How Appropriate...

I Am

The Chef is

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

My Favorite Muppet is PISSED!!!

I just spoke with the original Scooter, and he is really PO'ed that his good name is being raked across the coals by this Libby character. I understand his frustration, but I am actually enjoying the fact that Bush's presidency is going down in flames: Miers dropping out, the death toll in Iraq rising above 2000, Rove's impending indictment, etc. It is just too bad that he can't run again, because I would love to see him lose.

Libby indicted in CIA leak probe, resigns a few minutes later

My Day Just Got Brighter...

I admit that it is pathetic that another person's misfortune brings me so much joy, but as you all know, I loathe Star Jones, so this news brightened my day. She spends so much time talking about herself on The View, but I wonder if she even let her co-hosts broach the subject of her hubby's arrest. Bitch didn't even visit him when he was in custody for 12 hours!

Star Jones' Husband Arrested
October 26, 2005
Wall Street banker AL REYNOLDS, husband of "The View" co-host STAR JONES, was arrested just before 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning in Manhattan, NY for allegedly driving with a suspended licence.

Police said they pulled Reynolds over because he was changing lanes without signaling, then later discovered his license status.

According to the New York Post, he then spent over 12 hours detained at Manhattan's 19th Precinct stationhouse, due to a faulty fingerpri[n]ting machine. He was issued a desk-appearance ticket.

Star reportedly never did pay a visit to her husband while in custody.

Reynolds married Jones in [an obnoxious wedding in] November of 2004 at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City.

#1: What is he doing out at 3 a.m. without his wife? (He was probably at a gay bar.)

#2: What could possibly be wrong with the finger printing machine?? The way I see it: Finger + ink + paper = fingerprints.

#3: Why wouldn't the former DA (his wife) have run over there and lawyered him up?? (Because he was out at a gay bar.)

It May As Well Still Be Raining...

I am so sick of thinking "Things can't possibly get any worse." Not true. Things can always get worse, and lately they have. Since I try my best to be a glass-half-full type of gal, I am hopeful that tomorrow will be at least a wee bit better. Until then...

Filming Now in Cleveland Park...

If you hurry up, you just might catch a glimpse of Nicole Kidman as she films The Visiting in Cleveland Park today! The movie, set for release next year, is about a Washington psychiatrist (Kidman) who discovers some alien epidemic. We learned of this project last week when we were instructed that our cars would be towed if we were parked along Connecticut, Sedgwick, or Tilden today. Ah, Hollywood...

All the Chicks I Shagged Before I Knocked Up Your Mom...

Last month, I discussed Monday night TV. Kitchen Confidential never really caught me, but since it comes on after Arrested Development, I would watch it or have it on in the background while I blogged or cooked dinner in the other room. Lately, the MLB playoffs have been bumping all regular shows on Fox, and since neither the Indians nor the Nationals are part of the action, I have been channel surfing the past couple o' Mondays. Twice now, I have watched How I Met Your Mother on CBS at 8:30. This is the scoop:

Narrated through flashbacks from the future, How I Met Your Mother is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he met and fell in love with the woman he eventually married. The shows usually begin and end with an off-camera Ted telling his teenaged son & daughter stories about his life "back in the day." His quest for true love all starts when Ted's best friend, Marshall (Jason Segal), drops the bombshell that he's going to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Lily (Buffy's and American Pie's Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realizes that he had better get a move on if he too hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is Barney (former Dr. Doogie Howser, Neil Patrick Harris), a friend with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he's sure it's love at first sight, but destiny may have something else in store.

It never would have occurred to me to watch this show, but I have been more than pleasantly surprised--it is really funny and apropos to my life in many ways. Barney even intersperses conversations with "Yeah, I was writing about that on my blog..." Turns out, the character actually has a blog, which is a good read. If you're home on a Monday, give it a shot!

Eeee--vile

Raw evil score: 26.67%

What kind of evil are you?

The Newest MOT

We all know that the trend to become Jewish started with me. Madonna and Kabbalah*? All me! (And it just spiraled from there to Demi and Ashton, Mick Jagger, David Beckham, and a few others who asked to remain nameless.) Well, the newest MOT (Member of the Tribe) is the other half of yesterday's dumb-and-dumber, Nicole Richie! She is considering converting to Judaism for her fiance, Adam Goldstein (DJ AM). She is also considering having her tats removed since they are "frowned upon" by Judaism (only within the very observant sects, though).

I actually like Nicole Richie. I like how she started dating Adam when he was really fat and not-so-cute (I don't think that makes her heroic, I just think it shows that she's more human than her shallow cohort). They are now a really hot couple, and I think they will make it (check back in about 2 1/2 years).

So, what is it about this whole trend with Kabbalah? Kabbalah (which comes from a Hebrew word that means "reception") is mystical teachings that deal with the ideas of creation and concepts of a spiritual nature. *Kaballah is not a religious practice, per se, so Nicole's conversion is much more official and requires a huge amount of studying and dedication.

...and the award for worst etiquette of the week goes to...

(drumroll please....) Paris Hilton!!

Paris has auctioned off her $4.8 million engagement ring from her ex-fiance Paris Latsis for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, according to the Daily Star. The winning bidder got a bargain for the ring at less than half the price Latsis paid for it.

OK, ladies, there are rules (and laws, actually), and here they are:

**If an engagement breaks off, the ring goes back to the guy (assuming he bought
it to begin with).
**If ya get married and then split up, the ring stays with the girl.

Although it is a nice gesture to donate the funds, it isn't her ring! I am sure Paris L. is mighty pissed at Paris H. right about now...

Needless to Say...

I Quit!

I know that in order to quit anything, I have to want to do it. Well, I am only part-way there, but I am gonna quit anyway because it is better for my health, it will save me money, and it means a whole hell of a lot to The Chef/Master Carpenter. Since I love the hell outta him, and I am sick of waking up with my pores reeking of nicotine, I decided it is time. Although I am mainly "just" a "social smoker," it has gotten to the point where I rarely go a day without at least one cigarette. When I was in high school and college, I was a regular smoker, sometimes at the point of a pack a day. I've successfully quit before (I guess not so "successfully" if I went back to it after a few years, huh?), so I know I can do it again. A lot of my friends smoke, so it will be hard when I'm with them, or when I am drinking, but not everything can be easy. I am posting this so that I am accountable, and I am asking my friends to help me out when I am with them (don't let me bum off of ya!). Listen, this is about me; I am not judging others for smoking, I am not advocating the DC smoking ban (so back off, RCR), and I will still be smoking other things...

Tagged

So you know I rarely do these, but I was bored...

1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what's the first thing you look at?
>>My eyebrows, and then I tweeze them like an obsessive compulsive freak

2. How much money do you have on you?
>>I probably have $20 to my name

3. What's the first word that comes to mind that rhymes with "TEST?"
>>Best

4. Favorite plant?
>>Jade

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
>> The CPMC Senator

6. What is your main ring tone on your phone?
>>Just a ring--sounds like an old phone

7. What shirt are you wearing?
>>An old shirt from Hudson Trail Outfitters that I wear to bed--it has a tiny pic of a little girl screaming and says "roar" under it (yep, I am still in my PJs)

8. Do you "label" yourself?
>>Uh, whatcha mean?

9. The brand of shoes you're currently wearing?
>>None, my feet are naked. Last night I wore Via Spiga (but not that ugly ass pair they have on their main page!! Jesus!!)

10. Bright or Dark Room?
>>Right now, medium...

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
>>She's a crazy, horny, good girl.

12. Ever "spilled the beans?"
>>Of course

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
>>I was leaving the CPMC gig at Cleveland Park Bar & Grill

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say?
>>"just at home working"

15. Do you ever click on "Pop Ups?"
>>Nuh-uh

16. What's a saying that you say a lot?
>>"That's wicked retah-ded."

17. Who told you they loved you last?
>>The CPMC Chef/Master Carpenter

18. Last person you hooked up with?
>>Again, The CPMC Chef/Master Carpenter

19. Last furry thing you touched?
>>Again, The CPMC Chef/Master Carpenter

20. How many drugs have you done in the past 3 days?
>>Two

21. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed?
>>One, I think it is Mini-Chef's.

22. Favorite age you have been so far?
>>Hmmm...one?

23. Your worst enemy?
>>The job market

24. What is your current desktop picture?
>>The poster from "Walk the Line," the Johnny Cash movie starring Joaquin Phoenix.

25. What was the last thing you said to someone?
>>"Love ya" as The CPMC Chef/Master Carpenter was leaving for the woodshop this morning.

26. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to change a major regret?
>>Duh. Didn't you read above that I have 20 bucks to my name??

27. Are you in love with someone?
>>Yes, indeed, I am...

Do You Really Wanna Hurt Me?

So, here and now, I am admitting to the whole (blogging) world that when I was 12 and 13 (around 1983-84), I was in love with Boy George. There, I said it. I know that this was major foreshadowing into my future as a big fag hag, so no need to point that out! My BFF in junior high school, Mandy, and I would go over to her house after school and watch MTV (my parents still don’t have cable). Karma Chameleon was on heavy rotation and I would literally kiss the screen every time Boy George came on (Mandy was hot for Jon Moss).

On my 13th birthday, I went to see Culture Club with Mandy as my guest; besides trips with the whole family to see Peter, Paul & Mary, this was my very first concert. As a favor, my oldest brother agreed to chaperone us so that we wouldn’t have to be embarrassed by going to the concert with my parents (no comments from the peanut gallery telling me that going to a Culture Club concert was embarrassing enough). Being that he was a huge Police, Kinks, Clash, and Joe Jackson fan, Steven was a good sport--he even did the white man’s overbite during Karma Chameleon.

Ah, but all of this is just leading up to what happened to The Boy today. The Artist Fomerly Known As The Chef and I were at Spices when this story came across the news scroll. Kinda makes me wanna check over my entire apartment before calling the police to report a robbery:

Thirteen bags of cocaine were allegedly found in Boy George's New York home when he was arrested, papers released by Manhattan's district attorney show.

The singer was charged with possession of drugs on Friday and faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.

His lawyer, Lou Freeman, previously said a "small amount" of drugs was found at Boy George's apartment. Mr Freeman said the star, who must attend a Manhattan court in December, did not know who owned the cocaine.

"He's a very social person. He has a lot of people over to his apartment," Mr Freeman added.

'Sizeable amount'

Boy George, whose real name is George O'Dowd, called police on Friday to report a burglary. Officers allegedly found drugs next to a computer in his apartment.

Substances found in the 13 plastic bags weighed more than one-eighth of an ounce (3.5g) in total, the legal papers stated.

"That is a sizeable amount of drugs," said Maggie Gandasegui from Manhattan's Special Narcotics Prosecutors office.

O'Dowd, 44, faces one charge of drug possession and a charge of falsely reporting an incident. He returned to London on Sunday following his release.

After attaining global success as a member of pop group Culture Club, Boy George became addicted to heroin but kicked the habit to become a solo artist and DJ.

His autobiographical musical Taboo became a hit in London but closed after less than three months on Broadway.

You have the freak flag... you just don't fly it.

I just saw a preview for the movie The Family Stone, which is from the producers of Sideways and stars Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, SJP, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson, Durmot Mulroney, and Craig T. Nelson (who I have loved since Poltergeist). It premieres November 11th and looks cute, especially with such a great cast. Check out the trailer...

Sunday's Wine Tour

As Chase already detailed so well in her post "Wine, Wine Everywhere," we went Sunday on a tour of three Loudon County vineyards. There is nothing I can add to her great post except to say:


Thank you, Chase, for a wonderful day! You're a great friend!!
Oh, and I posted some more of the photos from our lovely day on my other blog. Enjoy!


(I took this photo at Hillsbourough Vineyards.)

If He Can Do It...

...so can I. Lookin' good, Jackie! And all that improvement sans the coke! Rock on, buddy.

My legs and knees are still sore from Monday's mini-run (45 minutes) through the off-road trails in the Melvin Hazen Tributary of Rock Creek Park, and I feel a bit o' burn from the free weights I've been doing all week. I will push through the pain today when I hit the trails again before work. Why is it SO friggin' easy to forget how much I really used to enjoy working out? It was like my own private dance party on the elliptical for at least an hour at a time. I LOVED it! If I could get a gym membership, I'd be set. For now, the crappy elliptical I have in the apt (it is archaic compared to the models in the gyms) and the trails will have to do.

A Race to the Thinnest

A year and a half ago, the scale was my best friend. I worked my ass off on a daily basis, maintained for several years my lowest weight since 9th grade, and felt fantastic. Today, notsomuch... Last night, The Artisit Formerly Known as The Chef made me get on the scale, something I haven't done in many months, which is odd since I gladly used to do it every day. (Yeah, it was much easier when I knew I'd be happy with the number!) Anyway, it was worse than I expected. Worse!! I mean, I know my muscle tone is all but gone, and my clothes don't fit, but no one expects the news to be worse than they thought! Erg! So, TAFKAC and I made an agreement to start today on the task of taking better care of ourselves, hense the official dropping on this blog of his "Chef" alias. On the menu instead will be lots of exercise, very healthy eating, and a fierce competition to see who can get to Goal #1 first. If I win: a shopping trip (it has been a long time, so this will be a huge treat). If he wins: a nice dinner at his favorite restaurant (where I will sip water and have a side salad--not!).

So far, at 1:16 p.m. on day 1, I am winning.










P.S. Today is 6 months until I am officially in my mid-30s. Gulp...

Oy, and here I was thinking that *I* am getting old!

Happy 5766 to my friends and family! Oh, and check out this spoof on American Idol.

Tonight, I will be trekking up to my father's congregation in Columbia. Ah, the joys of being a rabbi's daughter. Since I am a cultural, not religious, Jew, Rosh HaShanah (literally "head of the year") and Yom Kippur are the only times of year I go to synagogue. This is the time of year when Jews traditionally make resolutions for the upcoming year, so I just realized that I'm gonna have to come up with some things ASAP. Help!

The Day the Closet Door Flew Wide Open

I think it is safe to say that Renée has her annulment in the bag.