Friday, December 22, 2006

The Haircut

Well, I have had two haircuts in the last two days. Yes, one was intentional and the other not exactly.

My friend’s daughter thought that my hair should be shorter and before I realized it, she was making that a reality. For a five-year-old she did a great job and the cut was free. So I figured I came out ahead of the game.

I am a firm believer that hair does grow back and a bad haircut has never ruined me. I also had a lot of layers so a couple of misaligned pieces weren’t really noticeable.

That leads me to cut number two, the not-so-free haircut. I have to admit that having a true professional cut your hair makes a difference. And not to be vain, but I do have a wedding to go to over the holidays.

My friend was seriously upset. Understandably, you can’t have your kids cutting random people’s hair, and I have to admit that I was a little shocked when it happened, but I thought the whole thing was pretty funny. It is a terribly good story.

I remember the days when I used to get perms. Then there was that phase with bangs. And I had the Rachel haircut for a year or two. Thankfully, I did have enough sense to stay away from the mullet.

Looking back on those awful styles, a minor run-in with a five-year-old is nothing to sweat. It is just a good reminder that life is all about the story.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Jimmmmmaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!!

My friends, Scott and Sarah, decided to have a bash in Atlantic City to celebrate their upcoming birthdays. Gambling, alcohol and my friends – what could go wrong?

We arrived at the Econo Lodge in Sommer’s Point, NJ, just outside of Atlantic City on Saturday afternoon. That’s right, we’re high rollers. The hotel was completely empty, but we were asked to give our license plate numbers. Apparently, “we’re the only two cars here is the appropriate answer.”

We settled into the hotel rooms and decided to hit the T.G.I. Friday’s across the street before heading to the big AC. Like I said before, we’re high rollers. A couple of beers later we were ready to gamble.

We asked the bartender to call a cab. Twenty minutes later a van pulled up. And that’s when we met Jimmy (a.k.a. Jimmmmmaaaayyyyyyy). Let’s just say, Jimmy was the man. He was our own personal cab-driver extraordinaire.

On our way to Atlantic City, Jimmy wowed us with stories of big wins and bad driving. We all arrived at the Tropicana in one piece and worked out a deal with Jimmy to pick us up later that night. Those cabbies are sooooo smart - get the money before everyone loses it.

We made a quick lap around the casino, realizing that somehow we missed coming in at the VIP entrance. Anyway, the boys raced off to the Blackjack tables and the girls sought out the slots.

I sat down at the first machine and won $6.55. WoooooooWooooo. I was off to a great start. We played a couple more machine and then ventured off to find our luck else where. Sarah and I stumbled upon the Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve slot machine.

This game was crazy. Complete with its own video countdown, we were able to ring in the New Year several times. Sarah and I, never being ones to miss a good time, counted along with the machine each time the video showed the ball dropping in Times Square.

I have to say that Dick treated us pretty well. Sarah and I both came out ahead and decided to meet back up with the group for dinner.

We wined and dinned at P.F. Chang’s, gambled some more and after the boy’s lost a significant amount of money decided to go. We called our good friend, Jimmy, and he was there in a flash. Jimmy suggested that we check out a local bar called Caroline’s. Not ready to call it a night, we agreed.

Now a little more about Jimmy –
Jimmy belongs in the tour guide category of cabbies. You know the type who like to point out local historical places and other interesting things. On the way back from Tropicana, Jimmy gave us the tour. He took us the back way to the bar pointing out houses his father built and telling us who lived where. Then the tour took a weird turn.

Jimmy pointed out to us where the bodies of recently murdered girls had shown up. At this point let’s just say horror movie scenes started running through our heads. Okay, there were eight of us someone could call 911 before he got us all. Maybe the drinking and time of night was going to our heads because we arrived at Caroline’s without incident and police intervention.

Caroline’s was filled with practically every Jersey stereotype imaginable. Thankfully we found a table in an empty section at the back of the bar. We hung out, talked and I helped Annie find a man. Okay, I’m not the best wing-woman in the world. I did get a “What’s up shortie?” so I was pleased.

After an hour and a half, as you could imagine, we were dying to get out of there. Magically, the phone rang and it was Jimmy. “Hey, I’m outside whenever you are ready to leave.” And in the words of my friend, Sarah, “I’ve never seen Bridgman move that fast.” Jimmy was our hero.

Jimmy dropped us off at the hotel and we called it a night. It was a good trip.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Maybe A Bit Too Happy

Things Learned at Happy Hour last night.

  1. Two pitchers of sangria might be a little much for 3 people.
  2. I really didn’t need that glass of red wine.
  3. Michele’s sock-baby-Daddy needs to call her back.
  4. Urban Outfitters are real scrooges with bags.
  5. It’s always good to be friends with your UPS guy.
  6. Thinly sliced fried eggplant is delicious.
  7. Khara has a weird thing about calamari that still has the legs.
  8. Michele really did want to take train to Glenmont.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Thursday Thirteen #12 - Q Without U


I know this makes me a super nerd, but I have been studying for our Scrabble rematch. (I am bound and determined to crush Van.) I thought that this might help all you other Scrabble fiends out there. Here are thirteen words that use Q Without U.


1. QAID - A variation of CAID, a Muslim leader.
2. QANAT - A system of underground tunnels and wells in the Middle East.
3. QAT - Variation of KAT, an evergreen shrub.
4. QINDAR - Variation of QINTAR, a monetary unit of Albania.
5. QINDARKA - Albanian currency.
6. QINTAR - See above.
7. QINTARS - Plural of QINTAR.
8. QOPH - A letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
9. QOPHS - Plural of QOPH.
10. QWERTY - A standard typewriter keyboard.
11. QWERTYS - The plural of QWERTY, see above.
12. SHEQEL - An ancient unit of weight and money.
13. SHEQALIM - The plural of SHEQEL, see above



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Thursday, December 07, 2006

I Wish You a Kate Spade Christmas

I have now officially entered my holiday panic. I am planning on going to Atlantic City next weekend for Sarah and Scott’s birthday party. That is going to be an all weekend event and so this weekend is my last weekend before Christmas.

Usually I am on top of the holiday checklist. By this time, I have picked out Christmas cards, purchased gifts and just have a few last minute things to do. This year I haven’t even started and I have to do everything this weekend.

In an effort to make productive use of my time, I decided to find some Christmas cards during lunch. I always manage to find great Chaunukah cards, it’s just difficult to find 20 or so fun boxed Christmas cards that don’t cost a fortune.

Part of the problem is that I am a freak about cards. I love sending them. I will search and search to find the right card for a person. Not only does the card have to be perfect for the recipient, but I feel that it has to represent me. So you can see my dilemma.

I started my search at Borders and to no avail. Sure they had plenty of cards, but nothing that really stood out. There were a lot of old fashioned holiday scenes, but nothing really modern and kind of graphic. I like penguins and snowmen, maybe reindeer or mixed drinks – you know something fun.

Feeling a little discouraged I headed to the stationary store around the corner. I sifted through piles and piles of cards, still not having any luck. As I headed to the other side of the store, I saw them. Very graphic, very colorful and totally me. Hope, Peace and Cookies – exactly what the holidays should be.

I picked up the box and realized they were Kate Spade cards. I could feel the sinking feeling in my stomach. This wasn’t going to be pretty, but I had to see how much they cost.

$34. That’s right - $34 for 10 cards. It would cost me $68 not including tax to send a card to everyone on my list.

I really do love Kate Spade. If I could, I would live in the Kate Spade world. I even went so far as getting a chocolate brown Kate Spade cover for my iPod, but I feel that getting $68 Kate Spade Christmas cards crosses a line. Seriously, it’s paper. What magical trees did she cut down because those cards sure weren’t printed on recycled paper?

So for all that effort, I’m back to square one. Hopefully I’ll find something I like this weekend. In the meantime, I hope that everyone enjoys the photo – it’s the card that you won’t be receiving this year.

Thursday Thirteen # 11 - Dr. Seuss


My Thirteen Favorite Dr. Seuss Books


1. Oh Say Can You Say? (In Honor of My Father)
2. Fox in Socks
3. Hop on Pop (Also, in Honor of My Father)
4. Oh, the Places You’ll Go
5. Green Eggs and Ham
6. Horton Hears a Who
7. There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!
8. Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
9. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
10. The Lorax
11. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
12. Cat in the Hat
13. Daisy-Head Mayzie



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Hooray for Hats!

My knitting group met tonight and I have to say it was a much needed break. It was only my second time with the group, but everyone is really nice and extremely helpful. I was able to really relax and spend a couple of hours doing something that I enjoy.

I completed my first for-real scarf and it was actually the right length. I felt great giving them a piece that I was proud of. I am sure that someone will put it to good use.

After conquering the wonderful world of scarves, I decided to venture into hats. Yes, Wendy, you are finally getting hats!

I can’t believe the progress I made in one evening. Scarves take hours and hours to complete and I was excited to discover that I can fly through hats. I was a little unsure of the project at first, I didn’t think that it would be stretchy enough to fit on someone’s head, but persistence has paid off. I have a great looking piece and the yarn is incredibly soft.

Sometimes finding success in the smallest projects can remind you of your potential.

Monday, December 04, 2006

What do you do when there isn’t a plan?

There are times when I just wish I could go home. I want to go back to being a kid. Life was so simple. I always had a plan. Life was perfectly mapped out. I would eventually graduate high school (that seemed like it would never happen), I would go to college and get a job. When you are 13, this is a great plan.

Now I’m 24, I have a job and I don’t have a plan. All upcoming milestones have no foreseeable date. Sure, I’ll get married one day and I’ll probably have a kid or two or four. I miss the count-down.

I could always tell you how many days/months/years until I finished high school or graduated college. I miss being able to prattle off the next step without a thought.

Of course I have my BS answer to a plan. Oh, I would love to get my PR accreditation and I think that getting my masters would be a great way to continue to grow in the profession.

Realistically, I am way too poor to even dream about going back to school. Maybe, when I have finished paying for my undergrad and am willing to give up my evenings and weekends, I will consider going back to school an option. As far as getting my APR – no one cares, especially in the nonprofit world.

I just want to know where to go and what to do. (Sorry, Wendy, the magic 8 ball didn’t help.) I want the reassurance that I am making the right decision. I want to stop second-guessing myself.

Happy Trails to You

My friend Kindra is moving back to Washington this week to take a job working to improve hiking trails throughout the state. I am going to miss her stories, our lunches at Nooshi and her excellent advice. I wish her a safe and snow-free journey. We'll miss you!