Drunky Housewarming Jukebox Friday Blogging Because I CAan AND SO WHAT.

Yes yes, thank you all for frowning at the sfoofiemas decorations. They will be taken down when I have some sort of epiphany.



Our house is a very very very fine house and I'm happy. We had a grown up party and I make lovely things and punch was served. People talked about being naked in their houses and Wii Marikart was played. I didn't realize I was on the top of the screen when my turn came around. I went from 12th place to 1st place. I received a billiown awesome bottles of wine.

Then End. ?

Chicago - One Great Day!

First and foremost, I can't believe how much FUN I had this Saturday in Chicago. I don't always take the time to detail out some of these visits, but now I shall. Be aware that this entry will be LONG, but fun-filled.

There were several negative factors that weighed in for the day that made for some concerned anticipation. Namely:
- The recent cold rainy days we were having
- Being around my 9 year old sister for longer than 20 minutes. (love her, but...)
- Feeding my 9 year old sister banana pudding for breakfast and then remembering I have to be with her for a period longer than 20 minutes.
- Missing the 810am Metra train (completely my fault) and navigating the entire way into downtown with no maps. Relying on my memory. The memory that failed to remind me what feeding my 9 year old sister sugar for breakfast can result in.

Whee.

Well, I navigated the crew properly into the parking garage (as chicagoans would call it the 'parkn gratch') and put us squarely in front of a mcdonalds in which to fuel my bubs with some breakfast. We think a bum took a dump in the stairwell and was getting yelled at by security. Triple gold points for me!

Knowing full well we arrived a clear 45 minutes before our tour guides anticipated us, I suggested we go on a riverwalk. Little girl being adorable in the big city:
So far, so GREAT! It was a gorgeous day for us to tackle Chicago, so I was very happy with our little walk.

We then promptly called our tour guide shop and hurried their little bums through their morning routine. Profuse apologies owed. Minus myself 4 points. We took a hasty visit out to their balcony quickly keeping an eye on all their sneaky kitties. Found all their cool action figures and geegaws which always entertain. I get served water in a Guiness glass. Bitchin. We boarded the MHP tour bus and she showed us THE 7TH FLOOR including some dude casting evil sweat glares from his treadmill in the exercise room. Iwanski gets snared by a spider web. I hate it when that happens.

Ok. We moved onward to THE CORN COBS!!!!! Through the tremendous generosity of JBuckW (funniest thing is that I can sometimes only think of him as "Buck" and he can only think of me as "Sfoofie". Apparently we are asking MHP all the time what our "real" names are!!!), we got to go up to the roof of the building. It was completely free, completely without lines, completely memorable, and totally thrilling! I grew up seeing these buildings all the time in Chicago, but never thought I would ever be running free up on the roof with family and friends. I like these three pictures I took -one from the outside, the other from the rooftop, and the final of my adorable MHP and I!



Although the visit was brief, I hope Buck knows how much this opportunity was appreciated. I can't believe someone so cool is tucked away into the corncobs!

We all then headed to Millenium Park. I've come to really like this area. I don't get bored from seeing 'The Bean', the acoustically perfect outdoor theater, the plants, or the Crown fountain. Us girlies kicked off our shoes and socks and even splashed around in the fountain waters. Here are my favorite pics from the park:




(note: at this point my dear sis is still being an ANGEL. It was fun to see her enjoy her first visit to a huge city!)

We decided on a visit to The Field Museum (since we were doing so well on time!). Along the way Iwanski entertains the crowd by yelling out "I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER" which had all of us in stitches - especially my younger siblings. I also got two of my FAVORITE pictures from the day headed over to the museum. First, you can see two skyscrapers reflected perfectly in the skyscraper across the street and a cute lamppost and flowers are tucked into the picture as well. I am pretty proud of the shot. Also there is lovable Iwanski fervently trying to seduce our bus into stopping.



At the Field Museum was the big red ball! We counted ourselves lucky to see it tucked right up against the Field Museum's columns.

We quickly divided into two camps at the museum: people willing to fork over a few dollars to see the weather exhibit (and, it should be noted, that they were EXCITED to see a weather exhibit) and the other camp being "haters of forking over extra dollars for a weather exhibit". The haters chose to see the awesome "Native Americas" exhibition and some relaxation time. (Hey, if I wanted to experience a tornado live, I'd head to Kansas sometime.) We then all toured the Egyptian and Animals exhibitions. The animals exhibition was COOL and GROSS and sometimes COOL BUT GROSS. I guess it was cool to do "The Bear": Guess that's Iwanski's way of meditating for a good NFL season. Or else he wants to go crazy and live in Alaska like a bear like this guy.

We then decide to head to Wrigleyville and dinner. Things quickly went sour when we boarded the "free trolley" to only go about 2 minutes away. As we slowly become confined in the small back corner with no driver in sight, you can see the mental notes being made in the Iwanski brain: We could have been there by now. When did we get on? 8 minutes ago? Yeah, definitely could have gotten there by now. This is why Chicago really doesn't deserve the Olympics. I'm never taking this free trolley ever again. All seven of us will have to get out of this corner at the very next stop and inconvenience the eight people standing in the aisles. I hate inconveniencing people. Also: Iwanski don't tell stories on stairs. etc. We made a smart strategic move putting MHP and my mom next to each other. Those two can chat their ears off of one another and become oblivious to their surrounding environment. Until Journey begins to play, in which case they sing loudly and get in fits of giggles. Very much sisters:
The trolley finally did move and, yes, we inconvenienced the packed aisles by shoving our 7 asses (as Chicagoans would call them 'aces') out at the next stop. Our trip on the brown line over to the Belmont stop was another event filed under "Reasons Why Chicago Might Not Be The Best Choice For The Olympics." You see, for that day (and that day only. Oh. Hmmm. Maybe.), the brown line was running on an orange line rail. And then shuttles (?!?) were set up at the end to provide additional confusion to the party. Luckily we got off before the shuttle service began.

Our dinner at Mi Tierra was (in the annoying manner of Giuliana Rancic) A.MAZING.
We had margaritas, real queso fundido, and I tried a plate of 3 different A.MAZING. items. (guacamole taco, chicken tostada, pork tamale). We all laughed and us margarita girls giggled when the tequila hit our systems.

After dinner, we made our way over to Navy Pier. Yes, after this entire day of awesomeness, we still had energy for Navy Pier. Navy Pier was really cool - despite us hitting one of the only non-firework-weekends they have. We walked out to the point, headed back through the buildings and the stained glass exhibition SO COOL,btw), got the kids some souuuvenirs, and ended the night with ice cream. Actually, the night ended with getting our driver (bubs) some coffee from 7-11 to make the trip home.

None of us can believe we did all of this in a single day. Besides one heart-attack-inducing trip over Iwanski's foot at the station platform and a couple other sugar rushes, my little sister was very well behaved. I also took special pride in my navigation skills on the fly and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

Overall, I had nothin to worry about. Especially because we hired the MHP & Iwanski tour firm....If anything they provide the comic relief in any cramped free trolley corner.



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FYI: You can find some of the coolest Chitownphotos here

Jukebox Friday - Nerds are all around us...

I should start out by saying that I don't like seeing that my last post was last Jukebox Friday. This week I turned 27 and I have a lot to blog about, but I think I fell into a writer's depression this week. OK, so maybe it was just a big pit of lime vodka, cherry schnapps, and tequila. I can comment that I had a fantastical birthday and everything should be great, but I finally admitted this week that I need a job. Y'all are groaning and throwing things at me, but this seriously should be a time for me to make money. Before the big expensical items come along like houses and babies.

ANYWHOO. This song we heard in Lebanon and it is very nerdy, trust...BUT it gets in your head and has quirky lyrics about cake and science and my favorite lyrics:

I'm not even angry.
I'm being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart.
And killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because I was so happy for you!

The song is from the end-credits for a nerdy game called "Portal" and it was composed by Jonathan Coulton. Jonathan Coulton is the genius behind "Code Monkey" and "Tom Cruise Crazy" and other fantastical songs you can hear HERE. (seriously listen to Tom Cruise Crazy. Skullcrusher Mountain and the melodic cover of Baby Got Back are great too.)

Enjoy all this nerdiness kids.

Bang the drum.

Sooooo I just realized that my birthday is on MONDAY. I don't know how this was overlooked! I guess I kept thinking of it as something that is happening, oh, next week "sometime". Now I'm t-minus THREE DAYS! I think this is the first birthday where I don't really have a definitive plan for doing something fun. I'm known in this land for loving birthday's a little too much. It is both a blessing and a curse bestowed upon me from my mothah (and that side of the family). A blessing because I truly believe birthdays should be celebrated, cherished, loved, and special. A curse because it seems there are a ton of people who don't think like we do (we have a special title for them: PARTY POOPERS) and also a curse because there was bound to be a birthday where I'm caught at the last minute with no plans.
Sure, it was really (REALLY) cool to go home last weekend and find an adorable cake made just for our August birthdays (those end-of-Julyers steal all of our thunder typically) and it was really (REALLY) cool to get my birthday digital camera in the mail....but....now I feel like I'll have a quiet non-surprisical birthday.

I should talk about some memorable past birthdays:

4- My golden birthday and I actually remember it! I got a huuuge teddy bear from my aunties that I promptly named "snuggle-up-a-gus." I think I still have this bear!

5-10 - I get Barbies and Barbie accesories! whee!

16- My family threw me a SURPRISE SWEET 16 PARTY! It was so awesome.....and has a funny story to go with it. I had just spent a weekend with my grandparents and we were all going to meet at this restaurant so that my mom could take me back to c-ville. My mom had all my friends gathered and they all had their cameras trained on this one set of steps leading right to their table. I walk in with my grandparents and the hostess proceeded to lead us upstairs....via another set of steps! We get up and I happen to look over at this other huge table of people....and started recognizing my best friend. Weird, thinks me. Then she sees me and I notice all the rest of the table, balloons, party hats, and a banner. I was still shocked, but it was funny that the surprise was fairly ruined.

21- I took my two closest friends to Whitewater to partay! Yes, I got drunk out of my gourd. BUT, it was in a safe manner, thankyouverymuch. It had all the classic moments... pouring out drinks I didn't like (I'm a mean drunk), some drunk bridesmaid telling me my hair was beautiful, me yelling at k-dawg to get her away from me (I believe my exact words were "Get this bith away from me"), walking back to my friend's apartment from downtown, me refusing to walk any further and laying down in the grass, my friends convincing me for a long time that we were RIGHT OUTSIDE the door of my friend's apartment, sleeping, going back to the Delevan lakehouse we were staying at, and going for a boat ride the next day at TEN IN THE MORNING hungover as hell.

22-26 - I realize I'm in love with/living with/married to a mighty PARTY POOPER. Must convince said PARTY POOPER to deal with my BIRTHDAY EXCITEMENT.

Hmmm, for this birthday I think I'll just resort to margaritas.....because I'm known in this land for loving margaritas a little too much.

On da fridge

I went to microwave my lunch today and realized I have the weirdest magnets all next to each other.

Jesus magnet is classic. I spied it one day in a gift store and knew it was missing from my life. The magnet, not Jesus. The MGD beer stein magnet, I believe, was found on a fridge when N moved into an apartment. Jesus also needed some draft goodness to overpower him. Below that, I present bullet magnet. Jesus, get your gun we're enjoying a Natural Resources experience. A dead natural resources experience that is. Below that is "Stewies World Domination Tour" magnet. I like Family Guy so much I knew the $1 pack o' magnets at Targjhay (erm, target) was well worth it. I especially like Stewie. Below Stewie is a postcard of Harissa (statue of Mary place in Lebanon) held on by a Newport Beach sandal magnet.


Lower portion of the door contains some margarita references. Not because I'm a drunk, but because I love margaritas. Also the fridge has posted the funniest clip from The Onion when John Bolton stepped down from the UN. I think I tore this from The Onion out drinking one night. Hey, not because I'm a drunk, mind you, but because I love it when Bush cronies resign.


So that's my magnet arrangement on my fridge and other things I have on the fridge. Now who said there was nothing to blog about today? I'm saving my three hour experience at the DMV for another day.... Because I've had to drink that rage off.

Saturday Night: Travel Picture Edition!

A quick call to all the local bowling alleys reveals that all of them have league bowling on Saturday nights...except Bonduel lanes. So us girls pop in the car and head to Bonduel. As we drive in, we realize that Bonduel is a magical place where spelling champs of the 80s reigned supreme! Their city sign proclaims this land as "Wis Spelling Capital." We snap pictures and all I keep thinking is:

GAME ON BONDUEL SPELLING CHAMPS!


Look ma! No electronics at this here bowlin' alley! Shit. We have to do math and remember how to score bowling. We immediately assign K-Dawg scorer. After all, she took bowling in college. Neat!

OMG OMG OMG OMG. Three "alligator" drinks for the girls cost me ONLY $7.50 in Bonduel. THREE! TALLS! MINIMAL ICE! Who cares if we have to do math! WHEE!
OMG OMG OMG... Did you notice the NASCAR cup and the BENDY STRAW?

I begin to fall in love with small town Wisconsin.


K-Dawg in fine bowling form for the evening....


Whup whup. We score a bowling ball named "Lutz"


Ok. My brain hurts at the thought of this contraction: Lee'z
...and yes, the ceiling was that dirty.


Remember how I said GAME ON Bonduel? Remember? Yes, in the one space we stopped in Bonduel we found a misspelling. CONGRADULATIONS BONDUEL! You made my night.


Pickled Eggs: 75 cents
Everything else: priceless


Artistic bowling alley shot.


Who you callin a ho?!?!?

imbibe the limeness baby!

lime vodka is totally where its at
you should be 'bout it 'bout it
get up get up and get down



welcome to a crash course in sfoofie bartending

step 1. yaaaaaay! no need to go out!
step 2. mix lime vodka with anything. hell. skip the anything and go straight to it!
step 3. you are lime vodka.



you've passed (forever an optimist)! congrats!

anyway. contrary to popular blogging op polls, i am not drunky drunkersons. it turned out merely to be a friday night watching a pretty great movie with bubs and remembering i have 2 key ingredients in my household to have one very pretty drink. now i get to spend time trying to convince ye 4 readers to try this.

See, the mark of a great pub establishment IMHO is whether or not they have lime vodka. (bonus points if it is the bright green cheap stuff.) you can even get guys to dig the "ecto-cooler" of it all. my fave lil pub here in brew-city doesn't carry the stuff anymore (gee, wonder why i haven't gone there much now?), but when they did, i could get the whole crowd going on the drink. it's unique, colorful, tasty, sophisticated YET deeply white trash. all my friends groan when we go out and i have to ask if lime vodka is in the bar's reperatoire (crap. can't spell. whatevs). no matter what tho, 2 drinks later and they're switched over to this one.

it is really, technically known as THE ALLIGATOR

...and the real technical recipe is:


lime vodka
triple sec
splash lemonade
splash 7-up
squeeze o' fresh lime
garnish with lime


...though i often modify it to:

lime vodka + 7-up / sprite / mountain dew / squirt /etc


Tonight it was the real green vodka and mountain dew. sweet cuppin cakes it was tasty!


A Short History Of A Drink
The Alligator drink was invented* in Whitewater, WI** at a little craphole*** by someone named Justin****. The drink can be done as a shot***** or a tall one****** or a short one*******. The End.


* I really really think so.

** Whitewater was both great and not great in so many ways. Here is a slice o' life there: HI! Welcome to Whitewater! There is no restaurant open past 9pm here! Except Taco Hell! Our Taco Hell has rusty road signs on the walls, tables and chairs were saved from some dumpster, and we'll blare some righteous country music! Shudder! OHHH the best part is that we'll give you parking tickets for parking in a parking lot even though our town is only 6,000 people! We LOVE giving parking tickets!

*** man. the brass rail was/(is?) such a shitastic dumpy place for playing such a key role in my life. fate is awesomely funked like that.

**** it's weird to be thinking about that person named justin. yeah. justin was such a hippy pothead. justin went to australia and came back some kind of savvy save-the-world-type-person but i could totally stab in the dark and guess he's still just just a hippy pothead. that's how these people just are. predictable!

***** bang.

****** preferred method of consumption

******* totally un-PC of me. should be correctly listing it as a "little darling one." ...until it kicks me in the shins.



There. a whole post about my favorite drink. and i'd like to thank my inspiration (nay, the QUEEN of relaying her every f'in FAVORITE f'in $6000 thing all the f'in time.) for convincing my whole nation of blogopia to try my favorite f'in thing. : OPRAH.


cheers!