In other news, I'm getting restless.
I might either try to redesign the look of the site, or move it to my professional site so I only have to update one of them.
And I need a Web cam. Sigh.
I'll keep you posted.
Showing posts with label fun stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun stuff. Show all posts
Monday, January 11, 2010
Thursday, August 20, 2009
So, after being chastised at a professional convention for not having multimedia and online clips, I decided to create a Web site.
After some tinkering -- BAM -- here's what I came up with:
www.taliabuford.com
Once I start doing more multimedia, I'll be adding in my slideshows, videos and photos to another page in the site.
Let me know what you think.
I'm taking all suggestions and compliments. :-)
After some tinkering -- BAM -- here's what I came up with:
www.taliabuford.com
Once I start doing more multimedia, I'll be adding in my slideshows, videos and photos to another page in the site.
Let me know what you think.
I'm taking all suggestions and compliments. :-)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
A little belated Independence
It was about 5 p.m. when we started making moves.
My morning was spent in Providence, shopping it up and running (yet somehow, still failing) close to 3 miles in preparation for a race in a few weeks. The BF was there so we hopped in DeeDee and headed towards the Bean -- a friend was having a barbecue we were going to drop through.
Now, this was huge. Ever since I've been in RI, I have wanted to go to a real barbecue. Not just grilled meat in someone's dining room. A barbecue. With music. And watermelon. And pie. And people I don't know. Yeah, I wanted to go to a BBQ. So the BF and I were pretty excited about actually having plans this Independence Day.
They got cut short when we realized that none of our other friends were going to the shindig. And while we were cool with the host, we didn't want to be the only ones we knew there. So as we pulled onto his street around 5 p.m., the plan had already been hatched.
I bought a tabletop grill and charcoal on Friday, because I had a feeling I might want to barbecue this weekend. It was still in the trunk because I'd been too lazy to bring it into the house. But we needed something to grill. We hopped into the car and made a mad dash for the liquor store.
Allow me to explain. GQ had a feature on Fizz -- the bubbly carbonation added to some "adult" drinks. They came with three recipes and the BF and I decided to try a few of them out. We needed to get ingredients from the liquor store because, well, who knows how long they'd be open on a holiday. And you can have a holiday without hot dogs. You cannot have one without cocktails.
Two liquor stores later, we make it to Stop & Shop, split up and grab the fixings for a simple barbecue: beef patties, Ball Parks and baked beans. I already had some chicken marinating in the fridge.
We get to the house and unload our bounty. I ask the BF to assemble the grill -- I figure it's a tabletop, it couldn't take that much, right? I'm unpacking the groceries when I see him whizz by me, grab my car keys and say he'll be right back. I keep unpacking. Five minutes later, I'm done and I head to the back porch to check on the grill progress.
There was little. The BF had gone to get a screwdriver because they didn't have a good one in the house.
I wasn't prepared to wait.
I grabbed a folding chair and whipped out the instructions. I couldn't believe a $20 grill could be this complicated. I started twisting on washers and hand tightening things and before you know it, the BF was standing at the door behind me.
"What step are you on," he asked, a screw driver in his hand.
I peek at the directions. "Six." Of nine steps. He assembles the legs to the grill and we decide that really, we didn't need the screwdriver because everything could be tightened by hand. With a grill firmly assembled, I set about making my first charcoal fire.
The BF was assigned a more important task: mixing up those fabled cocktails.
First, I tried putting the coals in a single layer on the grill floor. They lit, but soon extinguished. So I turned to the Internet. As the sounds of "Summertime" played from the BF's speakers, I googled "how to start a charcoal fire."
I love the Internet.
In no time, I learned I needed to assemble the coals in a pyramid shape. And possibly throw some little newspaper balls (pause) in the midst to keep the fires burning. I assembled, lit and waited. It was getting dark and I was getting hungry. I went to check on the coals. Some were glowing, some were ashen, others were black. I rearranged the black coals so they could get more heat and threw a few more paper balls into the mix. By the time I'd whipped up an impromptu macaroni salad (please get like me), my coals were glowing red and ashen. It was time to cook.
It was about 7:30 when I put the first pieces of chicken on the grill. The vinegar in the marinade made it flame up, and I worried that maybe barbecuing in the dark on a wooden porch wasn't a good idea. I tried to arrange the various meats around the grill so they'd get varying levels of heat. Chicken in the hotter places, burgers next and hot dogs around the perimeter.
Meanwhile, the BF stumbled upon what I believe is my new boogie: the Gin Fizz. And it's super simple: equal parts gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda. That's it! And it tastes like divine lemonade.
It didn't take long for the food to cook and I even caught a glimpse of some fireworks from over the treeline in the backyard. I piled the cooked meat into a disposable pan and headed inside.
"Food's ready, guys," I yelled to the BF, his roomie (Magic) and another friend who'd popped by. We fixed our plates, dilly-dallied a bit and then sat down to eat. By the middle of my pasta salad, I started to feel the fizz creep up on me. The BF and I sat amazed at how (relatively) simple this had all been. And while we were always sulking about not having a barbecue to go to, we realized, it's not that hard to throw one. We did it in about 3 hours.
Now we just gotta find some people to invite.
My morning was spent in Providence, shopping it up and running (yet somehow, still failing) close to 3 miles in preparation for a race in a few weeks. The BF was there so we hopped in DeeDee and headed towards the Bean -- a friend was having a barbecue we were going to drop through.
Now, this was huge. Ever since I've been in RI, I have wanted to go to a real barbecue. Not just grilled meat in someone's dining room. A barbecue. With music. And watermelon. And pie. And people I don't know. Yeah, I wanted to go to a BBQ. So the BF and I were pretty excited about actually having plans this Independence Day.
They got cut short when we realized that none of our other friends were going to the shindig. And while we were cool with the host, we didn't want to be the only ones we knew there. So as we pulled onto his street around 5 p.m., the plan had already been hatched.
I bought a tabletop grill and charcoal on Friday, because I had a feeling I might want to barbecue this weekend. It was still in the trunk because I'd been too lazy to bring it into the house. But we needed something to grill. We hopped into the car and made a mad dash for the liquor store.
Allow me to explain. GQ had a feature on Fizz -- the bubbly carbonation added to some "adult" drinks. They came with three recipes and the BF and I decided to try a few of them out. We needed to get ingredients from the liquor store because, well, who knows how long they'd be open on a holiday. And you can have a holiday without hot dogs. You cannot have one without cocktails.
Two liquor stores later, we make it to Stop & Shop, split up and grab the fixings for a simple barbecue: beef patties, Ball Parks and baked beans. I already had some chicken marinating in the fridge.
We get to the house and unload our bounty. I ask the BF to assemble the grill -- I figure it's a tabletop, it couldn't take that much, right? I'm unpacking the groceries when I see him whizz by me, grab my car keys and say he'll be right back. I keep unpacking. Five minutes later, I'm done and I head to the back porch to check on the grill progress.
There was little. The BF had gone to get a screwdriver because they didn't have a good one in the house.
I wasn't prepared to wait.
I grabbed a folding chair and whipped out the instructions. I couldn't believe a $20 grill could be this complicated. I started twisting on washers and hand tightening things and before you know it, the BF was standing at the door behind me.
"What step are you on," he asked, a screw driver in his hand.
I peek at the directions. "Six." Of nine steps. He assembles the legs to the grill and we decide that really, we didn't need the screwdriver because everything could be tightened by hand. With a grill firmly assembled, I set about making my first charcoal fire.
The BF was assigned a more important task: mixing up those fabled cocktails.
First, I tried putting the coals in a single layer on the grill floor. They lit, but soon extinguished. So I turned to the Internet. As the sounds of "Summertime" played from the BF's speakers, I googled "how to start a charcoal fire."
I love the Internet.
In no time, I learned I needed to assemble the coals in a pyramid shape. And possibly throw some little newspaper balls (pause) in the midst to keep the fires burning. I assembled, lit and waited. It was getting dark and I was getting hungry. I went to check on the coals. Some were glowing, some were ashen, others were black. I rearranged the black coals so they could get more heat and threw a few more paper balls into the mix. By the time I'd whipped up an impromptu macaroni salad (please get like me), my coals were glowing red and ashen. It was time to cook.
It was about 7:30 when I put the first pieces of chicken on the grill. The vinegar in the marinade made it flame up, and I worried that maybe barbecuing in the dark on a wooden porch wasn't a good idea. I tried to arrange the various meats around the grill so they'd get varying levels of heat. Chicken in the hotter places, burgers next and hot dogs around the perimeter.
Meanwhile, the BF stumbled upon what I believe is my new boogie: the Gin Fizz. And it's super simple: equal parts gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda. That's it! And it tastes like divine lemonade.
It didn't take long for the food to cook and I even caught a glimpse of some fireworks from over the treeline in the backyard. I piled the cooked meat into a disposable pan and headed inside.
"Food's ready, guys," I yelled to the BF, his roomie (Magic) and another friend who'd popped by. We fixed our plates, dilly-dallied a bit and then sat down to eat. By the middle of my pasta salad, I started to feel the fizz creep up on me. The BF and I sat amazed at how (relatively) simple this had all been. And while we were always sulking about not having a barbecue to go to, we realized, it's not that hard to throw one. We did it in about 3 hours.
Now we just gotta find some people to invite.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Why my friends are SO much cooler than yours
I get paragraphs like this in e-mails from them:
"so, i waited to reply after reading your email last night because i wanted to say something meaningful and inspiring, but then i got all jacked up on a bag of hot tamales (the candy, not the mexican dish made of chopped meat, crushed peppers and a doughy outside layer) and then i passed out on the couch whilst coming down off the sugar high."
Tell me that doesn't just make your day. Tell me! You can't. Because you'd be lying.
"so, i waited to reply after reading your email last night because i wanted to say something meaningful and inspiring, but then i got all jacked up on a bag of hot tamales (the candy, not the mexican dish made of chopped meat, crushed peppers and a doughy outside layer) and then i passed out on the couch whilst coming down off the sugar high."
Tell me that doesn't just make your day. Tell me! You can't. Because you'd be lying.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Don't Cry
Turns out I'll be in Tampa come August for the annual journalism fete after all.
And it begins again...
And it begins again...
Friday, May 08, 2009
Hot Days, Cool Reads
It's getting warm and I'm hearing about all of these great books that I need to read. I had a bunch of titles on a list from a few years ago -- some that I've bought -- but these seem interesting and I'm really excited about reading them -- especially Lost Paradise and the Diaz book. Here are just a few of the books I'm interested in reading this summer.
What's on your summer reading list?
Lost Paradise: From Mutiny on the Bounty to a Modern-Day Legacy of Sexual Mayhem, the Dark Secrets of Pitcairn Island Revealed by Kathy Marks - Pitcairn Island was first settled more than 200 years ago by Fletcher Christian and other mutinous crew members of the HMS Bounty, along with several Polynesian women from neighboring islands; the community has always been small, but a mythology has built up around it as a remote, idyllic paradise. Pitcairn is thoroughly civilized, agrees Marks, a British journalist based in Australia, except in one respect... children were almost routinely raped and assaulted. The book tells the story uncovered by one of six journalists allowed on Pitcairn to cover the trials of several islanders accused of repeated sexual abuse of teenage and pre-adolescent girls.
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead -- The year is 1985 and 15-year-old Benji Cooper, one of the only black students at his elite Manhattan private school, leaves the city to spend three largely unsupervised months living with his younger brother Reggie in an enclave of Long Island's Sag Harbor, the summer home to many African American urban professionals. Benji's a Converse-wearing, Smiths-loving, Dungeons & Dragons-playing nerd whose favorite Star Wars character is the hapless bounty hunter Greedo (rather than the double-crossing Lando Calrissian). But Sag Harbor is a coming-of-age novel whose plot side-steps life-changing events writ large.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (2008 Pulitzer Prize winner) -- The titular Oscar is a 300-pound-plus "lovesick ghetto nerd" with zero game (except for Dungeons & Dragons) who cranks out pages of fantasy fiction with the hopes of becoming a Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien. The book is also the story of a multi-generational family curse that courses through the book, leaving troubles and tragedy in its wake.
What's on your summer reading list?
Lost Paradise: From Mutiny on the Bounty to a Modern-Day Legacy of Sexual Mayhem, the Dark Secrets of Pitcairn Island Revealed by Kathy Marks - Pitcairn Island was first settled more than 200 years ago by Fletcher Christian and other mutinous crew members of the HMS Bounty, along with several Polynesian women from neighboring islands; the community has always been small, but a mythology has built up around it as a remote, idyllic paradise. Pitcairn is thoroughly civilized, agrees Marks, a British journalist based in Australia, except in one respect... children were almost routinely raped and assaulted. The book tells the story uncovered by one of six journalists allowed on Pitcairn to cover the trials of several islanders accused of repeated sexual abuse of teenage and pre-adolescent girls.
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead -- The year is 1985 and 15-year-old Benji Cooper, one of the only black students at his elite Manhattan private school, leaves the city to spend three largely unsupervised months living with his younger brother Reggie in an enclave of Long Island's Sag Harbor, the summer home to many African American urban professionals. Benji's a Converse-wearing, Smiths-loving, Dungeons & Dragons-playing nerd whose favorite Star Wars character is the hapless bounty hunter Greedo (rather than the double-crossing Lando Calrissian). But Sag Harbor is a coming-of-age novel whose plot side-steps life-changing events writ large.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (2008 Pulitzer Prize winner) -- The titular Oscar is a 300-pound-plus "lovesick ghetto nerd" with zero game (except for Dungeons & Dragons) who cranks out pages of fantasy fiction with the hopes of becoming a Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien. The book is also the story of a multi-generational family curse that courses through the book, leaving troubles and tragedy in its wake.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
My name is T-Dot and I'm a Social Network addict
So, I'm on a social network fast. Unfortunately, it's not by choice.
While I was at the cancer walk this weekend, I was talking to my sister who claimed I was a social network addict, thanks to a handy dandy quiz she'd just seen on the local news.
How often did I check Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn? The first two, usually two or three times a day, the latter, when I get an update.
There were a few other questions, but I forget them. Either way she told me I was addicted. I told her I could stop anytime I wanted to. She held me to it.
So, from Sunday, May 3 to midnight on Friday, May 8, I am not allowed to Tweet, check Facebook, write on walls, or otherwise engage in social networking.
It was fine earlier this week because I didn't really have Internet access. But today was my first day at work and my normal routine is to check Facebook or Twitter while I wait for people to return calls. And I've got those pictures from the weekend burning a hole in my camera. I need to post them to Facebook. How else will people know what I've done?
What's worse is that it seems to be everywhere I turn. Veronica's mentioning a magic post on Facebook. I'm doing a story about how Twittering, Facebook and blogs are changing the way judges instruct juries in an effort to curb mistrials. Plus, I want to update my statuses so I can get people to say congrats to me for running my race. By Thursday, no one will care.
Anyway, so I write this post, instead of checking Facebook, or Tweeting, or writing my story, to say that I'm going through withdrawal. Got. To. Stay. Strong.
While I was at the cancer walk this weekend, I was talking to my sister who claimed I was a social network addict, thanks to a handy dandy quiz she'd just seen on the local news.
How often did I check Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn? The first two, usually two or three times a day, the latter, when I get an update.
There were a few other questions, but I forget them. Either way she told me I was addicted. I told her I could stop anytime I wanted to. She held me to it.
So, from Sunday, May 3 to midnight on Friday, May 8, I am not allowed to Tweet, check Facebook, write on walls, or otherwise engage in social networking.
It was fine earlier this week because I didn't really have Internet access. But today was my first day at work and my normal routine is to check Facebook or Twitter while I wait for people to return calls. And I've got those pictures from the weekend burning a hole in my camera. I need to post them to Facebook. How else will people know what I've done?
What's worse is that it seems to be everywhere I turn. Veronica's mentioning a magic post on Facebook. I'm doing a story about how Twittering, Facebook and blogs are changing the way judges instruct juries in an effort to curb mistrials. Plus, I want to update my statuses so I can get people to say congrats to me for running my race. By Thursday, no one will care.
Anyway, so I write this post, instead of checking Facebook, or Tweeting, or writing my story, to say that I'm going through withdrawal. Got. To. Stay. Strong.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Baby steps
I did my first run outside. On concrete. In a neighborhood.
Real life is no joke.
I've been running on a treadmill and I kept hearing people say that treadmill miles don't translate into real world mileage. I figured I'd lose a little bit, but man, as I jumped over uneven sidewalks and dodged unruly trees, I felt as though I was almost back at square 1.
Almost.
With that being said, I'll say this: I'm a punk. When I started to get uncomfortable, I'd ask the BF to stop (he offered to run with me, even though he only had his Vans -- how nice is that?). He'd oblige. He did make me run the last few blocks back to my house nonstop though. Kept saying, 'come on, just a little further' when I started to slow down. I wanted to tell him I wasn't going to stop, but the quick pace we'd been keeping needed to come down a notch if I wasn't going to collapse on my doorstep. Then he raced me to my front door. I lost.
So yeah, I think I've decided that if I have the chance to run outside versus doing a few hours in the gym, I'm going to choose to run outside. I didn't hurt as much, and I'm not going to be pumping weights come May 2. I'm going to be running in Central Park/Times Square. Oh goodness. What did I sign up for?
Real life is no joke.
I've been running on a treadmill and I kept hearing people say that treadmill miles don't translate into real world mileage. I figured I'd lose a little bit, but man, as I jumped over uneven sidewalks and dodged unruly trees, I felt as though I was almost back at square 1.
Almost.
With that being said, I'll say this: I'm a punk. When I started to get uncomfortable, I'd ask the BF to stop (he offered to run with me, even though he only had his Vans -- how nice is that?). He'd oblige. He did make me run the last few blocks back to my house nonstop though. Kept saying, 'come on, just a little further' when I started to slow down. I wanted to tell him I wasn't going to stop, but the quick pace we'd been keeping needed to come down a notch if I wasn't going to collapse on my doorstep. Then he raced me to my front door. I lost.
So yeah, I think I've decided that if I have the chance to run outside versus doing a few hours in the gym, I'm going to choose to run outside. I didn't hurt as much, and I'm not going to be pumping weights come May 2. I'm going to be running in Central Park/Times Square. Oh goodness. What did I sign up for?
Friday, March 06, 2009
Since I've been gone
A few things, since I haven't updated in forever:
I didn't get my hair done. Loser, right? I was in the middle of covering a murder trial and I wasn't committed to paying for someone to do my hair for the Follies.
So I did it myself instead.
It's not the same style. I originally did two strand twists with the intent to do a twist out the night of the show (an old standby from Follies past). But then, I twisted up a few of the twists and realized it looked pretty cute as it was. So I left it. Here it is:
I'll post a better picture a little lower.
So anyway, the Follies were a hit. The show went off pretty well and I only forgot a few of my words -- That's a success in my eyes.
I didn't get mentioned, but the Phoenix gave us a pretty good review. Overall, we've been getting a lot of good feedback about the show. I wasn't in that many numbers -- I think three, not counting the opener and closer, so it was a low key night for me. Which was actually good because I wasn't completely exhausted as I have been in previous years where I'm on stage constantly. This year, I played Sasha Obama with another coworker and sung a song about how
cute we Obama girls are, I was in a song about the layoffs at my newspaper, and I was in a song about Steve Alves - a former senator in West Warwick who was ousted by a baker. Good times indeed.
In other news, the BF went with me to the show. I fought him on the outfit (which was his idea) but we turned out to be "the best dressed couple in Swansea." I'll take it. He was excited about the Urkel glasses. I was skeptical at first, but they turned out to be a nice addition.
After the show, we went out to a local bar and hung out with some of my coworkers and the other folks who went to the show. Then we went to my coworker's house and played Rockband until like, 3:30, 4 a.m. It was ridiculous. A good night though. A really good night.
At work, things have been kinda rocky -- no pun intended. We laid off an additional 100 people, including two of my favorite office assistants ever in life. They were my friends -- one even my "adopted mom" who always looked out for me when I first came to the Journal and was assigned to her bureau. I didn't get a chance to say goodby because I've been working on a murder trial and was out of the office most days. After they got the news, thankfully the company didn't make them continue to work - like they did the last round of layoffs we had. So when I came in to joke with one of them, their desks were cleared out. Good for them, sad for me. I'm going to get some cards and write nice notes to them and send them to them, because I honestly don't know if I'll see them again. Which is pretty sad.
The good note is that, as I mentioned, I've been covering a murder trial the last few weeks. You know I LOVE trials right? You do. Anyway, I think I've been writing some really good stories -- I even got front page two days in a row. Yesterday, I was the front page centerpiece! How cool is that? Wanna read my stuff? Here's some of it. You can also google me. I got hits, yo.
Bishop tells his story
Alfred "Freddie" Bishop guilty in 2007 murder
Brother of slaying victim tells of fatal struggle with intruder in Warwick home
And I was a freaking blog superstar all during the trial. I was calling in updates, e-mailing posts and just all around being a "blog-centered" superstar. I rock. Hard.
Anyway, um, other than that, things have been cool. I'm completely slacking on my exercise, which I fully plan to get back on this weekend. I've just been pooped lately. But I gotta start running again or I'll never be ready for this 5K. Oh, and just in case you haven't already, there's still time to donate!
I didn't get my hair done. Loser, right? I was in the middle of covering a murder trial and I wasn't committed to paying for someone to do my hair for the Follies.
So I did it myself instead.It's not the same style. I originally did two strand twists with the intent to do a twist out the night of the show (an old standby from Follies past). But then, I twisted up a few of the twists and realized it looked pretty cute as it was. So I left it. Here it is:
I'll post a better picture a little lower.
So anyway, the Follies were a hit. The show went off pretty well and I only forgot a few of my words -- That's a success in my eyes.
I didn't get mentioned, but the Phoenix gave us a pretty good review. Overall, we've been getting a lot of good feedback about the show. I wasn't in that many numbers -- I think three, not counting the opener and closer, so it was a low key night for me. Which was actually good because I wasn't completely exhausted as I have been in previous years where I'm on stage constantly. This year, I played Sasha Obama with another coworker and sung a song about how
cute we Obama girls are, I was in a song about the layoffs at my newspaper, and I was in a song about Steve Alves - a former senator in West Warwick who was ousted by a baker. Good times indeed.In other news, the BF went with me to the show. I fought him on the outfit (which was his idea) but we turned out to be "the best dressed couple in Swansea." I'll take it. He was excited about the Urkel glasses. I was skeptical at first, but they turned out to be a nice addition.
After the show, we went out to a local bar and hung out with some of my coworkers and the other folks who went to the show. Then we went to my coworker's house and played Rockband until like, 3:30, 4 a.m. It was ridiculous. A good night though. A really good night.
At work, things have been kinda rocky -- no pun intended. We laid off an additional 100 people, including two of my favorite office assistants ever in life. They were my friends -- one even my "adopted mom" who always looked out for me when I first came to the Journal and was assigned to her bureau. I didn't get a chance to say goodby because I've been working on a murder trial and was out of the office most days. After they got the news, thankfully the company didn't make them continue to work - like they did the last round of layoffs we had. So when I came in to joke with one of them, their desks were cleared out. Good for them, sad for me. I'm going to get some cards and write nice notes to them and send them to them, because I honestly don't know if I'll see them again. Which is pretty sad.
The good note is that, as I mentioned, I've been covering a murder trial the last few weeks. You know I LOVE trials right? You do. Anyway, I think I've been writing some really good stories -- I even got front page two days in a row. Yesterday, I was the front page centerpiece! How cool is that? Wanna read my stuff? Here's some of it. You can also google me. I got hits, yo.
Bishop tells his story
Alfred "Freddie" Bishop guilty in 2007 murder
Brother of slaying victim tells of fatal struggle with intruder in Warwick home
And I was a freaking blog superstar all during the trial. I was calling in updates, e-mailing posts and just all around being a "blog-centered" superstar. I rock. Hard.
Anyway, um, other than that, things have been cool. I'm completely slacking on my exercise, which I fully plan to get back on this weekend. I've just been pooped lately. But I gotta start running again or I'll never be ready for this 5K. Oh, and just in case you haven't already, there's still time to donate!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Bout time I got '09 in gear
It looks like a lot, but it's not. I'm just very specific with my goals so that each is a step in itself toward fulfilling a larger goal. If I do these things, it'll be easier to cross more of them off come next year!
- Forgive my father and deal with the issues I've developed with relationships in general because of my relationship with him so that I can stop hurting.
- Begin yoga/Pilates/stretching 2-3 times a week to alleviate back pain and increase flexibility, strength.
- Do 15 -30 minutes of cardio at least once a week; work up to two (or three) times a week by July.
- Sit up straight.
- Set up a monthly budget cutting out unnecessary expenses and stick to it.
- Set up and begin a payment plan to pay off all credit cards and other debt by July 2010.
- Set up another savings account so that I can have three: emergency (3-6 months salary); a life happens fund (for unexpected expenses) and a vacation fund.
- Increase savings contributions to E-trade to finance trip to Spain in fall. Devote tax returns to building up savings reserves and contributing to vacation fund.
- Do something every month to pamper myself. Get a mani/pedi. Get my hair done. Get a massage. Take a long bath. Buy myself something nice.
- Try out a new healthy recipe at least once a month. Build up my repetoire to include more than fried foods and fatty sauces.
- Eat out at a new restaurant at least once a month. Use this time to try different cuisines and experiment.
- Read. Whatever I want. Magazines. Books. Whatever. Just read.
- Go see "Raisin in the Sun" at Trinity Jan. 30 - March 30. Go see a show on Broadway with Setta B.
- Keep clips up and network; send update mailings to potential employees two times a year (March and September, maybe?)
- Write something that makes me proud, whether it wins any award or not.
- Find an organization to volunteer with and do so, regularly. Can either be one organization with a long term commitment, or various organizations with one time commitments
- Go on dates with the BF that (sometimes) require more than just driving to Boston and cooking food.
- Take pictures to document life and stretch my creative muscles.
- Start doing crosswords to exercise my mind.
- Be present at all times. Start each day as if it were on purpose, not an accident.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Oh, Christmas Tree
I was going to put up a tree this year. I promise I was.
I went to Target and bought a thrifty artificial one -- that is still in the box on my living room floor.
I have ornaments, including the ones Jessie and I exchange each year.
But, with less than a week to go before Christmas, and me literally days away from traveling to NYC to visit my sister, I realized it wasn't worth it. Plus, all the presents I had so lovingly wrapped for friends and family were shipped off (at the cost of $50!) or otherwise delivered last week.
So again, what's the point?
Thankfully, the BF and his roommate, the Magic man, were decorating their tannenbaum and allowed me to join them. See the Christmas pin in full effect??
We decked Magic's 7 foot tree. His reasoning for getting such a large tree? "If you're taller than your tree, it's a Charlie Brown tree."
I disagree, obviously.
We strung the lights and hung the bulbs all while the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory played in the living room. (Aside, have you seen that movie? Gene Wilder, though not as disturbing as Johnny Depp in the remake, is pretty peculiar. And the oompa loompas? Absolutely fantastic.)
We had to make sure we broke out the tinsel and fake snow, Gigli was in the house.
We'd hung all the bulbs and admired our work. All that was left, was to hang the star. But being that Greg got the most ginormous tree he could find, there were some technical difficulties.
Four hands were able to finally get the star in it's rightful place. Just when we thought we were done...
The candy canes!
Greg and I hung the peppermint treats high enough to keep out of Deuce's hungry grasp.
Here's the final result:
I went to Target and bought a thrifty artificial one -- that is still in the box on my living room floor.
I have ornaments, including the ones Jessie and I exchange each year.
But, with less than a week to go before Christmas, and me literally days away from traveling to NYC to visit my sister, I realized it wasn't worth it. Plus, all the presents I had so lovingly wrapped for friends and family were shipped off (at the cost of $50!) or otherwise delivered last week.
So again, what's the point?Thankfully, the BF and his roommate, the Magic man, were decorating their tannenbaum and allowed me to join them. See the Christmas pin in full effect??
We decked Magic's 7 foot tree. His reasoning for getting such a large tree? "If you're taller than your tree, it's a Charlie Brown tree."
I disagree, obviously.
We strung the lights and hung the bulbs all while the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory played in the living room. (Aside, have you seen that movie? Gene Wilder, though not as disturbing as Johnny Depp in the remake, is pretty peculiar. And the oompa loompas? Absolutely fantastic.)
We had to make sure we broke out the tinsel and fake snow, Gigli was in the house.
We'd hung all the bulbs and admired our work. All that was left, was to hang the star. But being that Greg got the most ginormous tree he could find, there were some technical difficulties.Four hands were able to finally get the star in it's rightful place. Just when we thought we were done...
The candy canes!
Greg and I hung the peppermint treats high enough to keep out of Deuce's hungry grasp.
Here's the final result:
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I *heart* Jessie Bonner
Jessie and I send each other Christmas presents every year.
It kinda started during our first Christmases as working adults. Jessie came to RI to spend the holiday and we had the Bestest Christmas ever.
That year, we started the tradition of sharing an ornament. Each year, we alternate sending an ornament to the other person, and keeping an identical one for ourselves.
Anyway, last year, Jessie decided to start a new tradition it seems (let's pray it's not though). She gets me Christmas pins.
Yes. Those tacky, red and green, light up, shiny, glittery, Christmas pins that pop up this time of year. Last year's pin was kinda classy.
I got my Christmas pin from her for this year, today.
Yes, that is a transgendered snowman/woman in a tulle skirt with heels, purse and a hat. You see it right.
As is custom, I put the pin on as soon as I ripped it from it's packaging. I'll be wearing it all day today, and probably at any Christmas themed function (such as decking G.Lee's tree) I attend. Oh, the pin will be in full effect.
So, Jessie's gift reminded me that presents are fun. Like, I always laugh when I get something from her. And I love that. She sent me this the weekend of her birthday. Yes, she gave me something on her birthday! And I love it.
You see the potatoes this man is packing? I heart him, too.
Anyway, I gotta get back to work, but I just wanted to post a quick ode to Jessie and her fantastic presents and how great she is. Because she's super fantastic. You should have a friend like Jessie in your life. Promise it'll make yours better.
It kinda started during our first Christmases as working adults. Jessie came to RI to spend the holiday and we had the Bestest Christmas ever.
That year, we started the tradition of sharing an ornament. Each year, we alternate sending an ornament to the other person, and keeping an identical one for ourselves.
Anyway, last year, Jessie decided to start a new tradition it seems (let's pray it's not though). She gets me Christmas pins.
Yes. Those tacky, red and green, light up, shiny, glittery, Christmas pins that pop up this time of year. Last year's pin was kinda classy.
I got my Christmas pin from her for this year, today.
Yes, that is a transgendered snowman/woman in a tulle skirt with heels, purse and a hat. You see it right.
As is custom, I put the pin on as soon as I ripped it from it's packaging. I'll be wearing it all day today, and probably at any Christmas themed function (such as decking G.Lee's tree) I attend. Oh, the pin will be in full effect.
So, Jessie's gift reminded me that presents are fun. Like, I always laugh when I get something from her. And I love that. She sent me this the weekend of her birthday. Yes, she gave me something on her birthday! And I love it.
You see the potatoes this man is packing? I heart him, too.Anyway, I gotta get back to work, but I just wanted to post a quick ode to Jessie and her fantastic presents and how great she is. Because she's super fantastic. You should have a friend like Jessie in your life. Promise it'll make yours better.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
A quick post
Because someone is getting antsy.
- I went home for Thanksgiving -- my first trip back to Michigan in nearly a year. It was great. I got to spend time with my family and friends and eat all of the foods I can't get in Rhode Island. I got Big John's Steak and Onion, Yaya's Chicken, and even managed to smuggle some Faygo pop and Everfresh fruit punch and Better Made chips in my luggage! Yes!
While I was home, I got my hair pressed. I feel bad because my hairdresser had to fry my hair to get it straight (i also got a trim while I was home) but it was nice to have the curls back. However, I'm not sure if I want to subject my hair to that kind of treatment on a regular basis. Here's a pic to the right. And don't clown me. I'd just gotten in to Flint and then spent hours in the hairdresser while she tamed my hair. I was tired. And you can see it. *shrug* But my hair is LAID.- While I was at home, my niece celebrated her 10th birthday (shoutout to Kiera). So the night before, she was playing with her sister, Kyla, who is 3. Here's the exchange:
Kiera: Kyla, tomorrow is my birthday.
Kyla: Tomorrow is you birthday?
Kiera: Yeah
Kyla: Can I get in the pool with you?
*Sighs all around* Kyla's birthday is in August, so she thinks everyone can get in the pool on their birthday. Sorry, holmes. It was about 30 degrees on Kiera's birthday. Pool's gonna have to wait about 6 more months. - I got someone to switch my Christmas night shift with me! That means I get to spend the holiday with my sister (you know, the antsy one?). I'm pretty excited. This will be the second Christmas that I've done without my family. One Christmas I spent with a friend's family and the first Christmas was, well, the Bestest Christmas Ever. This just might have to be the Bestest Christmas Ever: Redux. Because it's going to be serious.
Okay, that's enough for now. I've got to get back to work!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I got it honest
This one tagged me. 
(Oh, John McCain, you slay me)
Gotta say I guess I needed it, judging by the sparse posts as of late. Not exactly sure what the award means other than an excuse to post, but whatever.
I'll take it.
Here are the rules:
1.) When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back
2.) Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or even more) that you find brilliant in their content or design.
3.) Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’
4.) Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize (optional).
5.) And then we pass it on!
The way this thing seems to be working lately is that we're posting 10 honest things about yourself. So here goes.
(Oh, John McCain, you slay me)Gotta say I guess I needed it, judging by the sparse posts as of late. Not exactly sure what the award means other than an excuse to post, but whatever.
I'll take it.
Here are the rules:
1.) When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back
2.) Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or even more) that you find brilliant in their content or design.
3.) Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’
4.) Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize (optional).
5.) And then we pass it on!
The way this thing seems to be working lately is that we're posting 10 honest things about yourself. So here goes.
- Sometimes I wish I had a perm again. I love my natural hair and my afro, but sometimes the styles are limiting. I miss the days of ponytails, sleek wraps and bouncy curls. I'm not considering getting a perm again, but I am strongly thinking about getting a press and curl, just to see how it feels.
- I'm kinda awkward, and this whole, "reinventing myself/establishing my swagger" thing is kinda weird. So, I've been wearing different types of clothes, putting makeup on every so often, basically trying to keep up appearances. And it gets you attention. I'm not used to that. I'm used to kinda posting in the background and shining on special occasions. Yesterday, I wore my birthday boots, some skinny jeans, a sweater and a blazer to go meet the BF for a movie. I waited for him at the Harvard bookstore and I got approached by this guy who complemented said boots and asked for my number (after coming back three times). It was sweet. He was nice. I said no. And I was self conscious the rest of the night, catching glimpses of my butt in storefront windows. It wasn't like a slutbucket outfit, and I'm comfortable in the pieces separately, but it felt really awkward to put myself out there like that.
- I don't think that Tyler Perry can ever make a movie that I will like. I just have this unequivocal dislike for him. It's probably unwarranted. I'm sure he's a nice guy. Probably flosses daily and helps old ladies across the street. But here are my problems with Tyler Perry: he makes bad movies and black people support him -- and tell me to support him -- because he's black. Now, full disclosure -- V and Marcus said "The Family that Preys" was pretty good actually. I will never find out of my own free will. If I have my choice, I will go to my grave without seeing another Tyler Perry movie. I saw "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" (on bootleg) and I was ruined forever. I can't deal with the bad acting, the sappy and predictable plots and Tyler Perry in that damn fat suit.
- I have given exactly one body shot in my life. I was super drunk and volunteered to lay on the ground and have a guy take one out of my chest (I don't really recall how that worked because it seems like it would defy gravity. Details are sketchy. My apologies). The oddest part of the whole thing was looking up and seeing the circle of guys standing above me. Decided at that point, volunteering for anything like that again is probably not a good idea.
- When I was a little kid, I bit my toenails. I used to sit on the back of the couch with my back against the wall, and bite them while I watched cartoons. I don't know why it started or how long I did it. I just kinda grew out of it at some point, definitely before I started school like talking about. My sister used to make fun of me all the time for doing it.
- I felt like a loser because it took me a long time to get over my ex from college. It was a bad situation and I had to see him a bunch because we were in college -- ain't but so many people at Hampton. It wasn't until I took a drive to Florida and spent two weeks on a friend's couch that I felt like I was over him (this was about 2 months after we broke up). There, on her floor, I made a mix CD. First one I ever made for a guy. I blasted it all the rest of the way to St. Pete. I still have it and listen to it and kinda feel guilty for liking the CD so much. (And I wasn't super over my ex because I fell for the swindle when I visited for homecoming that year.)
- I read into simple things a lot. A guy who liked me once gave me a mix CD (because he had a bunch of cool music and I asked him to put me on to some good stuff) and I spent the entire drive to Naples (Florida has LOTS of memories for me) on the phone with my girl analyzing the track list, which included this song "Erotic Dreams" and all these love songs. He was cute, but the songs didn't mean anything. It just caused me a bunch of anxiety needlessly. (In my favor, I'd gone to Ft. Lauderdale to have a date with him [and interview at his paper] and he gave me the CDs then, so I wasn't just making this stuff up out of thin air.)
- I have a type. I never thought I did. I thought I was an equal opportunity dater. But I'm not. My type tends to be light to brown skinned, short to medium height (5'6" to 5'8"), high cheekbones and/or strong jaw, sweet smile (slight dimples or any quirky things are also a plus), slim yet strong build, and involved someway in the arts (writing, music, dance). It was a revelation. I accept it.
- I don't keep in contact with many people from Flint mostly because I don't want to be reminded of where I came from. I love Flint and I'm proud to be there, but it's a rough place. And I always feel guilty for getting out and leaving my friends behind. It's hard, sometimes to hear how their lives are going, not be able to do anything about it, and think there, but for the grace of God, go I.
- Whenever I'm flipping through channels, I kinda hope I'll stumble across The Proud Family Movie, just for this one scene. If I find it, I call my sister immediately so we can watch it together. Here it is:
Man. That was hard. And it just so seems that everyone that I read has either already done this or has been tagged already, so I'll just leave it up to you. If you decide to do it, let me know and I'll come read it. Otherwise, peace out.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Fruity (pause) Suprise
I got an Edible Arrangement today!
The BF got it delivered to my job. I don't have my camera, so I couldn't take a picture to post, but I found this one on the Web site. Mine is a bit smaller than this, but it's still HUGE.
What better way to start the week?!
I remember telling him about how cool I thought they were when a friend of mine got one while we were in Florida. They're usually huge, so you kinda have to share.
I hesitantly cracked mine open (it was so pretty) and ate at least one of everything in the bouquet before I sent an e-mail to my co-workers saying they could stop by my desk for a fruity treat. Even now, I keep taking the pineapple (one of my favorites) and wondering to myself whether i should save any for anyone else.
Eh. No. It's my gift. I'll eat all the pineapple if I want to. I did share a pineapple daisy with the security guard. See? I'm generous.
And really, who knew that chocolate covered strawberries were so tasty!? And why wasn't I informed of this deliciousness until now?
The BF got it delivered to my job. I don't have my camera, so I couldn't take a picture to post, but I found this one on the Web site. Mine is a bit smaller than this, but it's still HUGE.
What better way to start the week?!
I remember telling him about how cool I thought they were when a friend of mine got one while we were in Florida. They're usually huge, so you kinda have to share.
I hesitantly cracked mine open (it was so pretty) and ate at least one of everything in the bouquet before I sent an e-mail to my co-workers saying they could stop by my desk for a fruity treat. Even now, I keep taking the pineapple (one of my favorites) and wondering to myself whether i should save any for anyone else.
Eh. No. It's my gift. I'll eat all the pineapple if I want to. I did share a pineapple daisy with the security guard. See? I'm generous.
And really, who knew that chocolate covered strawberries were so tasty!? And why wasn't I informed of this deliciousness until now?
P.S. -- T minus six days until my birthday. There's still time to get those gifts in the mail. Hop to it.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
At the Carnival
Here are some pics from the carnival the BF and I went to a few weeks ago, as promised.
To the left is the Zipper, the crazy ride I told you guys about? If you go to a carnival and they have this ride -- GET ON IT. It's scary as all get out, and it feels kind of like you're going to be thrown to your death, but it is THE BEST RIDE ever. Period. Do it now.
To the left is the Zipper, the crazy ride I told you guys about? If you go to a carnival and they have this ride -- GET ON IT. It's scary as all get out, and it feels kind of like you're going to be thrown to your death, but it is THE BEST RIDE ever. Period. Do it now.
This is what it looks like from inside the Zipper. You see that? That's elevation. Get at me.
This is me, outside the ticket booth where we scalped out tickets. Cuz I got what you need. Red Sox? Celtics? Bootleg carnival tickets? I got it all.
And yes, my shirt says "squeeze me" and has a picture of a lemon on it. And what?
This is the BF, trying his luck at the carnival game. He won me a six-tentacled octopus that now sits on my entertainment center. It's pink and blue.
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