Drawn to the Rhythm

Blogging again...

2007-12-14T13:59:00.000Z

...but not here.

New food blog: Trouble With Toast

Enjoy!

Fare thee well.

2007-10-29T14:41:00.000Z

During a delightful dinner with two of my favorite DC damsels, the subject of blogging (not surprisingly) came up. In response to my lamenting about having nothing to write about, one of my gal pals said, wisely, something to the effect of “I can’t force myself to write. I have to be inspired. It has to just hit me.”

I remember when blogging was like that for me. I would see something, hear something, read something—and a post would begin rumbling around in my head. More often than not, that spark of an idea turned into a piece of writing of which I was proud (some more than others, of course). Occasionally, those pieces entertained and provoked others, igniting debates and kindling friendships.

Lately, though, nothing has made that light bulb above my head start burning bright with creativity. There are many things going on in my life, but none of them move me to write. And if I don’t have any desire to write about something, I can guarantee that folks out there in the blogosphere—myself included—won’t want to read it. My passion for “Drawn to the Rhythm” has waned, and I feel guilty every time I visit the site and the date of my last quality post is farther and farther in the past.

Therefore, I have decided to put an end to this blog, in an attempt to exit gracefully and with some artistic dignity in tact. It was not an easy decision—this little site has meant more to me and done more for me than most of you will ever know. It helped me through many a heartbreak, introduced me to some of my most treasured friends, and challenged me in ways I never could have imagined.

I could take a hiatus, but that would merely be delaying the inevitable—and I have more respect for this blog and its role in my life than that. I must recognize that this relationship is over without denying its past importance. I must recognize that every exit provides a subsequent entry, and that, as my favorite poet (T.S. Eliot) wrote, “The end is where we start from.”

I suppose all of this is a bit melodramatic, but after two and a half years, dozens of happy hours, a few heated controversies, and countless laughs, I couldn’t just shut down the site without a teensy bit of explanation. So, there it is—thanks for everything, and I’ll see ya on the flip side.*

* My only remaining writing-related passion centers around food, so I hope to christen a new blog with that theme in mind. To be continued…

Breakthrough.

2007-10-21T02:01:00.001+01:00

I did something today that I never thought I would do. It forced me to leave my comfort zone, it stretched my abilities to their limits, it required significant patience and concentration, and it had the possibility of causing me great humiliation.

I used a sewing machine.

It may not sound like a monumental accomplishment, but anyone who knows me understands what a huge deal it was. And I didn't completely fuck it up!

Just thought everyone should know. Move along, nothing to see here.

Guilty.

2007-10-19T20:33:00.001+01:00

Pleasures, that is. We all have them--the shameful things that bring us joy, but only if we can keep them a secret from those we respect. But what really makes these indulgences so heinous and humiliating? Guilty pleasures are not inherently bad. What makes them so seemingly wicked is the fact that someone else might judge us for our choices.

Judgment is a funny thing. We all judge others, whether we're honest about it or not. We're human beings, we're fallible, and we like to put things into nice, neat little compartments (so our brains can handle the vast amounts of information we receive every day). So how do we function without constantly fearing the judging finger of another, pointed in our direction?

We find comfort in those whose weirdness surpasses our own.

So, in the spirit of helping my readers, I present to you my current compilation of guilty pleasures...I hope this list makes you feel better about yours.

* McDonald's--Yes, I know I'm supposed to be a foodie, and I'm supposed to cook Julia Child-esque meals and dine only on foie gras and truffles. But come on, I work for the government. And dammit if those McNuggets don't have crack in them!

* "One Tree Hill" reruns on the Soap Network--I just can't help myself! All of the characters are so pretty, and the gals are all sassy and sexy, and the guys all spew romantic drivel whilst staring at their loves with deep, expressive eyes.

* 80s music--They were a long time ago, but I refuse to acknowledge that the 1980s are over. Between "Endless Love," "Maneater," and "Call Me," it's a wonder I have any new-ish music on my iPod at all.

* "Bring It On"--I own it on DVD, and I find a way to watch it every time it's broadcast on ABC Family. I think my adoration for this movie stems from my desire to be a cheerleader, a dance troupe girl, or even a flag corps member in high school. I did none of those things, though. I was a chorus and theater nerd, so the football field was off limits for me. Sigh. I did get to sing the National Anthem from the press box, though.

I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. But I hope it sends you into your weekend feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. If nothing else, this post got me--in a VERY rough and ugly sense--back into the blogging game. Whew!

Committed.

2007-10-16T03:10:00.000+01:00

It's official--I have registered for the 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, DC. Want to join me? Shoot me an e-mail! It's an amazing experience that you won't soon forget.

For those of you who'd rather put your money where your feet are, feel free to donate! My fundraising page is here, though I haven't really had time to personalize it yet. To be continued.

I've been crazy busy with work and rehearsals, but I have so much to say. I hope to get some writing done soon...I've been neglectful of the ol' blog (and its four whole readers), but I'm definitely not throwing in the proverbial towel.

So, I'm reaffirming my commitment to fighting breast cancer and to blogging. Seemingly unrelated, but in my funny little brain, it makes perfect sense.

Thursday is the new Friday.

2007-10-04T17:43:00.000+01:00

It's been a long week already--not only did I have an upsetting semi-tiff with my boss at work, but I had two dance rehearsals in a row and our director decided to treat us to "trenches" (dance steps consisting of slides back, alternating from one foot to the other, and swinging the arms 180 degrees in a windmill fashion--VERY tough on the quads). Don't get me wrong, I patched things up at the office, and the choreography looks incredibly cool, but I am plumb tuckered out.

No matter--I am taking the day off tomorrow and flying to the Volunteer State for a little bit of R&R, reminiscing, and rowdiness. To wit, THIS is where I will be sitting (with my hunny, of course) at 3:30 PM on Saturday:

Yeah, buddy! Nothing like some SEC-on-SEC action to really rev up the weekend, especially with seats right on the 50-yard line of Neyland Stadium. Add some tailgating, dinner with a beloved professor, reuniting with long lost friends, and honky-tonking in Music City USA (the second half of the trip will be spent in Nashvegas), and we've got ourselves one helluva vacation. Woo hoo!

Enjoy the long weekend, folks!

In honor of October

2007-10-01T18:22:00.000+01:00

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many of us in the blogosphere have been touched by this terrible disease, and it is crucial that we do everything in our power to improve access to quality care and to strive for a cure.

Last year, I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer here in Washington, DC. The Avon Walk is a marathon and a half walk spread out over a Saturday and Sunday. You can walk as far as you choose, but if you walk the entire distance, you will travel almost 40 miles total throughout the weekend. Walking doesn't sound very challenging--we walk every day, and it's no big thing--but trust me when I tell you that it IS a big thing and it IS very challenging! However, with proper training and a little can-do attitude, I was able to finish the entire distance (and it was an incredible feeling of accomplishment).

In order to participate as a walker, each person commits to raising a minimum of $1,800 towards the fight against breast cancer. It sounds like an insurmountable feat to raise that much cash--but you'll be surprised how easy it is. Not only will you have the help of an Avon Walk staffer, but you'll also notice that your family and friends are eager to help you reach this impressive goal. After all, there's no one out there who DOESN'T want a cure for breast cancer! I ended up raising over $2,200, and all I did was send a bunch of e-mails. Piece of cake!

The most important thing to note about the Avon Walk is how you'll feel while you're participating. The people you meet along the way--staffers, crew members, fellow walkers, survivors, and community members cheering you on along the route--are the most kind, generous, and wonderful people you will ever encounter. I've been participating in cancer fundraisers since my own diagnosis in 1999, and very few are as life-changing as this one. There's truly nothing like it.

On this October 1, I pose a challenge to my friends out there in DC Blog-land: sign up for the Avon Walk with me! It's May 3-4, 2008, so you have plenty of time to train and fundraise. I will be signing up regardless, but this year I'd really like to experience this event with others.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions--and if you cannot join me, I hope you'll consider donating to the cause through my personal page, which will (hopefully) be up sometime this week. Thanks for your support!

Uh...what now?

2007-10-01T13:22:00.000+01:00

It's 8:30 AM. I've already worked out, showered and dressed, watched the news, dried my hair, put on full make-up, fed the cat, packed up my lunch, gotten a smoothie, and arrived at the office.

Does that mean the day can only go downhill from here?

Here's to maintaining my morning productivity...

Things I have been doing instead of blogging.

2007-09-20T15:21:00.000+01:00

* Singing and dancing: I got a (small) part in the upcoming Georgetown Gilbert & Sullivan Society production of Anything Goes, and we started rehearsal last week. I did this same show when I was a freshman in high school, and it’s one of my favorites—great songs, big dance numbers, and plenty of humor. The actual show dates are November 7-10, so mark your schedules accordingly!

* Running: My first-ever 5K race was last Saturday, and it was a lot more fun than I anticipated. I was worried about how my knee and ankle would hold up, but I actually managed to run about half of the 3.1 miles (which, for me, is a great accomplishment). While I know I’ll never be a marathon runner, I was pleased and encouraged enough to sign up for two other 5K events this fall. Hopefully, with continued training (and some glucosamine), I’ll eventually be able to finish the whole distance without walking.

* Learning Portuguese: When my man decided that he wanted to learn another language, we originally waffled between Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. However, after thinking that through and realizing that whole different alphabets would be involved, we decided to start with a romance language instead. I already know Spanish, and Jason didn’t want to learn French, so it was between Portuguese and German. The less phlegmy language won out in the end.

* Dining divinely: After much anticipation, my best gal pal and I went to Minibar to celebrate her birthday. The restaurant didn’t disappoint—if you are serious about food, the experience is not to be missed. I’ll probably post something on EatFoo in the next couple of days, for those who want a more detailed description.

* Networking: Not for myself, of course—I love my job, and I’m in a good place professionally. However, my boyfriend is in desperate need of a J-O-B (for after he graduates from Georgetown law school in May), and I’ve been reaching out to anyone and everyone who might have a lead. Ahem…readers, any help here?

* Being sick: The beginnings of a cold popped up last Friday, but then they disappeared until Tuesday night. Now, I am congested, scratchy-throated, watery-eyed, and hopped up on Nyquil. Suh-weet.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I should be back to normal (and blogging) on Monday...

Hope, healing, and helping others on 9/11.

2007-09-11T13:53:00.000+01:00

On this day, six years after the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, people will have many different ways of dealing with their grief, confusion, anger, and lasting sorrow. Some will recount exactly where they were when the planes hit and the towers fell. Some will memorialize the victims. Some will debate conspiracy theories. Some will rail against our country’s response, urging the powers-that-be to exit Iraq and end the war.

Me personally? I’m not going to do any of those things. Instead, I would like to highlight a way that you can draw a message of hope from the terrible events of six years ago. It’s called myGoodDeed.

According to its FAQs, “myGoodDeed.org is the official Web site of myGoodDeed, a nonprofit 501c3 organization leading the effort to establish September 11 as a national day of voluntary service, charity and good deeds. Our mission is simple: to encourage people everywhere to set aside time every September 11 to perform good deeds of their choice to help others in need. In this way, we hope to keep alive forever, in our memories and actions, the spirit of giving and selfless service that unified our nation following the terrorist attacks.”

The website, in addition to being a forum for posting pledges to perform good deeds, allows users to search for volunteer activities by zip code and donate to specific 9/11-related charities. It also provides ideas for good deeds for those who might not already have something in mind.

The good deed doesn’t have to be monumental—they range from spending more time in prayer to being a kinder version of oneself to rebuilding disaster-destroyed homes to donating a kidney. The point is to ensure that future generations of Americans remember more than just the horror of the attacks. They should also remember the extraordinary outpouring of strength, support, and spirit that followed.

This September 11, I pledge to make an appointment to donate blood. I’ve never done it before (for various reasons, largely having to do with my cancer and my penchant for piercings), but it’s about time I did. It's a small gesture, for certain, but it has the potential to make a difference in someone's life.

What will your pledge be?

Battle of the Badasses

2007-09-07T19:18:00.000+01:00

Over the past week, I have seen all three Jason Bourne movies, including the most recent installment, The Bourne Ultimatum. In my opinion, they are top-notch action flicks, and each chapter is better than the last.

As the credits were rolling last night, I stood up and said to my honey, “Jason Bourne is the best badass EVER!” His retort: “What about Jack Bauer?” What about Jack Bauer, indeed? Obviously, the two characters share a lot of traits—they even have the same initials, for goodness sake! But who would win in a grudge match? Let’s investigate further…

Background

Jason Bourne: What I gleaned from the movies is that he was born as David Webb on September 13, 1970, in Missouri. He joined the Army and was deployed in the Gulf War. He was a Captain in the United States Army Special Forces. He was a Catholic with blood type O, as shown on his dog tags.

Jack Bauer: Born on February 18, 1966, he has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from UCLA and a Master of Science in Criminology and Law from UC Berkeley. He served in the U.S. Army and was asked to join the elite special operations unit Delta Force. He was offered a place in the covert team and worked as a Los Angeles Police Department SWAT team member. He also did work for the CIA before being seconded to the Counter Terrorist Unit.

Edge—Pretty much a draw, but if I had to choose, I’d go with Jason Bourne, since he didn’t mess around with that literature crap.

Body Count

Jason Bourne: He mostly killed “assets” or other people sent to kill him. That is, unless you count the people who likely died as a result of his many car chases. Also, he refrained from killing a number of people, including some of the ones who were trying to track him down.

Jack Bauer: Every season, I lose track of how many people meet their ends at the hands (or guns, or bombs, or knives) of Jack Bauer. Heck, he even killed two of his own colleagues. When you add all of the people who died either helping Jack, hunting Jack, or getting in the way of Jack, that adds up to a whole lot of carnage. There are even multiple websites that track the kill count for each episode.

Edge—Jack Bauer, hands down.

Love Life

Jason Bourne: Fell in love with the woman he paid to get him out of the country. Got her killed. Never loved again.

Jack Bauer: Fell in love with Teri. Had affair with Nina. Got Teri killed. Fell in love with Kate. Fell in love with Claudia (a.k.a. “Hot Mexican chick,” a.k.a. Vanessa Ferlito). Got Claudia killed. Killed Nina. Fell in love with Audrey. Got Audrey kidnapped, tortured, and nearly killed.

Edge—Jason Bourne. Jack Bauer has WAY too much drama (and the mushy, lovey-dovey nonsense takes away from fighting and blowing shit up).

Physical Appeal:

Jason Bourne: While Matt Damon is as baby-faced as ever, he’s pretty damn stacked. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where his arms were visible. Yummy.

Jack Bauer: As much as I love me some Kiefer Sutherland, he’s not getting any younger and he’s workin’ on a respectable set of man boobs.

Edge—Jason Bourne.

Catchphrase

Jason Bourne: “I can’t remember” and “Who am I?”

Jack Bauer: “Secure the perimeter” and “You’re gonna have to trust me!”

Edge: Jack Bauer. He always knows just what to say!

Longevity

Jason Bourne: Three movies, with the action stretching over about three years.

Jack Bauer: Six of the worst days in history. Oh, and many nights with Audrey.

Edge: Jack Bauer—a true survivor.

Looks like we’ve got a tie—anyone else care to weigh in?

I could always blog about blogging...

2007-09-06T19:01:00.000+01:00

I have been a bad, bad blogger. I know I said that I would try to be better about posting, but apparently I’m a dirty liar.

To be honest, it hasn’t even been a time issue—since quitting the part-time restaurant gig, I’ve been far more relaxed and I’ve had plenty of extra hours to do things that I actually like. Writing is something I actually like, so why the lack of inspired blogging?

Part of the problem is this particular blog’s themeless existence. Sure, I try to let folks know about charity events and volunteer opportunities, but that’s tough to write about all the time. My job is pretty interesting, but I’ve never been one to blog about work. I’ve been trying to exercise more and lose a few pounds, but no one wants to read about my diet and fitness routine. I’m in a fabulous committed relationship, so I don’t have any funny dating stories. Overall, I lead an incredibly satisfying existence—but I don’t find it particularly blog-worthy.

I could delve into politics, but come on, this is DC—we all get plenty of that already. Of course, food is a passion of mine, but I cover all sorts of culinary topics over at EatFoo. College football is gearing up, and I’m definitely gung-ho about that, but there are plenty of sports bloggers, all more knowledgable and entertaining than I am. The fact is, I’m interested in many things, but I find myself uninterested in writing about them.

Perhaps I’m just going through a rut—a little blogger’s block, if you will. In any case, I’m curious to find out how other folks deal with this issue. When your life isn’t providing compelling material, what do you do? Do you write about it anyway, not caring? Do you look to others’ lives for inspiration (anonymously or otherwise)? Do you latch onto what fellow bloggers are writing about? Do you turn to memes? How do you deal with blogger's block?

Be Fashionable and Fabulous—For Charity!

2007-08-28T18:11:00.000+01:00

You may have already heard of this event, but I figured I’d throw it out there in case you are as clueless as I am.

The District Sample Sale will take place on September 12 from 7-9 PM, and the participating stores (which represent some of DC’s hippest boutiques) will be offering deep discounts, special pricing, and previews of their new lines. Tickets are $40 in advance (they will be $55 at the door, if they’re not sold out by then), and Miriam’s House will be the beneficiary of the proceeds.

According to its official website, “the mission of Miriam’s House is to provide a dynamic residential community for women living with HIV disease that empowers recovery from homelessness, disease and addictions in an environment of compassion, integrity, and accountability.” Miriam's House offers comprehensive services and support for recovery and sobriety, and it also serves as a hospice for women who are living their last days. On-site assistance includes addiction counseling, secondary medical care, respite care for mothers, support groups, financial counseling, transportation, and the presence of a loving, compassionate community.

If you’re looking to spruce up your closet, please consider attending this important event and shopping for a good cause. Not only will you look great, but you’ll feel great, too!

Back tomorrow…

Grandma and me.

2007-08-23T17:03:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow, I will board a bus at 7:30 AM and ride to Manhattan. Unlike my last NYC trip, this time there will be no late city nights or 10-course tasting menus or double-decker bus tours. Instead, immediately upon my arrival in the Big Apple, I will descend into Penn Station and catch the Long Island Railroad. After about an hour, I will see my grandmother’s smiling face in Huntington, the town where I was born and where she has lived for over half a century.

My grandma is a very special lady. A hard-worker and fiercely independent, she held down a job until she was 85 years old (which, incidentally, was this year)—she had been a waitress for over 50 years, and when she could no longer handle the physical strain of the restaurant business, she decided to become a cashier at a local drug store. She loves people, so providing good customer service came easy to her—and she swears that my waitressing prowess came from sharing genes with her. I’m inclined to agree.

We have a very special bond, my grandma and I. While my family lived on Long Island, she took care of me when my mom and dad were away. She spoiled me rotten (to this day, she keeps junky, sugary cereal in the cupboard for me, since my mom would never let me have it), but she could also be a strict disciplinarian. One day, we were strolling around the pond in Heckscher Park and she told me not to get too close to the water while I was feeding the ducks. I decided to be a disobedient child and test her authority, and sure enough, I got a scolding and a spanking. Later, I tugged on my grandmother’s shirt and said tearfully, “Gramma, I’m sowwy I was bad today at the park.” No matter how naughty I was, she couldn’t stay mad at me for long.

I have so many memories wrapped around my grandmother and her house and the town that has been her home for so long. I remember going “belly-whopping” down her hilly, snowy street while my sister was being born (in the same hospital where my dad and I greeted the world). I remember learning to sing “You Are My Sunshine” with Joe, the short-order cook at the Swensen’s where she worked after the Hamburger Choo Choo burned down (he called me “Little Mama,” a nickname that still makes me grin). I remember getting Carvel soft-serve when I had been a good girl. I remember marveling at the simple beauty of grandma’s house all decorated for Christmas (I liked to play with the tiny, delicate, ceramic angels). I remember going to the local apple orchard in the fall for sweet, homemade cider. I remember the smell of grandma’s kitchen while she made baked clams, home fries, potato salad, clam chowder, fried shrimp, and other family favorites. More than anything, I remember the love that has been bursting through the seams of that rickety old house for decades, no matter what the occasion.

Over the weekend, I’ll get to spend time with my dad (he’s coming up from Atlanta) and visit my grandfather’s grave (which I haven’t done since his funeral last November). I may get to see my uncle, and I’ll enjoy a couple of great meals. But what I’m looking forward to most is seeing my beloved grandma and making her smile, as she has done for me my entire life.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Friday randomness (or, in the alternative, "my brain is too fried from meetings to compose anything but a bulleted list")

2007-08-17T19:47:00.000+01:00

* I just signed up for a 5K. While that distance may serve as a mere warm-up for all y’all runner types, it is a HUGE deal for me and my rickety joints. I hope to be able to get through at least half of the race without resorting to walking. Maybe I should start taking glucosamine now.

* In DC, driving while talking on one’s cell phone is illegal (unless it is via a hands free device, of course). In DC, cyclists must obey the same rules as motorists. In DC, if you are riding your bike while talking on your cell, you run the risk of me chucking my coffee at you.

* Hooray, my sister bid farewell to San Francisco today! Unfortunately, before she returns to DC, she will stop in L.A., Austin, New Orleans, and Atlanta—meaning that I still won’t get to see her until Labor Day weekend. Boo.

* Kudos to Citibank, who cleared up a significant discrepancy with my account in minimal time and with maximum politeness. Customer service is largely a lost art, so it’s nice when it pops up in unexpected places.

* My low-fat diet is going well—but I miss French fries. A lot.

* I soooooo wish I could fast-forward through this weekend. It’s my last one working at the restaurant, and I have many fun things in the weekends ahead (including a trip to Long Island, an Indigo Girls concert, and a trip to Atlanta). Sunday evening, please do not delay...

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Relief

2007-08-13T17:59:00.000+01:00

I quit my restaurant gig last week. After this coming weekend, I will return to the land of only one job. I couldn’t be more excited.

Sure, the extra money was nice, especially since I had a particularly expensive summer. I definitely met some cool people, a lucky few of whom I’d actually like to hang out with outside of the manager/customer framework. I learned even more about the food service industry, which continues to simultaneously fascinate and frustrate me.

But, in the end, a human being can only handle so much stress, and my part-time job was the most easily expendable contributor to my headaches and wrinkles. I’ve notified my bosses and staff members and I’ve begun to train my replacement, so the only question that remains is…

…what will I do with all of my free time? Here are some goals that I have in mind (in no particular order):

* Focus more energy on my full-time job.
* Spend more time with my boyfriend, my sister, and my friends.
* Become a regular at the gym.
* Read at least one book a month.
* Volunteer more with the American Cancer Society.
* Attend the 20-week “Cooking Techniques 101” course offered by L’Academie de Cuisine (which will help me decide if culinary school is something I want to pursue).
* Write at least three posts a week—for EACH of my blogs.
* Take advantage of DC’s free cultural activities.
* Watch lots and lots of college football (only 19 days till kickoff, woo hoo)!

Any other suggestions? I’m feeling more relaxed already!

Legal ethics--not just an oxymoron anymore!

2007-08-08T20:00:00.000+01:00

After professing on Monday that I was going to be blogging more regularly, what did I go and do on Tuesday? I’ll give you a hint: it wasn’t blogging. D’oh!

I did have a good excuse—I was stuck at the Reagan building all day, sans internet, attending the DC bar’s mandatory course on legal ethics. That’s right—instead of being productive at work, I sat in a freezing cold conference room with 500 other attorneys and learned, among other things, that 1) your bossy client CAN, in fact, refuse to hire one of your colleagues because she is a woman; 2) you CAN, in fact, loan money to your clients, but you’re pretty much a dumbass if you do; 3) if your client gives you a smoking gun, you CANNOT, in fact, give it to the police; and 4) a sentence containing the words “metadata mining software” sounds really complicated and smart. I also realized that there’s some truth to the contention that you can’t spit out a window in DC without hitting a lawyer.

Actually, the class wasn’t as excruciatingly boring as I anticipated. I started to worry when the woman to my right started mumbling to herself, but the instructors were fairly lively and managed to keep me and my crazy neighbor entertained. At 3:30 PM, after 6 hours of lecture, we were unleashed into the swampy air, all newly knowledgeable and ethical and stuff. Or something like that.

I’m just hoping not to get spit on.

Whew.

2007-08-06T18:37:00.000+01:00

It’s been quite a week. Since I last blogged, I had my stitches removed, my dryer broke (when I had a full basket of laundry to do, no less), I bought a new computer, I sold my old computer, I reunited with my best gal pal from law school, I dined and drank at Rasika with a bunch of college buddies (one of whom just moved to DC to clerk for Chief Justice Roberts), I went to the Legg Mason tennis tournament, and, of course, I worked at both of my jobs.

This week is shaping up to be just as busy--I’ve got four different Restaurant Week reservations (two lunch and two dinner), a trip to Let’s Dish, an ethics course for the DC bar (which I’m sure will be thrilling), a welcome lunch for some new colleagues, a catch-up lunch with a lovely local blogger, some tax-free shopping, two shifts at the restaurant, and the usual day-to-day domestic tasks that make my life oh so interesting. Riiiiiiight.

I don’t know where the summer has gone. Before I know it, school will be back in session, the Hill interns will have departed, the heat and humidity will be far less oppressive, and I will count the passage of time by the Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas displays at the local CVS. Come to think of it, it’s not just the summer that has sped past--the year is practically 2/3 over, and I’m having trouble remembering how I spent it.

I need to slow down. In an effort to do that, I’m going to try really hard to sit down and blog more regularly, both here and at EatFoo. It will give me a chance to pause and flesh out my thoughts, and to focus on the less mundane aspects of my life (since no one, myself included, wants to read about those).

Hold me to my promise, people--flog me in the comments if I don’t write better and more often. I’m counting on you!

Starting tomorrow, of course. :-)

Benign is a beautiful word...

2007-07-30T19:48:00.000+01:00

...when it comes from the mouth of my dermatologist, who just so happened to cut off a sizeable chunk of my skin last week. Yes, a large reason I’ve been off the radar recently (blogospherically speaking, anyway) is that I had to have minor surgery to remove and test a suspicious mole and its surrounding tissue.

I’ve written about my cancer before, about how I understand that the very nature of an incurable disease is that there’s always the possibility of recurrence. But just because I’ve learned to live with and come to terms with that ever-present possibility doesn’t mean it’s any more fun. Especially when it necessitates stitches.

The wound, which is in a decidedly inconvenient location on my back (that makes it nearly impossible for me to bandage myself and wear a bra), still hurts. Thankfully, though, the pathology report came back clean and my treatment is over—for now. There’s yet another suspicious spot on my thigh that will have to be monitored, measured, and potentially removed. There are countless moles on my skin that could turn against me in the future.

There are worse crosses to bear, to be sure. But, to have a constant reminder of the frailty of the human body…well, it’s certainly eye opening, and not always in a pleasant way.

In any case, I’m relieved and grateful, and I will be even more so on Friday when my stitches are removed. Then, I’ll add one more scar to my litany and pray for it to be my last.

I'm glad to be back...

This represents my life right now.

2007-07-18T19:31:00.000+01:00

From the best website ever, I Can Has Cheezburger.

Seriously, between work (BOTH jobs, thankyouverymuch), getting my man ready to move in with me, increasing the length and frequency of my workouts, and dealing with a nagging health issue, blogging has been waaaaaaay down on the list of priorities. Not that I don't love it--I absolutely do--but it's just not a great time right now.

So, I'll see ya when I see ya--I should be at this event, wishing a fond farewell to one of DC's most controversial (and hairy) bloggers. Hopefully between now and then, I can write some of the things that have been bouncing around in my pretty little head.

Laters...

Back in the saddle.

2007-07-16T18:51:00.000+01:00

Well, my pretties, I wish I could say that I missed blogging while I was at the beach. But I didn’t. I was too busy drinking beer and lounging by the waves to even think about blogging. It was marvelous.

Compared to last year, I ate fewer shrimp but purchased more Coach bags—a good trade, methinks. That, combined with a few Target trips, one rowdy dive bar adventure, a few spirited rounds of Bocce, and some quality time with my parents and my sweetheart, made this past week one of the best in recent memory. And we only had ONE run-in with local law enforcement!

I highly recommend St. Augustine (well, Crescent Beach, really) for anyone who loves the sun and the sand but also enjoys a low-key, laid-back vibe. My vacations there always leave me feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the world. Which is a good thing, since the rest of July looks like it’s going to be a doozy.

So, back to work for now—happy Monday, all!

A fool on the fourth.

2007-07-06T02:01:00.001+01:00

As Fourth of July celebrations go, Jason and I had a pretty good one. After working a profitable shift at the restaurant, we cleaned ourselves up and headed to the Southeast waterfront to watch the fireworks from a lovely 58-foot boat owned (and lived in, actually) by one of his colleagues. I knew the Metro would be crowded and full of tourists, but I had no idea that we would witness something as appalling as we did.

On the Green Line, I noticed a group of vacationers talking about where they should get off the train. When they departed at L’Enfant, one of the men in the group—a slight, white man wearing a “Support Our Troops with Prayer” shirt—ended up (inadvertently, I presume) blocking the doors. A large, black man pushed his way past the sightseer, but certainly not rudely or roughly—he was just trying to enter the train and find a seat before the doors closed. It was a typical public transportation situation—until the tourist shouted, “Asshole. Faggot.”

The black man looked up quizzically, as if he couldn’t even begin to process what was happening. The white man threw back some more insults and an invitation to get off the train and fight (though I imagine he would have run like hell if his offer had been accepted). Luckily for all of us, the doors closed and the situation dissipated.

I’ve defended tourists on this very blog, claiming vehemently that they have a right—nay, a responsibility—to visit the nation’s capital and absorb its history and charm. I’ve felt sorry for travelers who were given poor directions by vindictive DC residents. I’ve even engaged a few chatty out-of-towners in conversation when they looked overwhelmed by the big city.

However, after seeing such unnecessary disrespect and offensiveness, I may have to rethink my position (especially since the irony of the man’s shirt was not lost on me). My message to him? You can pray for the troops, you incredible bigot—I, on the other hand, will be praying for karma to bite you in your ignorant ass.

Searching for the bar.

2007-06-29T15:55:00.000+01:00

Around this time of year, this here blog gets a lot of visits from folks searching for bar exam-related information. As a service to those of you who are prepping for the July 2007 ass raping—-I mean, test—-I’m going to address some recent queries.

“frustrated barbri mbe questions”—-I really don’t think the MBE questions are frustrated at all. On the contrary, I think they get great pleasure out of torturing recent law grads with their cryptic logic. Oh, wait, the searcher meant that HE is frustrated BY the MBE questions! Right-o. No getting around that, really.

“PMBR blue book versus red book”—-They both make excellent doorstops.

“mbe mnemonics”—-The general rule is, the dirtier the ditty, the more likely you are to remember it.

“Maryland bar exam seat assignment location”—-You won’t get it until shortly before the exam (maybe 2-3 weeks, max), so stop stressing and start studying. It doesn’t really matter where you’re sitting, as long as you can tune your tablemate out when she has her nervous breakdown.

“I passed the Maryland bar exam”—-Not yet, you didn’t! But I did, and many others have, and so too shall you (if you quit reading blogs and start studying, that is).

“Paula Franzese”—-Oh, that saucy minx! Pay attention to her fast-talking and horrible singing, and you might survive real property.

“Ambien and bar exam”—-If commercial paper and hearsay exceptions don’t put you to sleep, I suppose Ambien is the next best option.

“if you don’t know the answer c barbri”—-If the searcher is asking whether to bubble “c” for questions for which you have no earthly idea of the correct response, I would have to disagree. Come on, after three years in law school, you should be able to make an educated guess. Besides, everyone knows you bubble “b” if you don’t know the answer.

“I hate my barbri life”—-This is my favorite search. Who wouldn’t hate a BarBri life? It’s filled with anxiety, self-doubt, and geriatric law professors who want to test their newest corny jokes on hundreds of captive wannabe lawyers.

“Board of Law Examiners and Maryland and ear plugs”-—The latter are very helpful when tuning out your tablemate’s nervous breakdown.

“Maryland bar flash card’—-Methinks you’ll need more than one, kiddo.

All (bad) jokes aside, I wish all of the bar-takers out there the best of luck. For inspiration, you can read some of my day-before tips here, and you can find some excellent resources at this now-defunct California bar blog.

Happy weekend!

100 Years, 100 Movies, 100 Opinions

2007-06-21T21:32:00.000+01:00

Last night, I watched the tenth anniversary edition of the American Film Institute’s “100 Years…100 Movies.” Morgan Freeman hosted the special, and I really enjoyed debating the merits of each film with my roommate.

The reason for the updated retrospective (and the most interesting aspect of it) was the fact that ten years worth of new films were eligible. What would that mean for the overall rankings? What modern films would be added, and which classics would be forced from the list?

Citizen Kane is still, not surprisingly, number one. Happily, The Godfather usurped the number two spot from Casablanca (which is a fantastic love story, but not the second-best film of all time, in my humble opinion).

The first “new” addition was The General, which appeared at number 18. Also welcomed to the list were Intolerance, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Nashville, Sullivan’s Travels, Cabaret, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Saving Private Ryan, The Shawshank Redemption, In the Heat of the Night, All the President’s Men, Spartacus, Sunrise, Titanic, A Night at the Opera, 12 Angry Men, The Sixth Sense, Swing Time, Sophie’s Choice, The Last Picture Show, Do the Right Thing, Blade Runner, and Toy Story.

So which films were booted entirely? All Quiet on the Western Front, Amadeus, An American in Paris, The Birth of a Nation, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Dances with Wolves, Doctor Zhivago, Fantasia, Fargo, Frankenstein, From Here to Eternity, Giant, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, The Jazz Singer, The Manchurian Candidate, Mutiny on the Bounty, My Fair Lady, Patton, A Place in the Sun, Rebel Without a Cause, Stagecoach, The Third Man, and Wuthering Heights .

I’m fairly pleased with the new additions, but there are some films that I would have preferred to see ousted besides the ones listed above. Seriously, if Rocky and A Clockwork Orange deserve to be in the top 100 instead of Patton and Rebel Without a Cause, I must be living in some sort of alternate reality.

Here’s a link to the updated list, side-by-side with the previous version. What do you think?

Stupid Shuttle

2007-06-20T19:35:00.000+01:00

Well, I’m back from San Francisco, and I bought enough wine to keep me good and buzzed until my next jaunt (which is to the beach—hooray!—in two and a half weeks). For the most part, the trip was excellent—I spent quality time with sis, I ate and drank very well, and I explored a cool new part of the country.

It wouldn’t be a vacay, however, without a little travel-related drama. This time, the evil airline industry had nothing to do with it. Instead, it was Super Shuttle that started my journey on an extremely sour note.

Two days before I left, and at my sister’s urging, I booked a reservation with Super Shuttle to get me to Dulles Airport. My flight (which was direct, thank goodness) was scheduled to depart at 8:40 AM, so the big blue van was supposed to pick me up outside my apartment between 5:10 AM and 5:25 AM. I even got a confirmation call the day before, so I knew my reservation was solid in the system.

On Friday, I woke up at the buttcrack of dawn and hauled my luggage out to the curb at 5 AM (just in case our watches weren’t synchronized or something). 5:10 came and went, as did 5:15, 5:20, and 5:25. At 5:30 AM, I called Super Shuttle and inquired about the status of my ride. “The driver is about 4.5 miles away,” said the agent. “Give him about ten more minutes.” No problem.

5:40, 5:45, and 5:50 passed with no sign of the van. It’s time for “Annoyed Betty” to place a call!

Annoyed Betty (AB): “Hi, I was supposed to be picked up between 5:10 and 5:25, and it’s just before 6 AM. Can you give me some sort of update?”
Customer Service Lady (CSL): “Sure, let me contact the driver.”

* Crickets *

CSL: “Okay, he’s not responding—I’m going to call on the phone. Can I put you on hold?”
AB: “Sure, whatever.”

* Bad hold music. For over ten minutes. *

CSL: “Ma’am?”
AB: “Yes, I’m here.”
CSL: “Yeah, dispatch just informed me that there isn’t a van available.”

* Screeching record *

AB: “WHAT?!?! Are you kidding me?”
CSL: “No, I’m not kidding.”
AB: “I paid in advance, I received a confirmation call, I stood outside my building for over an hour, and NOW you’re telling me that I need to hail a taxi?!?!”
CSL: “Yes, you need to hail a taxi.”
AB: “And who is going to pay for this taxi? It’s going to cost me twice as much as Super Shuttle to get a cab to Dulles.”
CSL: “Well, when you reach your destination, give us a call and we’ll tell you all about our complaint and reimbursement process.”

Click. String of expletives.

I managed to hail a cab, and I shelled out the $60 necessary to get me to the airport. I was steaming the whole time, though—I mean, Super Shuttle had my phone number. How hard would it have been to, I dunno, CALL ME WHEN THEY KNEW THEY COULDN’T PICK MY ASS UP? Their only job is to shuttle people to and from the airport, and they can’t even get that right.

As far as that reimbursement process goes, I called on Saturday and filed a complaint. An agent is allegedly going to call me in the next few days to discuss the situation. Meanwhile, I still have a $30 debit from my checking account and $60 less in my wallet (not to mention the $100+ I spent on cabs on the way home, since there was no way I was using Super Shuttle again).

Let’s just say I’m glad I’m flying out of National next time…