Celebrity Skin

Ahhh Thursday...what we did Thursday was work for most of the day. After, we decided we would go out to eat and then hit up some good ol' Texas karaoke. Surprising, although not REALLY surprising was JT, our Careerbuilder Rep's vocal chords and stage presence. Little did we know the little lady could give the local karaoke-ers such a run for their money! Thank goodness she could sing! Those karaoke folks are serious about their singing, and when I got up there to scream Hole’s “Celebrity Skin” they didn’t look too pleased with my performance. So I sat back the rest of the night snapping pictures and videos of the hilarious happenings. This one was particularly funny, this poor guy really tries to get down with this girl but sadly, she seems to have one move and one move only...wait until about 2 1/2 minutes in where there's a hilarious bit with a girl that CAN dance and she's...well, you'll see...watch it all the way through when you have 3 minutes or more to spare…

Bitch Note: Sometimes I wonder what happened to karaoke. I miss the time when I was proud of being such a shitty singer, when I would let my voice crack loud because it was funny, because that’s what karaoke is all about…..entertainment, laughter, and willful embarrassment, right?

Please Stay Tuned until Tuesday evening

I should have updates posted for everyone tomorrow.
I had to leave to go out of town on Sunday for a funeral, and haven't been able to get my pictures uploaded.
LOVE
Nichole

Souey!

Jump to Tuesday night and I'm packing for a trip to Midland, TX and a visit to one of our Federal facilities. Although concerned about the swine flu that is buzzing around just a few hundred miles from this West Texas location, I'm excited for the experience of visiting one of the most pitied men in the World's childhood home location. That's right, George W was raised in this little town I'm staying in, and it is starting to make a whole lot of sense why he has visions of oil rigs dancing through his head. Flash to Wednesday and I'm driving through the desert with three women, two from Careerbuilder and the other my boss, passing as many oil rigs as what in South Florida can only be related to palm trees, and wondering how on earth anyone can live here. The only benefit to inhaling oil like I have for the past 24 hours is that I doubt any disease could survive in my lungs with all of those chemicals swirling around in there.

Packing

I have so much to do today before heading to Texas tomorrow. I tend to over-commit when it comes to priorities and today was no exception. It makes me feel a little crazy, like this picture.

Monday Funday

I think it's relevant to state that Mondays are inclined to suck. I mean regardless of their place at the beginning of the week (front of the line usually means you were either a) a great planner or b) lucked out somehow), Mondays are the first complaint in the elevator, the reason for your mix-matched shoes, or the problem with the webinar you were hosting this morning. Hey, it’s Monday, I’m sorry. We’ve all heard that line before.

Monday looms as that structured next day, after a liberal weekend inclusive of all of the pleasures and perils of your choice, and it nearly always turns out terrible because of it.

Monday Monday, bah dah, bah dee dah dah, can’t trust that day.

When did Monday ever have a chance in the matter? I wonder if we decided that Monday was our favorite day of the week, would we cause an upheaval in human behavior and start an epidemic of happiness? What will we do during that two minute bathroom break, facing that same girl from the department that you see at the same time every day with nothing to talk about but how much Monday sucks?

I propose a few things:

1. Bake something. People love baked goods, and Mondays are the best days to bring cupcakes to the office.

2. Blame yourself. Not Monday. Hey, it’s me; I’m stupid, I’m sorry. See! It works, and trust me, people will understand!

3. If options 1 or 2 do not work, you’re pretty much screwed. Go back to hating Mondays and join the rest of the population in making the same stupid comments every Monday for the rest of your repetitive life.

Relationship Weight

So this weekend I went rollerblading to pick up dinner ingredients from the local organic grocery store, and found myself stupidly climbing up onto a scale. Part of my frustration and the reason for wanting to drink margaritas not once but twice this weekend, was due to this particular moment. A look of bewilderment, and 8 lbs later, I stumbled off feeling as though I hadn’t really seen those near double-digits staring back at me. No, I didn’t forget and roll around on the scale with my rollerblades on; I’ve merely been resting my sweet ass into a relationship. Work out as I may, that damn relationship weight sure did sneak up on me. Although I’ve always been an active person I definitely go through my ups and downs, as most of us women do, in the weight department. But never before have I seen such a large spike in my weight so quickly. Yet another setback to gaining (pun intended) on my 30th birthday.

Two

I spent the day on Saturday with my two favorite guys. We hung out at the beach for the afternoon, drinking margaritas, and I managed to squeeze in some drawing too. Later, we met up with the cousins, and had a late lunch at The Whale's Rib. We stopped by my mom's house since we were in the neighborhood, and she was making new curtains for her living room. She's always working on something...

Mix it up

Friday night Boyfriend and I stayed in and had a few drinks to ourselves. I made dinner and then we carried on making Bay Breeze's, Margaritas, Vodka concoctions, Martinis...how I escaped a hangover is beyond me. It was the first night in a very long time that we got tipsy alone together and it was hilarious.

"illuminated"

There were children in the office today and it was a real joy to see their smiling faces all day long. The trouble with 35 happy children spending the day in your office is not that they are a distraction...because if anything, they are a welcomed distraction from the reality of every day desk life...it's the remembering of their names, and who's parent they belong to, that can be maddening. You certainly don't want to catch one of these blatantly honest creatures in your office when you're having a confidential conversation with your co-worker, only to find out that their parents are part of the low-down. Luckily, we got through the day with no major, "But Mommy, I heard your job is being "illum-in-ated"..."

Les Miserables

So I'm totally bummed because my favorite make-up remover has finally run out. I have no idea how it lasted so long but it's the absolute BEST remover I've ever used. The best part about it is that it's a spray, I hate having to twist off a cap for make up remover, pour out way too much, and soak my eyes. This spray is my savior, and I know it has helped combat the onset of wrinkles...but since I got it in Paris, I am doomed until we return in September. By then I'll be closing in on turning 30, and much like now, I will be desperately-seeking-any-assistance-in-the-age-department at that point. The closest version I've been able to find online is L'Occitane Fresh Face but I can't be sure it's the same! Help!

Call me

There's something to be said about picking up the phone these days. With all of the social media outlets, we're communicating more than ever, but when was the last time you had a conversation with someone that didn't involve a comment like, "oh, yeah, I saw that on your facebook" or some other social network? Maybe slowing down communication, and picking up the phone, even just for one day, wouldn't be so bad. Today, I'm going to resist the urge to check everyone that I love's social networks and just give them a call.

No, not a text.

A call.

Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra

Pre-Yoga: My day was getting worse by the second. Between friends and family, little by little, they were spinning out of control.

Closed, Gives: Deep Anguish, Yearning, Fanaticism, Confusion, Excessiveness

Post-Yoga: Energy level increased, peacefulness ensued, and lives reverted back to the closest form of normal possible.

Opened, Gives: Wisdom, Intuition, Truth, Liberation, Oneness, Understanding, Peace, Fulfillment, Clarity

Monday I learned that it is true that the Sahasrara Chakra, when closed, can cause you to spiral down a path of confusion and excessive worry. And while open, can provide you with the clarity in your heart and mind that helps remove that worry and allows you to focus on understanding.

na·maste.

Paint by Numbers

Sunday R and I went over to G's and painted. We all painted more than we expected, and R did some awesome pieces this time. She is so talented. I really hope this deal works out for her to add her art to Lisa Marie's show.

Speakeasy

Saturday was awesome thanks to Lisa Marie Owens and my famous vegetarian chili. I parallel-parked downtown Lake Worth and strolled over to Lisa's new salon, the oldest known salon in Lake Worth, and since Renee is busy with life right now, had her fix my mop. Lisa told me she used to be in the first Burlesque troupe to ever grace South Florida, and she recently stumbled across an original Speakeasy right there in Lake Worth. Afterwards, I took a walk downtown, admired an orchid shop and several restaurants mixed with art boutiques, and stopped in at the Soma Center for some homemade granola and yogurt. I sat on a bench in downtown Lake Worth and took in the vibe.

The evening was dedicated to the UFC fight, and we had friends pop over the house for it. I made homemade vegetarian chili with cornbread muffins, and homemade salsa. Yum.

Firewater

Tonight we are meeting mom a biker bar that I never would have stepped foot into had my mom not held several "gigs" there, and introduced us to all the local hoodrats.

After, we headed to Delray to meet D for a quick Birthday Cafe Patron and wound up hanging out at Ellwood's listening to a Rockabilly band.

Conference Call

Having a conference call with my sister and my mom last night was hysterical. We laughed until our cheeks hurt as we listened to niece make up songs she said she learned in Girl Scouts, and older niece fought off boredom from our conversation. I cannot say it enough how much I miss my sister and her kids...and I can hear it in my mom's voice how much she misses them too.

Junior Achievement Event

A good portion of my profession is networking, and Wednesday night we were invited to sponsor a Junior Achievement event in Fort Lauderdale at America's Backyard. My boss and I carpooled down and met up with a few colleagues, including my friend Theresa, who is currently on the market for employment. This was a really neat concept in networking. Each person wore a bracelet, the color identifying why you were attending. Employers wore blue, job seekers wore pink, and strictly networking wore yellow. This allowed the initial awkwardness of a first greeting to include something relevant, rather than the usual line that I despise, “Hi, what do you do?”

Damage Control

Today I will vent. And so, I will also post a ridiculous picture of me to lighten the mood.

Sometimes people will act as if they are your friend, and you fall for it. Sometimes that same said friend will take a trip with you, embarrass the shit out of you in more than one public place, make remarks that you would only expect from someone who isn't your friend, and have selfish behaviorisms that show their lack of interest in forming friendships with the true friends you do have. Unfortunately, you can't win them all. But what you can do is move on.

Life lesson #5,698: It is impossible to please everyone, and you really shouldn't try.

Monday April 13th

Sadly, we leave Key West today and head toward that thing called home. Although it's a short few hours away, it feels like we've been on another planet with all of the excitement and adventure we've had.
I think I'll share my top 5 favorite experiences of this trip:

1. Camille and I really bonded, and I feel like we're the closest we've ever been.
2. Trust your instinct, appreciate your true friends, and "everyt'ing's gonna be alright"
3. Who's driving? and Dinner's on me! while normal sayings back home, will forever be great jokes between us
4. Snorkeling is fun even when you can't see shit
5. Sometimes drag queens can dance better than you can

LOVE

Easter Sunday April 12th

Ahhh, Easter Sunday. Somehow Jesus and drag queens go hand in hand in Key West. Part of the hilarity was taking shots in forbidden territory where signs read, "men only beyond this point" while rubber duckies floated about the pools in the back. I can't say I blame them, Easter is way more fun parading around from bar to bar with your friends, 2 drag queens, and 14 look-alike dogs and their owners. Especially when it's for a good cause. The Xena Fund is an organization that provides emergency medical attention to pets, and the boys and girls that support the fund are far more than just a few cute puppies in costumes and rainbows, they made our Easter worth the time away from family.

Saturday April 11th

Saturday morning we woke up early and met our Captain down by the pier. We got a great deal for a day of parasailing, jetskiing, snorkeling, etc. It was a hilarious day, and although the sun was hidden behind some clouds, Liz and Julie got a pretty awful sunburn. Later in the evening, after a nap and some pool time, we went out to Irish Kevin's. Unfortunately Liz had a wicked heat stroke and blacked out in the middle of the bar, and then threw up outside. It was so scary to see someone you care about take a fall like that, knowing she wasn't intoxicated. So we all ventured back to the hotel, ordered pizza and watched a movie. It was a nice evening after all, and a reality check for the purpose of the trip which was a bonding experience with our friend-family.

Friday April 10th

Friday we woke up at 7AM to hit the road, Liz, Cam, Julie and I drove together and Kim and Valerie, as well as Lace and Justin, all met us down there. We had an awesome lunch at Bogatelle, finished off by a shot of Cafe Patron, before meeting up with the rest of the crew at Sloppy Joe's. We went back to the hotel room to nap, played in the pool for a little while, and then got ready for a brief night out, with dinner at Fogarty's. Sometimes it's difficult when you're in a group of girls but this trip has so far, proven to be quite a (semi) smooth venture.

Thursday April 9th

Getting ready for Key West, Liz and Renee came over to hang out as I packed and cleaned. Liz slept over and we stayed up half the night dishing about girly stuff. Looking forward to some relaxation with my girls, and bonding with my future sister in law Cam :)

Wednesday April 8th

Valerie invited me over last night for a pre-Easter dinner and cocktails. She is so cute with her Easter table that we had to get it in the picture. Bruzer even made it in the shot (lower left), and you can kind of see Val in the far right corner. Lace was home and packing for Key West, she's leaving a day earlier than all of us since it's her birthday on Friday (Happy Birthday Lace!)

Before you leave, let me provide you with the secret to your future Spring and Summer of happiness: Crystal Light (pink lemonade, strawberry kiwi, whatever floats your boat) and Grey Goose. Concerts, vacations, pool parties, and Easter dinner will never be the same again.

Tuesday April 7th

I got my boobie results back today, I'm just lumpy. YAY!

While Boyfriend was busy packing for Vegas and New Orleans, my cousin Johnny called and announced that Beth is pregnant! I think this is the age where I'll start to hear that a lot. Already 3 of my friends announced they were pregnant this year, and last year, 3 others had babies. And although I'm looking forward to the diapers in my (distant) future, I'm really happy with the way my life has played out so far. It's insane to think that my sister has two children, ages 10 and 5, and is only a short 2 months older than me. The funny thing is that both of us, although total opposites, are completely happy and content in our place in life.

Monday April 6th

Cam and I took a grueling class at LAF and then cancelled it out with stuffed eggplant after. Being home from vacation for 3 nights before heading out on vacation (again) with the girls, almost feels as though work isn't really happening in between. Yet it is, and I'm exhausted. It may have been that I'm delerious or just that I'm so excited to go to Key West that I mistakenly purchased a pair of sunglasses online and realized afterward that they would take 10 days to ship.
Note: First pair fell over balcony in St. Pete, into the bushes, after the snake incident, so naturally I didn't go after them. And for the record, neither did Boyfriend

Sunday April 5th

And now it's time to say goodbye to St. Pete. We stayed on Sunday just long enough to have lunch at Philthy Phil's, where we enjoyed another great meal, and saw dolphins jumping in the Intracoastal. We love it on the West Coast of Florida and can't wait to come back.

Saturday April 4th

Saturday we spent most of the morning recovering from a long night on Friday. We hardly slept in our crappy hotel room, and rolled out of bed around 11 to grab some food (and pina coladas). We ended up at the Undertow and then the Don Cesar (which is probably the only classy hotel in St. Pete) where I miraculously found the only VERY LARGE snake on the property, stepped on it, screamed, stepped on it again as I danced away, and then finally screamed so loud that both pools full of people stopped to stare at me. I didn't know whether to panic, freak out, throw up, feel sorry for the snake, or die from embarrassment. I chose the latter two and we kept drinking.

We stopped just long enough to take a nap before dinner at Ceviche. Oh. My. God. Ceviche. Is. AMAZING. I cannot think of anything better in the world then Tapas and Sangria in a quaint cottage-style restaurant with dim lighting and uneven cobblestone floors.

Friday April 3rd

Friday! We drove to St. Pete Beach today to meet up with some of Boyfriend's friends. Some of the fun and ironic highlights of the night were a) you arrive in St. Pete only to find out that your crappy hotel choice #1 does not take AMEX, so you move on to seek out alternate crappy hotel choice #2 which DOES take AMEX, yet does not provide soap in the bathrooms. b) chicas you are with coin the term, "Big Girl" in reference to your protective nature and willingness to confront those that bang on their bathroom doors (note: Strongbow beer in hand) yet when "Big Girl" shots come around, you no longer claim this as your name c) T, boy-genius (literally) drinks far too much and projectile-barfs outside of Liz's condo...yet he's able to contain himself for the entire 35 minute cab ride home...oh, and did you catch the mention that he is a genius? yep.

Thursday April 2nd

This week I keep forgetting to take pictures, whoops! So, I found this one of Lizzie and me for the purpose of today's post.

I’m still tired from the kickboxing class that Cam and I took after work; there were two instructors and one of them was absolutely clueless. She was having us do strange things like “make an X on the floor with your body” and some squat/twist/jump thing that made us all wish we had noticed her freakish body and left before the class started.

After that hellish class, I went home and Lizzie met me there. She’s having a hard time with life right now, juggling far too many serious issues, and I needed to give her a good laugh or two to hopefully shake some of her worry away for the night. If only her bakery would get the attention it deserved, all of those sweet treats would distract her from the nuances that can happen when everything starts to fall down.

P.S. I’ve been reading a lot of blogs lately. My favorite recent find is I am style-ish. I am an every day reader, and am wishing I would have found this a few years ago when Tiffany started it. Oh, how my fashion choices may have survived so many blunders…

Wednesday April 1st

Dinner at Yokohama with the in-laws (which is a bogus term for them because they actually rock to have as borrowed family) was a nice long glance down the recession rabbit hole. When your favorite sushi spot is watering down soy sauce, cheaping out on chopsticks and padding on the rice to save on the sushi, you know things are bad. I almost stood up and yelled "April Fool's" when the waitress asked to pour water in Bobby's soda glass, but she was dead serious. we stopped at Cold Stone Creamery afterwards, and once we found out that the scooper's sing for tips, we emptied the last few bucks we had into their jar.

Mud Pie Mojo never tasted so good.