"H.B." A and B

Tonight we celebrated the birthdays of Allison and Bethany. We had some Round Table Pizza and went bowling.

Bethany, Zack and I have a weekly Wii Bowling bet...loser buys Starbucks.
I have never lost...not once.
Tonight, we decided to make it a real-life bowling competition.
I lost. By about 50 points each game.
I'm sticking to Wii bowling.

I took a few pictures before we got yelled at over the intercom.
Evidently, you are not allowed to take flash photography while the leagues are playing.

This is Caleb...
Caleb brought his own bowling shoes...

I Love Learning

NYSE vs. NASDAQ
--I still can't figure out what makes them different. Do you know? Can you help me?
(Not that I will ever need to know...or even really care, but I feel like it can't hurt for me to know this.)

2010
--We had a debate at work today about how this year will be pronounced...turns out, no one is totally sure yet.
Here are the options:

Two thousand (and) ten
Twenty hundred (and) ten
Twenty-ten

And they think that twenty-ten will end up being the commonly-used pronunciation.
Yikes...which will you use?

Customer Service Morning

This morning, I had to get gas. I hate starting my morning with errands!
I pulled in to the gas station (on Oso, since I've been house/kid-sitting)...and had to parallel park in to the center pump...no big deal.

The man, who I assume was the manager, compliments my parallel parking ability saying most people would have been afraid of that spot and waited for an open pump. He then says, "I'm offering free full-service to anyone who's interested."

I am absolutely interested in not having to touch the dirty gas pump, yes.
So, he pumped my gas, washed my windshield and then gave me a $2-off car wash coupon.
He introduced himself, and called me by name...Yeah, Brian and I are friends now.

Then, I get to Starbucks and the guy says, "Hey Allison. How are you?" and writes my cup without asking me what I want. The girl asks, "When will your hair be totally blonde? I can't wait to see it!" This stuff makes me want to always go to this Starbucks...I like that they know my name and a little about me...seriously, third place Starbucks...way to go.

I love good customer service. Love it.

Remember When I Owned a Hairbrush?

Today, Hillary skipped school and we went to the beach...(obviously, I left my hairbrush at home.) After a lot of convincing, she went in to the water with me. Then, 3 minutes later, she freaked out because there was a seal about 40 feet from us (Isn't that crazy?!) We named her Heidi (get it?) and stood on the beach watching for her to pop her head out...the people on the beach said she swam right past us (which just meant that Hillary was done hanging in the water...bummer.)

We sat on the beach, I read a book and Hillary read some magazines. Then, she shared that she would like to have a metal detector...and that she would like it to say "sicky, gnar, gnar" when it finds something. (Believe me, I judge her for this, too).

We had some lunch at Albertacos...and then made another stop at Starbucks...
I'm only a tiny bit burned...

What a great Monday.

Jacoby And Myers*

Ridiculous things said to me in the last few days:

• I really want a metal detector. I've wanted one since I was young. (Hillary)
• You should have Miley Cyrus on your iPod, it would keep you fresh. (Taylor)
• I wish I could turn down the volume on you. (Lily)
• You say 'of course' a lot. (Josh)

*Note about the title: until I was about 17, I thought this was one man's name: Jacobian Myers.

Kenya, Kenya, Kenya

Have you read my Kenya blog?

Check it out, here.

Evidently, I Look Like a Girl Who Loves Henna Tattoos

This morning at Starbucks, the man behind me in line asked what my tattoo says.
I told him, "Hosanna."
His response: "Oh, so it's going to come off?"
I said, "No, it's real. It's on there."
Then the guy behind the counter said, "Hosanna...what does that mean? We say that in church."
So I explained it to them.
The Starbucks employee nodded and the man behind me said, "Oh. I'll have a large coffee."

Clearly this man knows nothing about tattoos, Hebrew, etiquette, or ordering at Starbucks.

Double-Finger Scroll

I just got a MacBook...which would explain the mass amounts of PhotoBooth, right?

At first, I was prejudice against the double-finger scroll, but I have to admit, I love its guts now.

Seriously, way to go Apple.

98 Degrees and Rising?

Yesterday, the gauge in my car said 96 degrees. Today: 98.
Today was Alanna's bridal shower at the park...Even in thin sundresses and sandals, and we were all melting, but still having a good time.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the beach. I am really excited.
According to weather.com, it should be about 88 and the water is supposed to be almost 70...
Not too shabby.

An Open-Ended Letter To Mr. Johnny Depp

I often forget how much I enjoy your films, until I happen to catch one on TV.
I love Edward Scissorhands...that's what I'm watching now (as I write, not as you read).

I just looked at your filmography. You have made some excellent career choices. You have played a wide-range of characters and have played them all very well. In the last six months I've watched seven of your movies: Edward Scissorhands, Blow, Benny and Joon, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3, Sweeney Todd, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I think I have enjoyed every movie I have seen you in (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would be the exception, but that was not because of you).

All this to say, you may have been moved up on my list of favorites.
I think, up to now, you would have been over-looked...
But, no longer.

My Parents Are Pretty Great

I spent pieces of the last few days putting together some packages to send to my friends in London...I'm hoping to ship them on Monday (I'm still looking for a few things.)

Today, I was thinking about when I lived in London and my parents would send me packages every-other-week. It was such a great day, to come home from school and have a giant envelope of gifts.

Magazines and DVDs. Every two weeks. Not just movies...TV on DVD.

This was pre-TV on DVD as we know it today...my parents bought a Tivo to DVD-burner and my dad would record the shows that I loved to send me: Friends, ER, Smallville, 7th Heaven...

The girls that I hung around with would come down to my room, we'd rearrange furniture and watch back-to-back shows.

I have such fun memories from those nights...well, from London over-all.
I love that place...

Some Late Night Photo-Boothing

Stupid ABC Family

Friday Night.

Father of the Bride Parts 1 and 2.

Tears.

Stupid, stupid weddings and babies and dads and flashbacks and love...
Evidently, even "Edited for Television" makes me cry...

Really?

It's weird to say, "I saw that!" to a yawning stranger in the grocery store.

It's also weird to stop and explain to that awkward stranger why you are so tired.
Especially when your reason includes some sort of medical issue.

Seriously.

Did They Go To The Zoo?

"prawlley"

I drives me crazy when people say "prawlley" instead of probably.

I've said it at least three times this week...and have been super embarrassed every time.
Feel free to mock if you ever hear me pronounce it this way.

Giggle Words

I'm sitting next to Hillary while she's working on her Biology homework.
They are learning about the reproductive system.

So far, she's read about four paragraphs out loud...we've giggled at:
prostate
urethra
and about ten other words that I'm too embarrassed to even include on a blog read by students and my mother...

Did you know there are lizards (C. uniparens) that can be both male and female?
I didn't know that...but I did Google it...and it's true.
In case you thought the textbook was lying.

See You There.

So many people I totally love...all on stage in one night...
Showcasing their talent, enjoying the company of one another.
I was really excited to see this promo card yesterday.
I really could not be more proud of these students...so I can't wait.
I think you should try to be there, too...

I'll be the one in the back with tears in my eyes...

Are You K.K.Kidding Me?

Bethany and I went to Target during our lunch break today...
We had a decent shopping list: some personal stuff, some work stuff, some gifts for friends that live in London...you know, the usual.

I had to buy some letter Ks for work. We have three services, so I bought three.

The woman at the check-out says (in a serious, slightly-distressed tone), "Are you going to write KKK with these?"

Really Target employee?

You think I came to Target to purchase 3 pink, animal-painted letter Ks...so that I could go home and finish the details on my child's "white supremacy"-themed room?

And, if I had said yes...what would you have done?

My Mom Is The Cutest

So, I called my mom tonight to tell her about my Kenya support.
Then, we got to talking about my new computer (if I could link to the future, this would be a link).

I said, "I put a bunch of photo booth pictures on my myspace."

My mom says, "Your myspace is blocked, so I can't look at them."

I said, "You have to friend request me...then you can see them."

So, here's what I find about twenty minutes later:
She's cute, right?

Maybe She's Born With It...

Today I made the first jump back to blonde...

So...it's red(ish).

With a big blonde patch on top.

It will be great...in the end...it's just not, yet.

People Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Best Friend...

I have been searching for Be(st) Fri(ends) necklaces for months...
Today, we found them at The Buffalo Exchange.
(I can't wear clothes from the Buffalo Exchange because I am afraid someone died in them and I will die too...anyone? Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark)

I know we are so lame...but I really, really like them.
P.S. I kinda wish Big Black was my best friend, but Bethany's worth settling for.
Oh, she posted about this too.

If I Were 6Ft Tall

This is what I would wear...
I love it. (Minus the shoes)

Nobody Walks In LA

I really want to live in a walking city.
I have this weekend off, so I decided to walk to Starbucks for breakfast this morning.

I love walking.
I love getting dressed, grabbing keys and walking somewhere.

I love to see strangers walking too...and smile...and wonder where they are coming from or headed to.

It's so much more fun than driving a car.
Don't get me wrong: I love to listen to my iPod...sing really loud...get places quickly.
But I think I'd be cool with public transportation, headphones, travel time.

Someday...I want to live someplace huge...like New York or London.
Maybe not forever, but for a time.

You can come visit...we'll take a walk.

Did You Know? #5

Did you know...

I subscribe to 101 blogs.
Every time I sign-in to Google Reader, I scan to see who's posted.
And then decide which I'm most excited about and save that one to read last.

Ugh...Why?

This was my dad's response to my new tattoo.
He also says it looks like it was burned on.
And rolled his eyes at the mention of the Old Testament.

Hilarious.
I love when people don't know how to respond.

Photo Booth's Your Boyfriend

These are two of my favorite people in the whole-wide-world.
Can you guess why?

Oh, You Know, I Got a Tattoo

Katie and I spent the afternoon at Sid's, making friends, singing old TV theme songs with the staff, talking, laughing...oh, and getting tattoos.

Here's Katie's:
It says surrender
Here's mine:
It says Hosanna.
Turns out, Wikipedia had the wrong Hebrew letters...
Lucky for me, Rob (our tattoo artist) noticed that the curves were incorrect, so he looked it up in the Strong's Concordance and found the correct translation.

So...I now have three tattoos...and I am already ready to make an appointment for my next.

Raise Your Hand If You're Getting A Tattoo Today!

Did You Know? #4

Did you know...

I turn the television volume all the way down before I turn it off...
That way, when I turn it back on, the volume will not be too loud.

Learn About It

There's an episode of some TV show in which the main character is jealous of a woman who is dating her old boyfriend. Then, she receives a card from her that says, "Sorry I couldn't be their"...and the last line of the episode is something-along-the-lines of, "Why should I be jealous of her? She's an idiot!"

Lately, I've noticed how many people confuse these homonyms:
Too, To, Their, There, They're, You're, Your

It drives me crazy...
And, in my arrogance, it makes me feel so good about myself.

I Want To Marry This Guy...

Or at least a guy that will dress like this in 40-ish years.

Did You Know? #3

Did you know...

When I park my car: I shift to park, turn off the air, turn off the radio.
In that order.
Every time.

I Have A Special Affinity For Legos

My friend Josh sent me a link to these Lego recreations of these famous photos.


This one is my favorite:


A Lego recreation of Alfred Eisenstaedt's 1945 photograph "V.J. Day Times Square".
Here's the original picture:
Here's the set-up for the Lego shot:
I think this guy, Balakov, is brilliant.

Did You Know? #2

Did you know:

I always empty the lint trap with the used dryer sheet.
Never with my bare hand. (Sick.)

My PostSecret...

I say that I don't eat 4-legged animals.

I had a bacon cheeseburger for dinner last night.
It was delicious.

Did You Know? #1

In the last few days I've been thinking of all of the ridiculous things that I do...and was thinking maybe they would make an interesting re-curring blog...so, I guess we'll see.

Did You Know...
That I use a morning toothpaste and a night toothpaste?

I have two tubes in my medicine cabinet.
I take them both on vacation (even if it's just for one night).
I can taste a difference, but the ingredients are all the same.
I bought them because I saw a commercial saying you need more dental protection at night...
Evidently, I'm a total sucker.

Feels Like Summer...Wilshire.

Every month or so, I go through a Summer Wilshire phase.
I listen to their six songs, on repeat, for about 72 hours (only when I'm in the car, so not 72 hours straight).

You can judge me all you want.
But I love them.

Guys, if you decide on a reunion tour, I will gladly be your merch girl again.
And, I'll bet Matt Jensen would design that shirt, too.

This is Art.

Seriously.
I don't know this guy, but I know his whole family...and I love his Polaroid photography.
Drew, if you read this, let's be friends...I like you.

Wagamama in California

I wish.
Wagamama is my favorite restaurant in the entire world.
I fell in love with Wagamama in London. They are all over Europe and there are two in Boston.
I bought a cookbook on my last visit...I've been too nervous to actually try any of the recipes (there are so many steps and ingredients!)

So, Wendy borrowed the cookbook, and came to my house last night to try out my favorite meal: Chicken Ramen.

It was definitely tasty!
We each had our roles:
Wendy: Parsley (and all of the preparation)
Kevin: Gyoza
Bethany: Ginger
I cut some onions (scallions?)

Then, we ate...while listening to an assortment of '90's hits.
Kevin's face is ridiculous
See...Wendy made everything!


It was a very delicious meal...followed by some Wii and Apples to Apples...
Thanks again, Kevin and Wendy!

Lego My Block Dock (What a Lame Title)

Around Christmastime I did some online shopping.

One of the items I bought was a Block Dock.

It came in the mail and I forgot about it, until I was cleaning my house last week and found it.

Now, I've been keeping it in my purse and we've been using it everyday in our office.

I love it. I'm amazed at how much volume can be in this little lego...
Buy one...you won't be sorry.

Hosanna In the Highest

I'm fairly certain that this will be my next tattoo.
It's Hebrew for hosanna.
Originally, hosanna was a cry for help. "Save now" or "Please save"
Then, it came to be a grateful cry of praise to the One who heard the plea.

I can't imagine a day in my life that I wouldn't need to say hosanna in one of these two ways.

My Friend Jaime Is Brilliant

This is proof.

I've Got No Strings...

In a few weeks, the Student Ministries staff is headed to a conference in Georgia.
So, I have been researching places to go for meals, as well as some stuff to do in the pre- and post- conference time.

I am probably the worst person they could have asked to help with this.
Here's why:

I love to visit the sites that no one else wants to see.
Why visit the "Places to See Before You Die" locations just because everyone else says they are the "places to see"?

I would rather go to the unloved locations...like when my mom and I went to Miniature World in Victoria.

These are the places I want to visit in Georgia:

• The Center for Puppetry Arts
• Zoo Atlanta
• The Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Turner Field (but only for the Mathematics Tour)

I'm taking an under-the-radar poll at work to see who might be interested in accompanying me...but, I'm going to the Puppetry Center...even if I go alone.

My Friends Moved Away

Yesterday, my four friends moved to London.
Three of them have blogs...yep, Jesse gave in yesterday.

Luke has two

Sam

Jesse

Read about them.
Pray about them.
I will do both.

I Love My Grandpas

But, if I were in the market for a new one, I'd choose this man that I saw on The Sartorialist this morning...




Seriously, he's darling. I bet he could teach me a thing or two about fashion.
No offense, Papa.

I Am Too Insecure To:

1) Really learn fashion

2) Really learn to cook

I want, so badly, to be good at each of these. Yet, in both arenas, I am afraid of failing...and looking stupid...so I choose not to try.

Someday, someday.

For Cereal?*

I was in Target on Sunday and there was an announcement for the Juno soundtrack.
They blah, blahed The Moldy Peaches and blah, blah, blah only at Target...

The part that really stuck out was when the announcer (a very W.A.S.P.y white woman) said (in her best "trying-to-be-cool-but-so-obviously-awkward-mom-voice"):

"It's the shizz, home skillet"

I said, loudly in Target, "Oh, no...No, no."

That is not okay.

*The title 'For cereal' is meant to be awkward, to foreshadow the awkwardness of the post itself...I do not think it is a cool or funny thing to say...

Five Movies I Hope I Never See Again

5. City of Angels
4. Vanilla Sky
3. The Incredibles
2. My Super Ex-Girlfriend
1. Gigli

Ever Heard of Claudia Wells?

She played Jennifer in Back to the Future...only number one.

Do you think she regrets not signing for 2 and 3?

I think I would...

Sorry, Claudia...but I'll bet Elisabeth Shue is grateful for your stupidity...


Note: I just wrote this post and then read on imdb that she could not star in 2 and 3 because her mother was diagnosed with cancer...wow, I'm a jerk. Sorry, Claudia.

7 Bridesmaids For A Wedding Shower

Alanna's getting married...did you know that?