Christmas came anyway! Then New Year's...

OK, so I didn't keep my promise about making regular posts during the month of December. It was a little hectic around here, and I think I am going to blame the holidays.

Yes Christmas, the whole Christmas Season, has totally f-ed me up. First I had such a fiasco with my minor fender bender (note to my readers: call the police when you in an accident) which took up most of my time during the first week of the month. I was sitting in my office, quietly doing nothing, when I got a call from my insurance company telling me the other company was NOT going to pay. WTF! Well I went totally ape shit on the other person's insurance company, that my rep (who was part of the conference call) said to me that she never heard anyone say those things when giving an accident statement. Needless to say I was pissed. I mean, was rear-ended. It wasn't my fault. But in the end, it actually did come out OK and Bubble's got his hiney fixed over the break. HOORAY!

Then came the shopping. I had a lot of Gar Ginkers, Trum Tupers, Slu Slumkers, and Blum Bloopers to buy, and like zero extra funds. Some people were victims of the recession. My poor cats had to share a toy.

Charlotte wedged herself into the manger. I think she is suffocating the Baby Jesus. What the hell is that thing hanging next to the cat's head....Why couldn't the cats break that ornament?

After all the gifts were bought I realized that the Captain got the worst of all the presents: underwear, socks, and PJ bottoms. He had asked for HD Wii cables but I totally failed! I went to get them on Christmas Eve (at Walmart no less!!) and SURPRISE!!! They were sold out. So he didn't get what he had asked for. Thank goodness for a January birthday.

The week leading into Christmas we got a ton of snow. A ton is seriously an understatement. If Lizzie In Progress got 2' she was lucky. There were snow drifts in South Jersey exceeding 30+ inches! The Captain met the Boyz and went 4-wheeling. I was staying nice and dry in the 'Creek reading Harry Potter and watching Public Access TV that is ION Life (or as I have recently learned, Canadian HGTV):

The most unfunny group of people trying to be funny. The dude that looks like Aston Kutcher's poor brother, is actually more annoying than Kutcher himself.

About 90% of what she makes is complete crap, but she did make a pretty bad ass lap shade out of slides. I might get crafty once I find some slides.

Anyway, back to the snow....

Bubbles was completely covered. He was cold, lonely, and scared!

And that was after I cleared the roof off twice!!

Two days later, I was able to get out. It took 4 guys, 2 shovels, and 1 tow strap to get him out of that space. After Bubbles got out, there was no way in hell I was going to put him back in that space, so I opted to park at the nicely plowed liquor store parking lot at the head of the complex and just prayed my car wouldn't be towed over night.

With one day of heavy rain, all the snow washed away and all of the Christmas Festivities began! First with my family:

No matter how many times my mom says go downstairs, nobody does. The rest of the people are in the adjacent room.





Got to get the torture in before he gets older.





Popi asking if he should change after I told him his giant red shirt might freak out the baby. lol.





Popi gave me this a hundred years ago 'for my car.' Little Biff enjoyed it.





Table is set. Mom finally didn't over dress the table.





Showing off Grandmom Pocono's PJs





JV was very excited for presents.





"Oh snap! I got me a new whip!" ~ Lil' Biff

Then Christmas Jersey Shore style (no, not this Jersey Shore, or at least not in the winter), at the Captain's rent's house:

The Captain posing in his Ugly Christmas Sweater. This sweater has achieved Legend status.





Cosmo the Wonder Dog after his "Present Watch 2009" shift ended.





Ali the Shy Dog took over "Present Watch 2009."





Times spent at the Jersey shore always involve much alcohol....but not in red party cups. I stopped after 4.
The Captain's brother on the other hand........

I received some pretty sweet gifts this year: a gift certificate to get my hair done (thank GOD), a bad ass Starbucks gift set (the Captain and I were totally out of coffee too!), a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble to get my learning on. Oh and I will be getting my learning on while wrapped in my new Pepto Bismol pink Snuggie. "Look Ma, my arms aren't cold while I read!"

(Snuggie Pic coming soon!)

The Captain got me a Wii Fit Plus. My favorite game involves a Segway! I highly enjoy talking like G.O.B. (from Arrest Development, DUH!) whenever I play. My only concern is, does the board always have to say "ooooooh" when you step on it?

However the most perplexing gift that I received this Christmas were 3 socks. Not 3 pairs; 3 different socks.

These are my 3 random socks!

Apparently the story goes: My parents were in NYC during a complete down pour and headed into a store on 5th Avenue to get out of the rain. The store was a sock store. They only sell sets of 3 different socks. What you do with these three socks I don't know. I wore them to the shore Christmas night and if I heard "Do you know you have two different socks on?" I think I was going to scream. Little Miss Matched is the strangest invention since this:

The Snuggie for Dogs. Which my mother did buy for Abigail (Lil's Biff's BFF)
(Pic Coming Soon!!)

New Year's also came and went with little revelry. I spent the afternoon with Lil' Biff; playing with all of his new toys. Then off to one of the best Chinese restaurants with my parents, Popi (Popi is not one 'crazy food,' he only eats ribs at Chinese restaurants), and my Aunt and Uncle. Later that night when the Captain came home from work, my friend came over and we rang in the New Year with a friendly game of Mario Kart and bottle of Korbel before passing out (promptly at 1am.)


All in all it was a very exciting and fun filled vacation and can not wait to do it again in 2010!

Your Daily Barista

All the noise, noise, noise

I am convinced that Christmastime is the only time of year that radio stations are permitted to play 5 versions of the same song in the matter of a 2 hours and get a way with it.

'The B,' as we locals refer to it, plays continuous Christmas music starting (this year) the week before Thanksgiving. First off, that is friggin insanity. I mean, nothing puts me in the mood like a good holiday tune, but please dear God wait until the day after Thanksgiving to begin celebrating.

But to be honest, multiple plays and the early start of the music isn't what this post is about; it's really about the content of the song Christmas Shoes.

Driving home from work the other evening, I had the joy of hearing Christmas Shoes by some Christian rock band called NewSong (But, can you really call them a band? Think about it.) Call me heartless I don't care; I am going to say it anyway. It is a terrrrrrrrrible song.

Let's dissect this piece of crap for a minute:

His clothes were worn and old He was dirty from head to toe

Where is this kid's dad? I get it his mother is sick and dying and he is probably at the hospital with her, but seriously, he doesn't have time to give the kid a bath? I am sure there is someone in this family that could be taking care of this kid.

But Barista, this kid is poor!

He counted pennies for what seemed like years Then the cashier said Son, there's not enough here

Well I challenge your theory. Other than the fact that this kid is dirty and wearing worn clothes doesn't mean anything. There are plenty of people with money that look like they need a good scrubbing. Perhaps he is using up all of his piggy bank money to buy these shoes and didn't want to tell his dad. Or just maybe his dad is a little bitch and didn't want to give his son the money for the shoes.

Your point is now moot.

Back to the Dad. Where is he? Did this kid run away? Did he drop this kid off at the store? The song doesn't come out and say exactly how old this kid is supposed to be so one can only assume that he is a minor. So then why is he at, what I envision to be a, Walmart alone?


And about those shoes. When I first heard this song, I was envisioning some sort of a modest black dress shoe; maybe patent leather. However, according to the CD cover they are red spiky sling-backs. Where is the mother meeting Jesus? On a street corner in the bad part of town? Is Jesus her pimp or something?

This song is so bad it almost makes me hate Christmas.

Just some food for thought.

Your Daily Barista

Public (Dis)comfort: I. Want. One. Now!

The doormen at Tiffany (which is so conveniently located to my office...right next door!!) are wearing Tiffany Blue 'Tiffany & Co' cashmere scarves. I think I need a Tiffany Blue 'Tiffany & Co.' cashmere scarf.

Christmas, you're not too late. Perhaps the Capt can hook a girl up.

Wait! According to the site, Christmas you were too late! HUMBUG.

Let's all go to the lobby...

...on Christmas night (that is):

Sherlock Holmes

Who doesn't like a good Robert Downey Jr. film? I know I've said it 100x but once more the record: I will pay to watch him read the phone book! I love that man.



My only concern: Guy Ritchie hasn't made a good film since Snatch. And that was about 10 years ago.

and

the Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassuss

That's hard to say, Parnassuss-iss-iss.



It's a Terry Guilliam, so you know it's gonna be a mind fuck. Come on, we all saw Fear and Loathing..., am I right? This looks like one of those films that one must see in the theaters on an amazing quality screen. Where do you find one of those in SoJo?


But seriously, Hollywood, wtf!!! It's aboot time some good films are coming out. When you have the nerve to ask me to spend $10 for the ticket only, it better be quality shit.

It finally seems that some awesome films are gearing up to be released in 2010:

• According to my sources (ok, the interweb) Jackson leaves a lot out of The Lovely Bones, but it still visually looks amazing.
  
  
• Saint John of Las Vegas looks pretty funny. Who doesn't like Steve Buscemi?
  
  
• Popi's other BFF Leo DiCaprico in Shutter Island. He will probably want to see that.
  
  
• Alice in Wonderland looks so sweet that I am getting a toothache! Another must see on a giant screen.
  
  
• IRONMAAAAAAAN Part Duex
  
  
• Oh, Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe have teamed up to remake Robin Hood. It sort of reminds me of Gladiator but that is cool, that movie was bad ass, especially in HD.
  

Don't be completely fooled. It looks like some crap is coming out as well:

• The A-Team. Aside from cutie Bradley Cooper playing Face, not sure this is going to be a winner. How can you not give Mr. T a job? I pity that fool.
  
  I will admit, I LOVED (that is right, I am bolding, all capsing, and italicizing) Star Trek and not cause Lil Kirk was cute (I kinda dug Lil Spock) it's because I am a Trekkie. So who knows I could be wrong on the whole A-Team remake.
  
  
• In The Spy Next Door, Jackie Chan is a nanny...and a spy. Didn't we all ready do this with the Hulkster?
  
  
• OK I know Benico Del Torro is The Wolfman, still, I have a feeling this is going to be like the DeNiro Frankenstein mess.
  
  
• I hate to say this, Date Night... it's probably going to be terrible. I don't know why Steve Carrell doesn't translate to the big screen, aside from 40 Year Old Virgin that is.
  
  
• Another Jackie Chan movie this one called the Karate Kid.
  
  So Hollywood has moved off naming movies exactly what they are about, such as my personal favorite, Fighting. Now they just ripe off names of other popular movies. I guess they are hoping some idiots will think it's the original Karate Kid.
  
  
• and I haven't even mentioned all of the Nick Cage bull crap getting released.
  

So choose wisely and Happy Viewing!

YDB

8 Crazzzzzzzy Nights

Today marks the first night of Hanukkah, so stuff yourself full of yummy Latkes, spin yourself silly playing Dreidel, pig out on Sufganiyot, and remember what the holiday is all about....

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews' 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods.

In 168 B.C.E. the Jews' holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus.

Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.

The fighting began in Modiin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias' family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.

Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.

The Hanukkah Story: The History Channel

Happy Hanukkah to all of my readers!

All I want for Christmas

Last week my fellow Bloggers, Lizzie In Progress and Shannanigans, both posted about their Christmas wishes for the 2009 season. This week I decided to do the same.

My Christmas lists usually consist of the same things Sally Brown (Charlie's sister) wants: cash. 10s and 20s. But this year, I am kinda hoping for some boxes under the tree.

Sharpies!!!!


Yes that is right, I said Sharpies. In every color, every tip. I love Sharpies and I use them everyday at work. They are great for everything; writing, correcting proofs, making signage, labeling CDs, sketching, you name it!



A gift card to get my hair done


This I call one of those gifts of necessity. My hair is looking pretty weak at the moment. My little cousin J-Five told my stylist that my hair was two colors. I wish I could say that it was the comic stylings of a child, but it really is starting to look like it is two colors.

And Jackie if you are reading this: I am offering up my apologizes for the crappiness of my hair. But you are wonderful and I am hoping to be in to see you soon!



Veer Merch

I love Veer. They are my go to source for stock photos (at least when Clients are paying.)

I am also in love with all of their Merch and already own numerous items. My KERN zip up is a go to item in my weekend wardrobe, my typography hoodie that I can't seem to find at the moment, a corduroy messenger bag that they just randomly sent to me one day with a white Helvetica mug, and all of the Summer Activity Guides.

They have a lot of cool new items up that I could totally rock:

I love this necklace, however, it is no longer available. :(

A bad ass Uppercase Scarf.

A new CMYK Hoodie!

Confessions of an Advertising Man - David Ogilvy

I have heard of this book many times over the course of my career, but kept forgetting about it. A few weeks ago, I was watching past episodes of Mad Men and they mentioned the book. That mention reignited my interested and I promptly put in a request on Swaptree. However, it has yet to become available. Those who have read it said that regardless of its age, its content is still viable in today's advertising industry.

And finally....

A new giant purse

I have gone back to carrying a giant purse. I didn't want to, however, it is now out of a dire need to carrying a lot of things (some of you may have remembered this) ... again.

I bought the yellow Guess bag in the corner of the top image last year with my Christmas money. I got it for a great deal and it only cost me an extra $5. But after a year of almost non stop use (and cat kneading), it's pretty banged up. So a new giant bag, preferably single-strapped, is in order. I found this great one online. I believe it is a Marc Jacobs. Isn't it pretty??


I spotted this very pricey bag on the interwebbings earlier this season and since then have been looking for a more moderately priced knock off. I think this tartan plaid is a big thing for this season, I have been seeing it everywhere.


Happy Shopping!
YDB

Christmastime is Here....

...and boy do I love me some Christmastime.

For the month of December I will be dedicating my 3 Faves to all that is Christmas. And don't worry kiddies...they are already mapped out and will be uploaded in a timely manner. None of those late posts that haunted my November.

This year B101 started playing their Merry Tunes the week before Thanksgiving. That is just too insane. I don't even want to think about Christmas music until after I have gorged myself on all things Thanksgiving.

This was a hard decision to make, being that there are so many awesome Christmas tunes out there.

Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby and David Bowie



I wish that when I sit around in my Mr. Rodgers sweater David Bowie would come knocking on my door. Could you imagine? That would be totally bad ass.

"Sure David, we have a piano you can play just push the cat off of it first. You don't mind that it is out of tune and a few keys don't work. "... "No you can't leave."

I wonder if Crosby beat Bowie with a bag of Valencia oranges afterwords.....

Home for the Holidays - Perry Como



This song reminds me of Popi. He loves this song. You can always here him singing it while he is getting dressed in the mornings. It's pretty funny. He only knows the chorus.



Marshmallow World - Dean Martin



I just discovered this song last year and I must say...I absolutely love it. I loved it so much that I made this catchy little tune my ringtone! But what makes the song? It's Deano's drunk swagger throughout the entire piece. You just know that he was loaded while recording it and you know he didn't care!

Last Christmas - WHAM!

I don't even have to think twice about this one! Last Christmas is Fabulous with a capital "F." And now that I discovered there is a music video, oh God, it's even more amazing.



If you want to hear a pretty good and a some what more manly remake check, out Jimmy Eat World's Last Christmas. Now, I am not too sure what is going on in this video but I was strangely hypnotized. It's obliviously a high school project, "the girl who got away, but boo-hoo I want her back" is a common theme in high school video class projects. I should know, I was one of those aspiring filmmakers.



I would like to know your thoughts on this video. If I were his teacher, B-. First, great song choice, nice choice in clothing....Wii jacket. But Transformers....you are not winning any chicks back with that piece of crap. Next time bring some Love, Actually. Chicks love that movie plus it's all Christmasy.