And now I can't type at all!

Just sprained my wrist on Sunday...changing sheets! I know; it sounds retarded. My lovely new bed is about 10X the weight of my old one, and my wrist totally gave out while I was trying to lift it up to tuck the sheet in. It's been an interesting anthropological study in gender responses though. When explaining my dilemma to my friends, I found two very distinct types of responses:

GUYS:
-"You need a wedge. Or a lever. Something to give you enough leverage to lift the corner up."
-"Make straps to pull the mattress up by the corners."
-"There's gotta be some mail-order tool out there designed to solve this problem."

GIRLS:
-"You need to hire a maid."

I love my friends :-)

I cann't tpe N's, H's and Y's

So I've been using Kinesis keyboards for a while...but the one I have at home is being really annoying right now and not letting me type the letters n, h, or y properly. Do you have any idea how annoying that is?? (see subject line of this post for an example) DOH!

Things I'm a fan of right now: Alora Ambiance fragrance diffusers in "Due", Jo Malone candle in Vintage Gardenia, Restoration Hardware, chocolate brown (the colour), Shutterfly, and the Airbus A380.

Holy crap..this is scary

This is one of the creepiest things I've ever seen online: http://familywatchdog.us. Type in your address or zip to show a map of all the registered sex offenders in your area. Phewph--no rapists in my building, but they're not that far away...

(Link originally from BoingBoing)

On Sasha's silver...

Poor girl. The world's eyes were on her and she fell twice in the first minute and a half of her free skate. But really though, you can't feel *that* bad for someone who's now got an Olympic Silver Medal and will probably rake in millions of dollars in endorsements at age 21. (Look at Michelle Kwan, she didn't even win gold and yet she's got Coke & Visa endorsements.) In any case, I still think she did well under the circumstances and it was what it was--an Olympic moment to remember.

Oh, and she still reminds me of Andrea Butler from Crofton.

I'm addicted to Sun Chips...

...all flavours, all the time. Damn my company for stocking them within easy walking distance. Argh.

The weekend in pics - Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Carmel, and other views along Hwy 1

Don't have space (or time) to post everything, but here are a few highlights from the long weekend. I have a newfound appreciation for the beauty of California now. (No, that doesn't mean I don't love my black pants anymore. But I also now own khaki-coloured pants. With a drawstring.)



The beach at China Cove, Point Lobos State Reserve











Random railway along a farm along the way down to Ventura. We were definitely not supposed to be there.










A contemplative moment on a beach near San Luis Obispo along Hwy 1











The view from the hotel room at the Park Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel. Hot chocolate on the porch in the morning was great. :-)










Crashing waves at Point Lobos

The centre of the (artichoke) universe

Just got back from an amazing weekend road trip up and down the California Central Coast. (I know: California? Road trip? Me?! Yes, it's true...) Don't have time for the blow-by-blow right now, but in a nutshell, we saw some pretty incredible sights, ate some yummy food, and even had time for some R&R between all the crazy driving and giant-bunny sightings.

Good memories: giant bunnies vs. the fake bunnies @ Toys R Us, Red Lobster @ Santa Maria, "outlet" shopping at Gilroy (not really), being upgraded to a suite at the Ventura Four Point Sheraton (of all places), Enterprise Fish Company, strolling in Santa Barbara, "No-Crack" cream @ Restoration Hardware (thanks, Marisa), ice cream in the freezing cold (also in SB), the Park Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel (stay there!), Big Sky Cafe in SLO, hiking (!) in Point Lobos, stopping for Starbucks everywhere (some things never change), calla lilies in the wild, real fireplaces, hot chocolate in the morning, and the views--OH the views along Hwy 1. And last but not least, Castroville--"The Artichoke Center of the World". (That's what the sign says in the blurry picture below.)



More pictures to come...

They're not even my Presidents...

...but I love them for giving me a long weekend starting in about...oh, 3 hours!  Yay for President's Day!

Of course, no long weekend would be complete without leaving town (which happens more often than not these days on weekends for me). So this weekend, I'll be off to explore everything that fantastic California Central Coast has to offer.  That's right---ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!  Final destination is Santa Barbara, but planned stops along the way include Carmel, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and many of the beaches/parks/tourist traps in between. See y'all after the weekend!

P.S. Buddakan NYC opens early March, and they start taking reservations this coming Monday. 212.989.6699.  Yes, I love you, too.

It's the little things...

It's often the little things in life that put a smile on your face. Sometimes it's nice to slow down and appreciate how those tiny moments or gestures can do so much. The ones that come to my mind...

- watching the sunset, or the sunrise if you're hardcore

- fresh brewed iced tea that's already perfectly sweetened

- waking up from the perfect nap

- running towards closing elevator doors, just to realize that someone inside is pushing the "open" button to wait for you to get there

- turning on the radio and hearing your "favourite song" playing right at that moment

- taking that first sip of an icy cold fizzy drink on a hot day

- warm waffle cones with your ice cream

- sleeping in on Sundays

- a bath at the perfect temperature -- not too hot, not too cold, but just right

:-)

Soundtrack of life: old school...

This is such an old school song, but it just popped up on my iTunes and made me smile...sorta. Cutting out the parts that I don't agree with...

Things I'll Never Say - Avril Lavigne

I’m talking out my hair
I’m pulling at my clothes
I’m trying to keep my cool
I know it shows
I’m staring at my feet
My checks are turning red
I’m searching for the words inside my head

Chorus
(Cause) I’m feeling nervous
Trying to be so perfect
Cause I know you’re worth it
You’re worth it
Yeah

If I could say what I want to say
I’d say what about you
Be with you every night
Am I squeezing you too tight
...
...
Yes, I’m wishing my life away
With these things I’ll never say

It don’t do me any good
It’s just a waste of time
What use is it to you
What’s on my mind
If ain’t coming out
We’re not going anywhere
So why can’t I just tell you that I care

Repeat Chorus

What’s wrong with my tongue
These words keep slipping away
I stutter, I stumble off
Like I’ve got nothing to say

Repeat Chorus twice

Soundtrack of life: Happy Valentine's Day

Song of the moment: Seaons of Love from none other than the beloved musical, Rent, of course. Fitting for today, to think about love... :-)

Seasons of Love - Jonathan Larson, performed by the cast of Rent

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love

Seasons of love. Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.

It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!

Oh you got to got to Remember the love! remember the love,
You Measure in love know that love is a gift from up above Seasons of love.
Share love, give love spread love Measure measure you life in love.

Weekend in...SF!

Finally, my first weekend in SF in a looooong time. Friday was good times at Mr. Smith's (although I still don't know how I ended up at a "Bitter & Single" party without knowing it). I guess I should have known something was up when the bouncer didn't give me any grief (or charge me cover) for sounding like a complete airhead / moron, or when I walked into a packed bar full of guys (straight ones, as far as I could tell.) This was the exchange between me and the bouncer:


Him: Are you on the list?
Me: I dunno. Maybe?
Him: Sweetie, did you respond to the email?
Me: What email? Do I look like I respond to email?
Him: So are you on the list, or not?
Me: Maybe I'm a guest of someone on the list?
Him: And his or her name?
Me: I don't know, I never responded to the email...
Him: Whose party are you here for?
Me: Uh...I don't really know. I just know I'm here for the party.
Him: (checks me out, sighs, shakes his head and opens the velvet rope) Just come on in.

Saturday was blissful sleep, fresh cheese from Cowgirl Creamery / Acme bread / Greek wine (it's all the rage), accompanied by the unsurpassed views alongside Hwy 1 from here to Half Moon Bay just in time to catch the sunset. (Okay, maybe unsurpassed except for the Great Ocean Road views in Australia.) Then I went home and slept and slept and slept for 13 hours straight before waking up for breakfast at 8:30am--on a Sunday! Check out one of my fave pics we took at breakfast with my new toy:

A new toy, oh boy!

This week, a new toy came in the mail from Amazon.com. After years of dragging the little brick aka my Canon S110 Digital Elph, I've finally abandoned it in favour of the new SD30 -- in fabulous "Vivacious Violet", as they call it. I took for a test drive last night at dinner at La Bodeguita del Medio (pics to come...I have yet to download anything from the camera), but first impressions are that the camera is super light, cute, and packs quite a punch at 5MP but only 4 oz. in weight (I have *NO IDEA* what 4 oz. means...what's wrong with metric?).

Soundtrack of life...

You know how sometimes you hear a song and the words just hit you? Somebody once described that to me as a "soundtrack for your life". Well, nowhere better than here to start building that soundtrack...today's song of the moment:

You Learn - Alanis Morrisette

I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone
I recommend walking around naked in your living room
Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)
It feels so good (swimming in your stomach)
Wait until the dust settles

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

I recommend biting off more then you can chew to anyone
I certainly do
I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth at any time
Feel free
Throw it down (the caution blocks you from the wind)
Hold it up (to the rays)
You wait and see when the smoke clears

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

Wear it out (the way a three-year-old would do)
Melt it down (you're gonna have to eventually anyway)
The fire trucks are coming up around the bend

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

You grieve you learn
You choke you learn
You laugh you learn
You choose you learn
You pray you learn
You ask you learn
You live you learn

What about ketchup chips and Coffee Crisp's?

I'm having a homesick moment. I'm sitting here snacking away at some cheese-flavoured Sun Chips, and wondering to myself, "Why don't they have ketchup-flavoured chips in the US? What about Oh Henry's? And Aero (esp. mint)? And Coffee Crisp's?" Apparently, a lot of my fellow co-workers wonder the same thing, too, and someone actually sent this site out on a recent email thread about this very same topic. Are we Canadians really that weird? Or are they just deprived here in the US?

The weekend in pics - NYC

So we discovered that neither Regina nor I were very good at self-picture taking, so all the ones with two of us either were too skewed or WAAAAY too close.














A couple of failed attempts in the elevator...




...and another in the cab























This is only my first lychee martini, I swear!






The view from 4306, W Time Square

The weekend in pics - Tahoe

Still working on getting pictures, but here's a first look...




The carnage at Dairy Queen, our second stop on our 6-hour ride to Tahoe (it usually only takes 4 hours max)








My girls Sandra & Arielle












I wish Rob was my high school prom date...the headband is HOT (or not?)

Oh, and there was Tahoe, too

I've been blogging so much about NYC that I almost forgot about the little detour I took to Tahoe for about 24 hours last Thursday. I was all psyched and ready to go skiing (12 years of non-skiing be damned!), but then the boys (yes, definitely boys) who were giving me a ride decided that it'd be a good idea to stop at In 'N Out at 10:30am for cheeseburgers. And then again at Dairy Queen for chili dogs and blizzards in Truckee. Finally, we realized that there wasn't gonna be much skiing after all so we just went to Safeway and bought party supplies: aka booze, chips, and oh, some blueberries for the anti-oxidants. (Yes, really.)

So Thursday night rolls around and the hotel ballrooms were converted into a high school prom-themed extravaganza. We ate, drank, danced to 80's music and then converged in a suite for our party. It was an interesting night, to say the least. All I can say is that I got very little sleep and I've never seen a non-bulimic person throw up that much in 3 hours.

More pictures to come when I finally get some sleep...

And so it goes...

It's 2:30am back home in SF and 5:30am here in NYC. I'm sitting outside gate 9 at terminal 7 of JFK thinking about why the heck I'm sitting here at such an ungodly hour. It's been a crazy weekend, no more or less so than previous whirlwind NYC weekends, but something about the end of this one made it more poignant than others. Regina and I spent a lot of time last night (and early this morning) talking about why our lives were the way they were, and why we each make the choices that we do in our personal lives. While I can't share any of the details out of respect and confidence, I thank her for her candidness and unwavering support through the endless craziness that I force her to endure time and time again. As for NYC, there's truly nothing like it, and I'll always think about how alive this place makes me feel. Until next time!

Have you ever blogged in a cab?

Well there's a first for everything, right? Just finished shopping in Soho and meeting up with Zhi and Olivia. (Thanks for coming out, ladies!) We're on our way to dinner at Kittichai, and Regina says that I have to fess up on the fact that I tried on a top that can only be described as a "doilly". I know--what is the world coming to? I was almost tempted to buy a lacy-tablecloth-turned-top. God save me.

"Can I pay him to NOT play?"

NYC is awesome. We just got back from a fantastic dinner at Tao. The wait time was 45 minutes...and this was with an *11:30pm* reservations. Nevertheless, the sea bass satay, kobe beef, and sushi definitely made up for the wait. The part that didn't turn me on so much was the annoying drummer (they usually have musicians that wander around the restaurant playing complimentary music to the DJ's beats)--he sucked and couldn't keep a beat and played so close to our table that it gave us a headache! I definitely said to Regina: "Can I pay him to NOT play?!" Happy fun time, I say.

Regina and I had some interesting convos tonight. While we didn't ponder the meaning of life, there was definitely some serious girl talk about boys, toys, and boy toys. ;-) I love being in this city...

Tahoe, I say!

Off to Lake Tahoe tomorrow for annual company ski trip. I hear the conditions are yucky and visibility is low on the mountains. Guess that means I'll be at the Starbucks in the Village, or maybe that wrap place that had really good flatbread. Wait, why am I getting up at 6am again?!

Btw, how much do you (well, I) love Project Runway? It's absolutely brilliant. A reality show where the contestants have to actually be *productive* and *create* something instead of just bitching about each other or eating termites. How refreshing! And how the heck does Heidi Klum look so good pregnant??! Some women have all the luck...

We interrupt this regular broadcast...

Still at work...listening to random songs on my iTunes and thought that I'd highlight a new-ish (okay old-ish) album by Zap Mama. It's called Ancestry in Progress, and it's fantastic. Check it out if you get a chance; it's a very different sound and very energizing.