...people change the channel.
So let me ask you all a question, why would a President who rarely has press conferences, choose to do so the first night of May Sweeps (new OC, new Survivor, new Apprentice, new ER) to address the nation and answer questions about a solution to Social Security when he has no solution for Social Security?
I'm baffled.
I try and keep politics out of this Blog as I hate to alienate anyone, but I am really confused by this press conference. The networks even cut him off after 1 hour (but kept The OC preempted).
So here is what he had to say:
GWB: There will be no price gouging at gas pumps in America.
LHF: Amen, Brother...it's happening now - fix it!
GWB: Congress also needs to address the challenges facing Social Security.
LHF: We know this and you keep saying this - get a move on!
GWB: Social Security worked fine during the last century, but the math has changed. A generation of baby boomers is getting ready to retire. I happen to be one of them.
LHF: Good...think only of yourself. Okay, and my parents generation, but are you just realizing you are all at retirement age and cannot afford to? This has been a long time coming.
GWB: We have a shared responsibility to fix Social Security and make the system better, to keep seniors out of poverty and expand ownership for people of every background. And when we do, Republicans and Democrats will be able to stand together and take credit for what is right for our children and our grandchildren.
LHF: So what is your point? You expect us all to be skipping down the Yellow Brick Road, holding hands and singing? I don't think anything you will suggest or implement will bridge the gap between the parties...these days it is all based on the age old feud of the Montagues and the Capulets...even in death, how will anything change?
I would rather have watched the OC they have been advertising all week - next time, save it for a night when nothing is on W! At least I got Survivor thanks to my quick TiVo skills.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
20/20 with The Daughter of Opinion
Let me start this posting with a little background. Everyone pause in reading this for a moment and look to the top right of the browser window (the content, not the browser itself). You will notice a button that says Next Blog. I love this button...I look forward to clicking on this button daily. Why, you ask? Because it pulls random Blogspot blogs up for me to read. And often times, I am a random kind-of girl. So two weeks ago, it brought me to the Daughter of Opinion blog. I was intrigued by the posts and added a hot link to my own blog for her.
While reading her posts, I found this Interview with another blog-owner and instructions on requesting your own interview. So Jessica has been kind enough to offer me up 5 questions to answer and so I extend the same to other blog-owners:
The Official Interview Game Rules
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
So here are my 5 questions to answer.
1. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
This is a tough one for me as I have a lot of people who have influenced me. While it is hard to pick just one, I think I would have to say my Gramps, William Albert Sparks. Here is a man who worked hard, married someone he wasn't in love with, raised a family on his salary from the train yards. He converted his garage into a full workshop where he let us build whatever we wanted every time we went to visit. The man could build any contraption to solve any problem, and would always have the time to read me Shakespeare. When I was 6, he built me the most beautiful dollhouse anyone had ever seen (based on the floor plans of a real house in Missouri) and it took him 2 years to build. When I would go to spend the summer in Kentucky with him and my grandmother, he would have the neighbor across the street hide it in his garage. It is still my most prized possession, even though it is in dire need of repair. It even was wired for electricity. The man had a huge heart and only thought about others his entire life. I strive to be like him every day.
2. Describe the moment when you realized that one (or both) of your parents weren't perfect.
I actually worked for my parents business for a few years and during that time I was their CFO. Let me tell you, seeing directly into the finances of your own parents is a humbling experience. I knew we weren't made of money growing up, but we were comfortable. My parents worked very hard to give us all we needed and some of what we wanted, but I didn't realize how difficult that was for them. Realizing that they were taking from Peter to pay Paul opened my eyes. Creditlines and Mortgages, going into more debt to pay off older debt, while they were doing it for us, it made them seem more human to get into such a predicament. And honestly, there is comfort in knowing that your parents are real people who make mistakes...it makes me respect them much more.
3. Dark chocolate or white chocolate?
Dark chocolate, especially dark chocolate from San Francisco (primarily Scharffen Berger). After all, white chocolate isn't really chocolate, it's mostly cocoa butter.
4. Is the glass half empty or half full?
It depends on the day. 85% of the time, it is half-full, but on those days when you have just been beaten down by so many things, it is really hard for me to keep that attitude. I much prefer the half-full concept, as there seems to be so many more options.
5. You can only listen to one album for the rest of your life - what is it?
It would be the Garden State Soundtrack as it covers all my moods in one album. How I wish I could be deeper than that and say something classical, but I'm afraid I would tire of anything like that pretty quickly.
Don't forget, I can quiz you too!
While reading her posts, I found this Interview with another blog-owner and instructions on requesting your own interview. So Jessica has been kind enough to offer me up 5 questions to answer and so I extend the same to other blog-owners:
The Official Interview Game Rules
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
So here are my 5 questions to answer.
1. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
This is a tough one for me as I have a lot of people who have influenced me. While it is hard to pick just one, I think I would have to say my Gramps, William Albert Sparks. Here is a man who worked hard, married someone he wasn't in love with, raised a family on his salary from the train yards. He converted his garage into a full workshop where he let us build whatever we wanted every time we went to visit. The man could build any contraption to solve any problem, and would always have the time to read me Shakespeare. When I was 6, he built me the most beautiful dollhouse anyone had ever seen (based on the floor plans of a real house in Missouri) and it took him 2 years to build. When I would go to spend the summer in Kentucky with him and my grandmother, he would have the neighbor across the street hide it in his garage. It is still my most prized possession, even though it is in dire need of repair. It even was wired for electricity. The man had a huge heart and only thought about others his entire life. I strive to be like him every day.
2. Describe the moment when you realized that one (or both) of your parents weren't perfect.
I actually worked for my parents business for a few years and during that time I was their CFO. Let me tell you, seeing directly into the finances of your own parents is a humbling experience. I knew we weren't made of money growing up, but we were comfortable. My parents worked very hard to give us all we needed and some of what we wanted, but I didn't realize how difficult that was for them. Realizing that they were taking from Peter to pay Paul opened my eyes. Creditlines and Mortgages, going into more debt to pay off older debt, while they were doing it for us, it made them seem more human to get into such a predicament. And honestly, there is comfort in knowing that your parents are real people who make mistakes...it makes me respect them much more.
3. Dark chocolate or white chocolate?
Dark chocolate, especially dark chocolate from San Francisco (primarily Scharffen Berger). After all, white chocolate isn't really chocolate, it's mostly cocoa butter.
4. Is the glass half empty or half full?
It depends on the day. 85% of the time, it is half-full, but on those days when you have just been beaten down by so many things, it is really hard for me to keep that attitude. I much prefer the half-full concept, as there seems to be so many more options.
5. You can only listen to one album for the rest of your life - what is it?
It would be the Garden State Soundtrack as it covers all my moods in one album. How I wish I could be deeper than that and say something classical, but I'm afraid I would tire of anything like that pretty quickly.
Don't forget, I can quiz you too!
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
You've Got to Know Where Your Towel Is
Movie Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
DON'T PANIC! - No spoilers ahead...
Zany, Madcap, Hilarious...just a few good words to describe the Garth Jennings vision that is Hitchhikers on the big screen. Now it has been about 100 years since I read any of the Douglas Adams books, but enough of it is fresh in my mind to make this a very nice homage to the books.
Now I questioned the casting of this movie, just like everyone else has at one point, but by the end of the movie, Mos Def WAS Ford - no question in my mind. This movie is fun and ironic and keeps the voice of the writer, which is the most important thing to me.
Yes, there were some big changes and yes, a few breaks from the books themselves, but overall, it was a great ride and I really wanted to stay and watch it again immediately...and why couldn't I? That was the biggest disappointment.
And the combo team of Warwick Davis (as Marvin, the body) and Alan Rickman (as Marvin, the voice) were unmatched. Personally, I need a Marvin figure for my desk here at work, or maybe the knit doll of Marvin...hmmmmmm.
A definite must-see, if you are a fan of the books or not. You will really enjoy it...
Okay, one complaint, while Sam Rockwell was funny as hell playing the ever-nutty Zaphod Beeblebrox, the reveal of his 2nd head was just not right. I was well-prepared upon attending this movie that this item would not be true to the book, but it was still wrong on so many levels.
DON'T PANIC! - No spoilers ahead...
Zany, Madcap, Hilarious...just a few good words to describe the Garth Jennings vision that is Hitchhikers on the big screen. Now it has been about 100 years since I read any of the Douglas Adams books, but enough of it is fresh in my mind to make this a very nice homage to the books.
Now I questioned the casting of this movie, just like everyone else has at one point, but by the end of the movie, Mos Def WAS Ford - no question in my mind. This movie is fun and ironic and keeps the voice of the writer, which is the most important thing to me.
Yes, there were some big changes and yes, a few breaks from the books themselves, but overall, it was a great ride and I really wanted to stay and watch it again immediately...and why couldn't I? That was the biggest disappointment.
And the combo team of Warwick Davis (as Marvin, the body) and Alan Rickman (as Marvin, the voice) were unmatched. Personally, I need a Marvin figure for my desk here at work, or maybe the knit doll of Marvin...hmmmmmm.
A definite must-see, if you are a fan of the books or not. You will really enjoy it...
Okay, one complaint, while Sam Rockwell was funny as hell playing the ever-nutty Zaphod Beeblebrox, the reveal of his 2nd head was just not right. I was well-prepared upon attending this movie that this item would not be true to the book, but it was still wrong on so many levels.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Monkeys, Wrenches and Other Shiny Things
Hello all - my first post back in the real world and I am ready to be on vacation again. Yesterday seemed like a lifetime and today already seems long and it is only 930am.
First, I have this project I am working on, only half-heartedly. Honestly, it isn't even on my priority list from my boss...which he is VERY into me sticking to. Anyway, I call the project Be a Bad Monkey...thanks to Mike, whom I work with. I affectionately refer to anything associated as "the Monkey meeting," "the Monkey task," etc. This project is the ultimate Time-Suck of 2005. I don't even bother to go to the conference rooms for these meetings (3 per week, by the way) - I just dial in. It isn't worth my effort to go all the way to a conference room when I can sit on the phone and actually work on items on my task list.
Then, there is the other problem...a trip to India. This is causing a flux in my life that I am not enjoying. Basically, I don't know when I am going and I want to book my San Francisco trip for my new niece/nephew. So to hell with it - my boss is too flighty on this one and I need to take advantage of good plane fares. So therefore I need to book my flight and take my days off since there is a window and I refuse to let the boss dictate my baby plans. Let him just try to throw a wrench in my vacation...I just won't let him.
On another note, I just made my first charge on my new Platinum AmEx card. How shiny and new is this...it's kind of cool. This should mean I am a grown up, but now I feel like a poser - someone is going to figure out that this is a mistake. But until then, I can get into Crown Rooms and feel even more special when I am travelling...ooooooooo.
Tonight is Hitchhikers and I cannot wait...tick tock, tick tock. Is it time to go home yet? Maybe? Damn...wishful thinking, I guess. Back to work!
First, I have this project I am working on, only half-heartedly. Honestly, it isn't even on my priority list from my boss...which he is VERY into me sticking to. Anyway, I call the project Be a Bad Monkey...thanks to Mike, whom I work with. I affectionately refer to anything associated as "the Monkey meeting," "the Monkey task," etc. This project is the ultimate Time-Suck of 2005. I don't even bother to go to the conference rooms for these meetings (3 per week, by the way) - I just dial in. It isn't worth my effort to go all the way to a conference room when I can sit on the phone and actually work on items on my task list.
Then, there is the other problem...a trip to India. This is causing a flux in my life that I am not enjoying. Basically, I don't know when I am going and I want to book my San Francisco trip for my new niece/nephew. So to hell with it - my boss is too flighty on this one and I need to take advantage of good plane fares. So therefore I need to book my flight and take my days off since there is a window and I refuse to let the boss dictate my baby plans. Let him just try to throw a wrench in my vacation...I just won't let him.
On another note, I just made my first charge on my new Platinum AmEx card. How shiny and new is this...it's kind of cool. This should mean I am a grown up, but now I feel like a poser - someone is going to figure out that this is a mistake. But until then, I can get into Crown Rooms and feel even more special when I am travelling...ooooooooo.
Tonight is Hitchhikers and I cannot wait...tick tock, tick tock. Is it time to go home yet? Maybe? Damn...wishful thinking, I guess. Back to work!
Saturday, April 23, 2005
The Terminator
Day 3:
And unfortunately the last day. So the day was great, we started out having an excellent breakfast at Thomas Keller's restaurant, Bouchon. Now Keller is best known as the chef of French Laundry and was recently, loosely portrayed on the big screen by Adam Sandler in Spanglish.
This restaurant is also French, but they have a wonderful breakfast menu and rivals most. So we headed to The Venetian and ate an amazing meal:
Strawberry Croissant
Vahlrona Mocha
Croque Madame
Our table was outside on this patio with the Italian garden surrounding us. It was serene and quite relaxing. Next, after doing a little shopping, we headed to Mandalay Bay to go to the Shark Reef - holy moly the Bay is gigantic. The cabbie sort of warned us, but we didn't really understand until we got inside. We had to ask for directions twice and we were side-tracked by Star Wars slot machines, world's greatest invention.
I need to learn to quit when I am ahead as I kept winning, so I kept playing...so then I lost it all (hey look, it is only a penny slot - no biggie).
We spent an hour walking through the Shark Reef exhibit and Angie and I both longed to swim in the tank alongside the wildlife...apparently, they frown upon that here. I bought a mermaid t-shirt for Maggie and out the door we went. Unfortunately, we had to walk to the ends of the Earth to catch a cab, and then the line was 200 people long, so we had to wait quite some time.
Finally, it was our turn and the cabbie returned us home. We decided it was time for part 2 of the BlackJack saga and headed to the tables. We ended up with Rommel, a very funny guy from the Philippines. We loved him. He was really funny everytime Angie wanted to play against the odds...but alas, they have their rules and another dealer must come to relieve the main dealer once an hour for 15 to 20 minutes. Tis time, the floater's name was Michele...and she was The Terminator. She muttered to herself a lot and really seemed to kill my stack. But Rommel was too good and I couldn't give up my spot at his table.
After the 3rd break, Rommel returned and he kept Michele's karma and managed to deplete me and Angie of all our funds...so much for winning in BJ and moving onto Hold 'Em - that was my plan. So Angie and I returned, defeated, to the room to play a game we knew we could win or lose at no cost...Killer Bunnies. We played this for an hour or so and then headed down for dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Grill. Turns out, there was a wait, so we wandered to see the Lion Habitat and, oh yeah, shop some more. Once we worked our way back, it was time to sit at our table and eat more food...
Lemon-Chili Glazed Chicken Wings with Parsley and Blue Cheese Dressing
Prime Burger with Vermont Cheddar and Smoked Onion Marmalade
We ate and people watched before heading to the room to kill time before our 2nd Cirque show of the week, Ka. Ka was amazing and totally different from all other Cirque shows. This was more acrobatic dancing and storytelling than the rest and it all took place on a moving platform that was horizontal, then vertical, then diagonal - all the while having people on the thing! They climbed it, they slid down it, they sat on it - no matter what position it was in...this one definitely cannot go on tour. The music was incredible and now I have to have a CD.
We stopped off at The Studio Cafe to have some dessert and alcoholic drinks:
Cafe Americano
Chocolate French Silk Cake
Then off to bed and a short night's sleep before we got up to head to the airport this morning...all good things must come to an end. But next time, I'm losing my money at the Poker tables.
Back to reality once again...
And unfortunately the last day. So the day was great, we started out having an excellent breakfast at Thomas Keller's restaurant, Bouchon. Now Keller is best known as the chef of French Laundry and was recently, loosely portrayed on the big screen by Adam Sandler in Spanglish.
This restaurant is also French, but they have a wonderful breakfast menu and rivals most. So we headed to The Venetian and ate an amazing meal:
Strawberry Croissant
Vahlrona Mocha
Croque Madame
Our table was outside on this patio with the Italian garden surrounding us. It was serene and quite relaxing. Next, after doing a little shopping, we headed to Mandalay Bay to go to the Shark Reef - holy moly the Bay is gigantic. The cabbie sort of warned us, but we didn't really understand until we got inside. We had to ask for directions twice and we were side-tracked by Star Wars slot machines, world's greatest invention.
I need to learn to quit when I am ahead as I kept winning, so I kept playing...so then I lost it all (hey look, it is only a penny slot - no biggie).
We spent an hour walking through the Shark Reef exhibit and Angie and I both longed to swim in the tank alongside the wildlife...apparently, they frown upon that here. I bought a mermaid t-shirt for Maggie and out the door we went. Unfortunately, we had to walk to the ends of the Earth to catch a cab, and then the line was 200 people long, so we had to wait quite some time.
Finally, it was our turn and the cabbie returned us home. We decided it was time for part 2 of the BlackJack saga and headed to the tables. We ended up with Rommel, a very funny guy from the Philippines. We loved him. He was really funny everytime Angie wanted to play against the odds...but alas, they have their rules and another dealer must come to relieve the main dealer once an hour for 15 to 20 minutes. Tis time, the floater's name was Michele...and she was The Terminator. She muttered to herself a lot and really seemed to kill my stack. But Rommel was too good and I couldn't give up my spot at his table.
After the 3rd break, Rommel returned and he kept Michele's karma and managed to deplete me and Angie of all our funds...so much for winning in BJ and moving onto Hold 'Em - that was my plan. So Angie and I returned, defeated, to the room to play a game we knew we could win or lose at no cost...Killer Bunnies. We played this for an hour or so and then headed down for dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Bar & Grill. Turns out, there was a wait, so we wandered to see the Lion Habitat and, oh yeah, shop some more. Once we worked our way back, it was time to sit at our table and eat more food...
Lemon-Chili Glazed Chicken Wings with Parsley and Blue Cheese Dressing
Prime Burger with Vermont Cheddar and Smoked Onion Marmalade
We ate and people watched before heading to the room to kill time before our 2nd Cirque show of the week, Ka. Ka was amazing and totally different from all other Cirque shows. This was more acrobatic dancing and storytelling than the rest and it all took place on a moving platform that was horizontal, then vertical, then diagonal - all the while having people on the thing! They climbed it, they slid down it, they sat on it - no matter what position it was in...this one definitely cannot go on tour. The music was incredible and now I have to have a CD.
We stopped off at The Studio Cafe to have some dessert and alcoholic drinks:
Cafe Americano
Chocolate French Silk Cake
Then off to bed and a short night's sleep before we got up to head to the airport this morning...all good things must come to an end. But next time, I'm losing my money at the Poker tables.
Back to reality once again...
Friday, April 22, 2005
Double Down on Eleven
Day 2:
Where to begin? Well, let's start with the beginning of the day, I guess. We had a very early lunch at one of our favorite New York hangouts, 'wichcraft, a fancy little sandwich place in Gramercy that makes worlds greatest chocolate cupcakes (and the sandwiches aren't too shabby either. I had:
Grilled Cheddar, Smoked Ham and Apple on Pumpernickel
Cucumber Salad
Chocolate Sweet Muffin
The meal was great and the gambling bug got us both before we could do anything else...so we stocked up on cash and headed for the BlackJack tables. They only have a couple of $5 tables and most of the rest are $10 - the $5 stay full, so we had to sit at a $10 table if we wanted to play anytime soon.
Angie settled in with dealer Howdy (I am not lying, that is his name), and I watched for a dozen hands before I jumped in. About the time I sat down, some guy (who is a long lost Chelios brother) and we went to town. Very quickly I was down about $50 (I started with $100) and was very irritated with the cards I was being dealt. I made some comment to Howdy and suddenly he had to reshuffle the decks. This shuffle was great. I was up to $220 in no time. I did always split Tens, even though I know that isn't a good move...except when I get 21 on each.
Faux-Cheli was losing all his money, but then I realized that he was getting irritated. Next thing you know, he pipes up and makes some comment about us not playing right...I'm sorry, I doubled my money and he is down to his last $20??? I ignored him, even though I wanted to make some snippy comment, but I didn't. He lost his last $10 and left in a huff. Howdy looked up and made some comment under his breath that tickled me.
We played some more and I still had about $170 and it was time to switch out dealers...in walks the Money-Sucker, Mati. This woman has a stone-cold look at all times and is about 4' 10", but she tends to shrink and rise throughout her dealing...I'm not sure how - maybe there is a box under the table? Anyway, she starts dealing and Angie and I both start losing. I think to myself that I will stop playing when I have $100 left, but this woman was a bitch! She wiped out Angie and kept making comments to us...NO...lecturing us on how to play the game. I'm sorry, who asked her? Besides, I was following basic Black Jack Strategy
Look, I don't come to Vegas to be lectured by a crazy little Hungarian woman with a God complex. I come to play, and if I lose my money, then that is my fault and it gives her job security - so shut the hell up!
When I had $50 left, I walked away from the table. We shopped a bit and on the way back, I noticed that Howdy was back. I sat down and played a couple of hands and worked my way back to $70, when in walks Mati. I colored up quickly and ran from the table. Her comment to me was, "uh oh, she is back." That's enough to walk away for me - if I had had a drink, I would have thought about throwing it in her face.
We headed back to the room to chill out. We played Killer Bunnies and then got ready for an early dinner at Nobhill, a Michael Mina restaurant (a fabulous San Francisco hef). Now it is really hard for me to eat at his restaurants because he is obsessed ith ingredients I cannot eat. But I still managed to have:
Classic Cheese Fondue with San Francisco Sourdough
Shelton Farms Chicken Tetrazzini with Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Buttermilk Onion Rings
Caramelized Banana Tarte Tatin
Then we had some time to kill, so we came up to the room for me to change (my shirt, which I spilled food on and my hair, which was driving me nuts). We watched The OC and then headed to Treasure Island to see the Cirque du Soleil show, Mystère. It was amazing and intense as usual and we loved it. Afterwards, we took the death ride in a taxi back to the MGM and I still think we died on that trip...the guy drove like a mad man and I will remember his face forever and will NEVER get in a cab with him again!
Off to start Day 3 - stay tuned.
Where to begin? Well, let's start with the beginning of the day, I guess. We had a very early lunch at one of our favorite New York hangouts, 'wichcraft, a fancy little sandwich place in Gramercy that makes worlds greatest chocolate cupcakes (and the sandwiches aren't too shabby either. I had:
Grilled Cheddar, Smoked Ham and Apple on Pumpernickel
Cucumber Salad
Chocolate Sweet Muffin
The meal was great and the gambling bug got us both before we could do anything else...so we stocked up on cash and headed for the BlackJack tables. They only have a couple of $5 tables and most of the rest are $10 - the $5 stay full, so we had to sit at a $10 table if we wanted to play anytime soon.
Angie settled in with dealer Howdy (I am not lying, that is his name), and I watched for a dozen hands before I jumped in. About the time I sat down, some guy (who is a long lost Chelios brother) and we went to town. Very quickly I was down about $50 (I started with $100) and was very irritated with the cards I was being dealt. I made some comment to Howdy and suddenly he had to reshuffle the decks. This shuffle was great. I was up to $220 in no time. I did always split Tens, even though I know that isn't a good move...except when I get 21 on each.
Faux-Cheli was losing all his money, but then I realized that he was getting irritated. Next thing you know, he pipes up and makes some comment about us not playing right...I'm sorry, I doubled my money and he is down to his last $20??? I ignored him, even though I wanted to make some snippy comment, but I didn't. He lost his last $10 and left in a huff. Howdy looked up and made some comment under his breath that tickled me.
We played some more and I still had about $170 and it was time to switch out dealers...in walks the Money-Sucker, Mati. This woman has a stone-cold look at all times and is about 4' 10", but she tends to shrink and rise throughout her dealing...I'm not sure how - maybe there is a box under the table? Anyway, she starts dealing and Angie and I both start losing. I think to myself that I will stop playing when I have $100 left, but this woman was a bitch! She wiped out Angie and kept making comments to us...NO...lecturing us on how to play the game. I'm sorry, who asked her? Besides, I was following basic Black Jack Strategy
Look, I don't come to Vegas to be lectured by a crazy little Hungarian woman with a God complex. I come to play, and if I lose my money, then that is my fault and it gives her job security - so shut the hell up!
When I had $50 left, I walked away from the table. We shopped a bit and on the way back, I noticed that Howdy was back. I sat down and played a couple of hands and worked my way back to $70, when in walks Mati. I colored up quickly and ran from the table. Her comment to me was, "uh oh, she is back." That's enough to walk away for me - if I had had a drink, I would have thought about throwing it in her face.
We headed back to the room to chill out. We played Killer Bunnies and then got ready for an early dinner at Nobhill, a Michael Mina restaurant (a fabulous San Francisco hef). Now it is really hard for me to eat at his restaurants because he is obsessed ith ingredients I cannot eat. But I still managed to have:
Classic Cheese Fondue with San Francisco Sourdough
Shelton Farms Chicken Tetrazzini with Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Buttermilk Onion Rings
Caramelized Banana Tarte Tatin
Then we had some time to kill, so we came up to the room for me to change (my shirt, which I spilled food on and my hair, which was driving me nuts). We watched The OC and then headed to Treasure Island to see the Cirque du Soleil show, Mystère. It was amazing and intense as usual and we loved it. Afterwards, we took the death ride in a taxi back to the MGM and I still think we died on that trip...the guy drove like a mad man and I will remember his face forever and will NEVER get in a cab with him again!
Off to start Day 3 - stay tuned.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
What Happens in Vegas, Gets Blogged in Vegas
Ahhhhh....vacation. Not one of the greatest words of all time, but definitely up there in the top 10. To get away and relax (while wasting all the money I do not have). This is the life.
Day 1
The plane trip was pretty uneventful - it was nice to use my status to get a First Class seat and very odd that the flight attendant kept calling me Ms. Frank. Are you seriously telling me that she remembered all 24 passengers last names? She had to have a crib sheet stashed somewhere. She was cool though - I'm not complaining.
The airport is filled with slot machines and is eerie and abandoned at 6:30pm on a Wednesday, but easy enough to navigate and find your luggage. The shuttle to the hotel, The MGM Grand was quite commical actually. This odd, sort of redneck couple was sitting behind me and they were clearly Vegas virgins. They asked me 50 questions on the short ride over ("Where is the best buffet", "Can you win more by gambling off the Strip", and "Will the airplanes overhead keep us up all night>")...they cracked me up. I was good and didn't laugh at them - I answered their questions honestly and I think gave them some good advice.
Finally, arrival at the hotel, where I rolled my bag to the desk and was met with a very plesant young lady who checked me in. As she did her work, I looked around for Angie and saw her sitting in the middle of the lobby, but just far away enough that she couldn't hear me even if I used my full lung capacity. Don't you just love SMS-ing on cell phones? I messaged her to look up (and freaked her out in the process). We headed to the room and caught Smallville in the nick of time. Then we prettied ourselves up and headed out for dinner.
Dinner was Delmonico Steakhouse, an Emeril Lagasse restaurant. So since I know you all are interested, here is what I had:
Lemon-Lime Martini
Baby Mixed Greens Salad with Cornmeal Fried Shrimp and a Mustard Vinaigrette
Charbroiled Dry Aged Beef Sirloin with Bacon Cheddar Twice Baked Potato, Creole Tomato Glaze and Horseradish Cream
Double Chocolate Fudge Cake, Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Malted Crème Anglaise
The food was amazing and the meal itself was delightful. Our waiter played into Angie's bald-man fettish and as her chocolate martini really kicked in, I was afraid for his life more and more.
We came back to the hotel, beaten by the day and ready for sleep. Luckily, as we were settling in, the Late Late Show came on and Gerard was a guest...nice thing to go to sleep to. I had yummy Scotsman dreams all night and was loving the sleep, until my cell phone started buzzing at 5:20AM!!!!! Damn life.
So basically, my boss called to tell me "top secret" information, but telling me to cancel my trip to San Antonio and prepare for Alberquerque sometime in May...don't you love vague information, especially before the crack dawn. His first words were "I hope I didn't wake you" and "You don't have to worry about this until Monday." DUDE! At least he ended with a good karma statement "Have fun and win lots of money!"
Now I am ready to start Day 2 - you just have to wait and see what is gonna happen!
Day 1
The plane trip was pretty uneventful - it was nice to use my status to get a First Class seat and very odd that the flight attendant kept calling me Ms. Frank. Are you seriously telling me that she remembered all 24 passengers last names? She had to have a crib sheet stashed somewhere. She was cool though - I'm not complaining.
The airport is filled with slot machines and is eerie and abandoned at 6:30pm on a Wednesday, but easy enough to navigate and find your luggage. The shuttle to the hotel, The MGM Grand was quite commical actually. This odd, sort of redneck couple was sitting behind me and they were clearly Vegas virgins. They asked me 50 questions on the short ride over ("Where is the best buffet", "Can you win more by gambling off the Strip", and "Will the airplanes overhead keep us up all night>")...they cracked me up. I was good and didn't laugh at them - I answered their questions honestly and I think gave them some good advice.
Finally, arrival at the hotel, where I rolled my bag to the desk and was met with a very plesant young lady who checked me in. As she did her work, I looked around for Angie and saw her sitting in the middle of the lobby, but just far away enough that she couldn't hear me even if I used my full lung capacity. Don't you just love SMS-ing on cell phones? I messaged her to look up (and freaked her out in the process). We headed to the room and caught Smallville in the nick of time. Then we prettied ourselves up and headed out for dinner.
Dinner was Delmonico Steakhouse, an Emeril Lagasse restaurant. So since I know you all are interested, here is what I had:
Lemon-Lime Martini
Baby Mixed Greens Salad with Cornmeal Fried Shrimp and a Mustard Vinaigrette
Charbroiled Dry Aged Beef Sirloin with Bacon Cheddar Twice Baked Potato, Creole Tomato Glaze and Horseradish Cream
Double Chocolate Fudge Cake, Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Malted Crème Anglaise
The food was amazing and the meal itself was delightful. Our waiter played into Angie's bald-man fettish and as her chocolate martini really kicked in, I was afraid for his life more and more.
We came back to the hotel, beaten by the day and ready for sleep. Luckily, as we were settling in, the Late Late Show came on and Gerard was a guest...nice thing to go to sleep to. I had yummy Scotsman dreams all night and was loving the sleep, until my cell phone started buzzing at 5:20AM!!!!! Damn life.
So basically, my boss called to tell me "top secret" information, but telling me to cancel my trip to San Antonio and prepare for Alberquerque sometime in May...don't you love vague information, especially before the crack dawn. His first words were "I hope I didn't wake you" and "You don't have to worry about this until Monday." DUDE! At least he ended with a good karma statement "Have fun and win lots of money!"
Now I am ready to start Day 2 - you just have to wait and see what is gonna happen!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
All Work and No Play Makes for Grumpy Strategists
base·ball
Pronunciation: 'bAs-"bol
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
: a game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players each on a large field having four bases that mark the course a runner must take to score; also : the ball used in this game
So somehow, I convinced my boss (aka Stingey) to let us go to a Businessman's Special at Turner Field. Once he agreed, he decided that it should be everyone, not just our team. Suddenly, Lindy is stuck planning and coordinating 30 people...not fun!
The fun part was getting to leave work halfway through the day and go watch baseball...even if it meant watching my Braves tank.
We got a little wet, but had a great time and great seats (for only $12 a pop) and lunch only cost me $14 - a couple of hotdogs and a giant lemonade. Of course it would rain on such an occasion, but we had fun with co-workers and friends that made it all worthwhile.
Here is my beef - people get something for free, they should enjoy it. The point was to go as a group and have fun as a group, but best I could tell, my group of 4 had the most fun, was there for the entire game and actually did what we set out to do. The rest of the folks came and went, came in late, left early, kept roaming around and stuff and a couple of people just looked like they weren't having fun and seemed almost sad.
I feel bad that it didn't work out as I planned, but next time, I will insist it is just our team and no one else...period!
Pronunciation: 'bAs-"bol
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
: a game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players each on a large field having four bases that mark the course a runner must take to score; also : the ball used in this game
So somehow, I convinced my boss (aka Stingey) to let us go to a Businessman's Special at Turner Field. Once he agreed, he decided that it should be everyone, not just our team. Suddenly, Lindy is stuck planning and coordinating 30 people...not fun!
The fun part was getting to leave work halfway through the day and go watch baseball...even if it meant watching my Braves tank.
We got a little wet, but had a great time and great seats (for only $12 a pop) and lunch only cost me $14 - a couple of hotdogs and a giant lemonade. Of course it would rain on such an occasion, but we had fun with co-workers and friends that made it all worthwhile.
Here is my beef - people get something for free, they should enjoy it. The point was to go as a group and have fun as a group, but best I could tell, my group of 4 had the most fun, was there for the entire game and actually did what we set out to do. The rest of the folks came and went, came in late, left early, kept roaming around and stuff and a couple of people just looked like they weren't having fun and seemed almost sad.
I feel bad that it didn't work out as I planned, but next time, I will insist it is just our team and no one else...period!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
There's No Place Like Home
Movie Review: The Amityville Horror
...especially in a house that is haunted by murders past.
So I am not sure where to begin, but I do have to start by saying that this flick was a bit gorey for my taste - and I am really glad I didn't eat dinner just before watching it - yes, that was me in the theatre with my hand over my eyes towards the end of the movie (insert sniggers here).
The basic story is this, a family by the name of Defeo were gunned down by young Ronny Defeo obeying the voices of the house. Then some fool real estate agent decides she should sell the house to a poor unsuspecting couple to make a quick buck and of course, the voices return to torture the new family.
Now, I know this is wrong, but how is that a possessed by pure evil Ryan Reynolds is just as sexy as the vampire-ass-kicking Ryan from Blade: Trinity? Not sure how that happened. And how odd is it to hear Melissa George sans espionage-doing psycho double-agent wife accent from Alias? Odd indeed.
Truly, I think this movie had its appropriate scares and Ryan's descent into madness (and the basement) was nice and freaky - as any good horror movie should be (and often has trouble doing when it is a remake of a classic). I was pleasantly surprised by this one and found that it was a good exercise for me to watch it, but as long as I understand I probably should never watch it again - that's just me and my weirdness.
The rest of you, if you like good and creepy horror flicks should go see this one when it opens this weekend - I think you will enjoy it. Just don't eat any spaghetti with marinara sauce just before entering the theatre...trust me!
...especially in a house that is haunted by murders past.
So I am not sure where to begin, but I do have to start by saying that this flick was a bit gorey for my taste - and I am really glad I didn't eat dinner just before watching it - yes, that was me in the theatre with my hand over my eyes towards the end of the movie (insert sniggers here).
The basic story is this, a family by the name of Defeo were gunned down by young Ronny Defeo obeying the voices of the house. Then some fool real estate agent decides she should sell the house to a poor unsuspecting couple to make a quick buck and of course, the voices return to torture the new family.
Now, I know this is wrong, but how is that a possessed by pure evil Ryan Reynolds is just as sexy as the vampire-ass-kicking Ryan from Blade: Trinity? Not sure how that happened. And how odd is it to hear Melissa George sans espionage-doing psycho double-agent wife accent from Alias? Odd indeed.
Truly, I think this movie had its appropriate scares and Ryan's descent into madness (and the basement) was nice and freaky - as any good horror movie should be (and often has trouble doing when it is a remake of a classic). I was pleasantly surprised by this one and found that it was a good exercise for me to watch it, but as long as I understand I probably should never watch it again - that's just me and my weirdness.
The rest of you, if you like good and creepy horror flicks should go see this one when it opens this weekend - I think you will enjoy it. Just don't eat any spaghetti with marinara sauce just before entering the theatre...trust me!
Monday, April 11, 2005
Painting the Town Blue...and Purple and Green
So Angie keeps getting older and keep staying younger (than her anyway), but for once she let us actually do something to celebrate - quite an about face from years past where we celebrated mine and not hers so much.
This year we stole the idea from Clare's bachelorette party and did the pottery painting thing at Wired and Fired. We had lots of food and drink and fun. This is my new favorite hobby or pasttime - whatever you want to call it. Anyway, I really enjoy the relaxation and this time actually get to gome home with the end result.
Pictures to come later, but I painted a really cool gheko to hang on my wall and I can't wait to get it back and see if it really did turn out nicely.
The trick with the pottery, is when you finish, you really have no idea of HOW they will look fired. It's a guessing game. I was pleasantly surprised the last time and I am hoping the same is true from tonight.
Lots of fun was had and it certainly did not seem like a Monday. Thank heavens for that.
My boss is off the rest of the week, so it will either be really quite or completly insane. Hopefully he will actually act like he is on vacation and not call me or bug me via email (yeah, right). Wishful thinking, right?
This year we stole the idea from Clare's bachelorette party and did the pottery painting thing at Wired and Fired. We had lots of food and drink and fun. This is my new favorite hobby or pasttime - whatever you want to call it. Anyway, I really enjoy the relaxation and this time actually get to gome home with the end result.
Pictures to come later, but I painted a really cool gheko to hang on my wall and I can't wait to get it back and see if it really did turn out nicely.
The trick with the pottery, is when you finish, you really have no idea of HOW they will look fired. It's a guessing game. I was pleasantly surprised the last time and I am hoping the same is true from tonight.
Lots of fun was had and it certainly did not seem like a Monday. Thank heavens for that.
My boss is off the rest of the week, so it will either be really quite or completly insane. Hopefully he will actually act like he is on vacation and not call me or bug me via email (yeah, right). Wishful thinking, right?
Sunday, April 10, 2005
A Masterful Weekend
So this weekend was Masters weekend - one of the best weekends of the year, especially if you live in Georgia.
I'm fortunate to be the daughter of a man who has been on "The List" since 1962. It is one of the few things I can actually brag about and most people are so impressed they are jealous or speahless. It's kind of fun.
This weekend I actually got all 4 badges to myself for Saturday's round (or should I say round and a half thanks to Mother Nature). This was unprecedented. So I took full advantage and invited friends who could appreciate.
Anyway, it was a great day, very muddy, and we saw a lot of great golf. We also ate a ton of Egg Salad and Chicken sandwiches. We all spent a fortune in the Pro Shop and saw some famous people (including Dr. J).
And in the end, it came down to match play between Tiger and DiMarco. What a game! I spent all today watching the final round and cheering on both Tiger and Chris - but I am glad I got to see Tiger win #4.
Also, we discovered a game called Killer Bunnies that is quite addictive. I'll tell you mosr about it later in the week when I have more time!
Later all :)
I'm fortunate to be the daughter of a man who has been on "The List" since 1962. It is one of the few things I can actually brag about and most people are so impressed they are jealous or speahless. It's kind of fun.
This weekend I actually got all 4 badges to myself for Saturday's round (or should I say round and a half thanks to Mother Nature). This was unprecedented. So I took full advantage and invited friends who could appreciate.
Anyway, it was a great day, very muddy, and we saw a lot of great golf. We also ate a ton of Egg Salad and Chicken sandwiches. We all spent a fortune in the Pro Shop and saw some famous people (including Dr. J).
And in the end, it came down to match play between Tiger and DiMarco. What a game! I spent all today watching the final round and cheering on both Tiger and Chris - but I am glad I got to see Tiger win #4.
Also, we discovered a game called Killer Bunnies that is quite addictive. I'll tell you mosr about it later in the week when I have more time!
Later all :)
Saturday, April 02, 2005
The Sins of the Fever
Movie Review: Fever Pitch and Frank Miller's Sin City
It was a two movie night (as it used to be in the olden days) and we went for an off combination, but I always prefer to see the Smeak Previews...something about seeing the movies before anyone else. It is a window of opportunity I just cannot pass up. So basically, I picked the first movie and Angie picked the second (although, I really wanted to see Sin City, too).
First, Fever Pitch. Now, I am a Nick Hornby fan (High Fidelity, About a Boy), and this was one by the Farrelly Brothers (Bobby and Peter), the geniuses behind There's Something About Mary.
Now going in, I knew that there wouldn't be any hair gel jokes involving a Boston Red Sox player, but I knew that this had potential...and I was not disappointed. This was a very different turn for the brothers and I was pleasantly surprised - especially considering Jimmy Fallon was in it (c'mon, Taxi?!?)
Jimmy was pretty good, and I always enjoy Drew Barrymore - so this was a good match. And the best supporting actor there is, BASEBALL! Now, I'm not a huge Red Sox fan, but I don't dislike them either (I save that hatred for the Yankees). It was a very true repesentation of the dedicated fans in Boston and while some may think that is over the top - believe me, it isn't. This movie was funny and entertaining and HELLO, it brought Ione Skye out of hiding - you have to give them bonus points for that. That girl hasn't done a mainstream movie in over 10 years...
If you want a good date-type movie, especially that doubles as a baseball movie, go see Fever Pitch. I will say, that despite the challenges the brothers faced (Ok, NO one thought the Red Sox would have won last year, least of all the production company making the movie during the season), I think this one was a real home run!
Fast forward an hour, and you have Frank Miller's Sin City. Now, usually something like this is considered to be an adaptation of a book, graphic novel, comic book, etc...but this one, was a comic book on the screen - according to those who have read the books, some were frame for fram exact. So I ask you, what happens when you infuse Pulp Fiction, a beloved series of graphic novels and acrylic paints? You get this film, by film genius, Robert Rodriguez.
A non-stop parade of names and faces kept you involved, but it could have benefitted from being about 20 minutes shorter. I think the best performance was Mickey Rourke (although you wouldn't recognize him with all those prothetics) closely followed by - brace yourself - Clive Owen...yes, I said it, CLIVE! I think this is the kind of role his type of acting is good for.
I think, not having read any of the installments, this movie was entertaining, but not an meaningful as for the fans, devoted, insane fans of the series...but I can appreciate the masterfully constructed and almost too comic-like film. Not one of the best, but truly a great ride.
It was a two movie night (as it used to be in the olden days) and we went for an off combination, but I always prefer to see the Smeak Previews...something about seeing the movies before anyone else. It is a window of opportunity I just cannot pass up. So basically, I picked the first movie and Angie picked the second (although, I really wanted to see Sin City, too).
First, Fever Pitch. Now, I am a Nick Hornby fan (High Fidelity, About a Boy), and this was one by the Farrelly Brothers (Bobby and Peter), the geniuses behind There's Something About Mary.
Now going in, I knew that there wouldn't be any hair gel jokes involving a Boston Red Sox player, but I knew that this had potential...and I was not disappointed. This was a very different turn for the brothers and I was pleasantly surprised - especially considering Jimmy Fallon was in it (c'mon, Taxi?!?)
Jimmy was pretty good, and I always enjoy Drew Barrymore - so this was a good match. And the best supporting actor there is, BASEBALL! Now, I'm not a huge Red Sox fan, but I don't dislike them either (I save that hatred for the Yankees). It was a very true repesentation of the dedicated fans in Boston and while some may think that is over the top - believe me, it isn't. This movie was funny and entertaining and HELLO, it brought Ione Skye out of hiding - you have to give them bonus points for that. That girl hasn't done a mainstream movie in over 10 years...
If you want a good date-type movie, especially that doubles as a baseball movie, go see Fever Pitch. I will say, that despite the challenges the brothers faced (Ok, NO one thought the Red Sox would have won last year, least of all the production company making the movie during the season), I think this one was a real home run!
Fast forward an hour, and you have Frank Miller's Sin City. Now, usually something like this is considered to be an adaptation of a book, graphic novel, comic book, etc...but this one, was a comic book on the screen - according to those who have read the books, some were frame for fram exact. So I ask you, what happens when you infuse Pulp Fiction, a beloved series of graphic novels and acrylic paints? You get this film, by film genius, Robert Rodriguez.
A non-stop parade of names and faces kept you involved, but it could have benefitted from being about 20 minutes shorter. I think the best performance was Mickey Rourke (although you wouldn't recognize him with all those prothetics) closely followed by - brace yourself - Clive Owen...yes, I said it, CLIVE! I think this is the kind of role his type of acting is good for.
I think, not having read any of the installments, this movie was entertaining, but not an meaningful as for the fans, devoted, insane fans of the series...but I can appreciate the masterfully constructed and almost too comic-like film. Not one of the best, but truly a great ride.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Deaf, Be Not Proud
Movie Review: Dear Frankie
Where is it written that all the best movies must be small and independant? It must be written somewhere, because it seems to be true. I think Miramax is trying to start over with small, meaningful films - maybe this will help them to reset to the Miramax of the 90's?!
This little film, taking place in Greenock, Scotland (pronounced GREN-uck), it is about a 9 year-old boy who is deaf, his mother and the make-believe father she has created for him. His world is small and closed in from someone looking in, but for him, the world is an endless ocean of marine life and stories of being a British Naval Shipman, sailing the world over. Then his "father's ship" it set to dock in their home town, and Lizzie (the mom) has to find a man to pretend to be Frankie's father...otherwise, her son will be heart-broken.
This movie was poignant and touching - I was really impressed with the story-telling and the acting - the little boy was amazing. It didn't hurt that The Stranger was played by Gerard Butler.
I highly recommend this movie and will most likely buy it on DVD the second it comes out.
Where is it written that all the best movies must be small and independant? It must be written somewhere, because it seems to be true. I think Miramax is trying to start over with small, meaningful films - maybe this will help them to reset to the Miramax of the 90's?!
This little film, taking place in Greenock, Scotland (pronounced GREN-uck), it is about a 9 year-old boy who is deaf, his mother and the make-believe father she has created for him. His world is small and closed in from someone looking in, but for him, the world is an endless ocean of marine life and stories of being a British Naval Shipman, sailing the world over. Then his "father's ship" it set to dock in their home town, and Lizzie (the mom) has to find a man to pretend to be Frankie's father...otherwise, her son will be heart-broken.
This movie was poignant and touching - I was really impressed with the story-telling and the acting - the little boy was amazing. It didn't hurt that The Stranger was played by Gerard Butler.
I highly recommend this movie and will most likely buy it on DVD the second it comes out.
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