When in Doubt, Wear Black

Last weekend, I had the privledge of attending the Houston Modern Luxury magazine party. I have a significant amount of guilt about this since I'm not the one who does most of the work that would deserve to enjoy the perks of the working at the Chateau. Boo. Unfortunately, there was an event that night, so Janet & Kasia had to work that night, and left Basia & I to our own devices as reps at this party.

This was definitely like no party I have ever attended before.

It took place at Warehouse Live, a relatively new concert venue in the warehouse district (as the name would suggest). Very cool and hip, neither of which I could even pretend to be. First thing that blew me away was the music. Listening, I realized this sounded vaguely familiar to me. There was a man & woman on stage getting the crowd pumped up, singing, and then they broke into a VERY familiar "DUN, dun dun dun dun....", and I realized who it was - C&C Music Factory. Talk about a throw back to junior high...

We walk in and make a bee-line for the bar (yes, we decided to be raging alcoholics that night), which had on display, one of my favorite things of the night. On each end of every bar, there were tiers and tiers of different flavored cupcakes. I love cupcakes. There is something very comforting about individual portions of sugar that make me feel warm & fuzzy inside. Another thing that made me riggle with glee was the chocolate bar. Seriously, I hadn't even started drinking at this point and I was elated. There was also the new restaurant RA serving up sushi, but after a large dinner, I wasn't feeling into it.

I think the biggest draw for Andrew was the fact that there were naked models walking around (with bodyguards), body-painted as different colored flowers, with nothing more than glued petals to cover their breasts. It was pretty impressive, I must say. I know I'm a girl, but I can appreciate beauty when it walks right past me naked. I think this is a great idea for parties though - I mean, what better way to have guys look forward to attending a baby shower than to have body painted models present?

In the brief moments I wasn't chasing gin with a lemon cupcake, the people watching was entertining. The older rich [men] crowd that actually has the dispensable income to support the magazine, with their parasitic blonde bombshells attached, probably the ripe ol' age of 21. And then you had the uber (Is that word still in, or no? Just the fact that I'm asking proves my lack of coolness) hip and trendy of the city. Very strange to behold. It felt like a Gucci bomb exploded in the room, spraying designer clothes on everyone but me. Follow this thought with another stiff Tanqueray 10, and all thoughts of feeling under-styled float right out of my head!

Every good drinking night should be followed by an excellent late night round of fried-pickles, so we made the treck to Katz's Deli and enjoyed meatballs subs with the other drunk crazies out at that hour.

Say something in Irish...

It has been a whirlwind week! St. Patty's Day, recouping, seeing the family, going to Austin...

Last Friday I had my Irish-themed party, which was good times. It seems like too long since I've thrown a party, and I forgot about how much I love to do it. I also love vacations, and I can feel the absolute urgency with which I need that soon. I need a beach and sun and warmth (ok why is it cold in MARCH after a tepid January??) and strong frozen drinks. If you know a way to get that at a low cost, please let me know ASAP.

Lesson's Learned from this Soiree:
1) Preparing in advance makes you MUCH less stressed out and able to enjoy yourself more.
2) Fooling your friends into performing slave-labor to prepare with you the day before is highly suggested. It is amazing what doubling your man-power can accomplish.
3) While friends are performing slave-labor, serve alcohol. It makes them feel like they are "pre-partying". Plus alcohol brings out their "creative" juices.
4) You never get enough time to properly work the room and talk to everyone enough. I will always have a dreaded feeling of being an inadequate hostess the next day. This is a guilt that is impossible to escape.
5) Always have a seasoned professional present when preparing jello-shots. I don't think anyone who partook of those green-spawns-of-satan needed to brush their teeth for the week to follow. It was like performing an internal organ sterilization.
6) Green lights make me happy. I think I will keep them up for a little longer. Like until Christmas.
7) Never think or let anyone speak of the expense of throwing a party while preparing for it. It kills the buzz. If anyone mentions it, promptly hand them a jello shot.
8) I have some really animated friends, and I'm lucky to have them!
9) Pony kegs are cute and reasonable. For parties if 30-35, I highly suggest this idea.
10) Under NO circumstances should you ever agree to come into work on the weekend following a party. Yeaaahhhh, I'm going to need you to come in on Saturday..... In the words of D.A.R.E. - JUST SAY NO! Or give some vague and persuasive reason that you can't.

A Little Leprechaun Irony

So in preparing for the past couple days for a little impromptu St. Patty's Day celebration of sorts, I forgot that it was my day to bring tacos to the office for breakfast today. Lucky me. So this morning I am urgently trying to find a place to order tacos, via telephone, and after a few calls, I give up and head down the street to the nearest Taco Cabana. Normally I would put a little more effort into taco day - make them myself, or go to an authentic Mexican taqueria, but this week, we are short on time, funds and memory apparently. So TC will have to suffice. I get to the drive through, order the variety, remembering that it is a Lenten Friday and some people in the office get all sorts of picky with the vegan versus vegetarian versus meatl-lovers issue. So I order a few potato-egg & cheese tacos for good measure. Nope, sorry we're all out of potatoes.

Does anyone else see the irony in this?

A Teeny Weeny Rocker Crush

Last night I went to the rodeo again (as promised) on a little mini-date with the bf. I think after a while, in a relationship, sometimes routine trips to the grocery store start turning into "dates," so it's nice that it's important to both of us that we spend some time actually enjoying each other's company, doing something fun.

We went to the livestock show which I have not done in years, watched chickies hatch, petted cows, walked around the carnival eating more bad-for-you-food-that-tastes-oh-so-heavenly. Basically, I came back smelling like I'd been in a barn, literally. But I loved every minute of it.

But the main event of last night's rodeo I would have to say, was seeing Maroon 5 perform. I have to admit, I might have a small crush on Adam Levine now after watching him on stage. Funny, cute, singing ... had that rocker appeal, you follow me on this ladies? I liked the Songs About Jane album, and while they're recording in LA right now, I'm curious to see if the next album will measure up. No pressure or anything Adam. And I know I was terribly torn up over the Jessica/Nick scandal, but I gotta say, I don't blame the girl for taking a glance at Mr. Maroon5 himself.

Thinking about it, I think this entry is proof that I'm not near as mature or sophisticated as I like to pretend I am.

*sigh*

So question, when do I cease to be amazed by musicians; is there an approximate age where the spark wears off?

Meet Beelzebub

This is the newest addition of my household - a red Beta fish named Beelzebub with a firey temper. I know male Betas are very territorial and all, but this one is ridiculous. He is in a constant state of defense, flairing himself up, trying to protect his precious 2 gallons of universe. Bubby, as I like to refer to my friend for short, is a meager attempt at a pet, since I know that I don't have the time for a dog, but all the more I desperately want one. It has been about 2 years since I had a fish, and I feel like I have properly mourned the loss of Spermy. Since it is spring now, I'm feeling very "new life" lately, and attempted to plant herb garden seedlings as well. Yes, it's a little crazy I know, but don't worry - I wore bore you with pictures of it's progress. Or maybe I will - Stay tuned!

Food, Paint & the Mondays

The dinner went well! Even with all the anxiety, the parents got along and now the pressure of our parents meeting is off. A relief to me, believe me. Really there was only one hitch - (thanks Pops), and that wasn't too big a deal. In the middle of saying "grace" before dinner- my dad started rambling about the possible joining of 2 families, something to the extent, which Andrew's father found quite amusing apparently. I however, found it embarrassing and proceeded to quiet him as soon as possible. But other than that, I'd say it went off without a hitch really. Andrew did an excellent job cooking (I failed at propoerly watching the boiling rice and he took over - figures!) and made a blackened tilapia with a crawfish tail remoulade on top, sauteed broccoli and peppers with a rice pilaf. Quite delicious!

Priming the bathroom is the biggest pain in the butt. I knew it was going to be, but some how in the colorful aisles of Home Depot, I convinced myself otherwise. My bathroom is going to be poop brown. Yes folks, you read that right. I think the official color is Regent Metallic Bronze Statue but I have a strong hunch it'll look similar to poop, especially if it's in a room like the bathroom. There is some kind of subconcious connection there I think. However! Be happy that the guest room which will be Mai Tai red next weekend will ensure that no one actually attains restful slumber in there again!

One more thing, just for the record, March 6th, 2006 was a very bad day for me. Yesterday in one day I got mugged (he only got $20 though), a speeding ticket, and informed that my car need yet ANOTHER $750 maintenance. Lovely. I had a bad case of the Mondays.

Wear Pink!

Apparently I didn't get the memo...

Deep-Fried Twinkies = Disappointing Funnel Cake

Corndogs w/ Mustard = The best meal known to man.

Melissa Ethridge Concert = A LOT of lesbians, very good people watching

Not as many people went to the rodeo this year, I don't know if it was just last night because of the flip-flop in concert stars or what, but I was struck by how empty the stadium felt. I do have to say that even though I'm not much of an Ethridge fan, she put on an entertaining show. Good talking/stories between sets and she even sang a Sheryl Crow song, which was nice.

I will let you know my full synopsis next week after I see Maroon 5 perform.

Cuz I Wanna be a Cowboy, Baby!

It's March, which makes me happy because March implies it's spring time, and I tend to function better in the spring and summer seasons really. And Texas-fun-time starts in March! Yeehaw!

It's rodeo season folks, so tonight the girls are having a night out to see what was supposed to be Sheryl Crow, but now due to her recent breast cancer situation, is being replaced by Melissa Ethridge. I have to say I'm a little bummed about that - I love Sheryl Crow and she's fabulous in concert, so I was really looking forward to her. Oh well, it happens. I'll have to eat a deep-fried twinkie or something to make up for the pain of this loss. All my years of going to the rodeo and I have yet to try one of those culinary wonders... Today might just be the day! Have your defibulators ready!

On a side note: Anyone have any advice on the boyfriend's parents meeting your parents situation? That will be taking place tomorrow over dinner at my house. Yes, you can say it's a little nerve-wracking. I'm more nervous about the house being clean than anything. I don't know why I get so crazy about cleanliness, but when I'm entertaining, it get's borderline psychotic. I let Andrew worry about the food - I think I have been deisgnated the appropriate sous-chef tasks of boiling water for rice and steaming broccoli. These are 2 tasks I can actually handle, allegedly. We'll see how bad I screw that up!