Memorial Weekend Update

This weekend was actually pretty nice. For an absolute change, Baby and I decided that staying in town may actually do us some good.

We started the weekend by meeting J.Smith and Pocahontas for dinner. They are my favorite gay couple...ever. We also had Grove in tow. We collectively decided that Cyclone Anaya's jumbo margaritas weren't f-ing around because it just about knocked ALL of us on our asses. Yes, that coming from a weekend-alcoholic and her drinking entourage... After congregating at J.Smith and Pocahontas' beautiful townhome for a couple more beverages and shots (yikes!), we headed back to Baby's house. After a drink or two at his house, we then decided we must investigate whether Little E still worked at Darkhorse. And to our surprise, she was there pouring us glass after glass of liquid evil.

Saturday was more tame... I lounged by the pool with Ash while Baby and Grove hit the sticks. Afterwards, it was a tame night of dinner at home and watching (of all things) UFC.

Sunday was a bit more active. Baby started his day by cutting the grass...meaning I was recruited to help in some way, shape, or form - he did 95% the work though. Ran around looking for a dining room table after that. As usual, Finger's bargain basement has proven a good place to rummage. Baby found everything he was looking for at half the price he was intending to spend. We eventually met up with Grove, ShanerBach, and ShanerBach's g/f at the Marquis. They were two teas in when we left...they would definitely feel those in the morning! Baby and I caught dinner and were in bed by 10pm - woohoo...party animals!

Monday ended up being more errands and taking my great aunt to her dialysis appt. Then working a measly hour at Job #2 as it was sooooo dead. All in all, there was nothing great to report, but it was so much more relaxing than any weekend I've had over the last couple of months.

All that will change though, as next week Baby and I are headed to Vegas! Oy vey!

Anonymity

So I've decided to start using "nicknames" more when discussing people in my life on this blog. Not that I would ever put anything too racey in here that would get anyone in trouble, but I figure for those who do know me well, you'll know who I'm talking about. For those who don't, can follow the story strictly based on your pseudonym. Unfortunately, you will all be stuck with whatever name I give you, so if you're not happy with it...deal. HAHAHAHA!!! Most of them will be pretty evident though.

Testicle Truck Watch 2006

Still no sign of the Chevy with Balls.... (sigh)

My cutie patootie niece

My adorable niece is becoming quite the character....



She has learned how to stop what's she's doing and pose for the camera...what a ham! Could that be a trait she picked up from our side of the family????







She is so my niece in this picture - already dancing on tables...even has the "I've had too much to drink and my glasses are on crooked" look going for her. Not many can pull this off.








The cutest picture ever of Lauren and her "Mimi"










The Drama Queen - she just dropped her fork and said, "Oh no, oh no."

Jacky

As you can tell, I'm lacking much to blog about. I've been having a run of bad luck lately, but don't feel the need to become one of those bloggers that drone on and on about how you should feel sorry for them.

Anyhoo, I got this in an email today, and thought I'd fill it out. Don't ask...because I have no idea what happend to #37 and #41. Maybe you can learn more about me...although I think you all already know most of this b.s. Just felt I should post SOMETHING...

1. FIRST NAME? Diva --- kidding!
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Jaclyn Smith...my dad was obsessed with Charlie's Angels - no joke.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? This morning...found out a friend's mother lost her battle to cancer
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I guess
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Chicken
6. KIDS? 4-legged: Miss Duchess of Poo Poo (aka Duchess/Duchy)
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOURSELF? Definitely. I'm damn fun!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Just the occasional blog entry
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Me? Nev-AH!
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Already Have
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Banana Nut
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Rarely
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Amaretto with Almonds or Pistacchio with almonds
16. SHOE SIZE? 5.5 or 6
17. RED OR PINK? PINK!
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? How I handle being overwhelmed sometimes...not all the time, but sometimes
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Scott
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Ehh
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? No pants - get your mind out of the gutter...I'm wearing a blue skirt and have kicked off my 3-inch heels
22. WHAT DID YOU EAT LAST? Turkey lettuce wrap and a Dannon yogurt
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The news
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Bronze
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Matt before he goes to bed - after a shower, not after a night at the bars (I know...can you believe I'm saying something that cheesey for everyone to read?!?!)
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Insurance adjuster
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? It's been different with every person
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I tell her she sucks almost everyday ;)
29. FAVORITE DRINK? Whisky and soda or whisky on the rocks
30. FAVORITE SPORT? College Football (c'mon, I grew up in TX), also like baseball too
31. HAIR COLOR? Black
32. EYE COLOR? Dark Brown
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Sometimes
34. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Most grilled fish
35. SCARY MOVIE OR HAPPY ENDING? Scary
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Mission Impossible III
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall...lol
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Both
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Ice Cream
42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Hmmmm
43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Historian
44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Nothing
45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Nothing
46. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS? Laughter
47. STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles
48. THE FURTHEST YOU BEEN FROM HOME? Philippines, but in a way that's home too
49. HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I'm sure I do, just don't know it yet
50. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Manila, Philippines

The Chase

I heard two ladies probably in their late-20's/early-30's talking on the elevator yesterday as I was leaving work. Seeing that I'm almost on the highest floor at my skyscraper, it was a long enough ride down to overhear a chunk of their conversation. It went something like this:

Blonde: From what you said, I think he likes you but too chicken shit to make a move. He seems kinda shy.
Brunette: I was trying to see if he was even interested, but I couldn't tell if he had just drank too much so that's why he stayed out later with us or if he was staying because I started talking to him more. Everyone says he never stays any longer than a couple of hours at those happy hours.
Blonde: Well are you gonna ask him out or wait to see if he's interested?
Brunette: Maybe I'm not even interested in him but I like the idea of the challenge (insert giggle here). I never even noticed this guy until someone mentioned he was hard to get to know.
Blonde: You're so messed up. You just like the chase.
Brunette: Maybe. Maybe he can at least be a practice chase if nothing comes out of it. (insert more vindictive giggling here)
(Elevator door opens, and the women head the opposite direction from me continuing their conversation)

I've always known that women were equally competitive as men about "The Chase." I, too, have been guilty of it - probably the queen of it for years. You like a guy so much that you can't imagine not wanting to be with him. Then you start dating more frequently, know he'll never leave you, and then all the sudden he's not as exciting as he use to be. Isn't that horrible?!?!?

Although I'm glad I no longer partake in all the chasing or being chased, I remember the adrenaline rush it gives so I don't fault anyone for doing it in the least. I guess it's just funny to hear people talk about it like it's some great XBox game that we all enjoy playing.

Happy Birthday Simon!

This past Saturday, I joined Anna and Chris in honoring Simon for his birthday. We met at a dive bar on Richmond that has apparently been there since the early- to mid-80's. However did I miss this place?!?! It was awesome...the bartender was quite entertaining as well. After polishing off an entire bottle of Grey Goose, we mosied on over to the Fairview tri-fecta - 611, JR's, and Mining Co. Remind me why we always end up at that last scarey place?!?! Oh, well...it was fun regardless. Happy Birthday again to Simon!!!

The Strange Things People Do

I was on my way to job #2 on Monday and saw one of the funniest things on the road EVER! I know some of you will think I am making this up, but I swear on all that is holy that I did IN FACT see this driving down 45N at rush hour. After fumbling the buttons on my radio trying to find either a traffic report or something that doesn't make me want to crash into the car in front of me, I look in front of me to see a green Chevrolet SUV with the big over-sized tires (Suburban, I guess...not a car person, so Chevy gas guzzler would be the best description). The SUV's trailer hitch had a skull with light-up red eyes...classs-ay. BUT that was NOT what caught my attention. What caught my eye were a pair of black socks hanging behind the hitch which appeared to be filled with large potato-like objects. These two socks were somehow attached or sewn together at the ends holding the potato-like fillers and left to dangle as something unmistakenly to be viewed as the SUV's manhood. Yes, you heard it here... Somewhere in Houston a man is driving a car with balls, cajones, huevos! NICE! Although I normally have my digital camera with me to capture such amazingly unbelievable anomolies, I had lent it to my brother and have not gotten it back yet. DRATS! So now I'm on the search everyday between 5:30-6:15p hoping to catch one more glimpse of Testicle Truck so that I can capture him on film. It's so sad when THIS has become my daily goal - to hunt down an SUV with balls...

Weekend Update

Let's see... what do I have to update about? Hmmmm....well, running errands with the family and another day of helping Matt try to get his house the way he wants it. So, basically, I have nothing of interest to report on my end. Jeez...I'm getting boring. Actually, I think I'm on that quiet hiatus period - the calm before the storm some might say.

Other than a number of birthdays to attend to this month (an ongoing theme I must endure through July), Little Miss Emily is graduating from Alabama this weekend. WOOHOO--Congrats to her! The little chica is growing up!!!

Well, I guess that's it until something of great interest stikes me...now off to start another week of work, work, and (let's see...) work.

Margaritas and Pinatas!!!!

No, Cinco de Mayo does not commemorate Mexican Independence from Spain as that was September 15, 1810. It is to celebrate our Mexican brethren for the fending off the French when their army was so grossly outnumbered. This date marks the day of their big battle.

Although I do find it funny that those who love to find ANY reason to drink use Cinco de Mayo as a scapegoat and have no idea what it is... Therefore, here was your CliffNotes version of a history lesson. So go, my margarita connoisseurs, and belittle people at bars tonight with this tidbit of info ;)

Happy Cinco de Mayo, amigos!

Why can't weekends be 3 days long?

I'm slowly recovering from my impromptu birthday celebration. I'm still exhausted, and my liver is still cramping as it suffers the consequences of my actions. Anyhoo, with some help from Jay, Nate, Matt, Chris, MJ, Regan, Lindsay, Joann, and Andy, I was able to do an early ringing into my 29th year of life. It was a shameless display of near-alcoholism that started at Matt and MJ's new abode, followed by embarrassing Michael Jackson dance-offs between myself and Matt (yes, Matt... can you believe that???) at Sammy's, and ending in more hangover-inducing behavior well into the wee morning back at the casa. Sadly, Sunday was spent with throbbing headaches, nausea, and sore body parts... Did I sleep on my head Saturday night because my neck is suffering some serious pain?!?!? I've got that robotic turning from the waist going on today since I can't turn my head in either direction without feeling like it will snap right off.

Other than that, nothing else to report. Tomorrow is my actual birthday, so at the request of my mother I must eat some sort of noodle dish at some point during the day. Filipino tradition infers that eating noodles on your birthday brings you long life. Hmmmm... don't know if I believe that, but after aging myself about 5 years in damaging behavior Saturday, I could use all the help I can get.

I guess I need to update this thing...

I know, I know...I've neglected this blog for over two weeks. Although it's the same lame excuse, I must use it again - I've been super busy! Let me highlight the good stuff and leave out the boring work-related mumbo jumbo.

Sometime right after my last post, the whole gang traveled out to Austin to party in honor of Mr. Rahman's induction into the 30-zone. There were over 20 of us from Austin, Houston, and Dallas at Lake Travis partaking in some college-reminiscent drinking. Lord help us that I don't see a jello shot ever again!


As for Easter Weekend, Matt and I had our fantastic Hawaiian getaway. It was Matt's first time there, so it was me playing tour guide once again...although I didn't mind in the least. My friends Tony and John traveled with us, but seeing that they had accompanied me two years ago, we only hooked up with them once for a trek out to the Dole Plantation and the North Shore while I took Matt to some of the same spots they had already been the rest of the time. Matt was amazed at the waves out on the northside of the island...definitely a lot more challenging than the Florida coast. For those who know Tony, be sure to ask him about how his sunbathing experience at Banzai Pipeline Beach went...it's the second most funniest experience I've had at North Shore (Anna and Simon are still the reigning champions)!






The mountains on the drive to North Shore












Here I am at the Dole Plantation. Matt refused to stick his head through the pineapple in a Hawaiian shirt playing the eukalele for fear I would put him on my blog. Damn him for knowing me so well!















Tony and John at Ehukai Beach a.k.a Banzai Pipeline Beach












Surfers at Banzai Pipeline Beach













Aren't we just the poster children for interracial dating?!?! Hehe











Matt and I also did an 8-hr deep-sea fishing trip on Easter Sunday which is something I had never done before. I caught three mahi mahi while Matt caught two. The colors were amazing!!! Matt caught the largest mahi mahi on the trip (53" and 45lbs.) of which he's getting mounted for display...can't wait to see how it looks when it's done! All of mine looked like weenies next to his, thus, no mounting of my fishies...lol.






Watching the sunrise as we embark on our 8-hr deep-sea fishing trip. It was way too early!










One of my favorite pictures













Matt caught the monster in the center. One of mine was the midget second to the last on the right.






After 8 hours of being blackened in the sun on the fishing trip the day before, people were starting to wonder who that ebony princess Matt was walking around with...lol



As usual, I seriously contemplated whether or not I could survive a massive paycut and take a job as a hotel event coordinator in Waikiki and live in a low-rent apartment with a shared bath and kitchen. First off, shared bath and kitchen for more than what I'm paying for my one-bedroom apartment in Houston is absolutely ridiculous! I was also reminded that my weakness for a few high dollar things such as Chanel makeup, 18-year old Glenfiddich scotch, and spontaneous travel would suffer tremendously. As you've guessed, I'm not willing to give up those luxuries at this selfish state of my existence. Therefore, I'm back in Houston and back to the grind of the two job lifestyle...ugh! Work hard, play hard, right? Why couldn't it be play hard, and play even harder? Wouldn't that be the life?






Here is a gorgeous sunset at Paradise Cove to remind me why I come back as much as I do

Shivers up and down my spine

Although I'm deeply sadden that he didn't survive seeing that I have such a soft spot for animals, this is probably one of the most disturbing images I've seen in quite some time. Especially to my cat-lovers out there, be aware you've been forewarned.

More birthday wishes

I also wanted to make sure not to forget to wish Lindsay and April birthday wishes as well. Lindsay's was yesterday, but I got to tell her in person Saturday night!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADIES!!!

Even though we don't party like rock stars anymore, we can still pretend like we do! Hope your birthdays are a blast!

I'm jealous!

I know I have no room to spout jealousy about someone's travels seeing that I hop on planes more than most people, but it falls under that concept of always wanting more... ah, yes, gulttony. Ann sent me a pic of her and her hubby skiing in Kitzbuhel, Austria. How pretty! They obviously had a great time, but who couldn't skiing around in Austria?!?!? I miss those two tremendously and am hoping Mark will get a transfer back to Houston. I'm crossing my fingers. Now only if those two could stop hopping all over the world and visit Houston more often ;)

The Big 3-0!!!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY, MJ!!!

You still don't look a day over 20...haha! Can't wait to celebrate this weekend!!!

Know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em

It appears that we've all made it back from Grand Casino Coushatta in one piece for Chris' birthday trip. Some with lighter wallets, but still all in one piece. I, the non-gambler of the group, thoroughly enjoyed bouncing from one person to the other to touch base on their progress to beat the house. With some disappointment I can report that no one came away with much success. Although I did entertain Chris with my casino theory - I'm convinced that casinos hire a handful of midgets to sit underneath the roulette table and spin the wheel manually...they are the ones to know, I tell ya. I tried to explain that concept to Chris, and even talked to the midget through the table right before each spin to be kind to the birthday boy. Unfortunately, I think the midget sensed my phobia for people smaller than myself and purposely chose every other number or opposite color that poor Chris chose to spite me. I offered to kick the roulette-spinning midget's ass as his birthday gift, but we chose not to create a scene. It probably wasn't that great that the women standing next to me kept thinking that I was calling THEM "little midget" either.


(And, yes, the picture is what you think it is...we rented a mini-van so that the kids could all ride together, and Lindsay could "soccer mom" us all the way to Coushatta. Mini-vans are so hot, huh?!?!)



My favorite thing to do in casinos (usually this can only be done in Vegas) is to admire the architecture of the buildings. Since this was a lone free-standing casino in the middle of nowhere Louisiana, my attention was focused on my second favorite thing to do in casinos - people watch. It's been a while since I've seen such a parade of mullets/she-mullets all under one roof. There was also a lack of deeming front teeth as a necessity - I suppose they might've considered such things as dentures a luxury item. I know, I know...there I am again being a bitch! Through it all, the experience was worth it 100% to celebrate a birthday for a good friend. Happy birthday again, Chris...we hope you enjoyed yourself!

Now we have three weeks to recover just in time for MJ's 30th...

Kiss me!

I'm not Irish, but kiss me anyway! Or, better yet, just shower me with gifts of Guinness...

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

The New Monogamy

Who would've thought that I, of all people, would be such a traditionalist???? I can't remember what I was reading on MSN that led me to a Q&A with relationship experts about the idea of "managed monogamy," but it piqued my interest. So in order to find out where this all started, I searched for the article that started the controversy titled "The New Monogamy." This entails having open relationships/marriages. Already, I was a tad confused because doesn't "mono" mean one? Hmmmm...

At first I thought, wow! It's like living the dream - having a wonderful husband, my house with the white picket fence, the 2.5 kids, yada, yada, yada...and to top things off, an open arrangement to play nookie with other men with my husband's consent. The hemisphere of my brain still clutching on for dear life to the idea of being young, sexy, and single screams, "That's awesome!" While the other hemisphere of my brain (the one that's been slowly trying to take over the entire cranium as I toe the line into my 30's - damn you, responsible part of the brain) takes a reality check and wonders whatever happened to the sanctity of marriage or even the sanctity of a serious relationship for that matter? Again, hmmmmm.....

I understand that we're in a time where 50% of marriages end in divorce, the feminine mystique has become the feminine takeover, and our fast-paced lives often leads us to swapping out partners as quickly as we upgrade our software because we "don't have time" to enjoy, nurture, or allow relationships to gestate to their full potentials. Then for those who truly want to maintain such a non-commital way of life, why not just stay single and slut around avoiding subjecting oneself to a relationship that is suppose to be mutally exclusive? I can totally accept and respect that decision. Don't get me wrong...I'm all about kissing (and then some) all the frogs in the world before you find that prince. But, c'mon now! It sounds to me like The New Monogamy has been around forever - it's called staying single.

Skinless bodies? Why, yes, thank you.

Last night my brother, his girlfriend, and his best friend accompanied me to the museum to the Body Worlds 3 exhibit. It was phenomenal. If you ever get a chance to see this bad boy, you should. Basically, it's real life humans who've donated their bodies to this exhibit of which show the human body either stripped of skin or body parts and organs disected for viewing - tumors and all, in some cases. They put the bodies through this plastination process where they preserve the bodies with a hardening material. I'm not even going to attempt to explain the process, but it's cool nonetheless. I thought it was extremely interesting, but I could tell a few people were a bit queazy. The only thing I didn't get was if they got all that funding in order to preserve these bodies for viewing, you'd think they'd hire some minimum wage high school kid to at least clip the toe nails of these human specimens before displaying them...yes, there were some funky toes in need of some serious attention!