thoughts from along the broken road...: June 2007

Saturday, June 30, 2007

And I Quote: June 30, 2007

The truest thing I know about relationships is that sometimes we don't know anything at all. You can't always get the one you want, and sometimes the one you get may not be the right one at all. But if you have hope, the universe has a funny way of showing exactly what you need. The challenge is to let yourself be alone til the right one shows up. But you can't hide either. Heartbreak sucks. But not having heartbreak sucks more. The answers aren't in a lecture or a book. But maybe if you get yourself happy, you'll find the right one. I believe this, because I'm still an optimist. That's the thing about love. If it were that easy, everyone would have it.
(Anne Heche as Marin Frist, "Men in Trees" pilot)

soaking in NESN

ahhhh... it was good to be back in Boston last night (the Sox, not me) and to watch a game with Remy & Don on NESN.

a few quick observations:

1. Don looked like he was retaining water last night. his face was very puffy.

2. Wakey continues to suffer from lack of run support. good thing he only gave up one run since the Sox scored two.

3. you just can't compare WMP to Coco in CF.

4. that bases loaded situation with Little Manny facing Sammy Sosa about gave me a heart attack before finally managed to strike him out.

5. watching Okajima pitch is awesome.

6. watching Papelbon pitch is even more awesome. i think i might have to start calling him Killer.
7. last night was Roush Fenway Racing night in Boston. Carl Edwards is running in a car with Red Sox logos on it. i think i might have to root for him just a little in Sunday's race.

is it just me...

...or have i done little but talk about food lately? LOL

i tried a new recipe for lunch today. Honey Lime Chicken. *so* yummy. served it with the recommended Thai noodles, but i think in the summer, it would be nice -- and lighter! -- with some steamed broccoli & a salad.

This is for two servings.

1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
10 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine flour and cayenne. Add chicken, a few strips at a time, and shake to coat. In a skillet, brown chicken in butter on all sides.

Combine the lime juice, honey, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl, stirring till blended; pour over chicken. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until juices run clear and sauce is thickened.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Friday Fill-in: June 20, 2007

1. i haven't done this meme in a long time!
2. Occasionally, this stupid printer will run more than two consecutive invoices without jamming.
3. Unexpected opportunities can be interesting!
4. but the comfort of routine is great, too!
5. Where do you go when you want a really good milkshake?
6. Oh my god, he just hit a grand slam!
7. What are you doing this weekend? Tonight I'm looking forward to finally being able to watch a Sox game again, tomorrow my plans include a whole lot of nothing, and then watching the Sox game and Sunday, I want to get the grocery shopping done before the Sox play! LOL!

what it's like to be me

craving.
right now.
a cinnamon powdered doughnut.

wonder where *that* came from...?

Friday's Feast: June 29, 2007

Feast One Hundred & Fifty

Appetizer
How many pieces of jewelry do you wear most days?
usually just my watch & a necklace.

Soup
What is your favorite instrumental song?
one of my favorites is "Sleepwalk," by Santo & Johnny

Salad
Who has a last name that you like?
Nichole has a great last name. nice & German. ;-) not too common. i know it gets mispronounced fairly often, and probably misspelled as well (though i don't know how it could be that difficult!) but i still like it.

Main Course
Name a popular movie you’ve never seen.
oh that's easy. any of the Harry Potter movies. all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. and just about any other movie you can think of that you're sure everyone else has seen. =P

Dessert
Fill in the blank: Nothing makes me ___________ like ____________.
Nothing makes me want to bang the receiver of my phone on my desk like the person on the other end asking me if i'm sure the person they've called for does not live at this number. i live alone, and the apartment is all of four rooms. i think i would notice of someone else lived there!

there's no place like home

thank. God.

the boys are back in Boston tonight.

if i don't hear some Remy & Don, and approximately three hours of "misplaced Rs," i think i may go insane. it has been twelve days since the Sox last played at Fenway. that's almost two weeks, people! combine that with being on the West Coast for the last week, and i am starting to suffer some serious Sox withdrawal!

i've got one of my Sox tees on for luck, and no plans for the entire weekend. let's play some ball!

and also? i'm not talking about what happened in Seattle. i've got nothing to say about... *that*.
>=[

i did read something this morning, though, that made me all kinds of happy:
The Boston Red Sox own the best record in baseball, are poised for their first AL East title since 1995, and are built to go deep in the playoffs. And that may not be the best news surrounding the team. The Red Sox are also filthy with prospects throughout their farm system, pitchers and position players alike. (you can the rest of the article for a breakdown of just who all these up-and-coming players are, if you're so inclined.)

and Dan? stop drooling. you can't have 'em. they're mine. mine mine mine, all mine!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

And I Quote: June 28, 2007

"The fruit of silence is tranquility."
(Arabic Proverb)

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

a case of mistaken identity

so last night, i thought i was removing some chicken from the freezer to thaw for dinner tonight. somehow, i ended up with pork chops. i noticed that this morning. i ended up flying by the seat of my pants for dinner tonight, since i try to have a loose menu planned for each week, and this didn't fit in.

decided on baking the chops with a chipotle barbecue sauce with a little chopped red onion. (omg did that smell good while it cooked!) some sour cream & chive smashed potatoes. and some zucchini sauteed with a little southwest seasoning.

i'm kind of glad for my defrosting error now because my dinner was mm! mm! good!

so about last night's Sox game

when Kason Gabbard showed up but his command of the ball did not, a 43 pitch first inning, during which *three* runs were WALKED IN, and then a home run given up to the first batter Kason faced in the second inning, i decided i had had enough. especially when you consider that MLBtv was not functioning last night, and i couldn't even get the radio broadcast for that matter, and i was "watching" the game via GameDay stats in the rather uncomfortable chair at my computer.

apparently the Sox managed to battle back to lose 8-7. i sure hope Matsuzaka manages to finally beat the Mariners today. his first two outings against them were less than successful.

good thing the Orioles got their game on -- or at least showed enough patience to walk in the winning run, however you choose to look at it -- and managed to beat the Yankees.

please *please* let Matsuzaka be the Hundred Million Dollar Pitcher this afternoon...

rememberies: June 27, 2007

some random memories that have flashed through my mind recently:

...the huge old Congregational Church in Plymouth, CT where the CT Grown Farmers Market used to set up in the parking lot on Thursday afternoons all summer long. i used to go with my Gramp and help him sell his fruits & veggies. i remember the huge stone steps with the cracks in them. the green shutters on the windows. the big old evergreen tree on the green. the very old cemetery behind the fellowship building with its stone wall -- and i say old, i mean 1800s old. and Mrs Allen, who always came to get a pie or zucchini bread, and some string beans and carrots from my Gramp.

...the way the classrooms looked where i went to school from kindergarten through eighth grade. (i went there for nursery school too but that was in a different building.) Immanuel Lutheran School. the walls were painted the exact same colors as Circus Peanuts candy. some classrooms were yellow. some were green. (ok so Circus Peanuts never came in green, but if they did, this is the shade that would have been used.) the only classroom that was different was the eighth grade room -- it was orange.

...the red maple tree in my grandparents' front yard. just behind the blue spruce. and in the center, the birch trees. and the two enormous pines standing in front of the house, like two sentinels on guard. the ash tree in the front, next to the driveway. in the back, there were the two evergreens. and the tamarack tree. and the beech tree.and a couple of maples. and the Red Delicious apple tree. there were more trees besides the ones i've mentioned... and these were all before you even got to the orchard beyond the back yard. is it any wonder i feel "tree starved" down here in Florida?

...Gram had certain decorations that came out every year for each holiday. she had these two yellow ceramic bunnies. both had one ear standing up, and the other folded down, as if it were flopping over. sometimes she would put them on her hutch. sometimes on her sideboard. sometimes on the oval mirror she used under her centerpieces. but those bunnies always spent Easter in the dining room.

...picking peas out of the garden. popping open the pods & shelling them, while sitting on a picnic table bench. eating them raw by the handful.

yummy

pssst! over here!

i haven't really done much worth mentioning the last week or so but i did...

...make this really yummy pork stir fry with a ginger-honey-soy sauce.

...find these amazing, perfect, plump, sweet, yummy raspberries on sale when i did my grocery shopping. i couldn't resist.

...cool off from the Florida summer heat with these popsicles which are so yummy. (and for those of you counting calories, they only have 60! i believe they may also come in a "no sugar added" variation for those of you who need to keep on eye on that as well.)

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

small confession

you all know how much i love the west coast. if you don't, you're either new here, or you don't pay very close attention. ;-)

but i am going to say this: man, do i hate when the Sox play in the Pacific time zone. these 10pm games are *killing* me. it's bad enough to be up til 1am on the weekends, but how the heck can i watch on work nights??

thank God tomorrow is at 4:30 for get-away day, and after an off day, we're back in Boston this weekend.

i love you, West Coast, but give me back my Sox!!!

by the way? we're throwing Kason Gabbard at King Felix tonight. this is either some kind of surrender white-flag-waving effort, or we're hoping for a miracle. all i know is if that poor boy is getting crushed 28-2, i will not be falling asleep to the sounds of baseball tonight. and i won't feel bad to not be staying up for the end of the game either. =P

Monday, June 25, 2007

the silence speaks volumes

i don't know about other teams, but Sox fans are notoriously superstitious. since i unintentionally stopped blogging about the Sox, good things have happened.

and that's all i have to say about that.

ps. sorry it didn't seem to help you, Wakey. =/

Thursday, June 21, 2007

i wonder why it is...

...that Suri always looks so much cuter when they photograph her with Katie than she does when she's with Tom??

::imagine Taps playing here::

you'll have to imagine it, because unfortunately i can't *play* it here.
[/snark]

it is with much sadness -- given my love for music -- that i am removing my music player from my blog. the site i was using -- that i *loved* because it allowed me to easily upload and share my personal music collection -- is no longer allowing me to share more than thirty seconds of a song, even though the tracks were all my own! =(

so until i can find a widget that will allow me to share the music i rightfully own... my blog will be silent.

OMG this is so cool.

and it almost entirely accurate! the only parts i don't think fit me are "like to be part of something big" and "falling in a love a thousand times a day." oh and the part about holidays (in this case, meaning vacations) being luxurious & indulgent? that applies, but you have to know that what i consider to be luxurious & indulgent is probably much more low-key & and unpretentious than what many people think. ;-)

play along! and if you post yours on your blog, let me know!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

the mood portion of my personality is Dreamer:
Always drifting off, their imagination takes control. They have big ideas, and a cool calm manner.
You're a bit of a romantic and like to get back to the basics. The expanse of the wilderness is inspiring and you like landscapes that make you feel calm. When it comes to art, you have a traditional and anthropological eye. You appreciate the history of a piece, the stories that it holds - you are a touch sentimental! As for music, it's the soundtrack to your world. An open road, your favorite tracks - cliches are there to be enjoyed! Your choice of treat shows that you love being a little bit naughty. Being good all the time is a bore. You've got a good sense of fun and maybe an infectious giggle.

the fun portion of my personality is Escape Artist:
They are forever slipping off, getting away from the rat race, and recharging those batteries. Independent, and thoughtful - they know themselves well.
You love to be far from your everyday life. You love the sun, and like to live life at a slower pace than most - you know how to take things nice and easy! For kicks you like to indulge in your great passions. You are happy to live life's highs and lows; you are fiercely loyal and passionate. You like to be part of something big. When it comes to holidays, you reckon they should always be indulgent - a very special treat and a chance to recharge your batteries in luxurious surroundings as well as spending quality time with family and friends. What grosses you out? Good manners are essential. Prodding, poking and picking get your "Yuk" factor ticking.

the habits potions of my personality is New Wave Puritan:
They are strict, organised, and ever so neat - they practice the art of self-discipline. They like things done simply but with an eye for detail.
Even if you have a healthy approach to life, you still have your little vices that keep you going. It is all part of the routine, you're a creature of habit. Clean and pure - your choice of drink shows that on the whole you care about your health and make sure you're putting the right stuff in. As for the home, you have a very cool and contemporary taste. You have a simple approach to style, but you like things to have their place.

the love portion of my personality is Love Bug:
They are the type to fall in a love a thousand times a day. Their feelings snowball quickly, and they are full of passion.
You're a real romantic and a bit of a dreamer. OK, life may not be a movie, but what's wrong with thinking it is? When you think of freedom, you think of love. The comfort of being loved makes you feel free with your thoughts and words - you're a love bug.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

love potion number nine

so when Nichole & Daniel were in Florida for their WDW vacation back in May, they had the pleasant experience of being introduced to love bugs. Nichole kept cracking me up, because she was completely repulsed by the fact that mating bugs would land on her, essentially using her as their mattress.

today, i read something that, to me, makes love bugs so much less icky.

apparently when a mosquito bites us, it's for a very specific purpose. see... they don't feed on blood. they actually rely primarily on plant sugars for their energy. when they -- and it's only the females, in case you didn't know -- decide to nibble on us, it's because they use our blood as their fertility drug. it fuels their reproduction.

they say you learn something new every day. this is something i could have lived with remaining ignorant. i think it disturbs me more to be a bug aphrodisiac than a mattress...

being wrong is not always a bad thing

i had this bad feeling all day yesterday. i kept feeling as though the Sox were not going to play well against the Braves last night. i am thrilled to report that my bad feeling was wrong. Joshy & the Sox shut out the Braves 4-0. and so Mr Joshua Beckett joins the ten-win club for 2007.

some thoughts generated by the game:

1. Schilling was sent back to Boston for an MRI. it might be breaking all kinds of codes of conduct for me to say this but... i'm actually a little excited at the prospect of maybe seeing a little Jon Lester, and what he's got to offer for 2007, without losing Julian in the rotation. should the Ace need some time on the DL, that is.

2. i am imploring... begging... *pleading*. all you baseball announcers: please please *please* stop talking about any possibility of Mike Lowell leaving Boston. not for next season, because i have to believe Theo will set up a new contract with our third baseman. and *not* this year by the trade deadline. heaven forbid. are you *trying* to kill me?!

3. one of the Braves announcers summed up Boston's acquisition of Julio Freaking Lugo: dreadful.

4. they showed a toddler on camera last night. he was crying. but what they said when they commented, resonated with me: "You're at the ball park. How can you not be happy??" yeah... i wish i were at a ball park, watching the Red Sox...

5. the lack of prime baseball photos online has been disappointing lately. which is why a) i haven't had many photos to accompany my Sox posts recently, 2) i haven't had enough fodder to support what was my weekly For Love of the Game posts, and d) there was not one single solitary shot of an awesome play yesterday, but you can watch some video Coco's catch at least, if you missed it. no more Glass Center Fielder. Nichole was right. she totally called it. *fiberglass*, baby.

i'm ready for some Yoyo Tavarez tonight. deemed my new cult hero since we've had Trot taken away from us. =( i hope the Rockies keep doing to New York what they did to us in Boston last week. i'm all for seeing that gap grow again.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

And I Quote: June 19, 2007

"The real test of friendship is: Can you literally do nothing with the other person? Can you enjoy those moments of life that are utterly simple?"
(Eugene Kennedy)

they keep me humble. yes, they do.

i was all ready to set up shop here & gush over the Sox sweep of the Giants over the weekend. things like Julian directing traffic yet again, this time Barroid's humungo foul ball that just missed being a home run thanks to Yo-yo's (Julian self-proclaimed nickname) wild gesticulating, encouraging the ball to stay foul. things like wee Pedroia Pocket hitting a ball into the Monster seats. things like Manny showing major hustle (rocket power in those high red socks??) to avoid being part of a double play. things like Matsuzaka holding down the fort & pulling off a 1-0 win in his start. things like major bats for Lucky Number 49.

and then i was going to talk about the craziness. Julian's homemade blister remedy of crushed aspirin mixed with Red Bull applied to the abrasion. and the fact that he, this time intentionally, bowled the ball to Youk for the third out of an inning -- a *brilliant* decision, in my opinion, since from his position on the ground on the first base line, the runner was blocking any possible throw he might have made. and Big Papi getting ejected from Friday's game in the first inning. and our lead off hitters going 3-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch, and 5-for-5 with a home run & five RBI, respectively. oh yeah & did i mention our one-two men were JD Drew & Dustin Pedroia??

and i was going to smile as i remembered the ovations Dave Roberts got from the Fenway Faithful.

oh yes. i had plenty of happy to spread around.

then yesterday, in a 9-3 game, that included a home run for JD Drew, and *two* for Coco, one would assume that the Sox took advantage of the Yankees' off day to pick up an easy half game in the dwindling lead they have in the AL East.

one would also assume wrong.

c'mon Schill. three runs scored by your offense? Wakey would have turned that into a win! sometimes it takes him two games to see that much offensive production!

::sigh::

with our Ace suffering a little two-start slippage, let's hope our Ace-in-Waiting can get back to winning after his little hiccup last week, as Joshy attempts for the second time to join John Lackey as the only two AL pitchers with ten wins. please...

Monday, June 18, 2007

amazing

i decided to brave the heat yesterday & spend some time at WDW. even though i was a little warmer than i typically find comfortable, i was glad i went since the crowds were moderate at worst. i think the theme for yesterday would have to be "amazing" -- i certainly felt amazed more than once! from the sights on Soarin' to being able to ride Test Track twice in under a half hour. stunt shows to advances in gardening technology. acrobatics to architecture. some i was seeing for the first time. others never cease to amaze me, no matter how many times i've seen them before.

how about some of my favorite photos from yesterday...

i seriously need one of these tomato trees.

that's Indiana Jones swinging away on the rope with his girl!

i'd never seen Lights! Motors! Action! before. it was *very* cool!

this girl climbed those two ladders - unassisted! - with trays of liquid balanced on the bridge of her nose! and then balanced there!

and these two were twirling fabric disks while one girl balanced on the other girl's head on one hand!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Friday Fiver: June 17, 2007

Now and always

1. What was on your mind yesterday?
whether or not to get highlights (i did). whether or not the nail the tech doing my oil change found in one of my tires meant i needed a new tire (i just need to keep an eye on it). whether or not the Sox would win their game (post coming later).and various other little things that would take forever to mention.

2. What is on your mind today?
Disney, baby! and i hope the Sox win again today.

3. Do you like bonfires?
they're all right i guess. haven't had need for one in a long long time though.

4. Do you believe in the paranormal?
i've never seen anything with my own two eyes, but two of my cousins swear they saw the same ghost. i think there are a lot of things we are skeptical about, but that doesn't mean they aren't possible. and truly, i don't really want any concrete proof on this one. =P

5. Can you swim?
i can. don't really enjoy it though, so i barely ever do. probably haven't done it since i was a kid.

I know you're mad about me

1. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
invisibility

2. Which is more attractive to you: physical appearance or personality?
what am i judging? if you just mean people in general, then it's personality. if you mean, on a romantic level, then this is kind of a silly question, because i obviously would find the person i love to be both physically attractive *and* have a great personality. otherwise, how did i find myself attracted to them in the first place?!

3. Who did you last fight with?
fight? no one for quite a long while now. i've had some strong disagreements with several people though.

4. What did you eat last night?
i made individually sized meatloaf patties and sour cream & chive smashed potatoes.

5. Who are you mad about?
who?? i am not mad about anyone that i can think of! or anything for that matter.

We're simply mad

1. Are you attracted to the naughty or the nice?
much more the nice overall, with some "harmless naughty" tossed in.

2. Do you let your dirty laundry pile up?
heck no! not only would the mess drive me insane, but i would run out of things to wear!

3. What's the last excuse you made?
i rarely make excuses. i have no problem saying "i just didn't feel like doing it yet. i'm sorry. but i will get it done for you soon."

4. Do you play it safe or do you take risks?
i tend to play it pretty safe most of the time. i take the occasional calculated risk though. we all have to. i just try to choose mine wisely.

5. Friday fill-in:
Let's go to ____ and ____.
let's go Epcot and ride Test Track.

Trying to fit a rectangle into a ball

1. When do you doubt yourself?
lots of times. when i say something that has the potential to upset someone, and then they are quiet for a little bit before responding. when i am not sure that i helped a friend in need in the best way possible. when i wonder if a decision i made was really the right one.

2. Who do you owe an apology?
i can't think of anyone off the top of my head. i try not to let things fester. if i realize i owe someone an apology, i try to offer one right away. it's possible that i owe someone an apology right now & just haven't realized it yet, though, i suppose. i hope that's not the case though. i hate disappointing or hurting people.

3. When is the last time you felt embarrassed?
ha. when Troy changed the brake pads on my car. i got back in & he told me to pump the brake til i felt resistance, before i started to drive. we were chatting so i wasn't really paying attention. turns out i was pumping the gas pedal the whole time & not the brake. yeah, i felt pretty stupid. =P

4. What do you ignore?
among many other things, people who don't know when to stop talking.

5. Do you love yourself?
ummmm... i try my best to be a person that i would like. sometimes i succeed, other times i am disappointed in myself. but i do love myself enough to take care of myself: mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.

Unconscious Mutterings: June 17, 2007

Week 228

I say ... and you think ... ?

Riding :: a horse
Actress :: Jennifer Aniston
Flowers :: my Gram's flower gardens
Making :: dinner
Robot :: R2D2
Enjoy :: take pleasure in
Identify :: recognize
22 :: 44
Busy :: frantic pace
Forward :: march!

are you ready for this?

*i* went to the movies last night. that's right. not only have i seen a movie, but i saw it while it was still in the theatre. only nine days after it opened, no less! i've had this movie gift card for over a year already.

i loved Ocean's Eleven. it was a totally fun, if not completely improbable, movie. i saw it in the theatre three times, i think. (went with different people each time.) and i used to own it but =/ anyway... then i saw Ocean's Twelve. i am one of those people who firmly believes that sequels are always a disappointment. or almost always. this one? was so bad, i can't even remember what the plot was! i remember sitting through it & thinking "i cannot believe i paid money to watch this." it fell so far short of the original, it was sad.

so what possessed me to see Ocean's Thirteen? the fact that i loved the original & i hoped against hope that they would make an rebound with the third movie. well, without spoiling anything, they did. at least in my opinion. now it's still not as good as the first one, but it was back in character with Ocean's Eleven. for starters, back in Vegas. this time with a different agenda. but i won't spoil it for anyone who plans to see it. it doesn't have quite the same excitement factor that Eleven did, but it was still a lot of fun.

oh & the cast just keeps getting more & more well-known actors in it. crazy that they can afford to support a cast that huge, when the first one had a ton of names to begin with!

cousin of Kramer

You know how you get out of bed, drag your feet into the bathroom, flip on the light and stand in front of the mirror? You know how you squint your eyes and look? That. That's the big mistake. Looking in a mirror that early in the day.

It's always a disappointment, no matter who you are. You just see your reflection and think, "That's not what I was hoping for. I could have sworn I was better looking than that. I must be thinking of someone else."
(excerpt from "Couplehood," by Paul Reiser)

aka how you know you really need to get your hair cut - which, thankfully, i did yesterday morning. (oh & i do not really have a double chin. i was just pulling my head back in shock at what happened to my hair overnight.)

Friday, June 15, 2007

Friday Fun: June 15, 2007

brought to you by Friday Fun

Friday Favorites

What is your favorite,…?

1. Flavor of ice cream?
that's a tough one. i like mint chocolate chip. and black raspberry. and anything related to coffee. and Moose Tracks. and Roadrunner Raspberry. and plain old vanilla. and then there's the Dole Whip (pineapple & vanilla swirl please!) at Magic Kingdom. yeah, so i can't possibly pick a favorite.

2. Cold beverage?
water. lemonade comes in a distant second. and straight unsweetened cranberry juice.

3. TV show?
Grey's Anatomy. Boston Legal. (are you getting the idea yet that i cannot pick just one??)

4. Hobby?
hey! i can pick just one here! photography! unless going to Disney World, watching the Red Sox & Patriots, and blogging count as hobbies...

5. Place to visit?
(back to multiple answers) California. Disney World. New England in the Autumn. Boston.

6. Pizza?
thin crust with mozzarella, fresh tomato slices, and basil.

7. Online news source?
Daniel & Michelle provide me with all the news i need via email. the only "news" i read online, on my own, is sports related.

8. Online game?
i really don't play any games online.

Friday's Feast: June 15, 2007

Feast One Hundred & Forty Eight

Appetizer
Fill in the blank: The best thing about where I live is _________________…
Disney World, of course! what did you think i was going to say? =P

Soup
Create a new name for a deodorant (like “Flower Fresh” or “Shower Scent”).
Arctic Clean - why? i don't know. deodorant scents all seem to have corny names now. so i went with something that indicated cool & fresh. because that's the illusion deodorant should provide if you're doing something to make it work, right?

Salad
What was the last piece of software you installed onto your computer?
i added Clipmarks to my toolbar.

Main Course
If you were to receive a superlative award today beginning with the words ”Most likely to…”, what would the rest of the phrase say?
Most Likely to Run Screaming From the Building

Dessert
What two colors do you like to wear together?
hmmm... one color combination would be brown & pink. there are a bunch of others, but that one came to mind first.

and catching up on...
Feast One Hundred & Forty Seven

Appetizer
What do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?
the peanut butter sandwich from Walt Disney World. yum...

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name?
well, to be honest with you, i have only heard of four people who have it that i am not related to: some guy in my childhood hometown. another girl with my same exact name that lived in the next town over. *another* Dawn that lives in Kentucky, who has attempted to smudge my credit history (that involved a long dispute to be corrected, let me tell you! it is apparently easier to fraudulently pass yourself off as someone else than it is to correct someone who has attached themselves to your identity!). and retired Minnesota Twins pitcher Brad. oh, and for being such a short last name, you would be amazed at all the incorrect spellings & mispronunciations.

Salad
Who is your all-time favorite sitcom character, and why?
Monica Geller from Friends. and ummmm... probably because i identify with her completely. ::shrugs sheepishly::

Main Course
Do you shop online? If so, name some sites you like to browse for goodies.
a little bit. usually at the Red Sox MLB Shop or at Vicky's, when they have a good sale or a free shipping promotion.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I think ___________ should be ___________.
i think Dan should be a superhero.

Why do you build me up...

...(build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
(from "Build Me Up Buttercup," The Temptations)

photos from Yahoo Sports

ok, boys. joke's over. it's really not funny anymore. WHERE HAVE YOU HIDDEN THE BATS?!!

just so many things about this game that confused me:
1. JD Drew is really our best option for lead off hitter?

2. no, seriously. have the Sox truly forgotten how to hit the ball? and that the point of the game is to score when you manage to get on base?

3. and the Colorado Rockies kicked our butts offensively, two nights in a row?! a prime example of this would be the Sox loading the bases with one out, and not scoring one single solitary run, but the Rockies get up & hit a freaking grand slam. i know, i know. they're just in one of those slumps every team must face over the course of the season. but it's their own fault for spoiling me with such wonderful play up til now that this latest run just feels abysmal.

4. what do you mean Josh Beckett lost a game...? i don't understand. Boston lost 7-1? Joshy's record is 9-1 now? that cannot be... Joshy does not lose in 2007... ::scratches head in bewilderment::

5. and then, there's this... for which there are no words. let's just say that when Nichole texted me, i thought she really might have started hallucinating after too many hours spent inside hospital walls & too many late night shifts. i about fell out of my chair when i saw it with my own two eyes.

(Sox fans should pick up on this right away. look closely. and remember that those flying dredlocks mean the player is *Manny*...)

the good:
congrats to Boston's (former) very own Bill Mueller who is now the interim hitting coach for the Dodgers.
the bad:

(from Boston Dirt Dogs)
the downright scary:
Remy: I swear to God Don, I think the best approach is you sit there calmly, look deep into her eyes and say ‘How you doin’?’ and then let it go…
Orsillo: Well, wait a minute, you’re going to have two long innings and then you throw that out there in the beginning of the next inning too, I mean, you gotta have something more than that? [laughing]
Remy: You can always fall back on ‘How you doin’?’, because she’s might be doing different like, three minutes from now than she was doing two minutes ago, you know I mean? …But you gotta look straight into here eyes, you can’t be bobbing and weaving because she can’t focus on you if you’re doing that.
Orsillo: How you doin’? …
Remy: It’s hard to follow this guy…
Orsillo: You just sit back, and become mysterious
Remy: You drop that famous line, ‘I noticed you were sitting here alone, you shouldn’t of been…’ [laughter]
Orsillo: ‘Are your legs tired? Because you’ve been running around in my mind all day…’ [bust out laughter]… [snort] …
(you can read the whole crazy fifth inning play-by-play of Sox Appeal critique, by Remy & Don right here. that, my friends, is just how bad this game got last night. we just resorted to an entire half inning of Don Orsillo giggling and RemDawg egging him on.)

my boy Julian pitches tonight against the visiting Giants. i hope he intentionally walks Barroid every time he comes up to the plate. and Sox? you, ummmm... might want to start hitting. we have come to feel something i think might be identified as fondness for Julian & his happy-go-lucky demeanor. let's not wake the slumbering inner crazy man, mm-kay?

...but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart

SPF: June 15, 2007

the assignment:
Your Back

"I got your back."
Nichole and i have each other's back. =)

Thursday, June 14, 2007

melts in your mouth, not in your hand

see what happens when the Sox play two crappy games in a row? i have to turn myself into chocolate. =P

crashing back down to earth

i guess i pressed my luck with my jovial attitude yesterday. the baseball gods saw fit that not only should the Sox lose, but they should get slaughtered by Colorado, 12-2. i thought the Rockies were supposed to be bad?? and here i find myself crashing back down to earth, after singing with joy. and there was crashing back down to earth for Schill, as well, after last week's amazing one-hitter.

to add insult to injury, the MFY decided they should win their eighth straight game to cut the Sox AL East lead to 8.5 games. it's like i've been saying all along: i won't stop keeping one eye on New York until they are mathematically eliminated. somehow they always seems to defy probability when it comes to making it into the post season.

from last night's game -
the good:
it appears that Mike Lowell's injured thumb is not affecting him *that* much, as he sent a bomb into the Monster seats on a cold night, with the wind blowing in. that thing would still be sailing if it was one of those sultry, still summer nights.
the bad:
Julio Freaking Lugo. could he seriously ever just make a clean play? Cora for SS!
the ugly:
Remy & Don discussing wearing Speedos. ::shudder::

and to my great relief, Big Papi has officially announced that he will *not* be participating in this year's Home Run Derby. thank heaven, because every summer he plays along, and then every summer, it screws up his swing, and we suffer through a painful readjustment period, while we wait for his swing to right itself again.

Joshy tries to join John Lackey in the ten-win club. we need him to remain undefeated, especially since the Crankees already won this afternoon. as long as we can take tonight's rubber game, we will maintain the win-loss ratio i am comfortable with: two wins for every loss.

go Sox!

And I Quote: June 14, 2007

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
(Mark Twain)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

good times

Where it began, I can't begin to knowin',
But then I know it's growin' strong.
Was it the spring, then spring became the summer,
Who'd -a believed you'd come along?
(from "Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond)

photo from The Boston Herald

seriously. i don't know what it is. maybe the Sox actually winning one that Wakey started (and pitched beautifully for eight innings, i might add!). or just being able to watch some baseball again. or perhaps just the fact that through June 12, this season has felt like a dream. and it makes me want to break out in song. while part of me waits for the other shoe to drop (i'm starting to think nothing can ever truly chase that feeling away for a lifetime Sox fan), the rest of me is revelling in the sheer joy that 2007 has been for two and a half months. even with more than half the season (and endless possibilities, both good & bad) remaining, it would be ungrateful, i think, not to dance & sing with glee, just a little. not so much, though, as to draw the attention of the fickle Baseball Gods.

other reasons for happiness:
1. Julio F. Lugo to the bottom of the batting order, where, lo & behold, he suddenly produces. (i will drop the Freaking to a middle initial of F for as long as he keeps being semi-useful.)

2. Pedroia Pocket batting lead off, which i happen to think he's earned. the man may be wee, but the batting average is not.

3. JD Drew maybe finding his bat again, to sac fly in the winning run of a game tied at one in the eighth, if not get hits.

4. Manny's bat is starting to pre-heat for the summer.

5. Jon "Killer" Papelbon is throwing for heat again. and Ks. oh, the Ks. he's getting back in Kill Mode, i just know it.

6. even though they only scored two runs for Wakefield, it was enough for the Sox to win.

the Ace goes tonight. things are starting to get very interesting. and it's not even summer yet. let's get this party started.

and if you're just not loving ball at the moment, for whatever reason, check out this blog rant on team mascots which totally supports my skepticism of whatever the heck that thing is that the Rays have.

best part of the whole rant?
New York Yankees
Mascot they should have: Satan. Alternatively, a giant dollar bill. I'm being mean. Really they should have a giant baseball thing along the lines of Mr. Met, because they consider themselves to BE baseball.
Mascot they do have: none.
How'd they do? The Yankees are too good to have a mascot, didntcha know? I can't fail them because there's nothing to fail.

i wonder what it means...

...when out of absolutely nowhere, you remember watching Captain Kangaroo.

man, i loved that show. Mr Green Jeans. and Mr Moose and the raining ping pong balls.

heh.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

because what i need right now is another reason to cough

for the last ten hours, it has felt like there is a fuzz or something tickling the back of my throat. nothing has made it go away.

not drinking.
not eating.
not clearing my throat.
not gargling.

nothing.

and so, in addition to all the coughing i am already doing from the residual effects of last week's cold, now i am coughing even more because there's a persistent little tickle in the back of my throat.

just shoot me now.

little bits of happy: June 12, 2007

...an email from Heather that reads:

hi
just spoke with Alison and she asked to pass the update. everything is perfect. the baby is so beautiful even on the ultrasound! not like she makes anything but beautiful babies! the arrhythmia was just from the medications.

...though it's no little thing when prayers are answered...

Ten on Tuesday: June 12, 2007

Brag About Yourself

i like to think that i...

1. ...am a good friend.
2. ...take pretty good photos.
3. ...know a decent amount about football.
4. ...can hold my own when talking baseball.
5. ...am pretty well-disciplined when it comes to saving money.
6. ...am a dedicated god mother.
7. ...am usually a generally pleasant person to be around.
8. ...can cook a decent meal.
9. ...would be a pretty good tour guide at Disney World.
10. ...have some creative talent.

Unconscious Mutterings: June 12, 2007

Week 227

I say ... and you think ... ?

Acoustic :: unplugged
Sanity :: something i lost a long time ago
Mambo :: Tango
Session :: lesson
Hound :: dog
Cat :: purr
Coward :: run away
Trunk :: dead body (sorry... i've read a lot of references to The Sopranos recently)
Hold me :: snuggle
Psychological :: disorder

blog theft

i was visiting Katrine, over at Squibs & Crackers, and she has encouraged anyone who reads to help themselves to the entry she did, because she copied it from her brother, who got it from somewhere else, that found it somewhere else... anyway, here we are. you've got the idea.

My Roomate and I once: were friends, before she drove me crazy. i couldn't take the back-stabbing, childish, me-centric pettiness anymore. and we won't even talk about the time she got herself so drunk that she puked all over the interior of my two-week old car. or the fact that the apartment (outside of my bedroom) probably should have been condemned, she was such a nasty slob. suffice to say, she not only drove me out of town, but out of the state. i drove 1200 miles to escape from her. the end.

Never in my life have I: tried to rollerblade. and if you've spent any significant amount of time with me, you probably know why. =P

High school was: all right. i mean, i wouldn't go back & do it again or anything, but it didn't traumatize me. well... except for geometry...

When I am nervous: i get quiet. ok, even more quiet.

My hair: needs to be cut. so badly. it's doing strange things. like curling on one side & laying stick straight on the other. and on the crown of my head, it is getting so thick & heavy that it looks like my head is dented.

When I was 5: i went to afternoon kindergarten. i was in Mrs. Koschmann's class. we were her "little lambs." (our class theme was "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb.") my dad had to come in once for a meeting, because i was playing with the hem on my dress & she thought that i was lifting it up, so she took me aside & spoke to me, which made me cry. she felt very badly, so she wanted my dad to speak with her, so she could explain.

By this time next year: i have absolutely no idea where i will be. the last year of my life has been so crazy & turned on end, i never could have predicted it. lesson learned: you never know where you will end up.

My favorite aunt is: no longer with us. she was my Gram's sister, Elsie. Auntie El. she was the sweetest, kindest lady, and so many of my childhood memories involve time spent with her family. she & my Gram were not only sisters, but best friends.

I have a hard time understanding: how some people can be so kind, genuine, generous & amazing, while others are so mean, angry, deceitful & self-serving.

You know I like you if: ... ummmm... i don't know how you know. i hope it's obvious!

My ideal breakfast is: nothing too big or heavy. scrambled eggs & toast. or yogurt & a granola bar. or some fresh fruit.

If you visit my hometown: the two best things to do involve not being here: catch a baseball game in Tampa, or go over to Disney World.

If you spend the night at my house: i would have to sleep on the couch. there's only one bedroom.

My favorite blond is: going to have to remain a mystery, since i refuse to pick favorites on my blog, lest i inadvertently hurt someone's feelings.

My favorite brunette is: the same cop-out answer as i just gave for blond. =P

The animal I would like to see flying is: a pig. you know, for all those times people have said to me "sure, when pigs fly" when i've asked them to do something for me.

I shouldn’t have been: such a fool. I’ll leave it at that for now. (yeah, i just left Katrine's answer. that about sums it up.)

Last night: i had a really bad dream. it woke me up, but not immediately. i could actually feel myself trying to wake up out of the dream, but i wasn't doing it fast enough. maybe because i was so tired from the flight fiasco the night before? i don't know. it was a weird feeling though. not to mention the disturbing aspect of the nightmare itself that left me pretty unsettled for a while.

I’ve been told I look like: both my mother and my father. usually which ever one i happen to be standing near. i wonder what would happen if i stood between them...?

If I could have any car it would be: pretty much any one that's brand new, but paid for. that way i wouldn't have car payments, but it would still be covered by warranty. =P

Monday, June 11, 2007

the annual trek north to celebrate Baby Girl

just some favorite photos from this past weekend. =)

started out with a visit to Boston on Saturday. first stop, the most important place in the whole city. first time i have seen the red banner with my own two eyes. =)

this is one of my favorite things about Boston. it's not all skyscrapers & tall shiny office buildings. you never know where you might find a building with some personality tucked in.

and then there were kids. the birthday girl...

check out how much she has grown up since last year!

Miss Liv...

...who *really* went from last year's baby to this year's full-fledged little girl.

Sir Seamus...

...who looks the most like he did last year, just bigger.

and the requisite shot of Us Girls. never mind my hair. it needed to get cut June 2, but my stylist had an emergency & now it won't get done til the 16th. it was wicked damp in Connecticut, which, when combined with my too-long hair, tried to curl in all manner of craziness after being outside for several hours. so yeah, not the best photo of me, but whatever. they rarely are.

we aren't really that different from a year ago, unless you count that the two in black have little round baby bellies growing. =)

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