For the second year in a row, I will be hosting the Ho Ho Holiday pub crawl. Ho Ho Holiday 2.0 will commence on December 15, 2007 at 9:00 p.m. at my apartment in Cincinnati. Following several warm up drinks, we will head to a bar district and bounce from bar to bar in complete abandon. It promises to be as much fun, if not more fun, than last year.
In honor of Ho Ho Holiday 2.0, I give you the "Ho Ho Holitini", a drink that I developed in my kitchen after much trial and error:
1 part pomegranate vodka (Recommend Three Olives brand)
1 part Ruby Red grapefruit vodka (Recommend Absolut brand)
2 parts cranberry juice
Splash of club soda
Shake vodkas and cranberry juice over ice. Add splash of club soda and stir. Strain into a martini glass and enjoy.
Cheers.
11.29.2007
11.26.2007
I heart National City
I was checking my credit card statement today when I noticed a pretty stiff late fee and finance charge on my account.... but my National City checking account statement showed that a payment had been posted to the credit card company on time. I called Capital One to figure out why I was socked with these charges when my bank statement showed the payment on time. I waited for 10 minutes before I got tired of waiting and hung up. So I called National City customer service to ask the same thing. I was patched through to an operator, the mistake (theirs) was explained and the solution offered within three minutes. Great customer service, and they are taking care of everything, to boot.
And that is why I heart National City.
And that is why I heart National City.
11.20.2007
Thankful
Hundreds of people stood in line in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. Some jostled babies on their hips. Some shifted restlessly in their wheelchairs. Some joked and laughed, talking to make the time go by. Some simply stood, this just one more task needing to be completed before the end of the day.
They were standing in line for food at a food bank. They were waiting to receive boxes of food that would allow them to make themselves and their families a Thanksgiving meal. Each box would contain a chicken, turkey or ham; potatoes, fresh produce and onions; canned fruit and vegetables; some kind of boxed dessert mix. Everything needed for a holiday meal.
They all had stories to tell. She was a working single mother of three who could no longer stretch the paycheck far enough to pay the rent, the bills and the grocery. He'd been in an accident and didn't have health insurance. She was married, with 2.5 kids and a dog and a house in the 'burbs, who just needed a little help getting by.
Their stories were all different, but they had one thing in common: They were all hungry. After all, hunger knows no boundaries. And so they stood, united by the fact that they wanted to feed themselves and their families, aware of the fact that they couldn't and resigned to the fact that they had to ask for help.
The line shuffled forward slowly, 20 people at a time. Volunteers collected information from them: Names, identification, number of people in household. The volunteers were careful, methodical. They had a kind word and a smile to share, but they had no tolerance for those who tried to take advantage of the system.
Through the door, up the ramp, into the hallway, down the steps, into the food room. The line shifted forward, inch by inch, one person at a time. Stepping into a large room separated by a long counter and a bank of computers, those in line knew they were close to the end. Another group of volunteers took their paperwork, then started doling out boxes of food, arranged neatly in crates behind them. Bags of produce came next. Then the prize: The turkey.
One man sat off to the side, in his electric scooter. A volunteer was coming to help him with his groceries. But he couldn't wait that long. He dropped a hand, shriveled and spotted, into a bag, rummaged around. He came out with an apple and bit right in. He was sorry he couldn't wait, but he was hungry. He hadn't eaten in a day.
I stood there, taking it all in. A few moments ago, I'd been thinking of how hungry I was, how I couldn't wait to get back to the office and dig in to the cup of yogurt I'd packed for lunch. Now I watched as an old man bit into an apple, chewing ravenously, and I felt ashamed. I didn't know the first thing about being hungry.
A volunteer came to escort the old man back outside. As he scooted past, he gave me a nod, his brown eyes sober. "Happy Thanksgiving," he said. There was pride in his voice. There were tears in mine. "Happy Thanksgiving," I replied.
-------------
Thankful. Grateful. Hopeful. That's how I am feeling this Thanksgiving. I wish the same for you.
They were standing in line for food at a food bank. They were waiting to receive boxes of food that would allow them to make themselves and their families a Thanksgiving meal. Each box would contain a chicken, turkey or ham; potatoes, fresh produce and onions; canned fruit and vegetables; some kind of boxed dessert mix. Everything needed for a holiday meal.
They all had stories to tell. She was a working single mother of three who could no longer stretch the paycheck far enough to pay the rent, the bills and the grocery. He'd been in an accident and didn't have health insurance. She was married, with 2.5 kids and a dog and a house in the 'burbs, who just needed a little help getting by.
Their stories were all different, but they had one thing in common: They were all hungry. After all, hunger knows no boundaries. And so they stood, united by the fact that they wanted to feed themselves and their families, aware of the fact that they couldn't and resigned to the fact that they had to ask for help.
The line shuffled forward slowly, 20 people at a time. Volunteers collected information from them: Names, identification, number of people in household. The volunteers were careful, methodical. They had a kind word and a smile to share, but they had no tolerance for those who tried to take advantage of the system.
Through the door, up the ramp, into the hallway, down the steps, into the food room. The line shifted forward, inch by inch, one person at a time. Stepping into a large room separated by a long counter and a bank of computers, those in line knew they were close to the end. Another group of volunteers took their paperwork, then started doling out boxes of food, arranged neatly in crates behind them. Bags of produce came next. Then the prize: The turkey.
One man sat off to the side, in his electric scooter. A volunteer was coming to help him with his groceries. But he couldn't wait that long. He dropped a hand, shriveled and spotted, into a bag, rummaged around. He came out with an apple and bit right in. He was sorry he couldn't wait, but he was hungry. He hadn't eaten in a day.
I stood there, taking it all in. A few moments ago, I'd been thinking of how hungry I was, how I couldn't wait to get back to the office and dig in to the cup of yogurt I'd packed for lunch. Now I watched as an old man bit into an apple, chewing ravenously, and I felt ashamed. I didn't know the first thing about being hungry.
A volunteer came to escort the old man back outside. As he scooted past, he gave me a nod, his brown eyes sober. "Happy Thanksgiving," he said. There was pride in his voice. There were tears in mine. "Happy Thanksgiving," I replied.
-------------
Thankful. Grateful. Hopeful. That's how I am feeling this Thanksgiving. I wish the same for you.
11.18.2007
Survey Says...
So this is stolen from multiples people... Sherry, Sarah, Dawn...
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Matthew Perry (in a Friends re-run)
2. What were you doing at 0800?
Hoping to go back to sleep
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Dishes
4. What happened to you in 2006?
I got a breast reduction, turned 25, got a new job and moved to Cincinnati
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"Who needs angels, anyway?" (Does it count since I actually sang it out loud?)
6. How many beverages did you have today?
Water, milk
7. What color is your hairbrush?
Silver-ish
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Drain-O, silicone hair serum, wine and my book club book (Target = the happiest place on Earth)
9.Where were you last night?
At home
10. What color is your front door?
White
11. Where do you keep your change?
The parking meters in downtown Cincinnati
12. What’s the weather like today?
Football weather - crisp, cool and mostly sunny
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Strawberry chocolate chip as made by Graeters ice cream. It is only available two months out of the year, but it is worth the wait
14. What excites you?
Working with my two favorite clients, making up recipes, cleaning
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Nope, I am trying to grow it out
16. Are you over the age of 25?
Yes
17. Do you talk a lot?
Dear lord, YES!!!
18. Do you watch the O.C.?
No, but I watch Gossip Girl , which is essentially the same thing
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
My youngest bro's friend is named Steven, so I guess I sort of know him
20. Do you make up your own words?
Wonky
21. Are you a jealous person?
Sometimes
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
Andy
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Kristen
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Lori
25. What does the last text message you received say?
"Whoa whoa whoa. No problem. See u monday."
26. Do you chew on your straw?
When I am finished with my drink and bored
27. Do you have curly hair?
You tell me
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Work tomorrow
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Probably my co-worker Joe
30. What was the last thing you ate?
Apple cinnamon pancakes
31. Will you get married in the future?
Maybe
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
Knocked Up
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
Brian in Minneapolis HAHAHAHA :)
34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Right before I wrote this post
35. Are you currently depressed?
Nope
36. Did you cry today?
Not yet
37. Why did you answer and post this?
Because I haven't posted anything with substance in a while
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Matthew Perry (in a Friends re-run)
2. What were you doing at 0800?
Hoping to go back to sleep
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Dishes
4. What happened to you in 2006?
I got a breast reduction, turned 25, got a new job and moved to Cincinnati
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"Who needs angels, anyway?" (Does it count since I actually sang it out loud?)
6. How many beverages did you have today?
Water, milk
7. What color is your hairbrush?
Silver-ish
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Drain-O, silicone hair serum, wine and my book club book (Target = the happiest place on Earth)
9.Where were you last night?
At home
10. What color is your front door?
White
11. Where do you keep your change?
The parking meters in downtown Cincinnati
12. What’s the weather like today?
Football weather - crisp, cool and mostly sunny
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Strawberry chocolate chip as made by Graeters ice cream. It is only available two months out of the year, but it is worth the wait
14. What excites you?
Working with my two favorite clients, making up recipes, cleaning
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Nope, I am trying to grow it out
16. Are you over the age of 25?
Yes
17. Do you talk a lot?
Dear lord, YES!!!
18. Do you watch the O.C.?
No, but I watch Gossip Girl , which is essentially the same thing
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
My youngest bro's friend is named Steven, so I guess I sort of know him
20. Do you make up your own words?
Wonky
21. Are you a jealous person?
Sometimes
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
Andy
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Kristen
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Lori
25. What does the last text message you received say?
"Whoa whoa whoa. No problem. See u monday."
26. Do you chew on your straw?
When I am finished with my drink and bored
27. Do you have curly hair?
You tell me
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Work tomorrow
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Probably my co-worker Joe
30. What was the last thing you ate?
Apple cinnamon pancakes
31. Will you get married in the future?
Maybe
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
Knocked Up
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
Brian in Minneapolis HAHAHAHA :)
34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Right before I wrote this post
35. Are you currently depressed?
Nope
36. Did you cry today?
Not yet
37. Why did you answer and post this?
Because I haven't posted anything with substance in a while
11.14.2007
Short rant
If I have my blinker on next to a parallel parking spot, it means I am going to park there. So don't come zooming up on my ass and then beep your horn at me when I don't move.
Bitch.
Bitch.
11.04.2007
This weekend
Halloween party in Toledo. Soooo much fun, as it included the following (in no particular order or relevance):
- A hot tub
- Flip cup
- Purple crushed velvet pimp suit
- Mysterious bruises all over my body
- S'mores
- Heart to hearts
- A bonfire
- Hangovers
- Looooong Sunday afternoon naps
- Fishnet stockings
- Make out sessions
All in all, a very successful and very fun weekend. Well done to Leia and Ryan on a great party. And to the girls and boys that I never get to see but love tremendously (including the gestating baby...): I love you and miss you and hope to see you again really soon! Thank you for making this weekend such a blast!!
- A hot tub
- Flip cup
- Purple crushed velvet pimp suit
- Mysterious bruises all over my body
- S'mores
- Heart to hearts
- A bonfire
- Hangovers
- Looooong Sunday afternoon naps
- Fishnet stockings
- Make out sessions
All in all, a very successful and very fun weekend. Well done to Leia and Ryan on a great party. And to the girls and boys that I never get to see but love tremendously (including the gestating baby...): I love you and miss you and hope to see you again really soon! Thank you for making this weekend such a blast!!
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