One Whole Week

If you read my previous post and the comments left you will see that I forgot to write about something very important over the weekend. On Saturday morning Ando and I got up early to shoot Xavier imploding a building. Ando had to tape it and asked me if I would come along and help him. I begrudgingly agreed and got up for an early morning explosion. The first set of bangs went off and the building didn't fall, and I was wondering what was going on. Then the second round went off and the building came crashing down. It was really pretty neat, but I wouldn't have woken up early to watch it on my own. I don't know what those people were thinking getting up so early for 10 seconds of a building caving in.

Now it's on to Sunday. Which of course was Easter. Easter is my least favorite holiday. It is sitting around eating a bunch of ham and not much else. In the morning we went to Ando's family get together; we brought lox bagels for our dish. There was the annual Easter Egg Hunt that all the kids participate in and the egg toss for adults. JB and I were partners and won in every way possible (we didn't participate so neither of us got egg all over us). Nothing else too exciting happened so on to my parents for dinner.

There were only 7 of us at Easter with my parents, which is fine really. It was very casual and no festivities were had. We just talked, ate dinner, and talked a little more before all heading home for the night.

I need to catch my blog back up with real time so here it goes. Monday was boring just working a lot during the day. I was running around trying to get everyone's job finished I was in charge of doing while they were out of town. After the long stressful day of work I needed a little release so I went running by myself. I just wanted to be alone and run at my own speed without thinking of another. This may sound selfish, but I really needed it.

Tuesday was more work; sitting in front of a computer doing graphics work for hours and hours. Ando's aunt came over at night to record with him.

Wednesday was of course more computer sitting; I find it really hard to sit in front of a computer screen for more than 3 hours at a time before I need a little break. After work I went running with Jenster around P Ridge. It was such a nice day Wednesday I wish it would just stay like that already.

Thursday was more work. When I say work this time around I mean actual work too. I am guessing work will finally die down for me sometime around mid April. I can't wait! After work my sister came over to pick me up and go to BW's. We went to go watch the Xavier game together. We arrived over an hour early and the place was packed. We almost didn't find a table. There were three of us watching the game together, Ando couldn't go he had band practice. We ordered 50 boneless wings because it was boneless Thursday. FYI, 50 wings is way too many for 3 people. It was my first experience asking for a to go box at BW's. Xavier somehow pulled the game out in OT. Only one more for the Final Four.

This now brings me to yesterday, Friday. I have finally caught back up. I went into work early to try and finish my big project before one of my co-workers came in. I was using her computer all week while she was on vacation, and I really needed to finish it before she came back. I finished, but now there are a couple of changes that need I need to make before the project can go out for print. I hope to make all necessary changes on Monday.

After work I went back to IKEA to return a couple of things and pick up a few others. This time it was packed. We must have gotten really lucky when we went the first time. I was on a mission this time too, and didn't have Ando with me, so no browsing occurred. I got in and got out.

At night Ando, Jenster, Mo and I went to the Cyclones game. Teed couldn't come because he had to work on his basement. It was $1 beer, soda and hot dog night, along with $.50 popcorn. Everyone else in the city must have thought this was a good idea for a night out too because they had their biggest crowd of the season. Our seats were up high, but I would expect nothing else. They really weren't that bad. I remember the Arena being much bigger when I was younger. It seems quite small now that I have grown up. We were sitting next to some kids, and when I say kids I think they were around 21. They were all drinking, but looked young. I must be getting old to be calling 21 year olds kids. One of them had on a WWJD bracelet drinking a PBR and his hat on backwards. When was the last time you saw a WWJD bracelet? Ando said Jesus would wear his hat like that and drink a PBR, so that kid was right on. The Cyclones game was a fun change of pace and genuine family entertainment. I better get used to it with Taco on the way.

I almost forgot, Ando got me my blog/birthday present. He gave it to me yesterday. A little early for my birthday, but not for the blog. I got a digital SLR camera. It is the Cannon XTi. I have been fooling around with it a little and reading the instruction manual so I can get the most out of the camera. Usually I forgo the manual and just start playing around, but with such a great camera I want to get the most out of it I can and know everything I can so the manual is a must read. I will try to post some pictures that I take with the new camera on here in the next couple of days. For now you will have to be happy with the old camera pictures.

We went to the cyclones game; Ando didn't propose on the Jumbo Tron.

The Weekend

Well it seems as though I am still a week behind despite my best efforts to keep on top of my blog this week. I am going to try and write all about the weekend starting with Thursday to catch up.

Normally I wouldn't even have anything to tell you about on a Thursday, but this one was a little special. I went to work in the morning, but left around noon to head to the bar. March Madness is in full swing and my Xavier Musketeers were playing at 12:20. My sister wanted me to watch the game with her so I met her a this new bar in Rookwood call the Rusty Bucket. It is what you would expect from a chain type restaurant/bar. Think along the lines of Applebee's, Friday's, etc. A lot of her co-workers were also there and my sister told me the food and drink was on them.

We watched the game, Xavier had a come from behind victory, and drank too many beers. I kept saying I was finished because I had to drive home still, but one of ED's co-workers just kept buying me beer without my knowledge. After so many beers and sitting around after the game I decided I probably shouldn't go back to work. I stopped by my parents to pick a few things up instead.

Ando then called me to go out to eat with his parents at Cactus Pear. It was time for some more drinking. I consumed too much alcohol for a Thursday, but I'm guessing some of you think otherwise.

Friday was more work and running with Jenster and Ed. We all went to Sharon Woods together for a quick run before going out to dinner with Brentano and Deb, she doesn't do Glamour Shots. It was a rare treat to see both of them out and about. We all ate dinner, well if you call a bowl of cottage cheese dinner, and then Graeter's. Mo got dropped off and Ando, Teed, Jenster and I all went to Gas Light for a night cap. Can you call something a night cap if it is at 11:00pm?

Saturday was the annual Shandy corned beef and cabbage St. Patrick's Day party. It was also the time for Ando and I to put together our IKEA bedroom set. Thank goodness Ando got a head start on Friday by putting together two pieces. After getting the bedroom set up we still had to clean before everyone came over. Xavier also played at 5pm, but they were losing when I was watching and I had a ton of cleaning to do so that went on the back burner. It was another come from behind win! There was so much cleaning going on that I didn't make it in the shower till some guests had already arrived.

The party was a smashing good time. Is that how the Irish would say it or is that British? Lots of people, too many to name them all, came over for some food and beers. Even Rando stopped by. It wasn't an all nighter, but it really couldn't be Easter was the next day. No one wants to be hung over for Easter.

I am going to write about Easter in my next blog, I am counting Sunday as the start of a new week. Also, I am including a picture of my finished knitted bag. It has been done for awhile, but I just never took a picture of it. This is especially for CB radio.

We had our friends over; Ando didn't propose in front of them.

IKEA

Wednesday was back to the old grind of work and of course more work. I thought my work schedule would die down a little when I returned from my short vacation, but I was sorely mistaken. I jumped right back in and was handed even more responsibility when someone in our office left me some of her work while she is in Europe. Fun, I love to do more work and not be rewarded for it.

After my day of work Ando came up to West Chester to try our hands at IKEA. We thought a rainy Wednesday would be a good time without a huge crowd. It turned out we were right. It was no more crowded than any other visit I have had to an IKEA. True, most of those visits were on a weekend, but hey still not bad for the first couple of weeks opened.

I was all about only looking at what we were planning on buying, but Ando wanted to go through the whole store. I tried to hurry him along and not browse too much. Everyone knows how much he can browse. Case in point the gas station on our way down to Hilton Head a couple of years ago.

We picked out everything we wanted and headed down to the warehouse to grab the furniture. We decided we needed to become a little more grown up with a matching bedroom set. Yes, it is just cheap IKEA furniture, but at least it matches. We got our cart and loaded the two dressers before heading to the bed section. After putting the bed on the cart we realized one cart wasn't going to be enough. I went back and grabbed another cart for us to put the night stands on. We looked ridiculous pushing those big heavy carts around like we didn't have anything in our house. I didn't realize each piece of furniture would have so many boxes.

Checkout went smoothly and the final bill was less than Ando and I had expected. We did buy a few other things besides a bedroom set as well. Everything fit nicely into the Rav 4, which the IKEA man helped Ando load. I think he didn't want a pretty young lady, that would be me, lifting all those heavy boxes.

It was getting a little late and we still hadn't eaten dinner so it was time for dinner. If you know West Chester then you know the choices are slim; and by slim I mean boring chain restaurants. We decided on Applebee's because it was close and we haven't had it in awhile. BH and DKNY kept saying they were going to take us in NYC, but they lied. We had to go ourselves. It was a normal run of the mill American Restaurant experience. The only truly fun part was when we first arrived and the host asked us how we were. Ando decided to try on the Rockin' response for size. I think he got a funny look and I just laughed at him.

Nothing else happened after dinner. Teed did help bring in the boxes since he decided he wanted to mix with Ando. How sweet of him.

I bought us the new furniture; Ando didn't buy me a new ring.

Past Fun!

I will be writing quite a few posts about my past week. I didn't have time this week to write and I can't fit in all the fun and excitement into one blog so you will get a series. I also hope you like the new layout; I just thought I would switch things up a little.

I am starting off with the rest of my trip to New York. While in the Big Apple I picked up a few new readers to my blog. Welcome one and all! I'm sure you don't think I could top my Saturday fun, but I did. The four of us, BH, DKNY, Ando and I, went to lunch since we all got up late from partying hard the night before. After a pleasant lunch we walked to Game Stop and priced out Rock Band. Rock Band was a little pricey so regular Ando type mulling had to take place.

While mulling was going on we all went to Union Square to buy wine at Trader Joe's. Goose called while we were on the subway to pick up some bread so we needed to find a bakery as well. Apparently bakeries are hard to come by in Union Square and the East Village. We finally found a little bakery and bought a loaf. After going to Trader Joe's and buying wine we went to Whole Foods for some more fresh bread. Whole Foods was a jungle, I could never shop like that. I will say however that they do have a good checkout system.

Since mulling was still going on a stop to Circuit City needed to be made for another look at Rock Band. It was still the same price so it was still not bought. The box was a little big to carry around too. I will try to let you know if BH and DKNY ever do get Rock Band. It was now off to Greenpoint for some wine and cheese.

The wine and cheese party at Living in Sin Part III, man do I know a lot of sinners out there, was a rousing good feast. We even had a special picture drawn for us by MAGnum PI. I liked that we didn't have to go out to eat every night we were there. Thanks to MAGnum PI and CB Radio for having us over!

Sunday was another fun day of lots of people and enclosed tight spaces. We decided to go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade since we were in town and all. The parade is 5 hours so there was no need to get there on time. We arrived at 50th around 12:30 and witnessed some of the parade out five people deep. You could hardly see anything, but really all there was to see were firemen and police walking down in turns with some bagpipers in between. Not really fun. I am going to try and add a video for everyone. The quality isn't very good, but you get the idea of the parade. I hope my first video adventure works.

After too many people, and by the way there were too many people on the subway to get there as well, we headed to the Guggenheim. When we got there the parade was going on right past the museum. We all thought the parade ended 2 blocks earlier, but apparently they keep walking a couple of blocks to disperse. We should have just gone there in the first place to see the parade without a bunch of people.

We went to the museum, very cool exhibits there right now, and when we were finished the parade was still going on. Somehow we managed to see the parade three times and really only tried once. Since it was St. Patrick's Day we headed to a bar for some drinking and more friend hanging out. We went to a bar that had $2 beers and BOGO appetizers. The bar also had games there so a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit followed. Let me tell you Trivial Pursuit is more fun and much more tolerable on game length if you have a couple beers in you.

The next day was of course flying home day. This blog is getting a little long so I will try to be quick about the fun of flying home. We got a car to go to the airport and thought we were leaving ourselves plenty of time, but of course there was an accident on the BQE. We got to the airport about 40 to 45 minutes before our flight was to leave. We still had to go through security as well. After security, which I feel is so much easier and New York airports for some reason, we headed to our gate. When we got to the gate about 2 minutes later they started boarding. Really we times the whole thing perfectly.

We left our gate and got in line to take off. The pilot came over and told us we were 26th in line for take off. This time Ando and I weren't sitting with frat boys we were sitting with the Paula Dean fan club. I guess there was a family that came to New York and were flying back to Alabama. They were spread out all over the plane, some in front and some in the back. They decided it was fine to yell back and forth to each other. I was quite uncomfortable. They were trying to make really bad jokes too.

We finally took off and made it safely back to Cincinnati a half hour late. How nice it was to be greeted with cold rainy weather too. Not much else happened when we got back. Just a quick trip to the Library to pick up my hold and a few other materials that I wanted and a trip to our Trader Joe's. Home sweet home!

Ando took me to NYC; no romantic proposal at Top of the Rock.

NYC!

Hey all I'm in NYC and guess what....I found some internet! I know you can't believe it, I was also surprised, but somehow it happened. We arrived yesterday and hour and a half later than we were supposed to due to some pilot problems, but in the end made it. I felt like I was in the middle of a frat party on the airplane with 2 dudes behind us and 2 more in front of us. The 2 dudes in front of us both ordered a Jack and Coke on the plane. It wasn't even noon yet and only and hour and 15 minute flight, but I guess they were ready to party early.

After arriving in The Big Apple we went to our house of rest, Living in Sin part II. We grabbed some brunch and headed to prospect park for a little croquet. I have never seen so many people stop and watch such an odd game. No one else in the park was playing croquet, we were the only ones. Someone even took a picture of us. Ando won the first game and DKNY won the second.

After our little croquet game we headed back to Living in Sin part II for a bit of rest. DKNY and BH went to a whiskey party and Ando and I took a power nap. We all met back up at 9 to meet our other New York friends. Bar hopping and partying happened till 3:30, thank goodness for the power nap.

So far NYC is everything I was hoping it would be, relaxing and not working. Lets hope today and tomorrow are just as awesome! By the way team awesome got first place on photo hunt at the bar last night.

We are in NYC on a nice little get away; No ring to accompany the good times and make it even better.

No Time

I have had no time to relax in the past three days. I feel like I barely have time to be writing this today. I would have to say this is the most I have been on the internet since Sunday. I usually do a daily jigsaw puzzle online, but alas I haven't even been able to do that. I am pretty sure Friday was the last time I got to relax with a nice jigsaw. I know you all think this is stupid and there are way better things on the internet to be doing, but this is what I like and find relaxing.

Needless to say since I have been so busy, mostly with work, I haven't done many fun or exciting activities. Ando and I have been trying to fit in some "Big Love" watching along with a little "The L Word", but even that has been difficult. It shouldn't take someone a week to watch three one hour episodes, but we have managed to do that. Hopefully we can get the last one in tonight.

This morning I got to get up bright and early to go to IKEA. That's right I wanted my free chair and gift card if I was one of the early birds. Noooo, I would never do something like that. I had to get there early to set up and shoot the festivities and ceremony before they officially opened. All I have to say is that people are crazy. Why would anyone want to do this. Plus I don't know how you would even shop with all those people in the store. I would want to look at what was there, but it would be nearly impossible to see anything. Thank goodness it is open though so the news will stop talking about it.

Other than that I am just happy Daylight savings time is here. I love how it stays light later. I got to go running after work today and it didn't get dark so that I couldn't see where I was going. I just hope the weather stays nice and the cold slowly moves out till fall. I may not be able to blog again for awhile because I am going to be busy again tomorrow and Friday and then hopefully Ando and I will be in NYC Saturday through Tuesday; we still don't have plane tickets yet. If you are lucky I will be able to blog from NYC. I may know a few people who would be willing to lend me some of their internet.

Ando and I don't see much of each other anymore; no proposal in the short times I have.

Snowed In!

As you all know we had a huge snow storm this weekend. I was supposed to go to C-bus on Friday to tape a high school girls basketball game, but ICRC decided they weren't going to go due to weather. We weren't going to go either. I guess this is what it feels like to be a teacher and have school canceled due to the weather.

Since the roads were bad on Friday Ando, Teed, Mo and I went to Jenster's house for some dinner and game playing fun. Jenster cooked us a delicious meal that she slaved over in the crock pot all day for. No seriously it was very good.

Saturday was finally IKEA friends and family day. The five of us were going to hit up IKEA before they open to the public on Wednesday. Finally a perk to my job! I was excited to get a new bedroom set. Ando is still using his dresser from his parents house as am I and we don't have a headboard. We just want some matching pieces. Ando went to his parents the night before to borrow their van for all our "big" purchases. Of course Hamilton and Butler Counties were both under a level three snow emergency so no one was supposed to be on the roads. I thought IKEA would cancel friends and family day so I called the store and sure enough it was no more. I can't believe all this snow had to hit on this weekend. I am not going to want to go anywhere near that place for months to come now.

During the day I lounged around and of course did some shoveling. You know I have to shovel. While I was outside I also made a little snowman. It wasn't very good packing snow so I could only make a little guy that is sitting on our front porch welcoming all who come to the door. Ando didn't want anything to do with playing in the snow. He always talks about wanting to relive his childhood, but I guess not by frolicking in the snow.

That night we were invited to Teed and Mo's for dinner. Ando and I decided to take my car instead of the van, but plans were quickly foiled. As I was trying to get my car out of the driveway I fell off the side. This is the downfall of two little concrete strips as a driveway. I of course got stuck and couldn't get out. All I managed to do was put some holes in yard and kick up a bunch of mud.

After abandoning my car we took the van to Teed and Mo's. They also slaved over the crock pot all day to make a wonderful meal for us. I guess it was good weather to bust out the crock pot. Dinner was once again fabulous. The strange part of the evening comes when after dinner Teed decided to light all of the candles in the house and bring them into the living room. We sat in the ambiance of candle light while talking and almost falling asleep.

This morning was met with a time change, which I wasn't ready for, but am glad it is here, and of course trying to get my car out. I needed my car because I had a 2pm soccer game, which we didn't win, and had to go see my grandmother to help her pack for her upcoming trip. Ando and I weren't making good progress and fighting about our different methods of how to get the car out, I let him do it his way in the end. Evian must have seen us trying to get the car out and came to help us. We finally got it, but now I have to fill in some holes when all the snow melts. It turned out that I was barely off the driveway as well. I fell off right at the end when I was about to get the sidewalk and apron to drive over.

Ando made me clean after soccer; I didn't find a ring hidden anywhere.

Rockin'

Well I was going to post yesterday, but I didn't have anything good to tell all of my readers. It was just my luck though that something fell into my lap yesterday.

Ando and I decided to go out to eat together. We hardly ever do this especially on a weekday. We went to Dewey's because Ando wanted somewhere he could get a salad. This is his way of saying he ate something healthy that day. When we got to Dewey's we had to wait a bit for a table. Who would have thunk Dewey's would have a line. I think they just bring people in from somewhere else to make it seem like they are always busy as hell.

Anyway we ordered some beers at the bar, where there was Hennepin on tap, and hung out for a little before our table was ready. When we sat down our waitress came over and said "Rockin', I see you guys already have beers, that's rockin'". I wanted to crack up laughing and I am sure Ando did as well. I didn't dare look over at Ando to see what he was doing. The rest of the night our waitress kept using the words rockin', cool, rad and so forth. It was very funny, and you would enjoy the story more if you were there. I am going to start using the term rockin' a lot more.

I asked Ando toward the end of the meal if I should get dessert, if you know what I mean. He told me I could if I wanted, but he didn't want any. Needless to say I took that as no I shouldn't get dessert because there would be nothing special to it.

The rest of the night was spent with Teed and Ando mixing some more Telescope songs and me watching TV by myself. I did watch something new though. I got The L Word out from the Library to start watching. There was quite a bit of T & A. And lesbian sex scenes weren't hard to come by either. I think I am going to continue to watch it, the story line was pretty good, that's what they say about Playboy right, or maybe I am a lesbian deep down.

I also watched the season finale of Project Runway. I really didn't want Christian to win. He was my least favorite of the three designers left. I thought Jillian would win going into the finale, but after watching all three of the runway shows I thought Rami was going to win. What the hell do I know, nothing apparently.

Ando and I actually went on a date and talked; I guess one small step at a time is all I can ask for, nothing new.

P.S. I am including this picture of the New York Subway because it is where I want to be, and hopefully will be next weekend!

Movies

Sorry I haven't written a blog in quite some time, but I have been a little busy. It all started on Thursday when I had to go to Columbus for work and of course ended up working more than my regularly scheduled 8 hours. West had to go and win too. Friday was supposed to be my day off work since I once again had to work on Saturday, but I had to go into work anyway. I was there for about 4 hours running cables for the next day and targeting an audio playback problem we were having. Not much happened Friday night since I had to get up early Saturday to take Jenster to the airport and then head to work. Ando, Jenster and I just went out to eat at Molly Malone's, but not the one you are thinking of. We tried the one in Covington that is no relation to the Molly Malone's in Pleasant Ridge. It was alright, as Ando would say, but nothing to go crazy over or rush to have again. I watched Black Dahlia when we got home because I knew I wasn't going to be able to fall asleep right away, but didn't want to be out at a bar too late.

My Saturday consisted of waking up at 5am to take Jenster to the Dayton airport. She is out west, hopefully having a good time, and I needed to go to West Chester early anyway so why not offer to take her to the airport. I went to work for nine hours watching pee-wee carpet basketball again. I was pissed I had to do this again and I thought I had seen everything last time, but I was mistaken. Now I think I have seen it all. In the last game of the day if you fouled the other team got a point. There was no foul shooting or anything they just automatically got a point. How stupid is that.

I rushed home from carpet basketball to get ready for the Xavier game and picking up my Grandmother. I was a little late, but hey I made it work. The gate was shut for the handicap lot, but I really needed to park in there for my Grandmother so I got out of the car and moved the gate for us to pull in. I parked and while I was 4 more cars pulled into the lot as well. I got a spot and my Grandmother didn't have to walk far so that is all that matters.

Needless to say I was exhausted from such a long day so home it was where Ando and I put a movie in, Running With Scissors. I had already seen this movie and I was falling asleep half way through so I went to bed. I slept like a baby that night and when I woke up around 4am to go to the bathroom I was surprised to see Ando in bed. I didn't hear him come to bed at all.

Sunday was the annual trip to Perfect North Slopes. And once again I was saying to myself "why do I do this every year". And once again I had a good time. I did fall a couple of times this year, but it was still fun. I even went on a new hill and have decided I am now up to blue square on the hill charts. Maybe one day I will be able to do a double black diamond. Haha (should I write a bunch more haha's) I doubt it.

After dropping Ando off for band practice I stopped at my parents for dinner. They invited me over while I was skiing; they never invite me over for dinner. I ate a nice home cooked meal that I didn't make and watched another movie with them, The Italian Job. I was on quite a movie watching kick this weekend. I still have another movie that I got from the library I need to watch and borrowed 2 from my parents. I am going to be busy for a couple of nights coming up.

On a side note it finally got warm, about time, and I got to go running this morning. I haven't been in almost a month and thought I would be lucky to make it two miles, but to my surprise I made it 3 to 3.5 miles. It wasn't pretty or fast, but hey I got out there running again. I only wish this weather would stick around and it wouldn't rain like it is about to start doing. Oh, how I yearn for Spring.

Ando stayed with me skiing; he didn't bury a ring in the snow for me to find, no proposal.

How did I do Mo? Any bad grammar? I will get it one of these days.