what a way to start the morning.

as I was walking to the subway this morning, I saw a really cute red-headed kid being pushed in a stroller. I looked at him. He looked at me. I smiled, as he was really cute. Then, as he came closer, he struck out his hand (in the manner of the Trump firing someone) and screamed out "NO!".

yup.

adventures in taxation without representation

here, in no particular order, are some pictures from the weekend.


This is me beginning my Thanksgiving meal (the first real turkey dinner in about 13 years). Notice the anticipation on my face. I had no idea what a big turkey dinner feels like.

And this, of course, is me after the meal. Can you see the food leaking out my eyes? It's there, I'm pretty sure. Luckily Spiderman 2 was on, so we watched it (whilst my cousins screamed "gross, disgusting!" at the kissing scenes which, in my humble opinion, are pretty tame for movie standards. But that's just me.)

My parents standing outside the building where they met.
(insert barfing noise here)

And this is the thing de la resistance - my dad flipping the white house off. He was really excited about this. We actually had to take the picture twice - the first time he was wearing gloves and it didn't come out so well. There was a cop car parked right behind me, watching us take the picture. Thank goodness for freedom of speech, eh? right?

you have to really want to see the flipping off as it's slightly obscured by the umbrella.

"justin will love this: did you hear what they're doing at Notre Dame?"

Before I recount the amazing snippets of conversation at the Smithsonian Information Castle (and cafe), I would like you to ponder the title of this post. Think to yourselves: what could they possibly be doing at Notre Dame that Justin would love? Let me describe the scene to you: Christmas tree decorated with faux orchids (very nice). Man #1 is a fifty-something white dude with a sweet mullet. He is speaking to two friends, one of whom is Justin. I think. (capitalization mine, to show my incredulity)

Dude: So did you hear what they're doing at Notre Dame? Justin's gonna love this. JUSTIN!!
Justin: yeah?
Dude: So did you hear what they're doing at Notre Dame? They're spraying FOX URINE on the students' Christmas trees to discourage them bringing the trees to school.
Justin: mumble mumble mumble
Dude: FOX URINE! they're spraying the trees when the kids bring them in!
Justin: mumble mumble mumble
Dude: I mean, I don't see them SPRAYING THE KNEES OF STUDENTS WHEN THEY'RE PRAYING TO ALLAH!

at this point, I ran away.
first of all, I don't think any school allows students to bring in real trees because they're a, you know, fire hazard. We weren't allowed to light incense or a candle, so I'm pretty sure a Christmas tree was out of the question.
secondly, fox urine? really? how does one collect said fox urine? and why why why would a prestigious college/university bother to SPRAY FOX URINE ON CHRISTMAS TREES???
thirdly, I don't even have the words for that last statement. spray fox urine on the knees of students praying to allah? COME ON!

I have many more stories about my adventures in the wilds of D.C., but they'll have to wait until I can upload some pictures (highlights of which include my dad flipping off the white house, a prairie dog, and my sister holding up the washington monument)

no. sleep. till. brooklyn.

last weekend sheena came to visit us. it was super awesome fun time, but i haven't had a chance to upload any pictures, so you'll have to take my word for it.

i DO, however, have a prom-style picture of myself and seth pre-opera. here you go. for your viewing pleasure.

On monday, sheena and I visited the Russian and Turkish Baths (which are absolutely awesome) and finally had the Platza treatment. The Platza involves being beaten (by a very bossy Russian man of Mongolian descent) with olive oil soaked oak branches in the hottest room of the baths (basically a large stone oven). It was slightly uncomfortable because of the being manhandled by this guy while everyone in the oven watched, but it felt so good I pretty much forgot that anyone else was in the room.

On Friday night erin had a beaujolais nouveau party, which josh has documented nicely. Much wine was drunk, things were thrown off roofs, beer was had afterwards. then, (very early) on saturday morning, Will and I made the drive to visit the Mohans again in New Boston. On the way there, we stopped at McDonalds (of course) and ate Big Mac Meals. Might have been a mistake. Might have been why we missed our road and ended up IN BOSTON. No matter, we made it to the Mohans with about five minutes to spare before show time. We went, nominally, to see Hayley perform as the Wicked Witch of the West in her school's version of Wizard of Oz. Hayley was awesome. The rest of the play was not, however, and we didn't even get the payoff of the big line at the end. instead, Dorothy said "I wish to be taken back to my Aunt Em" or some such bullshit. Also, they called the Emerald City "the city of emeralds". LAME. But, as I said, Hayley was wonderful - the only thing on stage with a pulse, as Sheena has said.

the rest of the weekend was nice and relaxing - dinner with the Mohans, poker with Sheena and Hayley, food, football, food, and cookies.

Last night Josh, Seth, and I went to see the Bond movie. I highly recommend it. It was super awesome. Daniel Craig is my new favorite Bond. Definitely.

oh happy day (oh happy day)

Today marks the triumphant return (for the weekend) of the lovely and beautiful Sheena to the shores of brooklyn. we are all very very (very) excited to see her. Josh has already posted some nice pictures of ms. sheena for everyone to enjoy, I just wanted to share my excitement.

My wife is coming back to me, people. even if it's only for a weekend. We're gonna party like it's 1999. which, if we're really doing it, isn't really all that much fun as far as I can remember. so, screw that. we're gonna party like it's three months ago (sweet!).

Also, on Saturday night, Seth and I are going to see Madama Butterfly at the Met. This is also super exciting because it's the newly redesigned and revamped version by anthony minghella. also, as far as I can tell, they don't use children for the childrens' parts. instead they use puppets. which may be terrifying. I'll let you know.

In conclusion, HURRAY FOR SHEENA!!!

never have I ever

Today is Election day. This is exciting for two reasons:
a) I have no work today.
b) I get to vote in New York for the first time.

which leads me to a problem. I've never voted using a lever thing. In California, we punch out the appropriate holes. It's very easy.

I'm nervous about the lever thing. God, I hope I don't vote for Pat Buchanan by accident.

UPDATE**** so the voting machine was broken. I had to use an emergency ballot. No lever for me this year. I'll have to wait until '08. Sorry, Pat. Maybe next time.

this is for josh.

Josh wants someone to post something. somewhere. I have a sneaking suspicion he's trying not to do his reading. OK joshie, here you go.

My boss brought in her kid, Hudson, on Halloween. He's dressed as a Whosit (apparently this is the latest IT (and i don't mean ebay) toy for infants). he is a-dor-able.

I got to babysit and put him to sleep. luckily, he woke up every time I put him down. So I got to walk around carrying a baby all day. Needless to say, not a lot of work got done on Tuesday.

A few of us DID wear costumes for a little bit. There was a pony replete with giant paper machiere head, rosie (of course) the riveter, and i think a combo "rockstar" and charlie chaplin. i dont' know what was going on. he's bulgarian. i didn't ask questions. i'm sorry i don't have a picture of that one for you. it was... umm.... special.

now I'm trying to write something to inspire my boss and an old prof to write fantastic letters of recommendation. I've already tried bribes. apparently that's in poor taste.

wish me luck!