Confessions of a Cohabitant

don't mess with my iTunes

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:07:00 +0000

Just a Tuesday night conversation.

BF: "Allison, this computer is running really slow. I'm going to get rid some of your unused applications."

Me: "Ok, so you know what you are doing?"

BF: "Look at all this shit. You don't even USE half of these programs."

Me: "Whatever, just make it run faster. I need to get another one anyway."

About an hour later....

BF: "Babe, watch how fast this boots now."

Watching it boot up and not noticing anything better yet.

Me: "Load iTunes at the same, then we will know if you made it run faster."

About five minutes later....

BF: "Um, I think I have to restore iTunes."

Me: "Why? Don't mess with it - I have the newest version."

BF: "Um. I think I deleted an iTunes program."

Me: "Way to go Macintosh!"

20 minutes later..... and he's still messing with it, trying to fix my library.

Lady Gaga better not be missing off there or there will be hell to pay.

Off roadin' it

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:27:00 +0000

I'm the first to say women can't drive. We can't. We are too busy singing to music, messing with our phones, yelling at the kids in the back seat or at our significant other.

I'm personally distracted by shiny objects.

Now, I have a feeling this is a woman driver and not only because that's what the YouTube description says.

First off, look at the wide turn into the space. (Only women do that as they talk with their right hand grasping the cell phone and maneuver the wheel with the left.) Plus, with the sudden acceleration, you know the woman was probably talking to friend and she hit the pedal to run to a Sak's sale. Oops.

Then, as she drives over the unsuspecting white Neon, she reverses (as she's talking to her friend) who then fills her in on another sale at Nordstrom's. She waits and listens for directions to the sale and drives over the mall. Why sit and wait for the police when you are missing a perfectly good shoe sale?

Damn hidden cameras - they will get you everytime.

Mimosas are never a bad thing

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:35:00 +0000

My friends and I are reaching the age of "the parties." And by parties, I mean the parties where it's around make-up, jewelry and Tupperware. You know, those invites you receive, want to turn down but ultimately attend?

I typically turn down jewelry party invites. I don't have fun at them because I feel pressured to have to buy something. Anything to support the person holding it. And, personally, I'm not interested $56 sterling silver necklace where I can buy a cheaper and trendier version of it at Forever21.

However, my friend invited me to a spa party on Saturday afternoon. Spa party? Count me in! Who doesn't want a little relaxing with mimosas on a Saturday?

All the BeautiControl products

Mask me

Katie rocking the lip mask

Michaelene with the relaxing eye pads

After testing lotion after lotion from your feet to hands to face, I ended up buying eye cream and the purple face mask I'm modeling above. Vicki, the consultant, was really great about going over the products with us and sharing relaxation tips with us. Although when it came to the "relaxation part" complete with eye pads and a hot wash cloth to put on your face, my eyes were burning like all hell so I had to skip that part. I just drank another mimosa while everyone was picturing themselves at the beach. Not too shabby for a Saturday afternoon.

Shortest fuse

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Canon Ball! This entire week I have been a loose canon. Not only do I have the shortest attention span, I also have a shorter fuse more than ever this week.

[Editor's note: I apologize in advance for anyone I hung up on without saying goodbye. You know I have bad phone etiquette especially when I think the conversation is over but you still keep talking on the other end. I will try not to do that anymore.]

I have dropped one too many f-bombs for no apparent reason.

I have yelled at my computer when it freezes.

I have yelled at People.com for the ridiculousness it calls news with Jon Gosselin. Take a poll, please, because Americans would ask you to stop reporting. Remember when E! News asked viewers if they were done with Heidi and Spencer? And they stopped reporting about them.

I am continually freaked out by the serial killer living in Cleveland.

Did I mention I've threatened to throw my computer? As if it even knows this....

I have deleted one too many friend e-mails about possible weekend plans. (I'm working and can't be distracted because if I am, my Explorer window would freeze.)

Whew. I feel better.

Even with my crazy emotional roller coaster that could kick Millenium Force's ass, I still made it through this week intact - or at least I think I did. Maybe we have to ask the BF for a better opinion.

We will now return to your regularly scheduled program version of Allison.

Happy Friday and I need a Christmas Ale.

Boston Day 1

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:10:00 +0000

After 72 hours of each other, we made it back alive to share our weekend vacation together in Boston. The BF and I haven't taken a vacation together in the three plus years we've been dating.

Yes, we've gone to weddings out of town, but never a vacation alone and together. (I know, we were well overdue for one.)

We threw around a few ideas of places to visit and ultimately decided on Boston because I always wanted to see Boston in the fall and I have a small obsession with Salem. That's right - I've always wanted to go to Salem on or around Halloween to explore all the history that is the witch trials.

Since we were there for three days, I'm just going to let our pictures tell the story.

Day 1: Off to a beer tasting

And maybe I spilled some...

The BF kneeling in front of beer, only boys.

Beautiful view

BF reading the map. all. the. time

Ride on Paul Revere

Mike's Pastry is our Presti's

Hanging outside of Paul Revere's old digs

We finished the evening out with friends and at Jacob Wirth where you can sing around the piano while eating dinner or drinking. It's amazing place. Plus, there was a guy dressed up as Caeser with sword and all and it wasn't even Halloween yet.

Next up: Harvard, Salem and dinner at the oldest restaurant in America

From my party to yours

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Since most of my friends will be out of town for the real Halloween, the boys held their annual Halloween party. Two years ago I was Rainbow Brite and last year I missed it for something else that we did. (Bad move on my part.)

This year I was Ms. Lady Gaga herself.

The boys asked if I was Madonna. No, I was Lady Gaga. My costume would have been way more convincing if I wasn't wearing pants. Lady Gaga never wears pants and I tried to pull off just my bathing suit bottoms and my slutty boots, however, my legs aren't quite as toned as they once were and it was better for everyone that my friend gave me a pair of leggings.

Brad as JT
Dr. Tim injecting

Lia with a shot that she spit out

Kelly and Chris as Kelly and Zach

Chris dressed in the most politically costume I've ever seen

Then there are these boys. After turning off our dance party music, the breathlizer stole the iPod to put Boyz II Men on and sing to the priest.

I hope everyone's parties are fantastic this weekend! I'm heading to Boston this weekend with the BF to visit the city and see Salem during one of the most spooky times. That's right - I'll be the tourist in Salem on Halloween.

brownies come and go

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:06:00 +0000

Oh my weekend! Don't you hate how fast weekends seem to come and go? In college, it felt like weekends lasted forever, pretty much because they started on Thursday and didn't end until Monday.

So many things were different in college. I could drink much more than I can now, I was immune to hangovers and my I'm pretty sure my waist and ass were about 2 sizes smaller than they are now.

But you know what is better bigger - my bank account now versus then. So much better now.

Because I have a big girl job, I can afford all those things that I wished I could: vacations, purses, sporting event tickets and better shoes.

Yesterday, the BF and I tailgated with our friends after a rough night. (More to come about my kickass Lady Gaga costume from Saturday night's Halloween party.)

The BF and I woke up two hours late and busted our butts to get downtown by 11 a.m. We scored $25 parking (seriously, the parking nazis need to stop inflating their prices by 200%) and I walked down W.6th with homemade brownies in hand.

Our boys tailgating

Danielle holding Black & Milds (might have to reconsider our friendship)

Walking to the stadium

View from our seats

Obviously, I didn't go to watch them win because they didn't. I like to go to events to have fun with my friends, see some people and drink a few beverages. Once the fourth touchdown was scored, I think we got up at the end of the third quarter and called it a day.

After all, it was a long weekend.

Friday Fodder

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:39:00 +0000

Ever since the start of Facebook, it has garnered its share of nicknames, including being most known as the Stalkerbook. It's a legit, yet sort of creepy, way to check in on our friends or not-so-friends to see what they are up to nowadays.

Well, for every non-stalker on Facebook, we all have ours waiting in the wings to pop out and scare the shit of us. It could be a message from an ex-boyfriend, an ex-hook up or that crazy friend from high school from out of the blue that jets us right back to reality, reminding us to be careful of what we post on our pages.

This little gem came from a friend of mine. She's not friends with him on Facebook and hasn't talked to him in years. However, we know he's been watching her from the looks of his message, which was conveniently sent at 1:30 a.m.

To my friend from a past friend who is not currently her friend on Facebook
"I know that this is completely out of the blue but (insert name).... I really just would finally like to tell you something that i have kept to myself since we were in 5th grade. You are by farrrrrr THEE most beautiful woman i honestly have ever laid eyes on. I wish we were closer cause I also thought you were cool to hang out with but.... I understand. Even though this is somewhat really awkward I hope everything is great. Wow i feel kinda awkward."

Although she agrees it's flattering in a roundabout way, she is pretty embarrassed and may need to set some of her settings more private this weekend.

So, she would like to know - does she friend him now or "pretend" she didn't see the message?

My answer - No, no and no.

Happy Friday.

pain in my neck

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:52:00 +0000

For almost the past month, I've had a pain in my neck. It's pretty annoying. For awhile, I needed to maneuver my whole body to turn my head as if I had a neck brace on.

At first I thought it was work related. Work came and went and I still have the pain.

Then I thought it was relationship related. But, he's still here and I still have the pain. (I think he will always cause some kind of pain though, right?)

Sometimes it's more prevalent than other days and I can't pin point what the hell is going on.

I haven't changed anything related to my sleeping either. I have the same pillows and sleeping routine. (If you are interested, I sleep on my side and hug a pill and wrap the blankets around my feet. The BF mocks me for this routine but it's mine and not changing.)

It's better but now the pain is creeping up my neck to the right side of my head. Great, now my head is throbbing and no amount of pain killers is helping. What the hell is going inside this head of mine?

So, I'm taking any advice (other than seeing a doctor because clearly I need that) so send me your tips.

Beer me

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:09:00 +0000

What started out as an uneventful and lazy Sunday of watching the Browns game, somehow quickly turned into a search for beer tastings on the east side in honor of Cleveland Beer Week.

By the looks of my friend Michelle, we were just going to stay in and watch the Browns. Please note the scarf she is using as a belt for that damn Snuggie.

Me supporting my team in my new C.L.E Clothing Co. t-shirt

In the 4th quarter, somehow Brewzilla came up which then made everyone start asking about beer week events. Courtesy of my sweet iPhone (comes in handy in lots of cases), we found a tasting at Whole Foods and jumped in the car to go.

Patrice pouring our Thirsty Dog samples for only 25 cents!

Mike's beer drinking face

Boys admiring all the microbrews

Samples of Thirsty Dog Siberian Night (Way too dark for me)

Out of all the Thirsty Dog brews, my favorites were the Pumpkin Ale, and a tie between Raspberry Ale and Labrador Lager. I'm more of a pale ale kind of girl when it comes to my beer drinking. Plus, I like to sample beers in season and I can't get enough of the pumpkin ales right now.

Be sure to check out Cleveland Beer Week's events page for a listing of events all over, including Brewzilla which is the closing event and this Saturday at the Arcade, starting at 6 p.m. My friends and I all have a Halloween party but are seriously debating going to Brewzilla first and then to the party. Who doesn't love a beer event, anyway?

Friday Fodder

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:14:00 +0000

This gem of a post comes courtesy of the BF.

The next four minutes will bring you back to early 2000 when pop music was dominated by Carson Daly, TRL and the Backstreet Boys. Plus, it make you laugh your ass off.

What's also disturbingly funny is how well these boys know and love this song. You know they serenade their girlfriends or boyfriends with their rendition of this song.

Enjoy and happy Friday.

Damn you, Chuck Bass

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:49:00 +0000

Since the start of Gossip Girl (love it), my girlfriends and I have been trying to institute a girls-watching-tv-weekly event.

Yesterday, was our second girls' night in and we enjoyed watching Chuck Bass in his three-piece suits, crocodile shoes and super sultry voice. Instead of our usual bottles of wine, we decided to mix it up courtesy of some new POM chocolate drink. Blue from POM contacted me to see if I wanted to taste test some flavors of POMx Iced Coffee: chocolate, cafe au lait or vanilla.

I'm not an overly huge I-only-drink-iced-coffee kind of girl but I AM a vodka martini drinker. When Blue mentioned mixing it in with cocktails, I was sold - not really a hard sell, right? Plus, I figured my friends wouldn't mind a little homemade martini on our GG nights anyway.

Michelle, the hostess with the mostess

POM and the mixer

Michelle, the hostess with the mostess, tasting the chocolate POM drink

Proof we can't make a decent chocolate martini

(DISCLOSURE: POM paid for samples and shipment. No payment, or request for a subsequent feature, or advertising, was received for this blog post.]

Friday Fodder

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Has anyone ever seen a chicken before?

Crashing and burning

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:21:00 +0000

Because I like to highlight relationships gone bad, it's hard to ignore the train wreck that is the former marriage of the Gosselins. Holy unholy matrimony.

(Before this went bad, I was such a fan of the show. I watched it for the kids because they were so damn cute. I never really cared if Kate made fun of Jon or not. Sometimes a man needs to be bossed around. Just ask the BF! He's still around :))

Just when you thought they would proceed with a quiet divorce, Jon is giving interviews left and right to credible news sources such as the Insider and ET and Kate is crying that she's broke on the Today Show.

I have a few questions but my main question is: Where is Hailey at?

There are rumors she was getting her chest done but maybe she's actually watching the children or selling her story to US Weekly again. At least when she was around, I was interested in seeing what Jon was up to. Actually, it was more interesting to see what bad outfits she was wearing in public and all the sweet status updates she had on Facebook that other gossip sites would publish. Nothing says classy then a cig hanging out of your mouth rocking Ed Hardy.

Back to the recent bad interview. Enter Nancy Grace. Who in their right mind would counsel Jon to go against Nancy Grace!! Really? You aren't going to win against this crazy woman. She eats douches like you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have you seen how she treats other experts!? You would have a better option going up against Tyra Banks than Nancy Grace.

She even calls you out for your diamond earrings....errr.... but you correct her that they are CZ instead.

Want my two cents?

Stop giving interviews, watch your kids and get some really amazing legal representation because this is turning uglier faster than Lindsay blowing what's left of her earnings from the Parent Trap.

Oh, and bring back Hailey, K?

Sobering reminder

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:13:00 +0000

You know how people (meaning me) make fun of girls who go to the bathroom together in groups? I mean, how often are you at a bar or a restaurant and your girlfriend looks to you to be her bathroom partner? Happens allllll the time.

Personally, I've always been one who goes alone. I don't need anyone to hold my dress up while I pee - I can handle it, I'm a big girl. Or so I thought.....

Well, the next time I'm pulling the tough act, I may want to think again because of a friend's frightening yet very real story.

She and her friends were at Mercury at W.6th this past weekend and at the end of the night her friend went to the bathroom by herself. Nothing alarming yet, right? Just out with her friends having a fun night of drinking.

If you've never been to Mercury (save yourself a trip), the bathrooms are in the basement toward the front of the bar and the men's is before the women's. She entered the bathroom like many of us have before and at this point the bathroom attendant was either not there or was gone for the night. (They used to always have one.)

Of all the nights for the bathroom attendant to not be there!!!

As she was shutting the door, someone was pushing on the stall door to open it. No, it wasn't her friend or anyone she knew joking around. It was a complete male stranger who followed her and tried to assault her in the bathroom. After slamming her against the wall, she managed to fight him off and hide in the bathroom for a few minutes until she was sure he was gone and ran upstairs to her friends.

This is a sobering reminder that these situations happen all the time to women. Not only do we have to watch what freaks put in our drinks, we know have to watch ourselves in the bathrooms. I've heard about this happening in coed bathrooms in clubs, too, but I don't know that it's ever hit this close to home. I personally don't know the victim but I do know her friend, and she's still very shaken for herself and her friend.

It's all too often we hear these frightening stories and luckily nothing like this has ever happened to any of my girlfriends. Never on Spring Break in Florida or Acapulco or in my recent Vegas trip. We are the lucky ones.

So ladies, when you head out this weekend, go to the bathroom with your friends. With all of your friends for that matter. Take every one of them with you. After all, they are the best kind of protection to have sometimes.

turning the big 3-0

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:03:00 +0000

Well that was a quick September. I can pretty much define my September by cities I was in because that's how incredibly fast it went by. It's already October! I want my September back if nothing more than to enjoy wearing flip flops and skirts for the last time in 2009.

With the start of October came the BF's 30th birthday. That's right, readers, we celebrated the big 3-0 for the BF with the good hair. (I'm just stating the obvious.)

About 35 people headed downtown last night to Bier Markt to drink entirely too much alcohol, celebrate in his honor and watch my younger brother get hit on by women who were way too old for him. These ladies were not cougars at all. Not even close. My brother is 25 and they were well into hitting 40, which is completely fine, but please leave my brother alone.

That wasn't even the most disturbing part. (I'm having flashbacks.) Many of the BF's friends have never met my family, however, they didn't fail to mention to me that my BF looks like my brother who in turn looks my dad because they are twins.

Random friend: "Oh my god, your brother and boyfriend look like they could brothers."
Me: Rolling my eyes, "Ok, no they don't, not at all. Look at them."
Random friend: "Sorry, but they look like they could be brothers."

They don't look alike, they really don't. First off, the BF is 4 inches shorter than my dad and brother. My BF is Italian and Ukrainian and my dad and brother are Polish, Hungarian and Croatian. The only common thread is that they all have good hair and blue eyes. (There I said it, you all have good hair.)

To finally put this to rest, I'm throwing up a picture of all of us from last night so you can make the call.

Do they or do they not look-a-like?

because I love a good contest

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:17:00 +0000

While you guys are bored at work tomorrow or scanning your blogs through Google reader, do you feel like casting a vote? How about a vote for me?

(Insert shameless plug here.)

About a month ago, Metromix contacted me for this sweetest day contest for Cleveland's most interesting couples.

Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. My first thought was "If I'm put up against LeBron and his baby mama, I don't have a chance in hell in winning my spa treatment."

I checked with the BF to make sure he didn't have any objections. I think he might've said, "Well, what is the prize?" Once I shared some of the prizes with him, he was in and said he "needed to approve all content" that I sent in.

Here's what else we can win.

"The winning couple, based on your votes, will receive a romantic prize package that includes dinner for two at Fahrenheit, an overnight stay at Kalahari Resort and a "beyond com-pair" spa package courtesy of Charles Scott."

So, when you are bored tomorrow or for the next two weeks, please vote once, twice or 45 times to put us at the top of the list because I'm dying for a free spa day.

for the love of vampires

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:01:00 +0000

Because my newest obsession are hot, mythical vampires who are eternally 17-year-olds, the BF and I are going to Salem for Halloween.

Yes, you've read it here first.

I've always, always, always wanted to go to Salem and the Boston area in the fall. It is my absolute most favorite season in Cleveland. Most importantly, I've never been to Massachusetts and what better time than on Halloween since it falls on a Saturday this year.

We will have three full days to see all that is Boston, but Saturday will be taken up by a day trip to Salem to see all the historical sites and probably some kick ass Halloween parades, too.

Salem has a Trolley Haunted Pub Crawl, several different Halloween bashes and countless outdoor festivals.

In Boston, I want to go to:
Sam Adam's Brewery
A duck tour
Aquarium
Maybe take a look at Fenway park
Skywalk Observatory
Maybe a sightseeing walk or two
Davis Square for coffee

If you've ever been there, please send me an tips of places to eat, drink or visit, too.

Friday Flashback Fodder

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:08:00 +0000

I think I'm going to mix up my Friday Fodder with a Friday Flashback. I'm going to feature all those really good but bad songs and videos that we all used to love. (Or maybe I just loved them.)

I'm starting it off with none other than Mr. Bobby Brown. After watching his Behind the Music yesterday, I recalled my love for "Every Little Step" you take.

How can you not love spandex with suspenders and suit jackets with your name on it?

Classic 80's style.

Rhino ride

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Over the weekend, the BF and I went out to the country to an end of the summer party with his friends. I was told to bring a change of clothes in case we got muddy.

Muddy? What would be doing to get muddy besides playing cornhole and drinking?

This is what we were going to do.

We were going to go through the trails on this Rhino, a Yamaha Rhino to be exact.

In retrospect, I wish I would've stolen the keys from my boyfriend and taken it for a spin first. I lasted a whopping 15 minutes in the woods. I know this because I tweeted before and right after I got back. Alive. And in one piece. It wasn't so much as it was scary but the fact that the BF was intentionally trying to flip or get me muddy in the Rhino. He was flying around the trees and I kept getting hit by branches that were swinging at my face. Then, there is "the hill" that he kept flying up and I thought we were going to nose dive into the ground.

The trails weren't exactly "worn in" and there were a few "hills" to navigate back there. And by hills, I mean enormous mounds with a steep slope where I almost fell out of the Rhino - thank you for the seat belt.

Before you watch the video, I'm advising you to turn your volume wwaaaaaayyy down because not only am I yelling, I'm also cussing because the BF was trying to go through the mud. It wasn't a little puddle either. It was basically a 5x5 foot area and neither of us were sure of its depth. (I didn't want to come covered back to the house in mud. I'll all for a good mudding, but I didn't want to do it just then.)

Just a friendly warning....

Must be a slow day

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:46:00 +0000

You know it's a slow news day when:

The public cares if Kevin Federline loses weight on a TV show.

People has not one story but two stories on the youngest and most idiotic Kardashian sister

Tyra Banks likes to be naked and admits this on to Larry King. Maybe he's running out of guests. Who is next? Khloe Kardashian?

Jessica Simpson's dog gets taken by a coyote. My only question is: if you saw the dog get taken, do you really think a reward will work? I mean, did you really think the coyote would halt from eating the dog because you posted a reward?

Football season has started

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:17:00 +0000

Situation:
An all day of drinking and eating at Panini’s during last Sunday’s Browns game

Result:
Passed out in one of the most uncomfortable positions I can think of.

Waving at you from the west coast

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:08:00 +0000

Within the last year, I’ve started to travel a lot more for work. I was able to travel to some interesting events, read bull riding, for work. It was pretty cool because I would otherwise never have gone to see a Professional Bull Rider event.

Here is a list of the places I’ve been.

Los Angeles
Tallahassee
Oklahoma City
Houston
Denver
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
New York City
Los Angeles

Now that I have some travel under my belt, I’m pretty efficient when I go through security. I try not to be on my phone and have my boarding pass ready with ID. I’m even mastering the art of going through security without causing too much commotion. I have my system down. With my carry-on bag, I have all my 3 oz liquids in its own compartment, pull out my laptop and throw up my shoes and I’m ready to go through.

This isn’t the case with everyone. I can’t even imagine what that’s like going through security with kids because that is a whole other ball game. They look so darling with their little backpacks and pillows but you know that’s a security guards nightmare to have to go through each little Barbie bag, toy by toy.

But what kills me is the people who have clearly traveled many times before but still don’t understand the concept of the metal detector or security in general, like removing shoes.

“You mean, I have to take off my shoes?”

No, you, my dear, will receive special treatment and don’t have to remove your shoes. Of COURSE you have to take off your shoes.

This isn’t a new concept, it’s been around for years along with the metal detector.

It will detect METAL. In case that wasn’t clear enough by the name of the device.

So take off your belt, just to be safe.
Remove all change from your pockets, money clips and bracelets. Oh, and jackets, too.
Anything that you think will set it off, remove it and send it through on the belt because others behind you will appreciate the gesture.

Luckily, my security trip was relatively effortless this time around and I don’t have any good stories to share, mostly because no one was in line when I went through.

What do you find funny about people when traveling?

Where are all the good designers?

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:13:00 +0000

Oh my Saturday. Do you know what I spent a good portion of Saturday doing?

Dress shopping.

Just not any dress shopping but bridesmaid dress shopping.

My friends and I were prepared - the four of us- to try on some really good and bad dresses. It was all in celebration for my friend, Michelle, who is getting married next September. She enlisted the help of three of us to trek all over the Cleveland area to try on dress after dress.

Do you know how many hideous dresses there are out there? I mean, ugly ass dresses that make 27 dresses look like a couture Vera Wang dress. And you know that women are buying these ugly options and making their poor friends wear these. Not everyone wants to be covered in oodles of taffeta or frumpy silhouettes.

Between three stores, we found a few options but mostly all agreed on two, which was quickly narrowed down to one winning dress.

A few options

We didn't like these either

Supposedly this one could be shortened

We are getting closer and ta dah! The winning dress is being worn on the left by Michaelene

Although she's not getting it in black but going with an eggplant color, or at least that's where we left it on Saturday night after a few bottles of wine. It very well could change but I think her mind is made up.

And, one of the best parts, I'm in a wedding three weeks before Michelle's and apparently my friend loves the same dress, in the same freaking color! I love my friends for having good taste and freakishly weird timing.

Friday Fodder

confessionsofacohabitant@gmail.com (Allison M.) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:02:00 +0000

Because I find this too funny not to post right away. Even if it's not really technically on Friday, but what is more funny than seeing their boyfriend try to put on a chicken suit in the middle of Target?

You wonder why he was in Target trying on a chicken suit? We only went to get contact solution and cookie dough. I was going to bake cookies and he laughed at me and suggested Toll House cookie dough because it's already prepared - and equally delicious.

We couldn't just pick up those two items and he made me "do a lap" which included the Halloween costumes and the toy aisle.