IKEA on IKEA Way."
Me: pause, pause, "Ah, that sounds promising, lets try it."

Him: chuckles, "Have a nice night..."


Later that night we went to a brewery for dinner and picked up some 40's on the way home. We spent the evening drinking our 40's and watching Orangatan Island and Scrubs. Samson and I sat back and watched L-Star assemble their new chair. Nice job, L!


The next morning we went and got donuts before Samson took me to the airport.


Thanks for such a fun trip guys!!!




PS- pretty pissed that I left my coat there just in time for the ice storm that we had here yesterday!