Really, It's a Guy Movie

Saw The Break-Up last night. It was funny in spots, but infuriating mostly. Gary (Vince Vaughn, who I really like, by the way) basically embodied most every trait that men possess that I hate. It was a very exaggerated role, obviously. But it really pissed me off. What pissed me off more than his attitude was that Brooke (Jen Aniston) wanted to get back with the vulgar, bad-mannered, inconsiderate dipshit.

Cute Pic

With Mitch in Long Island. What can I say? Good genes run in the family. ;-)

I've Been Busy!

. . . So I haven't posted a couple pics from last week.

From Wednesday's book club meeting at Noche: Here's Melissa, enjoying a glass of sangria while we try to listen to Sarah (the blonde in the background) discuss the book over the din.

Thursday night was rockin' at Valentine's thanks to two of my favorite local bands: the Suggestions and Hector on Stilts. Here's Brodeur, being a rock star:

It is Really Scary. . .

. . . how excited I get knowing that a half-pint of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream and an episode of American Idol are both waiting for me when I get home tonight.

Especially since what I need to be doing is not watching TV, but reading, oh, the second half of my book club book for my book club meeting tomorrow. (!)

Charlie's Wedding

Mitch and I went to Freeport, Long Island, this weekend for my Uncle Charlie's wedding. The weekend also doubled as a mini family reunion on my mom's side. I only was able to see four of my 19 cousins, but hopefully we'll be able to orchestrate a larger family reunion soon, maybe in the fall. I did see four out of seven of my mom's siblings though. Here they are:

Here's Darcy, Lisa, Derek, my mom (Carrie) and Charlie.

Their other sister, Elle, is in Italy for the summer (where she already managed to get hit by a Smart car), and one brother, Bucky (a.k.a. Danny) is in London for a Cream concert, and the other brother, Johnny, has been excommunicated from the family. I still don't really get what's going on there, but no one seems to want to go into detail to explain it to me.

Here are the cousins that were in attendance:

Me, Val, Shawn, Renee, and Mitch. Nicole showed up later.

Here's Renee's baby, Kiera:

She's a cutie, alright!

And here is my Uncle Charlie dancing with his bride, Be:

Her dress was beautiful. I'm so glad Charlie finally got married! Yay! Congratulations Charlie and Be!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been raining for like seven or eight days straight. C'mon, people, we do not live in Seattle here. Augh.

Off to Long Island this weekend to attend my uncle Charlie's wedding. He's 60-something and this will be his first marriage. Impressive. It looks like I'll be seeing some of my dozens of cousins on my mom's side who I haven't seen in quite a while, so that'll be interesting.

OK, back to work.

Rant

If I ever become rich and famous--or just rich, or just famous--I will first use my power to extinguish one of my all-time biggest pet peeves. I hate (HATE!) that U.S. international airports (well, probably all U.S. airports--but I'm specifically thinking of JFK, Newark and Logan) charge money to use luggage trollies. This concept is so absurd, it infuriates me. Not because I find that I'm usually in need of a trolly--I only ever travel with a backpack and one rolling piece of luggage--but there are so many people who do need to use trollies, especially after their long-ass, cross-Atlantic flights. Mothers with kids swarming around them, elderly folks who need assistance to even lift their luggage off the belt, students who may have a lot of luggage because they're spending a whole semester in the states, etc. Not only do you need to pay to use the trollies, but you need to pay in American dollars (last time I checked it was $3, and you had to insert the money into the trolly holder to obtain one). A lot of foreign travelers don't consider this (one reason for this is probably because most, if not all, foreign airports I have been to do not charge a cent to use the trollies), and therefore are carrying only euros or whatever their native money is. And, of course, the luggage belts often come before exchange booths in the layout of an airport. Therefore, foreign travelers are often screwed out of being able to use a trolly.

I just think that it's such a callous first impression for us to be giving the rest of the world.

Perennial Event Date

Yup, that's Brodeur. He said that he didn't mean to make a face in this pic, so I guess this is what he looks like normally. Hehee! Anyway, here we are enjoying olives and wine at Elissa Halloran's 5-year anniversary party at Noche.

Thanks to Leif for sending us this pic!


*Note to Michael C., my other--but no less important--perennial event date: As soon as I get a pic of us, I'll post that too. :-) Maybe at the art opening this evening? See you then.

I Did It

I finally officially registered to take the GREs (hello $115 for a test!!!). And I think I had a mini heart attack while doing so. Anyone with math skills, please step forward! I am going to need some serious tutelage.

Love That Guy

There is very little that can make me feel more optimistic about life than John Denver.

Morning Report

Met my Little Sister (and her many brothers and sisters) last night for the first time. I must say, she is aDORable. She's 9, and she likes math and drama. I told her I may need her to tutor me in math so that I might be able to pass my GREs. I can't wait to hang with her, I think this is gonna be a ton of fun for both of us.

Lyric of the Day

"Would you want me if I was gangster?"

--"Gangster" by Paranoid Social Club

For Anyone Who Didn't Catch It

Colbert on Bush. Priceless.

Puppy Love

Took Asa hiking on Sunday. We went to Thacher Park and climbed a couple steep hills, sniffing EVERYthing along the way, and then realized that we were inhaling bugs with every breath (tasty), and therefore we resolved to buy some bugspray before we went on another adventure.

Sit tall, sit proud!

He loves me. Really.

Update

OK, last week I made a date with him for tonight.



And this morning I broke it.


The End.

I Don't Get It

This is part of an online conversation between me and an ex-boyfriend of mine, John. Sometimes guys just don't get it. Then again, sometimes girls just don't get it either.

me: I gave my number to this guy monday night
John: did he call?
me: and he called me an hour later. an HOUR!! that SCREAMS desperate. so of course I didn't call back
John: lol
me: he left a message. but then he called me again last night! and left a message!
John: oh boy
me: but I haven't checked it yet. dude. can this guy take a class in tried and true dating rules?
John: well.. here's the problem. not all of you women are the same. it's not learning how to date... it's learning how to read women
me: um, the whole knowing-when-to-call thing is very simple
John: you have to figure out if they are the type that wants you to call right away or not
me: like not an hour after you get the number. no girl wants to be called that quickly
John: but..
me: see, there were no words exchanged between me and this guy
John: no words! damn KT
me: no
John: maybe he's intrigued and wants to find out what your VOICE sounds like!
me: um no
John: that's so funny
me: he sounded nice on the message tho
John: maybe he is
me: he's like, you're beautiful blah blah
John: I say give him a chance
me: typical
John: and after 2 conversations, if you don't like him.. then cut it off
me: well whether or not I give him a chance will highly depend on what this second message says. the thing is if we had had a nice conversation and then he called me to say, nice to meet you or whatever, that would be different
John: well yeah... see... here's the thing. if you meet a guy and you're REALLY into him. if he calls you right away, it's all good. but if you're questioning it, then he'd better call you like 3 days later
me: well yeah
John: and us men are forced to read that
me: there's no way to tell if I like this guy or not, we did not exchange a single word.
John: so then why would you drop him right away?
me: because HE CALLED right away
John: But how do you know that it's desperation and not that he's overly excited about YOU.
me: because. regardless of how excited you are, if you have any dating skills whatsoever, you still know to NOT CALL THAT NIGHT!
John: common misconception
me: haven't you been listening?

thoughts? Am I being ridiculous?

It's a Match!

I have been in the process of becoming a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Capital Region for a while. On Friday, I was informed that I have been matched with a potential Little Sister. I meet her mother next Wednesday--she must approve of me before I meet the child. I hope she likes me. The girl is 9, and seems like a great kid. I'm excited!