El Pulgarcito

I went to lunch today with some coworkers to check out El Pulgarcito. El Pulgarcito is an El Salvadorean restaurant in Merriam. They are catering a diversity event at work, so we decided to go sample the goods.

I did a little searching online before we left to see if I could scope out the menu & pricing. Nope. I did find a wee little write-up that mentioned that the food was good and the clientele Hispanic.

That's about it.

It didn't mention that a/c was non-existent and that as a 6'1 (today I'm 6'1, blame it on the 4 inch heels) white woman I stood out from the crowd a bit. By a foot perhaps? It was pretty funny. When we walked in the place, and while we bumbled about the menu, the regulars were scoping us out. Not that we weren't staring right back as they had their meals of soup delivered. Soup! That would have brought my temperature to a nice 107 degrees.

I tried out my first Horchata (rice water) which reminded me of the time the entire family called me hysterically laughing from an authentic Mexican restaurant (apparently there was a goat hanging somewhere?? being butchered? already butchered? it was sketchy) they wanted me to not only translate the menu, but explain what the milky looking drink was that K-Daddy got out of the soda fountain. Uh, guys, I lived in Spain, not Mexico or Latin America. I don't know what that crazy shit is or why you ordered it!

Well, I don't know what K-Daddy's thoughts were, but I totally dug the horchata. Tasted like liquid rice pudding - sweet but subtle, cinnamon flavor. Good stuff.

Anyway, I got two pupusas for lunch. One with pork, cheese and beans and the other with cheese and loroco. Loroco is apparently some flower. They were both totally tasty and cheap - $1.95/each. Pupusas are flat tortillas that have filling in the middle. You are supposed to fold them like a taco with this spicy coleslaw stuff in the middle and eat with your hands, but I'm too white (and tall? I dunno) for that to work.

You can check out someone elses pictures here (and a more informed/educated opinion).The restaurant was hopping the entire time we were there. You should check it out. Cheap eats. Good Eats.

El Pulgarcito
5921 Merriam Drive
Merriam, KS

I'm going to go nap now.

Update: had some technical difficulties w/ this post - it's up again.

Bat Girl

Last night I fell asleep on my couch around 8p.m. I woke up again at 9 and decided to go straight to bed, obviously I was tired, why fight it? So I turned off the lights in the living room, the tv, went into my bedroom and turned on my light on my nightstand, and I got in bed to read a bit before going to sleep for good.

Then a bat flew into my room.

Yeah.

I was pretty annoyed at this point that one the night I'm actually in bed before 11:30 a freaking bat decides to fly around my apartment. I wasn't totally shocked though - before I moved into my apartment I was showing Dave and Heather around when suddenly a bird started flying around. It sucked for a couple of reasons - we didn't have a broom or anything to get the bird with, and there aren't overhead lights in the living room, so it was totally dark. Dave was the hero that night, eventually getting the bird out the window. So I guess it wasn't like I hadn't seen this before, even it was two years ago.

I think the big question is where the hell was this thing all night? Carms answer - sucking your blood out of your toes, probably why I was so tired.

So I jump up and make a quick plan to secure the apartment by opening the closet door in the hallway to keep the bat in the living room.

I was steady, I was determined, I knew it would only take minutes.

Then I saw the bat swooping non-stop. And not just that, but flying only about 3 feet off the ground at times, meaning a collision with the bat was guaranteed. And I was freaked. I jump into the bathroom and shut the door.

Stuck.

This is when I realized I was totally alone, no one to call to come save me. And I almost started crying. Just me and the bat.

Then I remembered that the worst thing that could happen is the bat could attack me and give me rabies. Whateva.

So I threw a towel over my head and ran through my living room (closing the bathroom door behind me, I damned good), unlocked the door, threw it open and jumped into the hallway. I pretty much laid down in the hallway holding open my wooden screen door (my apt. is ollllld) and praying the damned thing would fly out. A couple more rounds in the apartment, and out it went.

Into the hallway. hahaha. Hope the neighbors didn't use the front door last night!

Then I went back to bed, thinking about how I was going to wake up in the middle of the night with:
1) bats hanging in my doorway
2) bats sucking my blood
3) Dracula

I figure Dracula isn't that bad of a thing, right? I mean, he's handsome, right?

My life as art.

I found this on PopCandy - a website that turns you into various art forms and also shows what you would like like young, old and drunk. Like we don't know what I look like drunk.

First, the most hilarious one in my opinion. Me, as a caricature of an East Asian. I look like Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Me drunk. Pshaw. Everyone knows it looks like this. As a cartoon... And my favorite. I actually think this one is really cool. It's a Modigliani. And it's me!

My thoughts exactly!

Go Fug Yourself summed up perfectly a problem I've experienced lately. As if navigating new styles isn't treacherous enough on its own at times, recently woman have had the challenge of determining if a shirt is a shirt or if a dress is a shirt or if it's both and I just need leggings or what!?

"We've all had that moment (especially recently, now that shirts are longer and skirts are shorter) when we've been standing in the middle of a store holding an item up to our torso and wondering if it's a dress or a top. And while I often enjoy shopping alone -- it's like my Zen mediation -- that's one of those moments when your Zen is ruined, because you don't have anyone to give you their opinion on the relative skirt-osity of something, and you have to flag down the nearest person who looks like they might know what they're talking about to figure out what exactly it is that you're holding in your hand." - Go Fug Yourself

I've actually started asking the salespeople in stores - yeah, and they don't even know! They also do tricky displays where you can't tell if they just didn't feel like putting jeans on the mannequin or if it's really a dress. Damn it!

GO GO GO!

Ok, so writing about dads yelling at sons over the phone made me search the blog and realize I've deprived you all of a real gem of a Dad story.

Let me set the scene.

I'm in high school, probably between sophomore and junior year. My friend Tisha and I had spent the day at the lake and were taking a nap in the living room. From the bar in the kitchen where the phone is, you really couldn't see us as I was laying down on the sofa and Tisha was in a chair. GDSean is in Atchison for the summer, allegedly mowing the lawns of Dad's ghettos. My dad walks in the back door, slams it, heads straight for the phone. And... scene!

Dad on phone, gets answering machine: "Sean! What the hell is your problem boy? I told you to mow those goddamn yards and you need to do it now! What the hell are you doing up there? Goddammit Sean go mow those yards! What the hell is wrong with you? I want to hear a pop when your head comes out of your ass! GO! GO! GO!!"

Dad slams the phone down. Tisha looks at me. Eyes wide, hands shaking. We don't move. Don't say a word. We wait. He leaves.

I laugh. Tisha looks like she's debating vomiting/crying/laughing.

There are so many beautiful parts of this story - the fact that he wasn't just yelling at GDSean, but actually leaving that on an answering machine, the fact that for years Tisha would yell, "GO GO GO!" at me, but I'd have to say the best part is the display of my dad's creativity when it comes to creating phrases. After all, he's not just telling you that you have your head up your ass, he's telling you that he wants to hear it pop when you finally get your head out of your ass, and from about 200 miles away.

I love my Dad.

And what do crumbs sound like exactly?

In honor of the many teachers and educators in my life (Momma, Tab, Foxes, Jill, and many more) and back to school time, I must share this story.

Around this time in 2005 I was working at Grace, which was a restaurant (for a couple of months) at the corner of Troost and Gregory Blvd. There were a couple good things about working there:
1) seeing my Great Aunt all the time
2) telling people I worked on the corner of Troost
3) the really good dinner specials that I got to eat
4) the felons that I worked with

The felons were probably the most entertaining part of the job. They would ask me out on dates in between bitching about taking their baby momma to her job at McDonalds in the morning, they called the boss Barney Rubble, and generally entertain me. Brendan was the funniest/scariest/biggest felon. I made the mistake of asking what he did there one time. His reply? "washes dishes... WHEN I SHOW UP!"
Hey, at least he was honest.

So anyway, I promise this has something to do with school -

One day Brendan got a call at work from the teacher at his son's school. Turns out his son stole a cookie cake (you know, those cookies that are about 10 inches in diameter) that another student brought to school for their birthday and ate the entire thing. While Brendan was on the phone with the teacher, it went something like this:
"Yes ma'am, of course. Yes ma'am, I would like to speak with him."
Then he got on the phone with his son -
"What the hell is your problem!? Wha? Don't act like you didn't eat that cookie! I know you did! I can hear the cookie crumbs on your mouth over the phone!"

Hilarious.

Awards

The KC Blogosphere is hot with a Blog Schmooze Award being handed out left & right today. The D gave me the award earlier today. I'm supposed to give my acceptance speech and nominate 5 other bloggers. I'm not going to do that. Instead, I'll accept this award using the words of my friend, Kanye.

"Matter of fact, I'm not going to any more awards shows. From now on, I got all the awards I need. I'm only making my (blog) for the fans. ... The streets know, and the fans know ... Don't even nominate my shit. Don't play with me. I don't need awards to validate me."

Thanks, Kanye.

Ha Mom!

A Pg-13 rating? Shit, that ain't nothin'.

Thanks to Chimp for giving me a little help in the "Mom doesn't like me saying the f word" department.

on the DL

I love Dorothy Lynch. Seriously. It's one of my all-time favorite salad dressings. It's so sweet and sugary, what better way to make a salad kick-ass then add a bunch of sugar? Duh! It's totally addictive too.

It's kinda gross how much I use, well, probably gross to some people. Certainly not my friend from college, Jodi, who would make salads with about two slices of lettuce and a cup of DL. It was a little heavier on the soup side than salad.

Anyway, I randomly met the great-nephew of DL at a party in college. I really can't imagine how the hell salad dressing came up, but it did, and he shared the story of how his great-aunt Dorothy made a mean salad dressing. His dad started selling it, but then was drafted and sent to Vietnam. His plan upon return was to make a real go at it selling this dressing, but, alas, good ol' DL sold the recipe. And cheap too. I thought maybe this kid was heir to the DL fortune, but nope! No residuals. How lame, Dorothy.

I think it's convenient that they leave the true sell-out nature of DL out of the corporate history.

I would also like to take time in this little DL post to point out a few things on the company site.
1) "Tastes like you made it yourself" What kind of shitty slogan is that? If it really tasted like I made it myself, I wouldn't want it. I want it to taste like Dorothy made it herself. A better slogan, "Makes salad taste like candy."

2) I know it's an old lady food, but seriously, their recipes are almost as stomach churning as thought that it "tastes like I made it myself."
"Combine with horseradish and cream cheese and use as a spread for crackers"
Ew. No thanks.

So here are my suggestions for consumption:
1) tons on any salad.
2) on cottage cheese, add until cottage cheese becomes pinkish-orange.
3) dip you finger in, lick it off, repeat (liquid candy)
4) grill chicken w/ it - seriously good. Makes candy chicken.
5) you really need more than 4 things to do with a salad dressing? Get over yourself. Just because this is a product of the depression doesn't mean you still have to use it like we're in the depression.

If you don't live in an area that sells DL, don't worry, you can buy in by the case online. I'd recommend the case of 4 one gallon jugs.

Haikus for Amber

Top Model, not you Amber.
But she has the face and hair.
Not small like she looks.

She's crying again.
God bless you God, Amber says.
Amber's tears fall hard.

Amber talks crazy.

What does implication mean?

So stupid it hurts.

Tuesday Haiku

Tuesday, you still suck.

But Big Brother 8 tonight

makes the day better.

Fuh Sho

Seeing this license plate made breaking my own rule about going to the scary gas station worth. Fuh-sho it was worth it.

Fuh-sho.

Lawrence and stuff

I had a pretty fabulous weekend.
I was planning on a super low-key night Friday, but ended up going to Lawrence very last minute with some of my gals. It ended up being a super late night - as I was driving home there was a guy out running... and for exercise too, not just 'cause I'm close to the ghetto. Never good to see on your ride home.

Awww, it's Sarah! And she's all growed up! We only saw each other for about 2 minutes. I spent the two minutes asking her why are you going to Steak N Shake? Why? Melissa and Dave dancing was probably the highlight of the night. Hilarious. I have about 20 more pictures, but really, pictures of people dancing suck.
Dave & Heather - I love them!
The lovely ladies.
The boys, hoping that I will stop taking pictures of them with my flash on. ha! Earlier in the night Oliver & Trav entertained us (in the world's smallest apartment outside of NYC) playing some tunes - check them out here. Very fun listening to them explain some of the songs and people we know that served as inspiration (Biddly Bob). And they're good! Saturday I went out with Carms and some other ladies. GDSean & Nick met up with us for a bit. Here's me & Frannie (aka GDSean). I'm so fun he can't even be in a picture with me without losing it.

The rest of Saturday was f-u-n. Zeros at the Brooksider. And the Brooksider basement. If you've never been, yikes, I don't know where to start. Basically, if you've ever been to a frat party in a skeezie basement, you've been to the Brooksider. We had a good time in a dance off with some silly folk. But more fun was just hanging out and being silly in cabs/fighting over beds with Carm. I'm just pissed I didn't get any pics of us! Damn! Next time, or perhaps even at our BB8 watch party (because BB8 is taking over our lives).

Oh, another good thing about this weekend - being fed by my siblings! Shell called me for an awesome breakfast Sunday (how much do I love being close enough to be at her house in less than 3 minutes, for a free and awesome hangover-mandated meal?) and then dinner with K-Daddy & Em - if you don't like meatloaf it's because you've never had K-Daddy's. Seriously. He grills it. It's intense.

Life

If you've ever wondered what the meaning of life is, or why you're here and what you should be doing with your life, check out Nightmare's post.

Sweet tat

I want tattoo band aids!

Really hydrated.

I think this story from my weekend is the best way to start off the week.

So I came home around 8:45 Sunday morning (whatever! I was at Carms!) and when I opened the back door to go up the steps to my apartment, I noticed...a man... sleeping... on the landing.
Landing is an extremely generous way to describe the top of the stairs - it is only as wide as the stairway and as deep as the doorway. He was curled up in an extremely tight ball, and didn't wake up as I tromped up the stairs. I got about halfway up the staircase and just stood there. I was in shock. I really wanted to dig out my camera and start snapping away, but thought it might not be the best idea. So I finally leaned over him and started unlocking my door. That finally woke him up. And then we had the best conversation ever.

Sleeping Guy: (barely lifts head off floor) Oh, hey, I'm waiting on my friend Ryan (points at my neighbors door).
Me: ok... You... you ok?
SG: Yeah, yeah. (head already back on floor, eyes closed)
Me: You need anything?
SG: No, no, thanks.
Me: You sure? You want some water?
SG: No, I'm really hydrated right now. Thanks.

I'm really hydrated. F'ing hilarious.

I loved how he didn't really move out of the way for me to get in my apartment and how he was totally non-apologetic for randomly sleeping outside my apartment.

Once I knew for sure that he wasn't totally nuts (perhaps dangerous is a better way to describe it) I knew I had to have a picture. I was going to go out the front door, circle round, take a picture from the bottom of the stairs, then circle back to the front, but thankfully Carms brought me back to my senses. I cracked open my door and snapped this photo - the flash woke him up again - he lifted his head and half smiled as I giggled an apology and shut the door again. I checked a few times out my peephole and he slept there for another half-hour or so. I think I need a picture from the bottom of the stairs to give proper perspective on how tight his sleeping quarters were. I realized later while talking to K-Daddy & Em that I was lucky he didn't try to stretch out into my kitchen when I opened my door. It would have been really awkward trying to shove the door shut with a leg in the way.

Boo-yah!

The D might think his color is cool. To that I say, whateva beotch, I'm purple and you are weak! And am I the only one that thinks it's hilarious that Emaw's color is such a sharp contrast to the dark look/feel of his blog? (sorry I don't have time to format this more, there's some text under the crayon, highlight to read)

You are most like: You are Purple
You are vibrant and strong, and often associated with royalty. Your power may cause other a little discomfort at time, but only because they are weaker than you.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

1,884 ounces of beer on the wall...

I'm pretty excited - I just booked my flight to Denver to see GDSean, Megan and go to the Great American Beer Festival! Yessss!

While I'm only planning on attending the Festival one night (tickets are about $45/day), I'm sure I'll still have time to do plenty of damage. A one-ounce sampling glass and unlimited samples are included. That means I can have 1,884 ounces of free(ish) beer. That equals 53.4105016 kilograms. That means nothing to me.

Ok so if...
16 ounces = 1 Pint - wait, who cares about pints??
32 ounces = 1 Quart - still means nothing to me
128 ounces = 1 Gallon - ah ha!

then I have the potential to imbibe a little over 14 gallons of beer.

Sounds totally doable.

And did I mention Dave & Heather will be there? Fab-u-lous.
K-Daddy, go ahead & check my math for me. Thanks.

Suppressing the Vomit Rising in my Throat

I just had something really disgusting and horrible and slightly humiliating happen... and I don't know what to do.

Ok.

I just went to the bathroom - and today I'm wearing a (new) skirt that's flowy and kinda long (for me, he he), it goes about an two inches past my knees.

Let me just say here that as a woman wearing a skirt you are faced with the decision to pull up, or pull down. Depending on the skirt there can be a very right or very very, horribly wrong answer.

Umm, I think I chose the wrong answer.

I pulled down, but it's so light & flowy... I somehow noticed as I started approaching the seat that... part of the skirt was IN THE BOWL.

Oh god...

I had hope though!
Hope it was dry.

And it's totally not.

You can imagine then, what I looked like walking down the hall as I tried to walk in a way that would prevent my skirt from touching the back of my leg.

Pretty much impossible. I'm also quite confident that you could tell I was choking back vomit the entire time I shuffled my ass water skirt down the hall.

Sick.

It actually got worse though.

I thought it was long enough that I'd be able to sit without... feeling it.

Wrong.

So I had to quickly stuff paper towels up my skirt, while in my tiny cube, hoping no one would see.

I just can't wait for someone to come ask me something that would require me getting up & the paper towels falling out.

I'm like a sixth grader that just got her period. This is ridiculous.

I guess the bright side (.... there totally isn't one) is that the water was "clean" (flushed and I hadn't yet gone), you can't see it due to the fabric, and I'm doing laundry tonight.

BUT - I have ass water touching me!!! SICK!

Seriously, I think I just vomited a little in my mouth.

What can I do!?!? Go home due to a toilet issue? I had an accident in the bathroom? OMG, there's no way. I can see it now - I'd be laughing hysterically/awkwardly and the older male boss would be totally freaked.

Damn.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

When I was in Spain I fell in love with flamenco music. It's some of the most emotional and captivating music I've ever heard. Plus, it's gypsy music, that makes it cool automatically.

True flamenco is improvisational - one night in a tiny bar in the cuevas in Granada I witnessed this firsthand as the clapping and yells of "Ole!" from the crowd added to, and even changed the song.

Paco de Lucia is an incredible flamenco guitarist - Cositas Buenas is one of my favorite records, you should check it out.

So what brought on this flamenco love fest?

Rodrigo Y Gabriela. My latest love.

And, ok, I'm pretty embarrassed to admit that I must credit this to... MTV. ugh. Although I'd heard of them before, it wasn't until the 43rd snippet of seeing them play as I fast-forwarded to get to _(fill in the blank with worthless MTV reality show - that I love)_____.

But whatever, just because MTV brought us together doesn't mean I should or could ignore the awesomeness that is Rodrigo Y Gabriela (but damn it! I keep type & instead of Y - annoying).

Just listen to Diablo Rojo if your skeptical.

Quantcast src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-caFB2qWKw6vJs.gif" width=1>


There are parts of the their playing that also sound like a Bodhrán. Just listen. Trust me.
(ok, really trust me and the guy that I heard on MTV point it out. Like I could come up with that shit on my own. Please.)

A new wire hanger

I'm going to wrap up a loose end that K-daddy pointed out before I get too swept away by the book deal that I'm sure to get tomorrow due to the many links I got from Tony and others today.

There's no hiding my fabulosity now.

Anyway, back to the car.

So I explained earlier how anytime you get a car from Dad you have to have the talk. The talk is the explanation of the Malfunction Most Likely to Occur. What I forgot to mention is that the talk also includes, and has always included a mantra from Dad: "You need to check that oil every time you fill up with gas." Why, oh why would you need to do that? Because a Dad car typically uses ridiculous amounts of all liquids - oil, gas, radiator fluid/water, and for good measure windshield wiper fluid (like when Patty tried to fill up the Sunfire and it dumped out in his garage... thanks for trying Pat!).

When K-Daddy was in high school & had to drive us into town, we had a couple of milk cartons and two-liters full of water at all times, and we had to stop at the Andersons every day before driving home to fill back up with water. That car was more gas efficient than water efficient.

I digress - so the other night when Dad told me I needed to make sure to get myself a new wire hanger for the car, you can imagine that I was more than dubious. Couldn't wait to find out what joy was awaiting me.

Then he explained that it was just (yeah, just) to hold down the hood, and the current wire is almost worn out. I should get a new hanger for myself - next time I check the oil, when I fill the car up with gas. I started laughing and Dad reminded me, you need to check that damn oil, Erin!

I couldn't resist asking - Dad, when was the last time you checked the oil?
His sheepish reply?
Never!

Which really makes me wonder why the wire is worn out... I doubt it is. I'm sure it's fine. It can at least wait until I get my dry cleaning back, right?

I wonder what they would say if I pulled into Jiffy Lube and handed them a coat hanger - but I'd have to make sure I got the old one back, isn't that what you do to make sure they don't cheat you on parts?

Ahhh, this has been so fun. Almost makes me want to dive into some great Brother David stories... I think I owe everyone the worst attempted suicide ever story still. Oh man, I love my Dad. He is pretty much the definition of a character. He should have his own blog. I even know what he should call it, True Story - his stories are so crazy he almost always has to lead/conclude with that statement.

True story.

For Sheezie!

Of Montreal is coming back to Lawrence November 18th! Yes!!
It's going to be super freakin' awesome and I can't wait! I'm celebrating now by cranking them.

You can celebrate with me by checking out posts from the last couple of shows.

Note: I like saying for sheezie better than fo' sheezie. Sometimes it's fun to make it so forced/white.

Word to your Momma

I figured since I mentioned it, I should go ahead and share the story of props before I forget. It's short, but beautiful.

A few years ago on family vacation K-daddy, Mom and various others were playing board games. As I remember, but will surely be corrected shortly, K-daddy and Mom were on a team together. K-dad scored major points with some incredibly brilliant word (in scrabble or boggle or something) and was all, "Mom! Give me props!" Mom's (adorable) reply: "I would, but I don't know how!"

Ever since props have been liberally handed out in my family, mostly to/from Mom.

Baptismism

Shell looks a bit drugged, but... eh it's kinda cute at the same time.

I think I must say, being Godmother agrees with me!

And why didn't I get the green memo?!

And Props to Mom on the photo... I really should tell that story some day, eh Mom?

At least this time the clerk didn't shoot back.

Another reason not to go to the gas station by my house. Shell was banned by her husband quite a few months ago due to extreme shadiness. The last time there was an armed robbery the clerk shot at the robber.

Come on mood shift back to good again

Tuesday Haiku

Tonight at Hoopers,

A KC blogger meet up.

Come buy me a drink.

space

A cold one should do.

No, no Miller Light tonight.

Boulevard it is.

Siblings Night

Best kind of night there is.

New Rules, New Car, New Week

So last week was crazy, and I'm still trying to recover from all of it. Totaling your car and dealing with the end of a relationship all in one week. Ugh. I don't really know how to handle all of this, especially in relation to blogging, so I'm trying to figure out my new rules on posting and relationships. Thanks for sticking in there with me.

In other news - I found the best time to go grocery shopping! I went to the Price Chopper in Brookside at 11 on Saturday morning and half the KC fire department was there! Yessss! I openly stared, even knowing that if they didn't have on their fireman uniform that they wouldn't even really be cute. Whateva.

I also got another car from Dad. I don't know what I would do without his endless supply of vehicles. I noticed on Sunday that the car had a Virginia plate in front and a Kansas plate in back. Hmmm. That could lead to quite the inerresting conversation with the po-lice. Of course, I forgot to take it off on Sunday, so this morning I was prying in my dress at it before leaving for work in the morning. I had to basically rip it off, one of the bolts wasn't budging. And of course, the same neighbor that caught me Febreezing the ceiling of the car (of course it smells funny, it's a Dad car) and Febreezing myself unintentionally at the same time caught me bent over yanking a license plate off my car this morning. Whatever, everyone that lives in my apartment if freaking strange, self included.

Anywho, the car is kinda pimp in some strange ways. It really freaked me out when the steering wheel moved on its own when I started/turned off the car. Surprisingly, that wasn't included in the standard conversation of things you need to know about how/when the vehicle will break down/how to escape death and injury in the car. That is a mandatory talk when using a vehicle of Dad's. Seriously. Every time he loans me a car the conversation starts, now Erin, when you're (fill in the blank - could be as simple as driving over 35, starting the car, parking, etc.) you need to make sure you (fill in the blank - carry a 2 liter of soda to put out fires is a popular one, I think I also heard don't go over 30 for one of the cars).

This time I also got a huge lecture from Mom/Dad about the location of the button to open the gas tank. Hilarious. Went something like this:

Mom: You need to show her how to open the gas tank.
Dad: Yeah, it's the damndest thing you've ever seen.
Mom: You'll never find it Erin! It's so hard to find.
Me: I don't think it can be that hard.
Mom: You'll never find it! It's on the door.
Me: I think I'll find it then if it's on the door.
Mom: No, it's so hard to see! You need to show her Mike, it's so hard to find, you won't believe it. It took me forever to find it. It's impossible.
Me: Maybe you guys are just old.
Dad: That damn thing, you wouldn't believe it!
Mom: Erin! You need to go look, go show her! It will take you forever to find it.

Dad walks outside to car to show me the button, I follow, open the door, immediately pushing the button. (then he showed me the trick to opening it if it doesn't latch right, thankfully)

The weekend was good and bad, but the best part would have to be becoming Madeline's godmother. It was a really good service and good time with all the family. I don't have any pictures though, my camera was dead. Sean (godfather) and I haven't quite figured out our plan for godparenting, but I'm sure we will.

There's quite a tangled spiritual web now because we're in charge of Madeline's soul, but Sean was already in charge of my because he was my confirmation sponsor, so I'm a little worried that he might have more play with Maddie's soul because he's over me too - I'm thinking technically he might supercede my power because he has spriritual control over my soul. Blast! (btw, I don't think any of that is how it really works, but it's how Sean & I both approach it - it's kinda like when Bart sold his soul)

What great timing.

Good morning. It'll work itself out. Doesn't it always? :)
God is Love
Rev Run

Break

Things are pretty crazy right now, and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I'm going to take a little break from blogging for a while, except funny stories or links.

Hope you all have a great week.

Wrecked.

I thought I'd show you guys some pictures after the accident. My photography skills apparently don't increase with adrenaline.


This is a great photo because it shows not only the pole on the left that I thought I was going to hit and be killed from, but also the bus approaching is in the lane I was in before I was hit - I traveled quite a ways. Plus it's funny that a party bus stopped to help. The guy was really nice and said he was going to pull over and give us a tow company number, but then just drove off. He could have parked and we could have had an accident party on the bus. Here's the guy's car that hit me. His car looks worse than mine, but who knows. All I do know is I thought he was going to get killed trying to change his tire. Yikes.
And... it's sad. Especially if you have followed my car drama from the start. It was really the inspiration of this blog.

I suppose I've never really explained what happened... here goes -

I was driving north on Holmes in the left lane (it's a four-lane road). The car in front of me had their right turn signal on approaching Bannister Road. Then, as I drove through the intersection, the turned left into me. It was the loudest crunch I've ever heard. Suddenly I was flying around in my car, and ended up across the intersection in on-coming traffic. I thought, as I was flying, that I was going to hit that pole, but somehow didn't. There was a lot that could have happened that didn't, and I am so thankful.

The person that hit me had insurance, and once the police finally (an hour plus later) showed up they gave him a ticket and declared it the other driver's fault.

That hour or hour and a half before the cops showed up sure was interesting... in case you weren't aware, Bannister and Holmes is not exactly the most savory part of town to hang out, especially from 2-4 a.m. Surprisingly though, a lot of people stopped to help and make sure I was ok. I can't tell you how many people pulled over, parked, and ran over to check on me. Actually, I didn't know how many people were in the other car for a while because so many others stopped to help. More surprising were the cars full of white men that heckled me. I couldn't believe it. Who heckles someone in a wreck? I found it interesting that the only people that stopped, and the only people that rolled down their window at the stoplight while they were right next to me (yeah, some people acted like they didn't see me, even though my car was facing the wrong direction in their lane and our driver windows were right next to each other), the only people that stopped and asked if I was ok were young black males; and the only people that were rude were white males. It's just funny to me that you hear studies and examples of how people are automatically afraid or steer clear of young black males, especially in certain situations - then here I am, as vulnerable as I have ever been, and they were the only ones willing to help. Even the cops drove by without stopping to see if we were ok. And that is as both cars are still in the middle of the road, both undriveable, and both drivers wandering about in shock.

Another crazy thing that happened was a hit & run - in the lane next to mine after I got hit. I'm still trying to figure it all out, but I think the car in Bannister going east might have been traveling in the westbound lane (it's a divided 4-lane road), and at the same time the south bound van on Holmes ran the stoplight. So, two people, both doing stuff wrong. The car turned south on Holmes and smashed into the van, but the car did nothing but speed up. The van stopped, but then just kept going, even though their bumper had been knocked off. I'm assuming they were both under the influence of something else.

So it was a crazy-dramatic time, as you can see, but thankfully Sean & Megan showed up at the scene within minutes of my hysterical phone call and waited with me the entire 2 hours. Thank God Megan was there. No offense to Sean, but he acknowledges that she was the real deal too.

Insurance has been quick to respond and hopefully I find out today what the situation (damages) is with my car.

Long story short, I'm lucky as all hell.

Pie makes everything better.

Cutting the bananas.

Mmmm, CoolWhip!
So perfect looking!
First bite!
And it's good!

Thanks to Slice of Pink for the recipe.

Bad luck?

So I total my car last night and now I've busted a fuse in my apartment. The fuse that operates the A/C, of course. This would normally be no big deal, but I live in a really old apartment with glass fuses. Yeah. And I don't have any. Thankfully the repair man should be here in less than an hour, but still, you should totally feel sorry for me. I'm quite pathetic at the moment.

If I get West Nile..

It's because I've been standing outside the last two hours (2-4 a.m.) waiting for the tow truck and the police after some jackass plowed into my car, totaling it.

I'm going to go cry and scratch my bites now.

Thanks Sean and Megan. Thank you thank you thank you.

Yeah! Friday! Woo!

I kinda decided to take a half day today, so I'm outta here in about 5 seconds. Heading to the pool, oh yeah!! Too bad all my pool connections are moving out of state (GDSean) or into houses (Carms!). Gotta soak it up while I can.

Speaking of moving out of state, GDSean and Meggie are moving at the end of August to Colorado, so they're having a going away party Saturday, which I'm totally looking forward to.

Other than that I have some lame crap that I'm looking forward to and you don't care about on the slate for this weekend.

:)

Barack & Roll

I really love this flickr album with shirts seen at Lollapaloza. My favs are Barack & Roll and some of the sassy GBush ones.

And who doesn't love a Chuck shirt?

Link from PopCandy

And Mommy called the Po-po's..

Cnn.com has an amazing video today about a seven year old that chased a robber - It's a must watch. Search for "Seven-year-old chases robber"

Bowlin' bowlin' bowlin'

Here are some pictures from my weekend bowling adventure with Heather, Dave & crew. Dave... Dave loves bowling. Greg, you picture whore! Get out!

It's cool... it's cool...

Tuesday Haiku

Not a long Tuesday.

Promise of fun with Heather,

Gets me through the day

This is why I love Kanye

You know how long I've been on ya?

Since Prince was on Apollonia

Since OJ had Isotoners

-Stronger, Kanye West

Good fortune

Today, be civil, but don't
go out of your way

to be over friendly.

- from my fortune cookie last night

Haiku battles

This weekend was the Good Intent Church Picnic, an annual event at the church by our farm. K-Daddy has been self-appointed family representative at funerals, weddings, reunions and church picnics, but has been a little testy about it lately. He called all of the sibs this weekend trying to guilt us into going to the picnic, then haikued some guilt today. Actually he started guilt haikuing to get us to go, haikued a wrap-up, then haikued some more guilt. Here they are:

With no Good Intent
your days will be turtle free.
More pie for Kevin.

Gooseberry, Apple,
Blueberry, Pecan, Rhubarb.
Leave Cherry for me.

Correction:
k-did said...
...to go,
nobody listened to him.
Turtle race is won.

Got these after the picnic -

Antique Bingo cards
great return on Mom's quarters
B-I-N-G-O!!!!

Family story
begins with a Good Intent.
Ends in apathy

Not to be outdone, Pat brushed off his haikuing skills for "the first since 8th grade":

Lemon Pie was good
But Rhubarb pie is better
I will take them all

And I say:

Who knew K had time
To sit and rhyme all day long
His guilt doesn't work

or...

Kev's Catholic guilt
you 80 year old woman!
it won't work on me.

Oh, and in case you're wondering about the pie & turtle references - there's turtle races and tons and tons of homemade pies by little old ladies.

And k is an 80-year-old lady.
:P

I know this makes me a terrible person but...

When am I going to get the stuff from American Heart Association so I can get my level 2 prize??? I know this is totally shallow & crap, but come on! I worked hard to raise that money and I already picked out the Pilates ball/dvd prize.

I keep getting invites from them to do more fundraisers, but no prize form yet.

cordless

I had some sweet pics to share from my escapes in bowling this weekend, but I don't have my camera cord. Dang. Until tonight!

I had a pretty sweet weekend, with lots that happened.

Modest Mouse really rocked out on Friday, and I had fun even though it was about 99 degrees with 99% humidity. Ew.

Saturday I was lazy and it was delicious! I hit up the lanes with my favoritist couple in the entire world, Dave & Heather. It's pretty awesome to love your best friend's husband (almost!) as much as you love her. I was shockingly bad bowling, I mean, I'm always bad (I peaked in fourth grade PE), but I was reallllly bad - I scored a high of 68. Ouch.

We also headed down to the River Market and had fun times there throwing coasters at each other.

Sunday was amazing if for nothing else then my new FOUR PAIRS OF SHOES!!! WOOT!
That's right folks, I was on fire, and so is my credit history! ha! But look, when you wear a size 11 and there's a sale at Nordstroms, you really can't pass up the shoes. (thanks Shell, I finally took your shoe advice!) I didn't realize until today that all four pairs (two of shoes, two of boots) were the same brand! I seem to have found my shoe sole(hardy har) mate.

I also got some quality time in with GDSean at his pool and watching Upright Citizens Brigade. Fun fun.

Happy Birthday Francis!

Planes

That's plans in Spanish beotch.

Pretty pumped up for Modest Mouse tonight at River Market. I've convinced myself that they are going to rock pretty hard.

Then I was going to hang out with little Kate, but K-daddy is taking her to the Good Intent picnic. Blah!

So I guess I'll go bowling with Heather instead! Yeah!

And some other random stuff. It's going to be good.

Have a good weekend!

Quote it.

"I can only control the future, I can't change the past." - Nicole Richie

I like her twist on a saying we've all heard before.

BB8

Best show on TV, hands down, Big Brother 8. And praise Jesus it's on three nights a week!

Today's soundtrack

SeeqPod Music beta - Playable Search

Do it.

We've all heard about how upcoming presidential debates will feature user-generated questions.

Please take a moment to vote for this very important question regarding Traumatic Brain Injury.

Here's how:
Click this link: "Better Treatment for Soldiers with Traumatic Brain Injury"
Click on Rate It on the bottom right of the video screen
Rate it high (5!) to help increasing the views of the video, and hopefully get it on TV

The many faces of Kate

By request... KATE!