What a jet setter I am these days. I flew home to California for Memorial Day weekend plus two days! Did a little bit of everything relaxing... hung out with the fam, went to Indiana Jones, finished my book, went to the As/Sox Sunday game and had GREAT weather, ate at Yankee Pier, walked the Reservoir with Erica, had the Ganeys over for dinner, got a massage at Dad's new business venture called "Massage Envy."
It was just a very classically laid back few days in the Bay Area. Plus it's reaaaaaalllllyyyy hard to complain when I wake up to a venti soy misto waiting for me in the kitchen every morning thanks to Dad :)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Colorado!
I'm a week late on this post, but two weekends ago I visited Liz in Colorado! It was a last minute decision and it was totally serendipitous that I was able to go. I had a free southwest flight I used to get there and back AND my boss was out of town on Monday and Tuesday so I was able to take the extra time off.
I had planned to take the first nonstop flight out of Baltimore on Saturday morning at 10:20 so I set my alarm the night before to give me plenty of time. I woke up in my bed with the sun streaming into my room and was very disoriented when I realized my alarm didn't go off because I had forgotten to turn off the "off on weekends" feature. So 8:56am I wake up and I'm like... OH MY GOSH I'm never EVER going to make it. But something in me was still going to fight to try, so I was out the door and on the road by 9:01am. I booked it down the parkway, hit a little traffic, and was basically resigned to missing the flight. I pulled up to the parking lot at 9:47 and surprisingly got on the shuttle and to the terminal by just before 10. Ok so 10:03 rolls around and I'm having to stand in line to check in since I was using a pass... anyway I tell the lady that I'd like to still try for the 10:20am so she hands me a security pass and just says "RUN!" So I get through security, run to the gate (which was a super far one) and huffed and puffed a "Did I make it!?" to the boarding people. And sure enough... at 10:18am... I make it into the flight and take a seat. I could NOT believe I made it! I was telling myself all along that I just wasn't supposed to get on that flight, but as it turns out I guess I really WAS supposed to get on it! I would have lost three hours or so in Colorado so that was a crucial catching of flight. 8:56am wake up in DC for a 10:20am Baltimore flight... OMG!
So I got to Denver at about noon local time and Liz picked me up in a sweet Tahoe Hybrid she borrowed from their fleet and we headed off to Aspen straight from the Airport. The drive was SO beautiful.
It was off season so we caught a good deal from the St. Regis there. I know, I know. We're so ridiculous. Liz and I always manage to "live well" together haha. It was a nice retreat - lots of time in the awesome bathrobes (I'll spare you the pictures) drinking wine on our terrace overlooking Aspen Mountain, relaxing in the hot tub, eating at an amazing restaurant for dinner, and taking advantage of the St. Regis hospitality. There were some VERY attractive men working there!
We went to brunch at this place called the Wienerstube (hilar) and when we came out it was like watch out for that enormous bear blocking the stairs...
So Sunday after we walked around some shops in Aspen for a bit, we drove back to Denver and had a BBQ with her coworkers that night. Fun to meet the people she has been working with for these past few months. It was a little behind enemy lines-ish haha but they are very nice people. I had never been to Denver before so I walked around the pedestrian mall area all day Monday... walked all the way down to the river and around the park and then made my way back up through the shops. Liz had a bunch of must see suggestions so it definitely took up the full day. We ate at the Vesta Dipping Grill that night. It was a neat concept - they have all these sweet, savory, or spicy sauces that you order to dip your food in. Clearly a place for Liz and Carrie. Tuesday I met up with my former coworker Jackie who just moved out there - fun to see her and hear about her great wedding just a short time ago. I flew out that night and made it back to DC in one piece. I'm really really glad it worked out for me to go out there - I would have been disappointed if I hadn't gotten the opportunity to see Liz's life out there so it was definitely a great trip!
I had planned to take the first nonstop flight out of Baltimore on Saturday morning at 10:20 so I set my alarm the night before to give me plenty of time. I woke up in my bed with the sun streaming into my room and was very disoriented when I realized my alarm didn't go off because I had forgotten to turn off the "off on weekends" feature. So 8:56am I wake up and I'm like... OH MY GOSH I'm never EVER going to make it. But something in me was still going to fight to try, so I was out the door and on the road by 9:01am. I booked it down the parkway, hit a little traffic, and was basically resigned to missing the flight. I pulled up to the parking lot at 9:47 and surprisingly got on the shuttle and to the terminal by just before 10. Ok so 10:03 rolls around and I'm having to stand in line to check in since I was using a pass... anyway I tell the lady that I'd like to still try for the 10:20am so she hands me a security pass and just says "RUN!" So I get through security, run to the gate (which was a super far one) and huffed and puffed a "Did I make it!?" to the boarding people. And sure enough... at 10:18am... I make it into the flight and take a seat. I could NOT believe I made it! I was telling myself all along that I just wasn't supposed to get on that flight, but as it turns out I guess I really WAS supposed to get on it! I would have lost three hours or so in Colorado so that was a crucial catching of flight. 8:56am wake up in DC for a 10:20am Baltimore flight... OMG!
So I got to Denver at about noon local time and Liz picked me up in a sweet Tahoe Hybrid she borrowed from their fleet and we headed off to Aspen straight from the Airport. The drive was SO beautiful.
It was off season so we caught a good deal from the St. Regis there. I know, I know. We're so ridiculous. Liz and I always manage to "live well" together haha. It was a nice retreat - lots of time in the awesome bathrobes (I'll spare you the pictures) drinking wine on our terrace overlooking Aspen Mountain, relaxing in the hot tub, eating at an amazing restaurant for dinner, and taking advantage of the St. Regis hospitality. There were some VERY attractive men working there!
We went to brunch at this place called the Wienerstube (hilar) and when we came out it was like watch out for that enormous bear blocking the stairs...
So Sunday after we walked around some shops in Aspen for a bit, we drove back to Denver and had a BBQ with her coworkers that night. Fun to meet the people she has been working with for these past few months. It was a little behind enemy lines-ish haha but they are very nice people. I had never been to Denver before so I walked around the pedestrian mall area all day Monday... walked all the way down to the river and around the park and then made my way back up through the shops. Liz had a bunch of must see suggestions so it definitely took up the full day. We ate at the Vesta Dipping Grill that night. It was a neat concept - they have all these sweet, savory, or spicy sauces that you order to dip your food in. Clearly a place for Liz and Carrie. Tuesday I met up with my former coworker Jackie who just moved out there - fun to see her and hear about her great wedding just a short time ago. I flew out that night and made it back to DC in one piece. I'm really really glad it worked out for me to go out there - I would have been disappointed if I hadn't gotten the opportunity to see Liz's life out there so it was definitely a great trip!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Return of the Lion
"Welcome, child" he said.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
For a time she was so happy that she did not want to speak. But Aslan spoke.
"Lucy," he said, "we must not lie here for long. You have work in hand, and much time has been lost today."
"Yes, wasn't it a shame?" said Lucy. "I saw you all right. They wouldn't believe me. They're all so -"
From somewhere deep inside Aslan's body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.
"I'm sorry," said Lucy, who understood some of his moods. "I didn't mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn't my fault anyway, was it?"
The Lion looked straight into her eyes.
"Oh, Aslan," said Lucy. "You don't mean it was? How could I - I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don't look at me like that... oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn't have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?"
Aslan said nothing.
"You mean," said Lucy rather faintly, "that it would have turned out all right - somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?"
"To know what would have happened, child?" said Aslan. "No. Nobody is ever told that."
"Oh dear," said Lucy.
"But anyone can find out what will happen," said Aslan. "If you go back to the others now, and wake them up; and tell them you have seen me again; and that you must all get up at once and follow me - what will happen? There is only one way of finding out."
"Do you mean that is what you want me to do?" gasped Lucy.
"Yes, little one," said Aslan.
"Will the others see you too?" asked Lucy.
"Certainly not at first," said Aslan. "Later on, it depends."
"But they won't believe me!" said Lucy.
"It doesn't matter," said Aslan.
"Oh dear, oh dear," said Lucy. "And I was so pleased at finding you again. And I thought you'd let me stay. And I thought you'd come roaring in and frighten all the enemies away - like last time. And now everything is going to be horrid."
"It is hard for you, little one," said Aslan. "But things never happen the same way twice. It has been hard for us all in Narnia before now."
Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up.
"I'm sorry, Aslan," she said. "I'm ready now."
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
For a time she was so happy that she did not want to speak. But Aslan spoke.
"Lucy," he said, "we must not lie here for long. You have work in hand, and much time has been lost today."
"Yes, wasn't it a shame?" said Lucy. "I saw you all right. They wouldn't believe me. They're all so -"
From somewhere deep inside Aslan's body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.
"I'm sorry," said Lucy, who understood some of his moods. "I didn't mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn't my fault anyway, was it?"
The Lion looked straight into her eyes.
"Oh, Aslan," said Lucy. "You don't mean it was? How could I - I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don't look at me like that... oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn't have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?"
Aslan said nothing.
"You mean," said Lucy rather faintly, "that it would have turned out all right - somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?"
"To know what would have happened, child?" said Aslan. "No. Nobody is ever told that."
"Oh dear," said Lucy.
"But anyone can find out what will happen," said Aslan. "If you go back to the others now, and wake them up; and tell them you have seen me again; and that you must all get up at once and follow me - what will happen? There is only one way of finding out."
"Do you mean that is what you want me to do?" gasped Lucy.
"Yes, little one," said Aslan.
"Will the others see you too?" asked Lucy.
"Certainly not at first," said Aslan. "Later on, it depends."
"But they won't believe me!" said Lucy.
"It doesn't matter," said Aslan.
"Oh dear, oh dear," said Lucy. "And I was so pleased at finding you again. And I thought you'd let me stay. And I thought you'd come roaring in and frighten all the enemies away - like last time. And now everything is going to be horrid."
"It is hard for you, little one," said Aslan. "But things never happen the same way twice. It has been hard for us all in Narnia before now."
Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up.
"I'm sorry, Aslan," she said. "I'm ready now."
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
And he calls himself an Advance Rep...
David: Did you get my message?
Carrie: Yes. I hate messages.
David: That's why I left you one!
Carrie: Jerk.
David: So you're thinking about coming to Europe with us for New Years?
Carrie: Thinking about it, yes, but... I mean... I just don't know what I'll be doing at that point. Will I be working? Will I even have a desk? Will we be totally displaced by then? Will we be starting a new job or moving?
David: $hit! This brings up much bigger issues for us than what we are doing for New Years!
Carrie: Yes. I hate messages.
David: That's why I left you one!
Carrie: Jerk.
David: So you're thinking about coming to Europe with us for New Years?
Carrie: Thinking about it, yes, but... I mean... I just don't know what I'll be doing at that point. Will I be working? Will I even have a desk? Will we be totally displaced by then? Will we be starting a new job or moving?
David: $hit! This brings up much bigger issues for us than what we are doing for New Years!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Nationals Park
I don't think I have given Nationals Park its due yet on here. It is SO great! I seriously love it... and love living so close. I went to a game the first week it was open and then again last week. Tried to go yesterday but all the cheap seats were sold out since it was such a beautiful day in Washington.
Erin, Curran, Paul, and I went to last Thursday's game. We were lucky enough to enjoy my boss' seats and honestly I have never ever seen a game like that. I mean I sat that close last year in RFK Stadium for a Nats v. Giants game and Barry Bonds was like ten feet from me at one point, but it just wasn't the same or as cool as sitting behind the dugout at the new Park.
Here is by far my favorite picture of the evening!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Flat Tire
There I was... 8:15am Wednesday morning... hair down and done, color-coordinated-with-outfit-makeup, sunglasses, work bag, coffee, keys. I'm capable! Self-reliant! Confident! I can take on the world and do anything!
Nope. Flat tire.
Do you see that bolt in there? CURSES TO THE UNIVERSE!
So what to do, what to do. Call Patrick! Patrick proves totally useless and laughs loudly as I lament. I stomp back inside, grab my ipod, and suffer six stops on the metro to work. Enter Shane who sneaks up behind me on the street. Ha HA if he only had known I would woo him with my damsel-in-distress-need-you-to-come-over-after-work-and-fix-my-tire feminine wiles. They worked! That or the promise of free beer and dinner :)
All better now (or at least better enough to get me to NTB on Saturday). Thumbs way up for S-dub. He was top of the list to take the Nats game with me tonight since I got the boss' tickets.
Nope. Flat tire.
Do you see that bolt in there? CURSES TO THE UNIVERSE!
So what to do, what to do. Call Patrick! Patrick proves totally useless and laughs loudly as I lament. I stomp back inside, grab my ipod, and suffer six stops on the metro to work. Enter Shane who sneaks up behind me on the street. Ha HA if he only had known I would woo him with my damsel-in-distress-need-you-to-come-over-after-work-and-fix-my-tire feminine wiles. They worked! That or the promise of free beer and dinner :)
All better now (or at least better enough to get me to NTB on Saturday). Thumbs way up for S-dub. He was top of the list to take the Nats game with me tonight since I got the boss' tickets.
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