Heat wave!

One day of warmth does not a heat wave make, but the temperature today is enough to warrant the miraculous rediscovery of the following footwear:


Yes, welcome to my toes, webosphere! I've decided you're ready, and it's not like this pedicure is going to get any better, right? I'll try not to subject you to any dirty-toe moments, if it can be helped. So, when I mentioned the "miraculous rediscovery," I was not kidding: I thought that this pair of flip-flops was lost and gone forever until I discovered one of them under the couch. Very suspicious, especially since I had no clue where the other one was-- it certainly was nowhere near its mate, since I had thoroughly searched the area. As I am a big believer in the principle of "out of sight, out of mind," I decided to shove that single sandal back under the couch, so that I didn't have to deal with the nagging worry of its presence in my closet (this, of course, was in no way a GP-sanctioned plan, but I am not sure he was aware of the single-shoe conundrum). Months go by, summer goes into fall goes into winter, and I am rarely in need of these flip-flops. I hardly notice when I see my little, lonely friend peeking out from under the couch; I just give it a little nudge with my toe, pushing it back under there where it can't haunt me with its solitariness.

But lo! Spring is officially back, and the weather is downright summery. I, of course, have dozens (I am not kidding, it's like a sickness, and the only cure is more footwear) of pairs of flip-flips, each a unique snowflake in its own way, but I have a hankering for this particular pair of Reefs. Way more expensive than any pair of shoes that are held onto ones foot through a between-the-toes thong and a couple "leather" straps should be, they found their way into my life one summer before returning to college from summer break, an item on the Official Sorority Recruitment Clothing List. (You guys, I am not kidding. There was a list, and there were clothing checks, as well as conversation workshops. But that's another post.) They represent the upper limit of the height range that I allow my sandal soles to be (because I am not a fan of the stumpy-leg look), and are responsible for a nasty spill due to their slippery soles and my overall clumsiness. At any rate, a miracle occurred today-- I found the mate! And you know where it was? Right there on the other end of the couch! This proves several things: first, I am an idiot. Additionally, I clearly did not go as thoroughly about my search as I previously thought. Ultimately, however, my idiocy is beside the point-- the point is, I get to clomp around in these babies for many summer weeks to come! Clearly, the day is mine!

It wouldn't be Friday without...

...Friday Fill-Ins! Here you go, internets.

1. I love springtime in Northern California! The trees blossom in huge clouds of pink and white, I get to wear flip-flops with alarming frequency, and can sleep with the windows open. Ambient street and neighbor noise is something that I am willing to tolerate if I get to have the occasional breeze.

2. Toast with peanut butter and plain Greek yogurt are foods I love to eat for breakfast. If it's the weekend, I will have some eggs with Tabasco (which GP absolutely hates-- he won't let me sit near him when I eat them), some waffles, or, if I am feeling saucy, I will go out for eggs benedict. I'm convinced they wouldn't be as tasty if I made them myself, but I'm sure I will someday.

3. It seems I'm always searching for my new favorite restaurant. The standbys that GP and I end up eating in, at least once a month each, include the aforementioned sushi place and a really great Italian-style pizza place. We always end up taking people who are visiting us to either of those places, and also this great barbecue place, and a sometimes-a-tad-too-greasy-but-always-delicious burger place.

4. Clearing all one's work emails is a great way to end the (work) day. Do you know what I mean? Just doing one final scan, making sure that there are no loose ends. That is what allows me to enjoy an evening or a weekend-- no little rough edges clouding my brain. Oh, and in case you were wondering, a glass of wine and an episode of Family Guy are a great end to the (after-work) day. Peter Griffin and pinot, Meg and merlot, Chris and a cab...now I am annoyed at my alliterative self. You get the idea, though.

5. I think I may be well on my way to proving my worth as an employee! (Yippee!)

6. Warmth and sunshine is what I've been craving lately. Fortunately, nature has decided to give in to my demands, and I can spend a good chunk of the weekend laying by our pool-- covered in sunscreen, of course, and reading something wonderful. Any suggestions? I might get started with the second in the His Dark Materials series (I finished The Golden Compass awhile ago, and really liked it).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to whatever our dinner decision ends up being, tomorrow my plans include the aforementioned poolside lounging, and Sunday, I want to be finished with all this work spreadsheeting that I've brought upon myself! If Excel is the way to worm my way into the heart of my boss, so be it.

What are you doing this weekend, internets?

Stuff to smile about

You know, besides the fact that it's Friday.

1. The weather! It finally feels like spring, and very nearly summer. I know it's boring to blog about the weather (what are we, in the grocery line?), but whatever. I present to you, two screen shots from this afternoon:


Yaaay, The Weather Channel widget says it's 80 degrees out there! It is about 65 in my office, but I have been taking every opportunity to step outside and soak in all the warm that I can. Special bonus: it now says that it's 81, so there.


This fakey, Vista-created sticky note was on my screen this morning, and I suspect that GP may have had something to do with it. Also, please note the stated temperature. Awesome.

2. The obligatory Shoe-of-the-Day...


...is a patent-leather, peep-toe flat from NY&Co. No feets in this one, mostly because I am so pale that when I'm cold (as I am generally in my office, and as my feet generally are, oh...all the time), my skin changes color in an unappealing way. Also, the internet is not ready for my toes. Not just yet. The background of this picture, by the way, is a bunch of pink packing peanuts that showed up in a box that was delivered to the office a million years ago, that I decided to string up and suspend from the ceiling of my old office (think garlands-- it was awesome). When I moved into my new office, with the clean lines and sleek green-and-black, I decided the pink fluff couldn't come along. I'm a little sad to see it go.

3. The Office (and, of course, 30 Rock) last night! I've been talking about it with EP and Maxie, but I need to know what you all thought of it, too! I almost posted my favorite parts of the episode, but I don't want to spoil anything for those of you that missed it and are catching up with Tivo or whatever. Leave it in the comments, please!

4. The dinner options for tonight, which are as follows...
-our favorite sushi place, which gives you crazy amounts of food for relatively cheap...you know, for sushi and all
-a local German-style hofbrau, where there are carving stations and retarded amounts of beer
-Greek/Mediterranean, at a place that we haven't been to yet but have heard good things about-- I am craving some dolmas and hummus!

Three-thing Thursday

1. Today I went to the lady-bits doctor, and she told me that I was "glowing" and that I looked like Katherine Heigl (love the dress!), which she intended (and I took!) as a compliment. While it was weird to be getting a compliment that included the star of Knocked Up from my gynecologist, I was very flattered, especially since I've gained twenty pounds since I last saw her. She was very positive about the weight gain-- "It suits you well!" Damn, Dr. Chu...I only wish I could see you more often.

2. A coworker and I did, in fact, make it to the Chipotle opening today to get our free burritos! The line was long, reminiscent of lines I used to wait in while I was in college-- for Diddy Riese, Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day, or movies at the Fox Theater. (Hey, only two of those were food-related! Nice!) My burrito was tasty, and we were in and out of there, and enjoying our tasty burritos, within about 15 minutes. It was magical.

3. I know you all know this already, but there are new episodes of The Office and 30 Rock tonight! You need to watch both shows, unless you hate joy, laughter, and puppies. And I know you don't. Also, get your asses over to Gretch-A-Sketch to watch fan-videos before The Office starts, because it's not like you're going to watch My Name Is Earl...right?

Bonus Thing #4: I am making a Rachael Ray recipe tonight that she refers to as a "gut-buster." I am disgusted by this description, but still hopeful that it will be delicious.

Target: the aftermath

Hello again, lovelies! So, the Target trip went well-- I got out of there for under $100, which is a rare treat for me recently. I can't stop once I get started, but luckily the Target is now trying this thing with Dresses That Are Large and Should Fit Like a Dream, But Are Still Meant for the Skinny. It is, in short, not cool. Why, if there is all this extra fabric, is there still thigh clingage? I know I am not morbidly obese, so let's not give a girl a seizure right there in the dressing room, mmkay?

At any rate, here is what I ended up with:

You know, to wear to the disco and stuff. Also, I love my gold flats, and needed some extra-sassy strappy heels for this barrage of weddings that I'm having to attend in the next year or so. That, or I need something to fling next to my purse when my blisters have become too much to bear and I have had enough G&T's to consider going barefoot on a hotel dance floor. You know, either way.

Slightly more sensible, though I do have fantasies of traipsing around Paris in these. Would there be much laughter, do you think? They are much cuter on, than in this picture, if that helps matters; the bow is much more whimsical in person.



Now, I would not call myself a full-figured gal, not even voluptuous-- I am a size 8, perfectly normal, thankyouverymuch. But there are all these weddings! Where there will be cameras! And I don't wish to be remembered as That Girl With a Fat Ass Who Looked Slightly Pregnant. That is where the hilariously named "Assets" body shaper comes in. It will give me the silhouette that only regular exercise (or $20 at Target) could, and I won't have to give up cheese! Please note that I will not be wearing only this with red heels to any of the aforementioned weddings. Only GP will be lucky enough to see that hotness.


This, with jeans and the gold sandals? Super-hot, right? I am pretty in love with this top.

Oh, and finally-- this is what I didn't buy. It was very hard to put down, so I feel that some congratulations are in order:

I mean, come on! Would I not look adorable gallivanting about with this tucked under my arm? I would, of course, wear my too-big-for-my-face sunglasses, in an effort to appear as gamine as possible. Had I bought it, I would certainly be taking it with me when I go to the free-burrito festivities as they open a new Chipotle in town...! Because eating a delicious meal, all nicely arranged and wrapped in a warm tortilla for your very own eating pleasure? Is always in style. It's the food equivalent of layering, or something.

Zippy little shoes, so that I can run the eff around all the livelong day

Here are my red shoes, poised on the doormat before I took off for work this morning-- I figured it's less silly than taking repeated pictures of my feet/shoes while at work, right? I read a great quote about the color red years and years ago, possibly attributed to Bill Blass (how I remembered that, we'll never know), and I feel like there is a lot of truth to that sentiment. I will admit that I was feeling a bit doubtful this morning, and probably all week-- but I had no doubt that I would be able to scamper around the office in these red flats, that, despite their complete lack of heel, always make me walk a little taller. (P.S. Cheese? Yes, please!)

Have to make this quick, as I am actually doing work at work today, and as such am up to my elbows in a spreadsheet. Bleah. I am going to Target with a friend today, so I am expecting big things from Dollar Town there (you know, the area where all the stuff is even cheaper than regular-Target-cheap? So great). Oh, and I have to mention the bloggie friend swap that Rachel over at Confessions of a Jersey Girl is putting together-- you guys have got to get in on that, if only to receive a cool piece of local flava from an awesome blogger. Go! What are you still doing here? I will be back later to talk about more interesting things, I promise.

P.S. How much do I need one of these in my life? The answer is "a lot," but my ass disagrees.

Confirming your suspicions: I'm weird!

50 Odd Things About Me Meme, recently on Magnolias, Marriage, and Manhattan

(See? I totally told you! Also, I cannot completely vouch for the oddness of these bits of information. But I suppose that's what you get with memes, no?)

1. Do you like blue cheese? Let's put it this way: I have never met a cheese that I didn't like. The moldier and smellier the better, for real.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No. I vote that this is more "alarming" (if answered in the affirmative, of course) than "odd."

3. Do you own a gun? No. No freaking way. And it's safe to say that I never will.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Oh man, I wish there were a Sonic close to me! I always see their commercials and get so jealous.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes, for no apparent reason. Maybe because I know that there will be various "tests," and I want to get A's on them all. Yes, I will always be an overachiever.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Love! Except I recently saw an episode of Unwrapped about hot dogs and hot dog acoutrements, and that was way too much information.

7. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, forever and ever.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Black tea with Splenda, or the tears of my enemies (although I worry that the second would only make me thirstier).

9. Can you do push ups? Sure...I'm very strong-willed, if not strong-armed.

10. Where do you keep your keys? (P.S. I had to make this one up, because 10 was missing. I know it's sort of lame, but at least it's "odd.") I bought a set of two ceramic leaves at Target's dollar area last fall, and it was originally supposed to be a seasonal thing, but they've caught on and have lived on our console table ever since, guarding the keys. Now, when I forget to put my keys there? All hell breaks loose.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I love the diamond earrings that GP got for me last year for my birthday, and the pearls that used to belong to his grandmother (they're this really long strand of potato pearls that are so versatile-- they make me feel like the Princess of France whenever I wear them)

12. Favorite hobby? Reading, and planning ways to make my life more similar to that of Martha Stewart (aside from the jail time).

14. Do you have A.D.D? Nah, I'm just easily distracted.

15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I have a really hard time asking for help when I need it, and then accepting it even when it's offered.

16. Middle name? Elise. I used to hate it, but now I like that it's unique. The downside to this is that my initials are MES. If/when GP and I get married, they will be MESS. I know.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment... 1. What happened to that house in Westchester that Monica and Chandler ended up putting an offer on? Friends is always on my mind. 2. Is this headache a sign that this is too much chardonnay, or that I should be wearing my glasses? 3. Reheated salmon is probably not worth the effort, is it?

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday. With my own money? I don't think I bought anything. But I did get to use the company credit card at FedEx/Kinko's, because my life is pretty exciting, what with all that collating. Also, I seriously didn't buy anything else yesterday. Go, me!

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Water, wine, black tea

20. Current worry? That I will continue to disappoint at work until I end up leaving in the fall. And that I have so little power to change that situation.

21. Current hate? This burgeoning headache. Go away, already!

22. Favorite place to be? Ever? Probably the beach. Any beach, really, but probably one of the ones on the North Shore of Oahu, where my family rented a house a few summers ago. Pure bliss, I tell you.

23. How did you bring in the New Year? With GP and his parents in a teeny mountain hamlet in mid-Hudson New York. It snowed! I was so psyched.

24. Where would you like to go? Back to Hawaii! Trips are already planned to Atlanta/Charleston and Paris later this month/year, so I am not counting those.

25. Name three people who will complete this? First of all, not a question. Second...I have no idea. Whoever loves to divulge little-known facts about themselves, and isn't troubled by the fact that these things aren't "odd" in the strictest sense of the word.

26. Do you own slippers? Yes, and I am wearing them now. They are black, with a little cable-knit and faux-fur detailing. I love them to death.

27. What shirt are you wearing? I'm wearing a nude-colored camisole from Old Navy, and an oatmeal sweater that's...Gap? Also, that's oatmeal as in the color, not the warm breakfast food.

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I haven't before, but am pretty convinced that it would give me either VD or a rash. Or both.

29. Can you whistle? Yep. Hello, I have Okie ancestors, and they were at times involuntary whistlers, what with their sibilant issues.

30. Favorite color? I love them all! Because I am not seven years old, it's really hard to pick. I like and wear all different colors, though black is my default. But isn't it everyone's?

31. Would you be a pirate? In a heartbeat, matey!

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever gets stuck in my head. Anything from Earth Wind and Fire to Carole King and Disney songs.

33. Favorite girl's name? I have a hard time with names, because I can never dissociate them from the person or people I know (or know of) that bear them.

34. Favorite boy's name? Really! It's like I can never meet someone named Cody without thinking of Cody Porter from second grade, who made me laugh hysterically with his rendition of the song they played in the Baby Rollerblade commercial. Not even necessarily bad associations, but ones that make it hard to name my future children.

35. What's in your pocket right now? Ha! I am wearing yoga pants, which I usually sleep in, rather than wearing them for their intended purpose.

36. What's something that made you laugh today? This teenage girl that came into my office today to participate in our study. She was so energetic, and made me feel crazy old.

37. Best bed sheets as a child? O. M. G. I had Cabbage Patch sheets! And they rocked everyone's faces right off.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? I've broken my big toe on my right foot twice. Neither time involved getting any sort of medical attention, so I am forever deformed. At least I have cute shoes to cover my toe shame!

39. Do you love where you live? For the most part. I worry sometimes that I will have to live somewhere outside California, and it bothers me more than I am willing to admit. Sorry, places that aren't California!

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2; one in the living room, one in the study. But not even one in the bedroom. Point, Megan!

41. Who is your loudest friend? Hm. Probably my friend Skippy, who lives in NYC now. In general, though, my friends are more the "under their breath" type than the shouty type.

42. How many dogs do you have? None of my own...but my mom and stepdad have a yellow Lab, Kobe (who just turned 8! I cannot believe it), and my dad has a beagle, Fred (who likes to sleep in, not just on the bed)

43. Does someone have a crush on you? Not that I know of. The crushes were much more plentiful when I worked with children, who didn't know any better.

45. What is/are your favorite book(s)? Oh, man. I cannot even begin to tell you. I love A Thousand Splendid Suns, the Norton Anthology of English Literature Volumes 1 and 2, The Great Gatsby (for real, I swear!), Pride and Prejudice, The Stranger, anything by David Sedaris, all of the Harry Potters (because, seriously...it's brain candy), pretentious hippie Beatnik stuff, bad books that can and should only be purchased in airports before transcontinental flights, grammar guides, Frank O'Hara's Lunch Poems

46. What is your favorite candy? Junior Mints and Snickers! Also Sour Patch Kids, and Almond M&Ms.

47. Favorite Sports Team? UCLA Bruins!

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Hmm...there is a movement of Satie's Gymnopedies that I think is really beautiful and sad. Overall, though, I am pretty unprepared to answer this.

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping, and subconsciously planning to knee GP at about 4 and a half hours later. Sorry!

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "Five more minutes!" And this was a day where I woke up before the alarm. That just destroys me.

Ok, y'all, get on it! I know that you all have interesting things going on in your lives that are much more blog-worthy than your responses to the above 50 questions, but humor me! Or at least put it away for a rainy blog day, when the muse isn't singing.