Friends
Dec. 31st, 2009
01:20 pm - B-day Celebration --The Early Edition
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
amymarr and lcmed took me out for an early b-day celebration last night. They asked me a couple of months ago to leave work early on the 30 th, I put it on my calendar…the proceeded not to realize that one of my work progress meetings conflicted…oops. The PM graciously let me skip the meeting so I was off…..to what I had no clue.
I tried not to think about so as not to ruin the surprise. Then I found out that Amy and Carol had a bet on whether or not I’d figure it out. So, I put a little thought into it. I thought perhaps they were going to take me to lunch at Pickity Place…but their last seating is at 2:00 PM and Amy and Carol were planning on leaving 3-3:30PM. Then I thought maybe we’re going to the MOS to see the Harry Potter exhibit and possibly the Laser Queen show….so I looked that up and while the Harry Potter exhibit is there and open, Laser Queen’s next showing was late January. I was still thinking we might do something like that until I asked Amy what I should wear and she said “dressy but not too dressy” “cute shoes”. Then I half-heartedly thought maybe we’ll go play bingo at Foxwoods, but that was more of a lark.
So I left work. Went home and got ready. I wore cute shoes, but not super cute shoes that are tough to walk in because Amy couldn’t tell me how much walking there would be. I was glad by the end of the night that I had not worn the super cute shoes!
Amy picked me up and brought me a coffee from Dunkin and we were off to Carol’s. Carol drove. I figured out my lark was correct about Foxwoods when Carol passed by the Mass Pike exit and headed onto 395…..Why else do you travel 395, but to go to Foxwoods?! ;)
I was surprised to figure out that we were going to Foxwoods. Amy’s not a gambler, but I had mentioned wanting to go play Bingo there. I told them my theory and they told me we weren’t playing Bingo. So I still had no idea what we were doing there. We parked the car. Checked our coats and headed into the Casino, where I proceeded to play penny slots. I gambled a whopping $5 for the night. We had 15 mins before our dinner reservation, which turned out to be at Juniors . A New York restaurant that had Yankee crap all over the walls, but will be forgiven because they make one kick ass reuben and totally to die for strawberry cheese pie. The strawberry cheese pie was a little slice of heaven…OMG, the yumminess of it all!!!!
Then it was back to the casino floor to kill about 30 mins before…well something. I had figured out we were seeing a show, but still had not idea what show. I finished off my $5 from earlier and we headed to the theater…where it wasn’t until I entered the lobby that I realized we were seeing HAIRSPRAY!.
I love HAIRSPRAY! The Jon Waters cult classic with Rikki Lake and Divine was supreme. In fact, I love it so much I own it on DVD!!!!! Then a couple of years ago when the movie based off the musical came out I went to see that and was surprised to find that I liked that as well. It’s like comparing apples and oranges to the original, but it didn’t lose the fun and the playfulness of the original and John Travolta as Mrs. Turnblad was fabulous! So I was pysched!
The musical is very similar to the latest film, but there are definite differences. There were several songs I don’t remember being in the movie. But, the production was very well done.
It was a great night out with the girls!!
Thanks so much Amy and Carol!
![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/pengies/amused.gif){kind=small}
amusedDec. 28th, 2009
10:48 am
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I got married. I went to Europe. I spent Christmas Day away from my mom. Bought a brand-new car. (OK, Nick really did that, but I was there and I contribute, dammit.) Been to Syracuse, NY.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I am quoting my answer from the past few years, which is: I avoid making resolutions on New Year's. I try to make them as I go along. Easier to stick to that way.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Peggy gave birth to the lovely Abigail! And two of Nick's cousins' wives had babies this year. (Well, one is having hers tomorrow, and the other one was born a few months ago.)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Luckily, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Iceland, Ireland, England.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I would really like a new job. I think that is the main thing that I would like in 2010.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 23, because duh, I got married. That was a pretty good day, I guess.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I don't know that I have achieved anything, per se. That sounds depressing but it really isn't. I had bigger things on my mind this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting a new job. I really, really, really want a new job.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a couple of colds now and then but nothing crazy.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets to Europe! Oh and Avenue Q tickets for Nick's birthday. I always knew he would love it!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Nick, Erica, Melissa ...
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few people who I thought I was much closer to than I actually was, and who disappointed me deeply. So, out of my life they go! Who needs that shit?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Wedding-related expenses, for SURE. Also I wound up spending a lot of money on my hair this year. This says a lot from someone who, prior to May 2009, had not had a "real" haircut (read: in a salon) since 2007.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Oh my god, the wedding of course! And also our honeymoon but particularly Iceland. I couldn't believe we actually decided to go there and once we were there I couldn't believe I was actually there! Iceland was so incredible, I will never forget it.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2009?
That Kings of Leon song? I don't know.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Overall, the year was kind of blah with the notable exceptions of the wedding and those of my friends. So I would say I'm the same. The wedding was an unbelievable highlight but the rest of the year, not so much.
ii. thinner or fatter? Can I just delete this question so I don't have to think about it every year?
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I'm really not sure. This year was so busy so I guess I wish I'd done more relaxing! For a long while there we were so busy every weekend that I wasn't getting a chance to relax. But now life is back to normal and I've done plenty recently.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Let work get to me. I know Nick hates it that I can't leave work at work, and I do too. I hate coming home and thinking about and obsessing over my job. It's not worth it.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
For the first time I spent it away from my mother! On Christmas Eve I worked until 5:00 and then Nick and I drove to Pennsylvania to his aunt and uncle's house. On the way, we stopped in Jersey for a traditional Christmas Eve meal of Hooters wings. Nice. Christmas Day we spent with Nick's extended family and it was lovely. The day after Christmas, we drove home and had Christmas with my mom and brother, and it was a great day spent playing the newly acquired DJ Hero and eating a lot of Italian food.
21. How will you be spending New Years Eve?
Just a fancy dinner out with my husband and then on the couch.
22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I fall in love all over again with that guy, I tell you.
23. How many one-night stands?
47.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Amazing Race, How I Met Your Mother, JERSEY SHORE!!!, Glee, Modern Family, The Middle. SNL has had its moments here and there.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, just feel disappointed by people.
26. What was the best book you read?
I reread The Time-Traveler's Wife like, 62 times. It's still the best book evar. Other good books include anything by Jonathan Tropper. I know I've read plenty of others but this is the same syndrome I go through yearly ... I read SO MANY books that I can't keep track of what I read and when I read it. We did have to buy a third bookcase because we (read: I) ran out of room on the first two we bought. Whoops!
27. What were your greatest musical discoveries?
Oh hmm ... I'm not sure.
28. What did you want and get?
I had a really great wedding. I had such an awesome time at my own party, surrounded by all the people I have so much fun with. It was a long process but totally worth it in the end.
29. What did you want and not get?
Uhhhh? A new job I guess.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh man. Well, I just saw 500 Days of Summer and it is still fresh in my mind so I'll go with that. It was really incredible. I also enjoyed An Education. Nick, what else did we see that was good?
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 26. We had a party. There was wine. It was awesome.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It might not have been my best year but I can't say it was dissatisfying ... so I don't know.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Oh man. My fashion is severely suffering at the moment. I can't believe I show up to work in half the crap that I do, it's not very good looking.
34. What kept you sane?
Well, Nick for making me happy and listening to all my crazy. Also Kimberly at work, because without her to vent to I'd be sitting in the bathroom crying half the time. My friends, for being so much fun and for making me feel awesome this year.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmmmmm. I am not sure I had one that deviated any from the usual standbys of John Stamos, Harrison Ford, etc. Nick? Did I?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay marriage.
37. Who did you miss?
Blah.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Cristi! I enjoyed meeting Cristi. Also I met a few people on the innerwebs who I enjoy talking to and have made my days at work a bit more passable.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
In the end, my life is awesome and full of love. I don't know why I lose sight of that sometimes.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I'll make the most of it - I'm an extraordinary machine."