By now, I'm sure you have heard about the WGA strike. If you haven't, well, I'm not sure what lonely island you have been on, but all you have to do is tune in to one of the late night talk shows (Letterman, Leno, Daily Show, etc...) and realize that they have been playing repeats all week long. These are only the first shows to be affected on air by the strike. For many others shows, only half their episodes have been completed and for some, production has been completely shut down.
Check out this great site to get more information on why TV writers are striking: United Hollywood. It's all about the internet and new media. They should get paid for the work they do. Period.
Support the WGA!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Trick or Treat!
Every year, I hope and wish that at least the kids in our building will come by for some candy (good candy, too, if I might add: Snickers, Reese's PB Cups, Mounds, Kit Kats.) But, alas, we had no trick or treaters last night. I mean, I can't really blame them. I would do the same thing they do: leave the apartment complex and drive over to the nice, rich neighborhood to get loads of candy. But still, I miss seeing little kids all dressed up in their cute costumes.
And now, back when Calliope was all little and cute....
Jack & Kitty
And now, back when Calliope was all little and cute....
Calliope & Kitty
Jack & Kitty
Friday, October 26, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
The Table
A few weeks ago, Patrick and I finally finished a 3 year project. We found, that it can really be difficult to stain a table when you don't have a dedicated space to do it, which in turn, made it take so damn long to complete. We needed enough time to sand the wood, condition it, stain it, then let it dry till it wasn't tacky anymore. Otherwise, kitty hairs get stuck in the stain. Not good.
And we had to do all this in front of our apartment door. You know, where the tarantula was from yesterday? I don't think our neighbors liked us too much on staining days.
Also, it seemed like there was a very small window in which we were able to stain the table.
And we had to do all this in front of our apartment door. You know, where the tarantula was from yesterday? I don't think our neighbors liked us too much on staining days.
Also, it seemed like there was a very small window in which we were able to stain the table.
- Can't be too hot, or we would sweat on the table.
- Can't be too humid, or the stuff would never dry.
- Can't be too cold, or our hands would freeze up (but like it really gets that cold in Austin.)
- Can't be out of town.
- Can't work on it inside, or the furry animals would have a race on it.
Overhead of Finished Table
Closeup of Finished Table
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Creepy Crawly
Today has been my day for all things creepy crawly.
Early this morning, I opened my front door to leave for work and saw this in the hallway, about 4 feet from my front door:
We've seen a couple of tarantulas around the apartment complex over the past week, but none on the third floor! I know that these are not poisonous and are pretty beneficial to have around as they love to eat roaches and scorpions, but man do they freak me out!
Background: while playing with my cousin's pet tarantula, it bit me and I ended up accidentally killing it after jerking my hand around to get it off of me.
This evening, as I was getting dinner ready, imagine my surprise as I cut open a bell pepper and saw this:
And in case it's hard to see, he decided to make more of an appearance.
Early this morning, I opened my front door to leave for work and saw this in the hallway, about 4 feet from my front door:
We've seen a couple of tarantulas around the apartment complex over the past week, but none on the third floor! I know that these are not poisonous and are pretty beneficial to have around as they love to eat roaches and scorpions, but man do they freak me out!
Background: while playing with my cousin's pet tarantula, it bit me and I ended up accidentally killing it after jerking my hand around to get it off of me.
This evening, as I was getting dinner ready, imagine my surprise as I cut open a bell pepper and saw this:
And in case it's hard to see, he decided to make more of an appearance.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Is Fall Here?
Right now it is currently 71 degrees here in Austin, Texas. This is the second day in a row where I have walked outside and felt a bit chilled. I love this weather! Actually, yesterday was even better because it wasn't overcast but gorgeous outside. It's so nice walking out to my car and not sweating!
Now, can we please just put away the Christmas decorations and enjoy fall first?
Monday, October 15, 2007
Next on...
George Sr.: I don't think the Home Builders Organization is going to be supporting us.
Michael: Yeah, the HBO's not gonna want us. What do we do now?
George Sr.: Well, I think it's Showtime. I think we have to put on a show during dinner."
Also when the Narrator blatantly says, "Now that's a clearcut situation with a promise of comedy. Tell your friends."
I feel bad that I didn't watch this show when it was on, that I didn't get a chance to support a show that is so much better than anything else that has been on network TV. So, since I missed the boat on this one, are there any other groundbreakingly good TV shows out there right now? We already watch The Office - well, I watch as Patrick nervously paces in the kitchen.
Anything new? Old? What series should we Netflix next?
Monday, October 08, 2007
Famous!
The back of our heads are famous!! Way earlier this year when we were still in need of coats, Patrick, Tracy and I went out to see Frank Warren talk about his PostSecret blog and books.
Friday, October 05, 2007
How It All Started
Eight years ago today, Patrick pulled me aside in a 1942 house on Peck Avenue and spoke those words that I will forever remember as bringing us together: "Would you like to go see a movie?" He later told me that after much contemplation and thought of how to go about asking me out, all the plans and clever words went out the window at the last moment.
The movie would have to be put off till the following week, as I was heading up to attend the TX/ou game in Dallas that weekend. And he was going up to Dallas as well, but to see one of his best friends sing. I stayed with a bunch of friends Friday night and went to the game the next day, where he picked me up and promptly told me that I stunk. I had just spent the better part of 3-4 hours in the heat surrounded by other sweaty Texas fans, what do you expect??
We didn't end up seeing Mike sing that night. We got lost and finally showed up right as they were walking out of the building. I couldn't have even imagined that night that almost 8 years later, his friend whom I just met, would be singing at our wedding reception.
I mentioned to Patrick that I was going to be meeting my parents for brunch the next morning, so I'd need to go get my car from my friend's house fairly early. He responded, "Oh, I get to meet your parents?" So, only 4 days after he asked me to the movies, Patrick and I ate blueberry pancakes with my parents and my very talkative sister who probably helped relieve any anxiety or nervousness of meeting my parents for the first time. All a little unorthodox, but hey, we got it out of the way.
So, here we are: two Austinites who have been together for eight years, married for two, living with two neurotic cats in a "little place near Lake Travis," as Patrick likes to put it.
Happy Eight Years Honey!
The movie would have to be put off till the following week, as I was heading up to attend the TX/ou game in Dallas that weekend. And he was going up to Dallas as well, but to see one of his best friends sing. I stayed with a bunch of friends Friday night and went to the game the next day, where he picked me up and promptly told me that I stunk. I had just spent the better part of 3-4 hours in the heat surrounded by other sweaty Texas fans, what do you expect??
We didn't end up seeing Mike sing that night. We got lost and finally showed up right as they were walking out of the building. I couldn't have even imagined that night that almost 8 years later, his friend whom I just met, would be singing at our wedding reception.
I mentioned to Patrick that I was going to be meeting my parents for brunch the next morning, so I'd need to go get my car from my friend's house fairly early. He responded, "Oh, I get to meet your parents?" So, only 4 days after he asked me to the movies, Patrick and I ate blueberry pancakes with my parents and my very talkative sister who probably helped relieve any anxiety or nervousness of meeting my parents for the first time. All a little unorthodox, but hey, we got it out of the way.
So, here we are: two Austinites who have been together for eight years, married for two, living with two neurotic cats in a "little place near Lake Travis," as Patrick likes to put it.
Happy Eight Years Honey!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Blessed
Just three weeks before our second anniversary, we repeated the Catholic Marriage Rite after Father Samuel and had our rings prayed over and blessed.
Back in June, we found out that in order to be Godparents in the Catholic Church(technically I would be a "Christian Witness"), we would have to have our marriage be convalidated since we were married outside the Catholic Church at my home church in Arlington.
Patrick and I with the parents
After a lot of back in forth between a few Catholic churches, staff at the churches, a priest and a deacon, Patrick and I found ourselves on September 1st, joined by Patrick's parents and my parents at a beautiful church out in Lakeway so that our marriage could be convalidated in the Catholic Church.
A quote Nancy found that seemed fitting for our niece.
All photos courtesy of Portfolio Studio aka Paul Knudsen aka my dad.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Live at the Lake
We hopped up onto a half-wall overlooking the three infinity pools that blend into Lake Travis. Expensive cheap beers in hand and people watching. Laughing at the young drunk girls that keep slapping older men on the bums and stumbling into people because their not paying attention to where their feet are taking them.
The couple next to us has their 4 month old girl with them and are talking to another couple with their baby boy. The little girl seems so tiny, so tiny for four months. My niece seemed so much bigger than her, even at two months. I hope we do these things when we have kids, Patrick says we have to. We will have to get out of the house with the kids if we want to stay sane.
Waiting for the music to start, we stroll into some of the surrounding pools. Patrick teases me because I'm not fond of treading water in the deep end. We feel we could get used to this: Lakeway Resort pools, overlooking Lake Travis, with good music playing into the night. We go back to our perch on the wall for a bit and joke about the women decked out in way too much makeup and non-appropriate dresses for the poolside. Some of the music starts but it's no one I've heard of.
Finally, Bob starts to play, but he's doing a mellow set and only by the time we're ready to leave he starts to pick it up. We stay for a few more songs, then get out of there before all the drunk people leave and we decide we'll catch him at Antone's or Saxon another time. On our way home, a fire truck blares past us followed by an ambulance. Thank God we left when we did.
The couple next to us has their 4 month old girl with them and are talking to another couple with their baby boy. The little girl seems so tiny, so tiny for four months. My niece seemed so much bigger than her, even at two months. I hope we do these things when we have kids, Patrick says we have to. We will have to get out of the house with the kids if we want to stay sane.
Waiting for the music to start, we stroll into some of the surrounding pools. Patrick teases me because I'm not fond of treading water in the deep end. We feel we could get used to this: Lakeway Resort pools, overlooking Lake Travis, with good music playing into the night. We go back to our perch on the wall for a bit and joke about the women decked out in way too much makeup and non-appropriate dresses for the poolside. Some of the music starts but it's no one I've heard of.
Finally, Bob starts to play, but he's doing a mellow set and only by the time we're ready to leave he starts to pick it up. We stay for a few more songs, then get out of there before all the drunk people leave and we decide we'll catch him at Antone's or Saxon another time. On our way home, a fire truck blares past us followed by an ambulance. Thank God we left when we did.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
I wish I may, I wish I might...
A couple of weekends ago, Patrick and I took a late night drive just to the outskirts of town to get away from city lights, which for us is about 20 minutes. A friend had tipped us off to the meteor shower happening that weekend and since we are the 8-5, Monday through Friday work-type-people, we decided to check it out Saturday night but had to miss the big show on Sunday. We brought a couple of beach towels and laid down in the back of his truck on the side of Pale Face Road. Every once in awhile we saw something out of the corner of our eyes shoot across the sky, but nothing really bright in the center of our view. It was already pretty late (at least for us) and we still had to drive back. Patrick said, "Ok, give me one good one so we can go home!"
Nothing.
Couple of crazies just staring at the sk- "WHOA! Did you see that???" I was so shocked that I stood up pointing towards the streak of light.
It went so far and was so bright, that it left a trail which led to where it landed out in Marble Falls.
We used to be able to see these meteor showers right outside of our apartment, either sitting at the pool or just by walking down to our car. But now that there is a Walmart just down the street, we can barely see the major constellations. I don't even want to imagine how far we'll have to drive to see the stars when our kids are old enough to recognize the big dipper.
Nothing.
Couple of crazies just staring at the sk- "WHOA! Did you see that???" I was so shocked that I stood up pointing towards the streak of light.
It went so far and was so bright, that it left a trail which led to where it landed out in Marble Falls.
We used to be able to see these meteor showers right outside of our apartment, either sitting at the pool or just by walking down to our car. But now that there is a Walmart just down the street, we can barely see the major constellations. I don't even want to imagine how far we'll have to drive to see the stars when our kids are old enough to recognize the big dipper.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Take-out
I'm not sure what the change was, but all of a sudden, Patrick and I have been eating more and more Asian food. He is finding that he likes and actually craves certain things and I'm not going to complain. Recently, we've been having Pei Wei about once a week and occasionally, I'll find a take-out container in the top of the trash can or a fortune cookie wrapper accidentally left out, only to find out he had Chinese food without me. For a girl who, for years (can you believe we've been together for 8?!), begged him to join me for some chicken lo mein or pad thai and after repeated turn downs, accepted that the only time I would get my Chinese fix was without him.
Not too long ago, on one of our Pei Wei take-out nights, we opened our fortune cookies and found this:
Besides 6 and 49 being on our next Lotto ticket, have any ideas as to what that means?
Not too long ago, on one of our Pei Wei take-out nights, we opened our fortune cookies and found this:
Besides 6 and 49 being on our next Lotto ticket, have any ideas as to what that means?
Monday, July 23, 2007
Still Reading...
On Friday, Patrick accompanied me to the midnight release of the new Harry Potter. He said if anyone asks, he's just going to hold up his left hand and point to the ring. I wasn't planning on staying up all night reading the book or even reading the whole thing over the course of the weekend. I figured since this was the last book of the series and probably the most hyped book ever to be released to date, I wanted to attend one of the midnight parties. We didn't get dressed up or even participate in any of the games (HP bingo) or debates (Snape: Friend or Foe?), we mostly people watched which is one of our favorite things to do in large groups of people we don't know. And with this group of people, like any other fanatical crowd, it was pretty entertaining. Although, by the end of the night, I was ready for an end to the caped kids running around swishing their sound-making-wands and calling out Avada Kedavra to anyone in their way.
So, this weekend, I finished up the last few chapters of my re-read of the Half Blood Prince then started on Deathly Hallows. I'm not even close to being done at this point and part of me wants to take my time reading this one, since I know another will not follow. But on the other hand, I can barely put it down, because as soon as I finish one chapter, I want to find out what happens next and end up staying up till midnight reading.
So, this weekend, I finished up the last few chapters of my re-read of the Half Blood Prince then started on Deathly Hallows. I'm not even close to being done at this point and part of me wants to take my time reading this one, since I know another will not follow. But on the other hand, I can barely put it down, because as soon as I finish one chapter, I want to find out what happens next and end up staying up till midnight reading.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Order - no spoilers here
We decided to take a spur of the moment trek downtown to see the almost sold-out matinee. I never thought we could make it down to South Lamar from Northwest Austin in rush hour traffic within 30 minutes! We bought two of the last seven tickets and then snuck in to a packed theater and had the usher bring a folding chair so that Patrick could actually sit during the film.
Granted, it has been a few years since I've read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but when Patrick and I walked out of the movie theater last night, I felt pretty happy with the adaptation to the screen. Unlike Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry received the broom from Sirius at the end of the movie instead of in the beginning like in the book, the screenwriter for Order of the Phoenix did a great job following the plot of the book. And I was amazed at how some of the scenes in the movie were exactly how I imagined them while reading the book.
I can't wait till this weekend when I'll finally be able to finish this series of books!
Granted, it has been a few years since I've read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but when Patrick and I walked out of the movie theater last night, I felt pretty happy with the adaptation to the screen. Unlike Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry received the broom from Sirius at the end of the movie instead of in the beginning like in the book, the screenwriter for Order of the Phoenix did a great job following the plot of the book. And I was amazed at how some of the scenes in the movie were exactly how I imagined them while reading the book.
I can't wait till this weekend when I'll finally be able to finish this series of books!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
A Soggy Fourth
This is tame compared to how Mansfield Dam looks now with four flood gates open.
I'm glad we hadn't planned on eating on this picnic table.
I'm glad we hadn't planned on eating on this picnic table.
While we were inspecting the flooding, we heard some high pitched screeches and finally a couple of honks. I think the geese might have been a little confused as to why there were trees in the middle of Lake Austin.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Birthday in NYC
Patrick and I spent my birthday weekend in New York feasting on tasty food and hanging out with our sisters and their respective others. We took advantage of as much free stuff as possible and while doing so got to see Dave Attell and a number of other comedians at Comedy Central Park Summerstage and Superchunk at McCaren Park Pool. We even got into the Modern Museum of Art for free!
Since Patrick and I had been to NYC a few times before, we tried to treat this trip as a little more low key than before. We didn't do as many touristy stuff and mostly just wanted to spend time with family and friends and eat and eat and eat. Eat a lot of good food. We didn't get into NYC until about midnight on Thursday night. Luckily Anytime was open and grabbed some amazing sandwiches there. On Friday, we went to eat lunch at Sea (where part of Garden State was shot) and Anna Maria's Pizza (where I ran after Eric when we saw him pass by the window) for a quick slice before the comedy show.
Rachael & Hagan took us all to a little place in the village on my birthday that had unlimited mimosa included with your meal at brunch. I thought I had 3 mimosas. I was later told that I had three full glasses, but they kept topping me off, so who knows how much I actually had. I felt pretty good the rest of the day. And since Rach doesn't want anyone else to find out about this place, it will go unnamed for now.
After stuffing our faces, we strolled over to have a long line greet us at Magnolia Bakery and grabbed up some of their famous cupcakes and banana pudding. Mmmmmmm...
Between Teddy's and Frank on Sunday, I think we did pretty good food wise.
And in between all the eating and walking, we got to have some good times with Rachael, Hagan, Laura, Eric, Sophia, Nancy and Emily. It was nice to just hang out their places and relax for a few days. Watching Dexter, laughing because Patrick and I had so much trouble with those damn metrocards or just cooing at Sophie.
Happy Sophie
I'm sure New Yorkers don't, but I actually miss the subway. I miss not having to drive in traffic and being able to walk everywhere. And if there wasn't so much good food to be eaten, I would probably lose weight if we lived there. It would be so nice to live close to our sisters, the husband/boyfriend, and our new niece. But after hearing Hagan complain about places with no A/C, no dishwashers, high priced everything and waiting with bated breath to get down to Austin, I think I'm happy to just visit. Until next time New York!
Since Patrick and I had been to NYC a few times before, we tried to treat this trip as a little more low key than before. We didn't do as many touristy stuff and mostly just wanted to spend time with family and friends and eat and eat and eat. Eat a lot of good food. We didn't get into NYC until about midnight on Thursday night. Luckily Anytime was open and grabbed some amazing sandwiches there. On Friday, we went to eat lunch at Sea (where part of Garden State was shot) and Anna Maria's Pizza (where I ran after Eric when we saw him pass by the window) for a quick slice before the comedy show.
Sea
Rachael & Hagan took us all to a little place in the village on my birthday that had unlimited mimosa included with your meal at brunch. I thought I had 3 mimosas. I was later told that I had three full glasses, but they kept topping me off, so who knows how much I actually had. I felt pretty good the rest of the day. And since Rach doesn't want anyone else to find out about this place, it will go unnamed for now.
unlimited!
After stuffing our faces, we strolled over to have a long line greet us at Magnolia Bakery and grabbed up some of their famous cupcakes and banana pudding. Mmmmmmm...
Between Teddy's and Frank on Sunday, I think we did pretty good food wise.
Hagan & Rachael (our gracious hosts)
And in between all the eating and walking, we got to have some good times with Rachael, Hagan, Laura, Eric, Sophia, Nancy and Emily. It was nice to just hang out their places and relax for a few days. Watching Dexter, laughing because Patrick and I had so much trouble with those damn metrocards or just cooing at Sophie.
Happy Sophie
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Still on My Mind...
It probably has to do with the fact that Patrick and I have been Netflixing Six Feet Under and Ghost Hunters recently, but it still kind of makes me question my sanity. We had been away at a friend's wedding over Memorial Day weekend and upon coming home, I was putting some clean dishes away. When I opened a drawer to put up one of whisks, I saw a spatula that had been missing for weeks and weeks laying across my drawer organizer. I called to Patrick, celebrating that he had found our wonderful spatula and we can now stir things up to 500 degrees on our stove again! And he looked at me and said "What??"
Yeah, he didn't find it. And I would never put a utensil across an organizer instead of in it, where it belongs! (Just ask Patrick about folding towels, and you'll soon find out how particular I really am.)
So, who or what did this? Chloe? Calliope? Honestly, I just don't think that have that much talent in them. I mean, I love our cats, but Chloe can be kind of an idiot sometimes. What cat do you know who trips over her own feet?
But really, kinda weirded out by that whole experience.
Yeah, he didn't find it. And I would never put a utensil across an organizer instead of in it, where it belongs! (Just ask Patrick about folding towels, and you'll soon find out how particular I really am.)
So, who or what did this? Chloe? Calliope? Honestly, I just don't think that have that much talent in them. I mean, I love our cats, but Chloe can be kind of an idiot sometimes. What cat do you know who trips over her own feet?
But really, kinda weirded out by that whole experience.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Yatta!
Ever since Patrick and I watched The Pursuit of Happyness, we (and when I say "we" I mean Patrick) have been obsessed with solving a Rubik's Cube. It started out with actually trying to find one, because apparently, everyone else who also watched that movie also wanted to try their hands at it. We went to a couple of Targets, Toys 'R Us, and HEBs but everywhere was sold out. We did end up finding a mini one at Toys 'R Us that was on a key chain, but it was a pain to deal with, being so tiny.
With our friends' suggestion of trying the educational toy store, we finally found a full sized Rubik's Cube. The first few days of having it was complete frustration. And then we ended up giving it to a couple of our friends as they headed out on a road trip to move to their new house in Oregon. So, we were cube-less for a little while.
This week while trying to solve the mini Rubik's, and coming really close, it fell apart in Patrick's hands. He tried to put it back together but something wasn't right and there area couple of blocks that are definitely in the wrong place. So I went back to the toy store and thankfully, they still had a couple left. Patrick couldn't put it down.
Yesterday, I came home from work and as soon as I walked in the door, he handed me the Rubik's cube and told me to mess it up more. And then, right there before my eyes, within less than 5 minutes, he solved it!
If you have seen The Pursuit of Happyness and watched any of the extras on the DVD, you've seen someone solve it, seen the speedcubing competitions and even the blindfolded ones, but watching it right in front of you is pretty darn cool. So, yeah, my husband's a genius.
With our friends' suggestion of trying the educational toy store, we finally found a full sized Rubik's Cube. The first few days of having it was complete frustration. And then we ended up giving it to a couple of our friends as they headed out on a road trip to move to their new house in Oregon. So, we were cube-less for a little while.
This week while trying to solve the mini Rubik's, and coming really close, it fell apart in Patrick's hands. He tried to put it back together but something wasn't right and there area couple of blocks that are definitely in the wrong place. So I went back to the toy store and thankfully, they still had a couple left. Patrick couldn't put it down.
Yesterday, I came home from work and as soon as I walked in the door, he handed me the Rubik's cube and told me to mess it up more. And then, right there before my eyes, within less than 5 minutes, he solved it!
If you have seen The Pursuit of Happyness and watched any of the extras on the DVD, you've seen someone solve it, seen the speedcubing competitions and even the blindfolded ones, but watching it right in front of you is pretty darn cool. So, yeah, my husband's a genius.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
