Lobstaaaaaah!

Just a quick update. Got back from my vacation in Nicaragua. Slightly um...sunburned. Hence, the titular red-shelled seafood reference. Really great balance of relaxing and sightseeing.

Spent the first half in a really (really REALLY) rustic surf lodge. Open air bungalows with mosquito net beds and no electricity. Yup. I could've done without the composting toilets, but at least there was running water for showers. Food was delicious, and I spent most of my days relaxing in a hammock with a book. Rode a horse on the beach and through sugar cane fields. Got $15 full body massages. Fantastic.

 Second half of my vacation I spent in the city of Granada...in the nicest hotel in the city with a pool, flush toilets, hot water, maid service, free buffet breakfast, etc. For $89/night. ha! Did sightseeing and hiked the crater of a volcano. Had a good time speaking really basic and rusty Spanish with my no-hablo-ingles drivers. I can apparently have a conversation that covers my name, where I'm from, where I live, how I like Nicaragua, where I've been in the country, food, pets, and even some movies and music.

 Not sure where my next destination will be, but...flush toilets...yeah...I think I'll have to add that to the list of requirements. :)

It has been released into the wild.

Well, that story I volunteered to write? I submitted it. Yup. Out of my hands.

It's both exciting and kind of terrifying. A tiny little piece of myself that's going to be out there for the public to view, appreciate, and/or criticize.

I also set up an author's blog for my alias, so that's what I think I'll work on today.

Wish me luck!

P.S. If you want to see the story and/or the blog, let me know, and I'll send you the link and keep you posted as to when the story will be made publicly available.

Obsession

Thy name is odderie.

I'm obsessed with this bag, and I can't find it anywhere [other than eBay] to purchase it. Looks like it's from 2-3 seasons ago. :(

Donna Karan Collection "Gotham" Leather Tote

"Prom? Wha...? Oh, wait..."

I must be getting old.

There was an article/ad thingee that popped up recently about great prom dresses under $100. I saw it and thought "Prom?? Why are they writing about prom now?" Then I looked at the calendar, saw it was March, and was all "Oh wait...that is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Oh, how quickly we do forget.

So, I volunteered to write a short story...

It has the potential to be published in an anthology put out by the group that is seeking the stories.

So, how does one choose a pseudonym/pen name? I'm a little torn...

Nico's a blogger.

Today, I had to feed Nico a pill for his tummy medications. Now I know what a bear wrestler feels like. Or maybe a lion tamer. Seriously.

His thoughts can be found on his blog at www.nicosays.blogspot.com. Meow.

GO NINERS!!!!

I stole this from someone on Facebook. It's too good not to share:

You know it.

It's the end of an era, part two.

After 5+ years of Elite status, I was not re-Elited this year on Yelp. No warning. No "please write more." Just...deemed not worthy. *lifts eyebrows* No matter how much they give encouragement in their form email that one can always try for it throughout the year, I say eff that - I'm taking it personally, especially since people less active than I were re-Elited. Sooooooo...

I'm retiring from Yelp, effective immediately.

So long, Yelp.

I know my sports.

I went to the hockey game at MSG earlier this week and had a memorable sports moment.

Guy sitting next to me who was watching the New York Giants football game on the TV screen: "2 to 0?? How the **** did they get 2 points?"

Me (turning to him): "Safety."

Him: "Ohhhhhhh."

Yes, my dad and bro would've been proud. :)

Happy holidays!

I volunteered to wrap presents tomorrow to help fundraise for scholarships for my alumni group. It just so happens I LOOOOOVE to wrap presents.

Doesn't the universe work in mysterious (and mysteriously wonderful) ways? :)

<--- This is me.