Life As List

No List Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Random Fact:

On the first day of my junior year of high school, Mariah & Jay-Z singing Heartbreaker was the first song I heard on the radio on my way to school.

No List Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:43:00 +0000

New year, new Sanuks.

2013?

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

I get a little annoyed with all of the doomsday talk, BUT just what if the Mayans were right? Should I be living this year any differently from my past years here on earth? Should I:

quit paying attention to speed limit signs?
refuse to pay foreseen speeding tickets?
run up tabs at bars and then bounce without paying?
skip my bi-annual teeth cleaning at the dentist in June?
apply for a bunch of credit cards?
upon being receiving said cards, run up a bunch of debt?
watch as much Jeopardy, Jersey Shore, and Parks and Recreation as possible?
quit my job?
quit saving money?
binge on as much fast food as possible, because who knows if there is a McDonald's in the next life?
quit washing my hands?
read as much as possible?
don't read at all?
diligently go to brunch on Sundays? ... while Sundays still exist
see new places?
stockpile necessities? ... is there a point?
bunker down at home and never leave?

It's A New Day

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:47:00 +0000

As much as I am annoyed by the "best of 201l" lists and of reading people's resolutions, and of seeing things like, "2011 was awesome!!!" "I loved 2011, I married my best friend!!!" "I had a baby in 2011!!!"

Seriously?

... spare me.

BUT, I must admit it is difficult to not to get caught up in the nostalgia of the new year. A new, clean slate; the possibilities of the future; will Leslie Knope win the city council election? ... will any of us survive to see 2013? ... yada, yada, yada.

Thus, my plans for the year I will keep simple:

blog more
read more
... finish reading, The Marriage Plot (I am pretty sure I am the only one who finds it boringly average.)
knit more
save money

... cheers to a new year.

'tis the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:07:00 +0000

“It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season - like all other seasons - is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them, and that’s the end of this particular story.”

- Lemony Snicket, The Lump of Coal

A little ambition never hurt anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:51:00 +0000

fresh from the library.

I have accumulated a stack of books I would like to [start and] finish before 2012 rolls into town:

One Cat's Story

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:59:00 +0000

On the morning of September 16, Delmar was hit by a car. I took him to the vet hospital where they were able to save him, and save his severely damaged left hind leg.

September 17th, the morning after the accident.

Over the course of the past two months he has made a miraculous recovery, and it has been nothing short of magnificent to be able to witness it first hand. A timeline of his recovery includes:

Friday, 16 September: morning of accident
emergency vet hospital closed ... does not open until noon. seriously?
... seriously.
luckily, VCA Boulevard Animal Hospital is open
Del is evaluated.
Del has severely damaged left hind leg, bruised lungs, a broken rib, and a split lip that requires stitches.
Del has surgery on leg, and receives breathing treatments.
Monday, 19 September: Delmar is cleared to come home
rests & recovers in a kennel
... manages to kick cast off
... cast was supposed to stay on for four days
refuses to take medicine, 2 antibiotics & pain pills
envision a cat version of this
sleeps constantly
- unable to walk
- crawls to food & water and litter box
- eats laying down
... when awake, picks at stitches and staples in leg
... it is determined that Delmar is the worst patient, ever
Tuesday, 20 September - Wednesday, 9 November:
recovers and gets stronger every day
wakes up every morning at 4.30am to eat, and then goes back to sleep
has several check ups at the vet

is a total ham around strangers
sits tall like meerkat when people acknowledge him
... also purrs

attempts to break out of kennel
... constantly
eats cat treats
... constantly
gains 2 pounds
... seriously.
Wednesday, 9 November: has minor surgery on leg to repair a damaged bone
... also has one toe amputated
recovers from surgery swimmingly
is able to walk, run, and jump

Delmar is now living the high life, eating, sleeping, and lounging all hours of the day and night. I joke that I did not realize I even liked him until his accident happened. --- which is actually not a joke at all. Somehow he has managed to carve out a place in my (at times) grinch-like heart.

To read his whole story, check out Del's GiveForward page ... and if you are feeling generous, throw this fella a buck or two ... 'tis the season. Plus, who can resist this face?

April 2010, the day we adopted Del.

My family and I are very grateful to have Delmar with us this holiday season. We are also thankful for the care and treatment he has received from the staff at VCA Boulevard Animal Hospital. And finally, thanks to RedRover for their Emergency Relief Grant which helped fund Delmar's surgery.

New York, NY

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:36:00 +0000

Some friends of mine went up to New York for the weekend. As a result, I contracted New York envy ... I worked through it, and fired off a list of my favorite touristy things to see in NY during the holidays.

Bryant Park - 1 block away from the NYPL, used to be the home of Fashion Week, nice to walk around, lots of boutiques, huge ice skating rink, fun to stop and watch people looking foolish trying to ice skate.
St. Patrick's Cathedral - pretty sure it's the biggest Catholic church I've ever seen, super old & fancy, worth walking by even if you're not Catholic
30 Rock/ Rockefeller Center stuff - worth seeing; NBC Gift Shop has lots of cool stuff, fun to make fun of fools trying to ice skate.
Saks Fifth Ave. Snowflakes Show - I'm not sure if it's up & running this year yet, BUT they cover the entire side of the building with huge faux snowflakes, and then they light up in conjunction with christmas music ... super cool ... if you don't see it, you should YouTube it.
Central Park - touristy, but definitely worth checking out; I recommend going full tourist and doing a carriage ride.
Strand Book Store - in Greenwich Village, awesome!
Jefferson Market Library - near Greenwich Village & Strand ... super old & historical, used to be a court house. I wanted to see Jefferson Market Library the last time I visited NY but they were renovating it, and it was covered in scaffolding (see below). ... go figure.

Jefferson Market Library, recieving a facelift.

Charmin Bathrooms - moves every year, but somewhere near Times Square (possibly at 142 W 42nd St. (between Avenue Of The Americas & Broadway)). it's the amusement park of public bathrooms ... free, fun, overwhelming, and the cleanest public bathrooms I've ever seen & used ... and if there's a line, it moves really fast. once again, touristy, but awesome.

Full Disclosure:

If I was being totally honest, I would have also included:

Brown Building, NYU - site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
Teddy Roosevelt Birthplace

Coldplay as List

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:48:00 +0000

I have a love hate relationship with Coldplay.

The Hates:

Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow are too good to be true ... just wait.
Chris is just plain weird ... and he dresses funny.
Chris is too accessorized; too many bracelets, layers of clothing, and patches.
Yellow is one of the most obnoxious songs I have ever heard.
I have no desire to see a Coldplay concert.

The Loves:

I love A Rush of Blood to the Head

it always reminds me of my first year of college, because I listened to it constantly

I love that Don't Panic is on the Garden State soundtrack

when I went to Italy in 2005 I was listening to the Garden State soundtrack on the plane, while I am quite certain that every single other person was sleeping, and I was wide awake
for whatever reason, it is such a pleasant memory, listening to my iPod and grimmacing at my roommate who was fast asleep

I love Mylo Xyloto
... it's a very redeemable album, because I was not a huge fan of X&Y and Viva La Vida
it also contains good song after good song
... my top choices include:

Charlie Brown
Us Against the World
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
... plus the single Paradise is decent

Pictorial List Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:04:00 +0000

It is not that I dislike animals ... I just consider myself indifferent towards them. However, that didn't stop me from dog sitting over the summer.

This is Charlie:

I didn't want him to think we were friends, so I called him 'Charles.'

This is Charles trying to get my attention:

This is him being unable to get my attention, so he sat next to me and played coy:

Trying to act like he is watching tv, while really attempting to get between my book & me:

This is Charles resorting to the tactic of looking pathetic:

When all else failed, the best he could do was plop his dopey face on my lap:

mission accomplished

After my experience with Charles, I still do not consider myself a dog person ... but I do consider him a dog friend.

RE: I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:49:00 +0000

I'll admit it, I have been known to watch a few episodes of I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant. ... and by 'a few,' I mean more like 8. Each episode features 2 separate tales, albeit almost every one follows the same format:

gal unknowingly becomes pregnant
time passes, and then:
go to bathroom
severe back pain
go to bathroom
possibly constipated
thoughts of possible kidney/ appendix issues
go to bathroom
pain gets worse
reach down
feel goopy baby between legs
panic
go to hospital
OR
poop baby out in toilet
(can you imagine coming into the world via being squirted into a toilet!?)
baby is born
new mother admits to smoking and drinking throughout pregnancy
panics about health of baby
baby is always healthy
... every show ends with new mother saying, "in hindsight there were definitely signs that I was pregnant"

Why am I fascinated by this?

Bookaholic Confessions

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:11:00 +0000

During September I suffered a reading lull.
As much as I gripe about the fall/ winter, I do think it provides excellent reading weather.
I am currently stalled with Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I would not call it terrible, but I am pretty sure I am the only person who is not in love with it. And that Oskar kid? Ugh, I do not find him endearing at all; more-so I find myself wanting to kick him in the face.
I recently finished Tina Fey's Bossypants ... while I enjoyed it, I found it slightly unsettling that ol' Tina dropped the f- bomb ... more than a few times.
While I find it cliche when people say, "I love the smell of library books" I do like the sound/ crackle that the covers make when being shuffled about.
I am a big fan of reading the acknowledgements.

October, Ugh

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:47:00 +0000

So it's October, and I am not happy about it. This is the beginning of the end. I have said before that I am a warm weather bird, and I mean it ... I find myself wishing I could head south for the winter. Summer has been over for 5 minutes, and I am already missing:

the weather ... I will settle for hot & humid over cold & windy any day
sunlight ... the days are already substantially shorter than they were weeks ago, gross
maintaing a tan, see above
the beach, see above
reading at the beach
grilling
baseball season
spending lots of time outside
pleasant bike riding weather
not bundling up before going outside ... not that we are quite there yet, but we will be soon enough
summer music, you know what I am saying, some tunes just sound better during the summer
happy trees, happy plants, flowers

... so maybe I am being a Debbie Downer about this whole autumn thing ... but you know, nothing compliments a bad mood and self pity quite like a dull brisk day.

Morning Pains

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Story of my life:

unexpectedly woke up at 5.00 AM
choked on air
(is that even possible?)
coughed
caught breath
acquired the hiccups
(not only do I loathe the hiccups for their inherent obnoxiousness, I believe they also cause a fit of anxiety for me ... I am a nervous, jittery, annoyed, mess until they're gone.)
took deep breath
(... did not choke)
got some water
attempted to consume water
choked on water
... seriously.
coughed until my eyes watered
caught my breath
... at some point during the drinking/ choking/ coughing the hiccups ceased
resumed regular breathing pattern
... thank goodness.

Life is a Roller Coaster

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:55:00 +0000

I jinxed myself last week. I was on the phone with a friend and I said something to the extent of, "2011 is just a bust, nothing horrible has happened, but I'm just ready for it to be over."

Careful what you wish for, kids.

Long story short, my parents were out of town over the weekend and I was greeted Friday morning by the family cat showing up at the house with a very mangled leg as a result from a run in with a car.

Not how I was planning on spending the weekend.

What started out as a very grim situation has turned into a long, slow recovery. The cat (Del) is at home now, with stitches, staples, and antibiotics, along with boatloads of vet bills.

... but he is resting, and healing.

Danger: Angry Pants

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:17:00 +0000

Lately, I have been getting annoyed by the following:

people who scrape/ drag the fork through their teeth while eating ... that noise drives me bananas.
Al Roker ... gross.
people who confuse "your/ you're" ... I'm lookin' at you, all you morons on Twitter and Facebook.
Old Navy commercials
Steelers fans
Cowboys fans
mosquitos ... ever since Irene came through, there have been bunches and bunches of mosquitos swarming about, ugh.
people who take forever to decide on a movie at Redbox.
the fact that the summer is over.

11 September

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:59:00 +0000

Bryant Park's 9/11 tribute.

2,753 empty chairs.

So many chairs ... so many people.

No List Friday/ Hurricane Irene pt. 3

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:13:00 +0000

Some shots of Irene during & after the storm:

Hurricane Irene pt. 2

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:06:00 +0000

Thursday, 25 August 2011:

Saturday, 27 August 2011:

Hurricane Irene

Monday, 29 August 2011:

boardwalk & bike path littered with sand from the storm

Hurricane Irene pt. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:09:00 +0000

I dealt with hurricane Irene in Newport News, VA. This is how I spent Saturday after losing power around noon:

took the trash out
found D size batteries
found radio
found radio was compatible with C size batteries
found only 1 C size battery
found another radio
cranked up Hot 100.5
looked for food
settled on iced tea and Raisinettes
shared Raisinettes with cat
contemplated rationing food for survival
read September issue of Real Simple
did 500 crunches
shared more candy with cat
got bored
ventured out to check out the storm from the Lion's Bridge:

returned home
did 500 crunches
consumed 2 Crown Royal & ginger ale cocktails (sans ice)
watched Due Date on battery powered MacBook
did 4 x 1 minute planks
hated every minute
consumed another Crown & ginger
brushed teeth
went to sleep

Observations at the Park

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:38:00 +0000

I was attempting to read a book, but was distracted by the various people crossing my path, like:

old woman, walking small, chubby dog
fit guy wearing a weight vest, walking with chubby child
young couple with dog
2 women with strollers
2 babies in strollers
chubby couple walking
older man jogging with 3 teen boys
lady jogging
RE: lady jogging ... now lady walking
guy with large tattoo on leg walking while carrying a hat
barefoot guy in tie-dye t-shirt walking with older couple (parents?), chatting about finding a job
girl & guy on bikes ... girl enjoys referring to herself in the 3rd person
... Natalie, loud, chatty bike rider
older couple walking, both with headphones, ignoring/ tuning out each other

No List Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:10:00 +0000

This is how I spent Tuesday afternoon:

The Quotable Jersey Shore

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:02:00 +0000

If you're not watching Jersey Shore, you're missing out on gems like these from last night's episode (chronologically):

"I get lost in a paper bag." -Snooki
"I'm supposed to wear glasses, but I don't because they make me look ugly." -Snooki
"Wine for me is like a legit cup of coffee in Italy." -Snooki
"... nice smile, straight teeth, perfecto." -Deena
"He actually speaks well English." -Deena
"Now it's time to get drunk." -Snooki
"I'm committed now, so now I party in a different way." -Snooki
"twinning" -Pauly D.
"How do you say easy girl? ... I'm not that." -Deena
"Dad, I'll call you back after Mike tries to get his booty call." -Snooki
"First of all, I'm not doing sex." -Deena
"Why are they here right now? ... it's daytime." -Snooki
"Mike never takes girls out on dates, especially during the daytime." -Vinny
"Look how romantical that is." -Sammi
"Ronnie and Sam are back together, and we've just set ourselves months & months of progress back." -Vinny
Sammi: "We're taking it slow." Snooki: "So, slow sex?"
"The girls are enjoying themselves for once." -Pauly D.
"Alright, she's a virgin, and the other one is a big whore." -Snooki
"When you're drunk sometimes you kiss girls." -Deena
"It was supposed to be a menage-a-twin." -The Situation
"That's weird though ... she just jumps from bed to bed." -Deena
"The truth will set you free, Snooki." -The Situation

Recently ...

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:46:00 +0000

Liz has been _________.

restless
lookin' for swagger
a hermit
neglecting Life As List
watching too much tv
rollin' with the punches

Time Keeps on Tickin'

noreply@blogger.com (Liz) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Without a doubt I my favorite seasons are spring and summer. This, however, is how my mind is currently functioning:

today is July 24th
we are approaching the end of July
the end of July is basically mid August
August may as well be autumn
great, it's almost winter
I hate hate hate cold weather
gross

... I believe I need to work on living in the present.