Friday, December 08, 2006

Off to Barcelona

I'm going to Barcelona for the next few days. You see, I have my first guest (!), Ryan from Atlanta, and entertaining someone for five days in Tarragona is impossible.

Here is the plate of sardines that almost killed me yesterday (probably an exaggeration, but remember how everyone used to warn you about fish bones?). Anyway, one was lodged in my throat (I think it still is actually). I had to go to the bathroom of the restaurant. I literally stuck my finger down my throat to feel around for the bone. I wouldn't recommend it, but it was kind of a crazy sensation--there's some weird shit down there. It made me vomit a little bit three times and when I got out of the bathroom, and old woman waiting gave me a look. Pretty sure she thought I was in there trying to get rid of some calories...
(the sardines were delicious though)

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

A Bunch of Random Thoughts

1. This morning it rained and was cold and was windy. More so than I have ever seen here before. I went out onto the terrace where we do laundry and I felt like I was on a ship at sea, in the middle of a storm. I checked the internet to see the cold, hard truth of this horrible weather. It said it was 55 degrees. Wow. I must really have become wimpy in the 11 years since I left Michigan. I felt kind of lame. But then I looked at the wind speed and it was going strong at 30 miles per hour. I've never been much of a wind speed watcher (in the Michigan and Boston days I was definitely a wind chill watcher though), but 30 mph seems pretty damn fast. So, I don't really have a point here except that it was shockingly cold and windy this morning. And that all my laundry got wet. Again. Which brings me to my next point.

2. I have been trying to do the same load of laundry for a week. Sometimes I exaggerate for the sake of a story, but this time I am not. You see, we don't have a dryer/dryers are pretty rare here. So all the clothes hang dry. Or, in my hang and get rained on. And there's something about that--getting rained on--that makes the clothes smell horrible. It might be that there is a big petrochemical industry around here, I'm not sure. But if your clothes get rained on, you pretty much have to wash them again. And that third wash was this morning. I managed to snag some almost dry stuff off the line last night, which was a good thing because otherwise I'd be freeballing it today (see #3). But even that stuff, which had been hanging in the wind, in the sun, wasn't all the way dry. I spread it all out on my bed and then put my space heater on full blast. Today I put one of my slighty damp shirts on. I guess this is just what the Spanish do in the winter?

3. As any of you who read gossip blogs have noticed, a lot of starlets have been flashing their vaginas lately. I've thought about this and yes, I've looked at the pictures and my conclusion is this: vaginas aren't attractive. I feel like this is a very un-feminist thing for me to say, but then I read this article on Nerve that made me feel better about that thought. And, just for the record, penises aren't really attractive either. I mean, there's a time and a place. It's like that Seinfeld episode with the good naked and the bad naked. Good naked: nude beaches, when you're going to have sex, porn, etc. Bad naked: flashing your snatch as you're getting out of a car. It's just not hot. And Britney is totally not hot either. I don't know. Maybe guys enjoy it. I feel like if I were a guy, I would want to see someone who is hot's lady place. Not someone who just gave birth and has gross hair extensions (I guess maybe guys wouldn't notice the extensions though). Anyway, that's my verdict. I don't want to see more celebrity vaginas. The circumstances in which they're photographed are not hot; drunk, rich, obnoxious girls are not hot.

4. If you've been reading this blog for more than a few days, you will notice a change in it's look. I'm still messing around with colors a bit, but what do you think? I can't make the red text go away. I don't know where it's coming from. Is the pink too hard on the eyes? Suggestions please!

5. A while ago, I almost got a dog. Since then, I have been moderately obsessed with the Atlanta Pet Rescue website. For a while, I would follow all the dogs' stories and their adoptions. Now I just look at them all and read the occasional description. And, I admit, I sometimes choke up over the Happy Tales/Tails section. (I quote, "I never knew I could love him so much.") I think I still look at the site because, well, because looking at cute animals makes me happy. I think it makes everyone happy, so I'm going to put cute doggie pictures up now and then. Or maybe every post. Who knows. They're all from Atlanta Pet Rescue, if you see one you want to get. The beagle on this post has already been adopted, but I posted her picture because she reminded me of Snoopy, my childhood (and partially adulthood--he died when he was 18 or 19) dog. He used to make the same face when my brother and I blew into his nose (not directly into it [we found it highly entertaining]). He is also making what my college roommates and I called "fart eyes" (like you just smelled your own fart and liked it; it was generally attributed to cats). So, I dedicate these photos to Snoopy and fart eyes and homeless dogs everywhere.

Monday, December 04, 2006

The Raddest Thing Since Sliced Bread!

Oh my God! I just saw these on Coolhunting. Teacups where the stain is part of the design!! How cool is that?!?! Here's the link if you want to read about them: http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2006/12/stain_teacups.php
I want some!!! (It does totally make me think about the stains on my teeth, though).

Sunday, December 03, 2006

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

And now, a little photo homage to all my pals who let me know they miss and love me and who listen to me freak out about things, therefore making my life over here a bit easier. I love you guys!

This is a little last-minute add... Al's been kind of mum lately, but Brooks does a lot to cheer me up.
Chad, taking a shot so that I will not have to suffer the next morning

The Dark Ones: Mara, Joanne, and Me

Little Jason, Laurie, and Mara (Laughing at Something VERY Not PC)

Big Jason (sans ascot)

Shocker: Liz, Me, and Donnie
My Michigan Ladies: Rachel and Mairi
ALWAYS There for Me: Eric and Suzan
I Hate to Name Drop, But... Cameron ("Cam"), Leo, and Colton

Laurie, Mercedes, MikeWright, Suzy, and Clare: Four on One
My Friends are Hot: Donnie, Kasey, and Mara

And They Know How to Have a Good Time: Sarah, Clare, Laura, Emily, Larry

Ahhh, Dunch! I'm 1/4 of the way through my stay here. I'll meet you at the EARL in September!

Saturday, December 02, 2006

This is the Beginning of My New, Happy Blog



I am not promising 100% glee, but at least something that will actually make people want to read this. So, no more complaining about my life, at least if it's not humorous or poetic in some way.

I really enjoy the elevator in my building. There's something about the light and the pattern on the ceiling... It's a very rickety elevator and you're pushing it if you have the recommended number of people (4) in there, but it doesn't really bother me. Sometimes if it's late at night (think between 4-6 a.m.), I take pictures of myself in the elevator. None of them are good, but I think this one showcases my beloved elevator nicely, even if you can't see the ceiling (the white button is for my floor--it's special!)