I voted. You should too!

Remember to vote Nov. 4. If you are in California and you can't vote or it might be inconvenient Nov. 4, vote early. Look up your local registrar of voters online for any questions you might have. Above everything though, please please go get your voice heard.

And while you are at it, a NO on 8 and YES for Obama would be great. ;-)

I voted. Turned in my absentee ballot at my local city hall this morning. Did you know you can do that? Don't even have to pay postage.



Spread the message and encourage all your friends to vote. It's important. No matter what your opinions are. I want our children to grow up and be proud that their parents were involved and cared about what mattered when they were young.

Equality for all

Been reading a book about racism this month. On top of reading all the Yes on 8 garbage and seeing all the support against gay people I am reminded of how much the issue of gay rights and racial rights are similar.

Equality for all people. I don't care if you don't agree with their lifestyle, they are still human and deserve to be treated as such. Learning about them will not infect your children. Acting like they don't exist will, you only seek to spread the hate you harbor when you don't accept people for who they are.

And stop believing the lies the TV ads tell you.

This is exactly how we treated African Americans. Exactly. Only now we are doing it to gay people. They are people too and they deserve the same respect you bestow upon everyone. Stop the hate. STOP. IT. NOW.

Vote no on H8te!

Fun fill in the blank blog

Go to urbandictionary.com and type in your answer to each question in the search box, then write the most amusing definition it gives you.

1. Your name:
2. Your age:
3. One of your friends:
4. What should you be doing?
5. Your favourite colour:
6. Your birthplace:
7. Last person you talked to:
8. Last thing you had to drink:
9. Your nickname:

My results:
1. adj., awesome, cool, neat.
"that jet plane is so traci!"
2. The age at which one can finally rent a car in the United States without being charged enormous amounts of money and without having to sign thousands of papers for that matter.
I got stabbed and mugged in the subway because I woulda had to pay $100 more per day for renting a car cuz im not 25 yet!
3. The most awesome event, person, or place.
That party was so Amanda!
4. Jargon for the act of diving to catch the disk in the game ultimate frisbee.
you should have laid out to catch that.
5. Money
homies always askin fo some green.
6. The most over looked city in Orange County. Most people who live in The OC haven't heard of it. For those who don't know, it is between Huntington Beach, Westminister, and Santa Ana. It is home to about 2 Starbucks cafes and 20 7-11's.
Person 1: I live in Fountain Valley.
Person 2: Where?
Person 1: In Orange County.
Person 2: Oh SWEET! You must be like, RICH!
Person 1: No. *punches Person 2*
7. One who circulates the room without reason.
that party was full of elizas.
8. A uniquely American drink that apparently tea drinkers outside the US just don't get. Both refreshing and caffeinated, but be careful what you order -- Southerners like it really, really sweet.
Ah, iced tea. My wirewater of choice.
9. Describes the act of following in someone's particular way of life, like using tracing paper to make a duplicate of an original.
man, don't trace those kids, be yourself.

I don't know what this all means, but I think I have decided the Urbandictionary is pretty much filled with a bunch of crap.

P.S. Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile.

Mother Nature is confused

I'm not complaining here but I think Earth is confused.

After an extremely mild summer here in the Bay Area the leaves have already started to change colors and have already begun littering the streets.

I love fall. It is my favorite season, I just don't want it cut drastically short because of this random weather we have had this summer.

Anyway on a side note I am concluding my summer with a vacation to Lake Tahoe. So I will be incommunicado until Sept. 1. But if you need me.... you know the number.

I love teachers but....

Look I love what teachers do for the world. Really I do.

But I am upset. They won't give me the time of day today, this week, EVER. I've tried everything – stalked the classrooms, talked to the principals even gone to the Superintendent's office and nothing has connected me with them.

They are all apparently too busy to give me the time of day. I can't even bug them while they are setting up their classrooms. Hey I can even help you set up your class – I have expert experience in that!

BUT NO.

I'm too busy sorry.

OR-

You email them and NEVER hear back from them. And when I say never I mean NEVER.

Now I am logical. I realize where their priorities lie, in the students. BUT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO MY JOB AS THE SCHOOLS REPORTER UNLESS I CAN TALK TO SOME FREAKING TEACHERS.

I realize what they do is noble. But it would be great if they would get off their high horse for all of 15 minutes and give me a quick interview. The topic isn't even controversial.

I am done for today. I have completely checked out. DONE.

I didn't like The Dark Knight

So I didn't like The Dark Knight. There I said it. And I know I am probably the only one on Earth that feels this way, but I really didn't like it and here is why:

I didn't like Christian Bale as Batman in this movie (let me preface this by saying I did like him in Batman Begins). I guess I don't really like how Batman was portrayed in this movie. He was too brooding, I get it he was supposed to be transitioning to The Dark Knight, but it was just awkward to watch because I didn't believe his performance, I thought it was weak.

And what the heck was with the deep Batman voice, it was way too deep and off balance. It was freaking overkill.

I also didn't believe that Maggie Gyllenhaal's character was sexy. Not at all, and I don't get why she seemed so unattainable. I get that Batman has this past with her, but what the hell does Harvey Dent see in her. I did not feel her emotional connection with either Batman or Harvey Dent. And can I say she looked old, tired and haggard during the film, which didn't really add to her character's appeal (but I still love her as an actress, just not in this role).

The plot went here, there and every where and tried to throw in tricks here and there. I was able to predict those surprises before they happened, which didn't really impress me considering all the hype this movie has received. I also thought the plot had too many elements in it, I found it hard to follow at times.

The only redeemable thing about this movie (and let's face it, it's mostly the reason so many people will see this movie) is to see the extremely chilling and creepy performance of the Joker by Heath Ledger. It was amazing and the most brilliant portrayal of the Joker, but I can tell you I really felt morbid watching it all.

So overall I really did not like this movie. It was worth going to to see The Joker, but other than that the rest of the movie really failed to impress me. And I do not understand all the hype. Seriously, people seeing it 3-4 times? I don't get it. I don't think I want to see it again.

This movie, in my humble opinion, is getting too much hype. WAY too much hype.

Boycott

Let me preface this post by I realize I am way lame for watching a reality show and feeling this strong about it. Yeah, I get it, just work with me on this.

No more So You Think You Can Dance. NO MORE. Tonight, Will, the best and most talented person on the show got voted off, by America.

Because this contest is not about TALENT, no it's about how America votes, which at this point in the competition is ridiculous because how on earth can you let good contestants go like WILL! He was the best- he deserved to win the whole thing.

And I can complain because I did vote for Will. I voted for him 15 times last night. I am so angry. SO ANGRY.

Will was the most well-rounded and capable person on that show, and I am so irritated right now. I am boycotting the rest of the season. No point in watching if the person who deserves to win isn't going to.

No more So You Think You Can Dance. NO MORE.

Emmy nods

I can't even begin to express my excitement for both Neil Patrick Harris and Kristen Chenoweth for their much deserved supporting actor gigs! Kudos many times over.

And I have to admit, I know he is gay, but I have a huge crush on NPH.

Anyway hooray for Emmy Nominations coming out today. Looks like a good bunch of people got nods. Check it out.

Picture tour of a picturesque weekend

So this was a jam-packed weekend. But a good one at that.

The weekend started with dinner and an old fashioned flick at the Stanford Theatre with my good friend Marie and Alexis. We saw Strategic Air Command, starring Jimmy Stewart and some horrible representation of a woman playing his wife. The movie was full of Cold War propaganda and horrible anti-feminism sentiments. All in all though it was a fun evening.



The next morning I woke up bright and early to work my shift at the Los Altos Art & Wine festival. Our paper has a both there where we try to hawk subscriptions and we pass out ballons (with our logo on it) to the little kiddies.



At the festival I bought a print by this really cool artist. Here is one of his pieces (not the one I got).



After the Art and Wine festival it was off to the beach. Where I was going to meet up with my friend Raj and some old friends from the dorms. We went to Seabright Beach right next to the BoardWalk in Santa Cruz, but way less crowded. Here is picture of that beach, when I get pictures from the event I'll update this post.



After the beach, which was packed with frisbee, football, dogs and friends, I headed back over the hill to Mike's where his parent's were. We all went out to dinner then saw John Caparulo at Rooster T. Feather's in Sunnyvale. He was so great and everything we were hoping. Way way funny. Check him out!



The next day I met up with my good friend Amanda and we went to Cow Hollow in San Francisco to get some brunch. We didn't get to go to the place we hoped, but we still ordered the delicious items at a place that was somewhat subpar.



After brunch we headed over the Golden Gate Bridge for a tour of Mill Valley.



First she drove me to town, where we saw the cute downtown, her office and some of the beautiful estates. All the while Mount Tamalpias was in the background.



Then Amanda took up up Mt. Tam to show me where they hold the Mountain Play and the beautiful view that goes along with it.



After we reached the empty stadium and admired the view we headed back down the mountain the back way. Where we were greeted with beautiful town of Stinson Beach. We continued to drive up highway 1 until we were almost in Pt. Reyes.



Overall it was an amazing day with a beautiful ride up the northern coast. Good company of course and beautiful scenery. I'm glad I got to share it all with you.

P.S. I didn't take any of these pictures because I forgot my camera but wanted to remember everything about this weekend so I took stuff from other websites.

Ch-ch-changes

So I went to see a wonderful musical last night, "Snapshots." Composed by Stephen Schwartz who also composed "Wicked" and "Enchanted."

Anyway the musical which was basically about how a relationship turned sour over 30 years reminded me of another creative version of The Last Five Years. Also a really good musical, if you haven't checked it out you need to. Like now.

Anyway I got some news this week about one of my close friends who ended her engagement. It was sort of a shock. What was even more of a shock was her reconnection with an old flame. I would like to say her first real flame, from high school.

I am happy she is doing what makes her happy. And after watching a musical last night which illustrated how two people grew apart over 30 years, I am glad she made this decision before she got married and had children down the road.

She is doing what she needs to do, its just so crazy that after everything that has happened, things might end up like they once were, seven years ago.

I really don't have a real reason for this post. It just got me thinking about the past and the way things used to be. I'm happy I am where I am at right now, but I am also grateful for the past because it is what got me to the spot I'm at right now.

I'm thankful for my friends, past and present. They've each had a part in making me the woman I am today, and I wouldn't change that for a million bucks. Well maybe for a million bucks, times are hard these days!

Shoreline is a freakin' rip-off

So I sent my wonderful boyfriend to Shoreline this week to get tickets for Brad Paisley's Shoreline concert next week – lawn seats are only $20.

To buy the tickets online the service charges would total $13.80 extra a ticket- that is more that 50% the ticket price.

So I sent Mike to the box office (which by the way is only open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, ummmm WTF?) where he went to buy the tickets with about a $9.25 service charge per ticket for "convenience fees!" UMMMM its very inconvenient for my boyfriend to drive to your box office so why are we still paying these freaking fees?

Apparently if you go on Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 2 pm. you don't have to pay some of those fees, about $5, but you still have to pay other fees, I think.

Um I realize if there are extra printing costs or whatever, just up the price of the concert ticket. I'd feel better about paying for a $30 concert ticket without paying 50 percent in extra fees! For some reason fees that add up to be more or about 50 percent of your ticket price seems ridiculous!

Taylor Swift - Should've Said No Live Awards

Needed a little cheering up this morning so I watched this career defining performance by Taylor Swift. I can't believe she is only 18 (or 17 I think). She is so talented.

How apropos

Isn't this great timing. My calendar listing for this month is titled "Communication." Oh how hilarious.

Things are a little better now. I was able to get my point across with my publisher and he doesn't think I am doing a crap job or anything.

I just wish he would quit emailing me and actually get up and have a chat with people when he has an issue rather than sending out weak emails. That is not how you improve COMMUNICATION in the office.

ARGH

Well I didn't think I'd post for awhile, I was enjoying Twitter too much.

But now someone has gone and ticked me off.

How the heck am I expected to do my job when no one, except the community maybe, is appreciating what I am writing as of late?

I get it, budget stories aren't interesting, BUT when the local district is facing cuts and a deficit, which would affect the spotless reputation of education in this town, it is important to cover!

AND when the papers shrink and I get like, maybe 4 pages to fit in everything, I have to delay those heartwarming frivolous features. DEAL WITH IT.

I'm sorry I thought my job was to make sure the news got out first. I was taught news first, features second.

And if you have an issue with my section, take me aside and speak with me. Don't send some freakin' email to the office with your comments on how my section doesn't meet your standards.

I'm offended and hurt. I've been working my tail off lately and all I get is these sorts of comments – and I'm pretty sure that my editor and publisher don't even read my stories. As soon as they see budget, they gloss over it, even though it is important!

Enough!

Ok Hillary,

Enough is enough. If you don't bow out, like now, you obviously don't give a crap who wins the presidency unless it's you. And you are only going to dig your grave even deeper and create even more people who hate you.

How can you do this to the Democrats? Seriously, we cannot have another Republican president. By not bowing out you are only creating more time for McCain to campaign for the presidency, and you are only distracting and confusing those voters on the fence. You are giving McCain more time to sway the moderates. You obviously don't care.

With each day and article I read I respect you less and less. I used to be ok with you, I used to say, "Barack or Hillary, I'm ok with either as long as we win the White House."

NOT ANYMORE.

I have lost all respect for you. Give it up! Michigan and Florida did not follow the rules, and had the situation been reversed and Obama was complaining about something like this you wouldn't listen to him for a second. That is just petty. You are just trying to hang on to this pipe dream.

Listen up....

It's not going to happen. And the sooner you realize it, the sooner the Democrats can steamroll their way to the White House. GIVE US A CHANCE.

I'm embarrased to admit...

So I'm embarrassed to admit, I like suburbia.

Blame it on my Orange County childhood or blame it on the fact that I surround myself in the quaint neighborhoods of Los Altos for work.

I can't get enough of little 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom houses, located the perfect distance away from noisy streets but just close enough to the award winning nearby public schools.

I find myself often parked near some of these neighborhoods during my lunch break, staring into a house and imagining my future. It's strange, because the notion of kids and being a mom makes me sick to my stomach. It's just something about these houses that remind me of home.

A home would be nice. I live in a house right now, but it's very different from a home. It's not mine, so I can't qualify it as a home.

Often times I'll be getting coffee on Main St. and I'll see two moms walking with their kids just chatting and having a great all time. This picture both sickens and intrigues me. These women look like the most relaxed people, not a care or worry in the world. And they are never in a hurry, just totally enjoying the moment.

Granted their husbands are probably multi-millionaires bringing in all the dough, so they have nothing to worry about... except maybe their husband's fidelity. But that is me just be being pessimistic.

Life has just been super stressful lately, I guess I'd just like to know what it felt like to not be worrying about things like the future, finances etc.

Twitter

Hi everyone, I gave in and joined Twitter. If you have Twitter, you should follow me and I'll follow you and it will be swell.

Also if you are curious about my updates, they'll be posted to the right on my blog from here on out.

And if you haven't joined Twitter yet, you should. Apparently it's the blogging of the future. I figured I shouldn't let it pass me by.

Things I want....

So my friend (with a birthday around the corner) recently posted her extensive amazon wish list on her blog.

This led me to think... I don't have a wish list. And when people ask me what I want for birthdays or Christmas, my mind usually blanks.

So I am starting a list. Even though my birthday has passed. This is just so I don't forget about that book I wanted to read, or that CD I wanted to get.

I haven't added a lot yet, but here is my list so far (some of it includes items yet to be released).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2NB4ROJ7JEVTW

Kudos to Maile for being the inspiration for this post. Miss you!

Good day sunshine!

Hi everyone.

Just wanted to pop in and say how happy I am to enjoy this beautiful weekend. I am right now outside in the backyard, soaking up some rays and catching up on some emails, reading my New Yorker and going through some of Mike's housing paperwork.

Life is pretty good right now. Save for the minor blip in judgment I had on Friday night, I've been doing pretty well. Work has been so busy it has just been flying by, Mike's condo is coming together quite nicely and life is pretty great.

I'm looking forward to a mini break I get next weekend when I get to visit Mike's parents, and then in two weeks I'm flying home so that will be something to look forward to as well.

Anyway hope you all are doing well too... get outside, even if its for 15 minutes, I promise you it will be worth it!

Ugh

So anyone who saw me last night, please pretend like you didn't.

I'm embarrassed and I will never drink without eating a decent meal first ever again.

Things I am thankful for, and things I am not...

Jeremy Roenick and the Sharks victory in the first round against Calgary.

The Weepie's new album. And the fact that iLike is streaming the whole thing here.

Mike's new condo, which is still empty. I am helping move all his stuff in this weekend!

My new addiction- who thought Scrabble and Boggle combined would be so much fun!


And now for the most recent thorns in my side:

Kit and Zoe. I know they are nocturnal and for the last 3 months earplugs have been enough. But I swear they play a game where whoever wakes up Mommy first wins. I have not slept a whole night through all week, and I am exhausted. I think tomorrow after work I am going to do a room re-design and see if I can fit these buggers in my closet. It's a long shot, but anything is worth a try so I can sleep through the night again.

Look at the new addition to our household!

Her name is Lola and she is 8 weeks old!!!

I'm sorry

Sorry for the crazy angry post yesterday.

I just hate people wasting their time being critical of things which are basically non-important. It's a waste of energy to be so vitriolous.

On a better note, Mike is coming for lunch today AND he is getting his keys!

Yay for a new condo! I'll post photos of it later when his stuff is all moved in!

I both hate and love Wednesdays

Wednesdays are the day the paper comes out.

So you think, yay finally people get to see what I have been working my tail off on all week. Maybe they'll like it and send some sort of thank you email or nice note.

But no, that assumption is usually wrong.

I worked on beefing up a press release and actually making it a story this week. Apparently the person who gave us the press release is pissed.

Well you want to know what – I'm pissed too!

I was working on a handful of stories for the paper on Friday, on top of trying to publish a freakin' 64-page magazine when my boss comes and hands me this press release to beef up, something like 5 hours before deadline.

He basically tells me to take out references puffing up the agency who sent us the release. SO I DID.

And now the person from the agency, a somewhat reputable person in the community is pissed off.

Well guess what – IT'S NOT MY FREAKING FAULT. I was just doing what I was told. And I am SICK AND TIRED OF GETTING SHIT FROM PEOPLE.

I'm especially tired of getting shit from people regarding things that in the large scheme of things AREN'T THAT IMPORTANT.

Anyway, for those who do care I worked really hard this week. And I have three stories I am really proud of - in case you are interested in reading them here are their links:
• LASD advisers predict deficit for next five years
And in case you are wondering about the picture, I posted it to calm me down. It is of my parent's timeshare at Lake Tahoe.

Rascall Flats/Taylor Swift

Lauren and I just had the best time at the Rascall Flats/Taylor Swift concert. We had the best seats, since Rascall Flats decided to extend their stage right up to our section practically!



It was the last performance of their tour, and you could tell Rascall Flats was tired, but they still put on a great show.



The highlight though, was most definitely Taylor Swift, whose energy and rock out moves were the perfect way to start the night. She has a bright and shiny future ahead. I also have to say I loved loved loved her shiny guitar, only in country music can you pull that off.

The mystery text message

So I got a mystery picture text message from a 650 number today. And being that I am a 949 number, anyone from this area calling me is not a wrong number.

And what's stranger is the picture in the text message is of the Free Tibet rally that was held in San Francisco today. So strange.

So if anyone knows who belongs to the phone number 650-305-0146, you might just help me solve the mystery.

And I don't feel bad about posting the phone number because I texted back "who is this?" and got no response. Who the heck is this? And why did I get this text?

One of the best

One of my most favorite movies of all time is Almost Famous. And I am at home enjoying it, alone on a Friday night. And it is spectacular, except for my throat, which heavily enclosed which means I am either on the verge of being sick or I am experiencing the worst allergies of my life.


"I always tell the girls never take it seriously. If you never take it seriously then you never get hurt. If you never get hurt then you always have fun, and if you ever get lonely you can just go to the record store and visit your friends." (Courtesy of Penny Lane)


"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." (Courtesy of Lester Bangs)

Fun with Mike

Been having a lot of fun with my boyfriend lately.

Last weekend we decided to take a whirlwind day trip to Sacramento/Elk Grove. It was hilarious, we did all the touristy things to do:

• We toured the Capitol
• Went to the Crocker Museum (and looked at historical California art)
• We walked around old downtown Sacramento – ate a snack dive place and then bought yummy candy!
• Had brunch at the Tower Cafe, next to a historical theatre and landmark of Sacramento.
• The we went to ANOTHER historical theatre and saw this movie. Which I have to say is the absolute worst film I've ever seen. EVER. I never walk out of movies but was seconds away from walking out of this monstrosity. You would think Charlize Theron, Nick Stahl and Dennis Hopper would be able to create a better movie than it turned out to be, but no, not even a cast could save the plot of this movie.

After the movie it was time to visit Elk Grove, or as I like to refer to it as, Mike's new Plano. See Mike likes to "future trip" as a good friend would call it. He wants to move there when we are ready to start a family (in around five years or so). So we looked at various different neighborhoods, and ended the night at a brewery in old downtown Elk Grove for dinner.

Isn't it funny how all of Northern California towns have downtowns? It's a strange phenomenon for a Southern California person like me, I didn't even know what a downtown looked like (well except for maybe LA, or business type downtowns) before I came to Nor Cal and now I work in one.

Anyway so that was the fun that we had last weekend.

Now last night, I did something I had been resisting for a long time. Mike wanted to go take a walk to the nearest dive bar "The Peacock Lounge," or as locals refer to it as, "The Cock."

I thought maybe after a drink or two we'd leave and then we could watch a movie or something at my place. But NO!

This place was fun! Really fun, I'm sure the drinks helped make it fun but we spent the whole night playing darts and having strong drinks, without worrying about who needs to drive home. It was awesome, and the drinks were killer – seriously.

Mike and I rarely get to drink together so this was a fun opportunity, also really cheap. I think we got five drinks for $27, and the service was amazing.

So that was my Saturday. And today Mike and I are going to the last (for us anyway) Sharks game of the season. They won the Pacific Division title on Friday night, away, so we get to help celebrate that victory tonight!

Ok, well I hope you all have been having wonderful weekends.

O.K. I get it!

"Are you ready for this earthquake?" U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Tom Brocher asked last week at a meeting of the California Emergency Services Association. "I hope you are because this earthquake is ready for you."

I get it people. I'm scared. I realize that I'm going to experience the next big catastrophe. The big difference? People aren't so poor here, we won't get the outreach that Hurricane Katrina survivors get, because honestly, who wants to help the rich?

Who wants to help an area where the average income is around $75,000 a year, and that is for the people on the lower end of the scale. Also, who wants to help an area that gets headlines like: Get ready for the Big One on a weekly basis, yet only 10 percent are equipped with the proper insurance?

Anyway, all money aside. I'm scared. I'm extremely scared. I hate earthquakes, and apparently I live on the hotbed of American earthquakes. There is no matter of if the next one will strike, it will most definitely be when.

I toss and turn some nights just waiting for it to happen. But seriously what else is there I can do? I mean I already check this site on a weekly basis, or any time I think I feel something,

Anyway if you want to read up on the most recent article to scare my socks off, here it is in all its catastrophic glory:

Next major earthquake on the Hayward fault will be catastrophic

And when it happens, I hope you'll all think of me and hope I'm not having a severe panic attack when it does. (The last quake I was in, a measly 5.3, I almost hyperventilated).

Annoying trend of the week

So my annoying fashion trend of the week:

High boots, like to just below the knee

Paired with:

Cropped business pant (Bermuda length)

I love the cropped business pant, but with a boot that almost reaches the pant? UGLY! To me, this works with some skirts, but the length of the pants just make it weird to me!

New music musings

So been browsing new music lately. Check it out.....

http://www.dragonette.com/

http://www.katyperry.com/

It's playtime!

Thought I'd share these pictures I took of my chinnies at playtime. I'm a little worried about one of my chins, I think she might be pregs (geez I hope not), but I guess time will tell.

P.S. Ignore my toes, I know a pedicure is loooooooong overdue!

Time change mess

I'm a hot mess, I'm a time-change-not-adjusting-well hot mess.

It all started when my friend told me it takes her two months to adjust to the change every year, I laughed and said I had never had a problem with that, not at all.

Well, never say never my friends. Ever since the time change it has been afternoon naps, to make up for the fact I can't get to sleep until 1 in the morning. And don't even get me started on what it's like to wake up in the morning.

Ugh, double ugh.

Lately work has been meh, I've been feeling uninspired, which has been showing up in my efforts. It all has me a bit worried, I hope I don't seem like a total slacker, but I've just been bored with it all lately.

Birthday events were fun over the weekend. I had dinner with my friend A Panda and we had a delightful dinner at Spork in the Mission in San Fran. We were expecting more, but the wine was a delight so I guess that made up for a lot of it.

Saturday I had an 80 minute massage, which was wonderful and very much needed. Though I was aghast at how much my friends spent on it ($140!). Then we had a great dinner at Bella Luna in Downtown Palo Alto.

More than one person said my working out has been paying off lately, which is giving me more motivation to continue my gym workout sessions.

Took my chins out for a play time session yesterday, in their new play pen. Zoe loved it, but Kit was just super freaked out. Kit is a bit of a heifer and I just pray that she isn't pregs, which I don't think is possible, but might be.

Anyway, my parents come this weekend, and they've come this time just to see me! Which they have NEVER done before. So I'm excited!

Anyway this post was full of randomness, I'm sorry, thanks for sticking with it.

P.S. Freakin' Hillary, she has really been pissing me off lately. If you don't know what I am talking about, read a newspaper every once in a awhile.

The big 2-5

So today was my birthday, and not one single person forgot, which makes me feel awful special.

Highlights include:
-Getting flowers delivered to my office from Mike!
-Having lunch with Mike
-Getting yummy fruity pies from work
-Getting pie from my roommates too, sooo nice of them!
-Having dinner with my BFF and our surprise guest!
-Getting calls, texts, emails, facebook messages from everyone
-Stopping to enjoy the beautiful weather and literally smell the flowers
-Realizing that no matter how tough life gets at this point, I will always have so many friends to back me up!

Look at all the colors in our front garden, with the weather so nice, it's absolutely gorgeous to be outside!

Here is a bench in the backyard, I think it's kinda neat.

This is Gus, he is my friend. He comes and says hello almost everyday after work.
I <3 him.

Flashing lights....

So I went to Vegas a few on President's Day weekend. It was fun.

I was able to bring $200 and not spend a penny more. Thanks in part to making my money last on the slot machines (and my boyfriend, for feeding me), my favorites include penny and nickel Wheel of Fortune (and you know I'm taking about the one with the gigantor spinner!), the lobster fishing one and the mermaid one! All good fun.

I think it's kind a funny how I don't take to video games well at all, but I love the video slots. I won't do any other slots unless they are video ones and have awesome bonus rounds.

All in all I left with less money than I came with, but oh well, no worries. I didn't go to the ATM once, which showed some restraint on my part.

Highlights:
-Dinner at the Tuscany Resort- mmmmmm nothing like good Italian food, good wine and a fine buzz the whole time.
-Gambling at the Monte Carlo- this went on for hours- as did my buzz
-Dinner at the Piano bar- we did nothing but sing along and eat pub food for over two hours. The piano men loved us, they kept giving us ("San Francisco") shout outs
-The view from the Voo Doo Lounge atop the Rio (see picture above)
-The authentic Bavarian Hauf Brau (sp?)- it was great, people were crazy drunk all around us and kept paying top dollar just to get a shot of jagger and a spank from their waitress