I read the B.I.O (by invitation only) section of the Washington Post Express (free commuter version of the WaPo) every work. Attribute it to the closet-case, very repressed, hopeless romantic in me.
But I was crying I was laughing so hard when I read this couple's story of how they met. I laughed obviously because it's funny but more so because I totally envision either my darling sister, or my oh-so-direct best friends assuming the role of the mother in my true life story. Do you see it?
Kirsten Kedzierski, 26 Scot Hinshaw, 34
Kirsten and Scot will marry December 5, 2009 in Toledo, Ohio.
1. How did you meet? The couple met at a hotel in Costa Rica while attending different destination weddings. Kirsten caught Scot's eye by the resort's pool, and he approached her. When she explained she'd attended a wedding the evening before, he invited her to be his date at his friend's wedding that evening. "I politely declined, but something struck me about him," she says. "When I mentioned this to my mother, my mother marched down to where he was and said, 'Hi, I'm Mary. I'm sorry my daughter is a dumb-ass. She will attend the wedding with you tonight.'" Kirsten did. The next weekend, Scot traveled from D.C. to New York to attend a Yankees game with her, and the rest is history.
From the Frontlines: (The Jen never answers my phone call but still considers me one of her best friends support group)
Aly:Ha! Some of us are veterans of 10+ years in the "maybe, please god, maybe the 15th time is my lucky charm" category!
Matt: Now I love Jen to death. She has always been one of my closest friends...I have known Jen Richer for almost 20 years (true story) and I can say without a doubt that she is by far the most difficult person on the face of the planet to get in touch with. When you do finally get her to answer the phone she suddenly has to run and then says "I will call you back"...I can say again without pause, don't wait by your phone. I can't begin to tell you the number of messages I have left for her. She even admits that she is horrible at it. So trust me. I win as far as number of times I left a message but never got a call...
John:I never claimed to think I was the only one you ignored when I wrote you a note. I have complained about this before, and you told me that Lindsay complained about the same thing all the time! It's interesting how you take this character flaw of YOURS, and spin it into a quirky little thing that your FRIENDS obsess over. Great spin, Jenny. You oughta work in DC!
After you've read it, please respond below the post with your best "I've-tried-4-million-times-but-you-still haven't-returned-my-phone-call" Jen Story. He thinks he's discovered something new. I am trying to prove there is an entire community of you out there.
John: when you get home tonight, talk to your fellow copians about improving your communications skills! homework!
me: if by communications you mean spelling there's no hope for me
John: I could write a novel about you, and I might STILL never directly hear from you ever again...I must sound like your mother, but too damn bad!
me: I am so blogging about this
So my mentor and former boss with whom I am still very close to made the great digital leap last year and finally joined the digital community that I am so wholeheartedly plugged into (blog, gmail, facebook, etc.)
Today, we were chatting on gchat because like so many of you, there is no way in hell I could squeeze even a 5 min. phone call in with my overwhelming to do list.
But with the power of gchat I am somewhat more accessible. I am such fan of these plateforms because where I fail at staying connected, they pick up the slack.
What he thinks is a unique discovery, you all have expressed (often heatedly) as a true JEN-ISM.
By this point you know it's not possible to hurt my feelings so please be as graphic as necessary.
I'd like to thank my good friend, Jen Richer for leading me to this place last March. She was the first person to convince me that my non-nonsensical ravings, snarky remarks and sarcastic rants belonged in cyberspace for all the world (or a couple of dozen tolerant friends) to see!
This is a blast. I was lucky enough to be invited last year, where the guest speaker was Tony Snow. It's a great time to dress up and rub shoulders with what's left of the GOPpers inside the beltway.
Come join me!
MediaResearchCenter’s 2009 Gala
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC
America’s Media Watchdog combating liberal media bias since 1987, the MediaResearchCenter, will be hosting its Annual Gala again this year on Thursday, March 19, 2009. Come join Brent Bozell, Ann Coulter, Joe Scarborough, Cal Thomas, Ken Cribb, Joe the Plumber and Andrew Breitbart at the best conservative event in town! Seats are $250 per person, a portion of which is tax-deductible. The General Reception begins at 6:00 pm, followed by Dinner at 7:00 pm, and then the Gala program featuring the famous DisHonors Awards at 8:00 pm. Also at the program, the MRC will be honoring Brit Hume with the William F. Buckley Jr. Award for Media Excellence.
To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Sara Bell at sbell@mediaresearch.org or by phone at (703) 302-8311. Deadline to RSVP is March 6, 2009.
(hypothetical of course, I could never bring myself to write one for real)
Dear Hottie - We were at the HuffPo Inaugural Party together, you were on the Red Carpet, I was in the VIP section. We just missed each other - we were both in black suits. I have loved you since I was 6 (it was the way you flew, ice cold, no mistakes) and despite the weight you've gained for this new role you're preparing for, I will still love you. (no one likes a skinny man anyway.) If you see this and are interested...meet me in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. But with all the people hitting the French Quarter, how will we find each other you may ask? I'm sure you'll find a way!
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - "Batman Forever" star Val Kilmer will reign as celebrity king when the Krewe of Bacchus parade rolls through New Orleans on Feb. 22, two days before Mardi Gras.
Kilmer will be decked out in royal apparel as he rides through the city on a float in the annual parade.
Last year, wrestler and reality TV star Hulk Hogan was the krewe's celebrity king.
Kilmer's screen credits also include "Top Gun," "The Doors" and 2006's "Deja Vu" with Denzel Washington, which was filmed in New Orleans.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Need to get this week started with a good laugh. For all of you not familiar with Homestar runner, take a few moments to relish in the awesomeness. If you find this ridiculousness hilarious, congrats - we share the same sense of humor. For all those wrinkling your brows in confusion, just smile and nod, as you usually do with me.
Where blog and facebook meet: The list everyone is is posting for facebook and I was hounded to comply:
I obviously can't follow rules but here they are anyway:
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. My relationship with shoes is complicated. I LOVE shoes, the higher the better,
But I run around barefoot at every opportunity.
2. Despite my conservative friends labeling me a ‘flaming liberal,' and my liberal friends labeling me conservative, I am an educated moderate. I hear both sides and usually land right back in the middle.
2. b) I hate nothing more than a blind liberal or conservative. Do your research, earn your opinion.
3. My favorite food is a Mexican - especially fish tacos.
4. I am a closet case (well at list I think so) type A person. For an east coaster I'm pretty laid back but the big red flag is my obsession with organizing and lists.
5. Job is always my # 1 priority, second is my family (both blood and non-related.)
6. I love to surf, I am terrible at it and only recently was able to start standing up but love it nonetheless. My board is 9'0 and my 4 year brother stood up on his first try. True story.
7. Die hard Chargers Fan! (No John I still can't name 5 players) but I like to use phrases like "we threw a hail Mary" as if I were actually on the field as the receiver.
8. I name everything. No really, everything. Car: Lucy, Apartment: Chez Copa, Phone: Winston, Computer (work): Abby, Computer (home): Samantha, Printer: Rhonda, iPod: Lilly pod, camera: Molly, Surf board: Delilah, etc.
9. My family is HUGE. I am now one of seven brothers and sisters, my dad remarried 3 times. And then there is the extended family…..We have multiple Christmas' and no gathering is less than 30 people.
10. My goal in life, other than African Correspondent for BBC is to complete the 1,000 things to see before I die list (book). I've completed 47.
11. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.
12. I have always been a rule bender (if people continue to follow it, it hasn't been broken). I recognize them most of the time, but rules are for people who can't see out of the box.
13. I was the first white girl on our high school's Step Team.
14. I can quote every line from Top Gun.
15. One day I will settle down. I promise. When Thomas Crown/Mr. Darcy/Hugh Lorrie/LL Cool J/George Clooney presents a little Harry Winston, I'll take one for the team. No really, I’m not picky, it's just I haven't found a guy who can keep up yet.
16. I am obsessed with coffee (that goes for coffee flavored stuff too.) In fact, I am waiting for the first ever coffee IV (intravenous) drip/clicker (think morphine clicker) to be invented.
17. I will visit space one day. I’ll mortgage my first born, but I will do it.
18. I can't stand video games, I feel like I'm wasting time.
19. Forget flying, if I could have a superpower, it would be to freeze time.
20. About 4 years ago, my new year’s resolution was to try every food that was offered to me. I've eaten some pretty weird things since then. The worst surprisingly was alligator. The best ....jury is still out. see #3 for more info.
21. I can't spell. I blame my hippy San Diego education for teaching us phonics rather then spelling.
22. I still can't tell automatically my right from my left. I have to use my left hand to make the letter 'L.'
23. I love to laugh. I never cry (in front of people). And I love to dance...anywhere...anytime
which is usually facilitated by the constant soundtrack looping through my head.
24. Are you catholic? We're probably related.
25. I LOVE flying, well anything having to do with aviation, which helps because we live right by the airport. I find turbulence thrilling. Ironically, I am the only person I know who can sleep through takeoff and landing. I'm usually so tired by the time I make it to airport, seconds after buckling in, I'm out.
25. B - I ALWAYS check my luggage (so I hate the new fees) Well have you tried fitting your 'reasonably' sized luggage in those shoe boxes they call overhead storage?
25. C - I may be chatty but I HATE talking to the person next to me on flights.
25. D - I rarely make my scheduled flights - it’s the rule thing, and my constant tardiness (I'm working on it guys.)
26. I have been blessed with a handful of dedicated mentors: Grandma Bev (Goose), Carol Dreher, Mike Freedman (GW), John Matthews (WMAL), and Aunti Jo.
27. I'm a huge Wonk. Celebrities don't impress me - and I've met a lot of them. Really met, like was introduced to and had a conversation with, not let-me-get-a-picture-with-now-we're-best-friends-wink-wink with, but I just can't see what the fuss is. I get weak in the knees for politicos and journos....
28. I have a few heroes but the big ones are Kimberly Dozier, Andy Rooney, and Madeline Albright.
29. I share a birthday with my friend Kate, Chris Plante, Frank Sinatra, and Mexico's Patron Saint Day Lady Guadalupe.
30.. The number 12 somehow sneaks into every aspect of my life. Birthday 12-12, born at 12:54 pm. Live on 12th floor, license plate adds up to 12, etc. The girls see it before I do now.
31. I'm a lightweight - two drink limit folks.
32. I talk...a lot...My eighth grade algebra teacher tried to send me out of the classroom for talking and rather than stand outside like I was supposed to, I told him that “one day someone is going to pay me for that talk.” He was so dumbfounded I was allowed to stay.
33. I have an irrational fear of snakes. Don't ask why...what part of irrational don’t you understand?
35. My mom is the greatest bargain shopper ever. She taught me everything I know and yes my children will know how satellite shop. (it's a system in which she gave us a coupon at the cart and while she moved up and down the aisles we ran back and forth with the items.)
Sorry, a little overdue but I keep meaning to share.
Hey Sexy Pants!
The Ladies and I had one full packed Sunday, we were the official cheerleaders for mile marker 17 of the Marine Corp Marathon!
We got involved completly randomly. Working at WMAL, we work very closely with Fisher House, and as a result, I feel very close to.
While Linds and I were loitering around the army 10-mile finish line (for no reason really......except beautiful military men running through our neighborhood....) we swung by the FH booth to say hello. They enlisted us as volunteers on the spot for the marathon (tough application process I promise!)
No the signs we made were AWESOME, we put a lot of thought and research behind them. But on the metro ride down to our mile marker, we couldn't help survaying the runners for their favorite past sign slogans. "Run Sexy Pants," far and away was the winner, so look for it next year!
After ringing our cow-bells for four hours will we coached on Team Fisher House, we headed back to Crystal City for the festivities.
Well wouldn't you know it, one of the performing groups was a step team. As a former stepper in high school, I was encouraged to jump on stage with the team. Unfortunatly it's not like riding a bike and I was a little ...er.... rusty.
But being the ambitious cruise director that I have a tendency to be, we also packed in a little road trip afterward to take part in the Virginia tradition of fall apple picking. We had a great time, but not gonna lie, by that point we were all a little cranky and desperately in need of a little respite. So on the way home, we took a little detour to the winery next door.
Sure we were cutting it a little close by sliding in the door at 4:58 pm but the owner was kind enough to accommodate one final tasting group. I'd like to think it was our good Kharma, but perhaps it was the weathered faces sporting our team fisher house jersey's that convinced him.
We were in for a treat. Chateau O'Brian, right behind the orchard, boasts a special fall vintage produced not from grapes, but apples! So worth it!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Not sure I'd react as viscerally as Steph, but I can't blame the guy for trying. Keep at it Politico - you're just doing your job! It's not like he was asking for his birth certificate or if Sasha and Malia were really his kids or anything.
President Obama made a surprise visit to the White House press corps Thursday night, but got agitated when he was faced with a substantive question.
Pressed further by the Politico reporter about his Pentagon nominee, William J. Lynn III, Obama turned more serious, putting his hand on the reporter's shoulder and staring him in the eye.
"Alright, come on" he said, with obvious irritation in his voice. "We will be having a press conference at which time you can feel free to [ask] questions. Right now, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to you guys - that's all I was trying to do."
Hey, amateur - when POTUS walks into the White House press room, what possibly makes you think, you egotistical tool, that they are not going to ask questions? And if I were the reporter that you tried to "mad dog" I would have told you in no uncertain terms to get your hand off before it comes off involuntarily.
Well there you have it....I may look 12 but my hair follicles say otherwise.
Phase I: Denial My first reaction is like any other woman's: I need a second opinion. Charlene and Tommy confirmed it.
Phase II: Pain and Guilt Charlene pulled it (ok them) out for me
Phase III: Rage "Now I'm going RED!"
Phase IV: Understanding I consulted WebMD but was left wanting so I found this description. Sure it's for kids but at my ripe old age, I'll take what I can get!
