My mind is racing!

Today is November 24, and I always remember this day as the day Freddie Mercury died in 1991. Eric Carr (second drummer for KISS) also died on this day, same year. Don’t ask me why I know this, I just do…I have a weird thing for dates. Maybe it was just that shocking. I was 14, and I loved Queen and KISS.

So this is a two day work week for me, and I can’t seem to get anything done. In my mind, nothing at work is as important as the things I have to do.

• Eat lunch with Chris by the lake (our Monday ritual)
• Pick up two bottles of vodka
• Get something chocolaty in town
• Pick up the dogs' collars at the vet
• Pick up dry cleaning
• Go to the gym
• Have dinner with Chris and his new study buddy (mooch)
• Watch Chuck (!!!!)
• Get to bed at a reasonable hour

I’m thinking I may call in sick tomorrow to take care of all of my errands:

• Do laundry and pack (I’m too busy today)
• Work on some more of my personalized Christmas gifts
• Eat a warm lunch
• Get to bed EARLY

Wednesday we're driving down to Atlanta for Thanksgiving. I’m very excited about all the yummy food and my visit with the extended family. I can’t get enough of my nieces. I always try to think of schemes in which I can legally kidnap one in a way that wouldn’t offend anyone. I keep hearing, “get your own”, but this way is way easier and less painful. Plus, they’re already potty-trained I think.

33 Years of Alex

Today marks 33 years since my brother Alex was born. To mark the occasion, I am compiling a list of 33 interesting facts about Alex.

1) Born in New Rochelle, NY.
2) Is a Scorpio. (Inense, emotional, loyal, and mysterious.)
3) Nickname is “Gordo”, or “Gordito” meaning “Fatso” in Spanish – he was a fat baby.
4) Is the middle child.
5) Was a very cute and funny kid. (He used to entertain my parents' friends at dinner parties with his ability to hold conversations with adults. He would tell them tales of going on business trips to Chicago on his bike.)
6) Favorite color is red.
7) Is left-handed.
8) As a kid he shared a bunk bed with Joey, occupying the bottom bunk, with Joey residing on the top.
9) Loves to wear sunglasses. The shinier the better.
10) Never wears a watch even though he owns a few.
11) Wears a size 9 shoe.
12) Loves (LOVES) animals.
13) Is allergic to most animals.
14) Loves wrestling. (This dates back to AWA All-Star Wrestling in Minnesota.)
15) Loves horror movies and has a vast collection.
16) Loves Halloween. He enjoys wearing a Michael Meyers mask to hand out candy and scare children. Is usually remorseful and consoling if a frightened child cries.
17) Loves to eat and will eat almost anything.
18) Hates eggs. Will not eat eggs in any form.
19) Loves soda, especially strawberry or grape-flavor (yuck).
20) Does not drink alcohol.
21) Hates the sound of crying babies/children but is great with kids otherwise.
22) Loves the sound of car trouble.
23) Almost lost the tip of his finger as a child when a door was slammed on it, but had it sewn back on, good as new.
24) Is not afraid of gross animals (roaches, lizards, frogs, etc.), thus he is frequently summoned to catch such creatures and often does so with bare hands.
25) Hates shopping. Hates shopping. Has no patience for shopping.
26) Loves KISS, and owns all of their albums. Owns duplicates of some.
27) Collects LP records, and has a huge collection. Don’t even dream of asking him to part with one. It will cost you. Not worth it.
28) Was an extra in several movies, but was featured in “From Justin to Kelly”.
29) Has met several celebrities and has collected many autographs over the years, including football star/accused double murderer/convicted felon, O.J. Simpson.
30) Doesn’t waste time trying to make friends with people who aren’t friendly.
31) Has a very impressive memory. I have been known to call him to settle arguments about pop-culture issues.
32) Embarrasses very easily. (I will probably get a lot of grief for this post.)
33) Unbelievably loyal to his family and friends and is very loved in return.

Happy Birthday, big guy!

This too shall pass

Thursday night we got dressed up and went to our anniversary dinner. There was only one other couple at the restaurant (thank goodness Chris made reservations!). It was awkward. Between the waiter staring at us and my continual coughing, all I could do is imagine being in bed watching 30 Rock with Chris. After the tiramisu, of course. Next year we'll try staying at home.

Sweet Thing

My old boss, a CPA, once told me to never sign a contract for more than one year because you never know where you’re going to be. Four years ago today I delightfully ignored his advice and signed a contract to be with Chris for the rest of my life and I’ve yet to regret that decision. My life is upside down, and it’s true, I don’t know where I am or where I’m going, but I’ve never been happier. I’m not going to write a tacky poem about how wonderful he is, because everyone that knows him already knows it. Suffice it to say that I am the luckiest and I’m very aware of it every day of my life. Tonight we will get fancy and celebrate my superior decision making skills with dinner at the Whitehall.

Time to Relax

Yesterday was Election Day, but I did not vote because I voted last week. Chris and I had the opportunity to vote absentee (due to his commuting student status), so we ran with it. We were in and out in maybe ten minutes.

Since I've been sick for over a week, I decided to see the doctor. He diagnosed me with bronchitis and sent me home with antibiotics and a cough syrup with hydrocodone. I was exhausted from coughing and not sleeping. My back, neck and throat have taken a beating and all I wanted to do was eat dinner, shower and get into bed to watch the election coverage. We got to bed around 8:30 or 9:00. I took my cough medicine, but it didn’t work (right away). I started to feel a little tired, so I took my glasses off. I heard that Ohio went to Obama, so I texted Christopher (WTF!?). The next thing I knew, I was deliciously sedated and McCain was giving a concession speech. What the…? Then, out of nowhere, Chris was jumping on the bed and it was (gasp) morning! I felt like Martha Plimpton at the end of 200 Cigarettes when she wakes up in the morning to her apartment trashed and she finds Elvis Costello’s glasses and licks them. I missed the party, but I slept. All that really matters is that the one I wanted to win won and I got some well-needed rest. Sure I will always feel sorry for sad grandpa, but that’s the way the cookie bounces. Sometimes you have to go with your head, not your heart. At least we have the old (“sane”) McCain back. I never wanted to hate him.

They're totally gonna kiss

Do your homework: http://www.votechooser.com/

Cover yer mouth!

I've had the worst cold all week. I stayed home on Wednesday and Thurdsay but I felt guilty and bored so I went back to work on Friday. I'm taking an extra strength cough suppressant and expectorant but I'm still coughing. My head and back hurt and I'm annoyed. I don't know what to do!!! Maybe a bowl of ice cream will make it stop.

On another note, only 24 days until Thanksgiving. I just turned over the calendar and noticed that it's this month. The holidays are officially in sight. It's on like Donkey Kong.

Halloween

We're pretty lazy with the costumes. When the doorbell rang for the first time I called out for Chris to put on his cowboy hat...anything! What I got was Jack Twist, which I didn't mind at all. I threw on a shawl and long strand of pearls with my reddest lipstick (which didn't last past 9pm), and someone asked me if I was Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Uh...Yeah. I often get that. Must be the HUGE boobs. Christopher and Corbett (yay!) arrived with Dante. We ate Indian food and handed out candy. I think we may have stayed up past eleven. Pretty wild night.