ANTM = Danielle!

Well, apparently Danielle has what it takes. The 20-year-old 5’11” babysitter from Little Rock, Arkansas was named America’s Next Top Model last night over runner-up Joanie, the blue-eyed blonde who many had pegged to win. Personally, I would have been happy for either girl, because they were both GORGEOUS and had fantastic personalities. However, I do think Joanie deserved to win, considering Danielle’s significant speech impediment.

But hands down, the most exciting event of the evening was when the judges, including show creator Tyra Banks, sent third-runner-up Jade home. Although it was expected, Jade’s elimination still had all six of the Top Model fans who gathered in a friend’s apartment on our feet, cheering and clapping.

How Jade got into the final three, I will never understand. For one, she’s way too old to just be starting out in the modeling business, at an ancient 26. For another, she looks like a drag queen. And most importantly, her attitude SUCKS. This girl did not listen to a single thing she was told throughout the entire competition! She’s one of those people who are full of excuses – it’s never her fault. She was perpetually babbling about this or that in her nasty, raspy voice, even going so far as to rudely interrupt the judges. And I’ll tell you one thing right now: Whoever would interrupt noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker is seriously disturbed. **SWOON**

But without a doubt, Jade marches to the sound of her own drummer, which she proved as she left the house last night doing some weird kind of dance, snapping her fingers, and reciting spoken word poetry. I hope she got hit by a bus once she made it outside.

And then there were two. Both gorgeous, but drastically different. You can’t really compare a sophisticated, blonde, blue-eyed Pennsylvania girl with a ghetto/fabulous Southern gal. There’s just too great a contrast. Throughout the competition, both girls were asked to demonstrate both inner and outer beauty as they learned to master complicated catwalks, intense physical fitness, fashion photo shoots and perfect publicity skills, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the America’s Top Model cameras that chronicle every move.

As the weeks passed, both girls did every single thing that was asked of them by the judges. They both had amazingly sweet personalities and came from bad backgrounds. Both improved as each new photo was taken. So who do you choose to win? In my opinion, Danielle and Joanie were neck in neck throughout the entire competition. Except for Danielle’s Southern drawl, which Tyra asked her to work on again and again. She didn’t. For me, that should have tipped the scales in Joanie’s favor. I mean, imagine Danielle talking about her “life as a cover girl” next season – can you really take her seriously unless she gets some voice lessons first?!

I must admit though, this crash course to fame did transform Danielle, an everyday young woman, into a potentially fierce supermodel. We’ll just have to see if Danielle had enough exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus to make it in the real world. It’s up for debate, seeing as the winners of cycles 1-5 are rarely seen in the fashion world thus far. My opinion? Without a doubt, both Joanie and Danielle will be successful models in the near future.

Oh, and let’s not forget the fabulous prizes, as Tyra reminds us EVERY week! The grand price for the sixth cycle of America’s Next Top Model includes a contract with Ford Models, a $100,000 contract with cosmetics giant CoverGirl, and a fashion spread in Elle magazine, shot by noted photographer Gilles Bensimon. Damn, too bad it’s not Nigel Barker.

Do you wanna be on top?

Check it out for yourself here.

Greenlake

I think I trespassed at Greenlake last night.

Lacey, Hannah and I thought since the weather was gorgeous and in the mid-70s, a walk around Greenlake after work would be really refreshing. However, once there, I realized we were grossly out of place. As three women in our mid-20s with no purpose at the lake other than to wander around gossiping with one another, we really felt the stares of rejection. Lacey eventually succumbed to the peer pressure – she began to think about getting a small dog.

Here’s a short list of people who actually fit in at Greenlake:

· People with cute or semi-cute dogs (preferably the smaller, the better)
· People with cute or mildly-cute children in strollers
· High school kids wandering around causing trouble
· People on the exercise rampage (usually wearing spandex)
· Guys playing basketball, volleyball, baseball, etc.
· Skinny girls sitting on the sidelines watching the guys play sports
· Crazy people on rollerblades, skateboards or bikes
· Fishermen
· Couples holding hands
· Old people holding hands (or just holding each other up?)

Even though we felt slightly awkward, we decided that public places are for everyone and enjoyed our walk. It was somewhat distracting having to dodge power-walkers, runners, rollerbladers and bikers screaming, “On your left!” but we managed. For a while… until we saw Starbucks looming in the distance. We had to stop. We figured it would only take a minute. Even though the line was about 8 people deep, it’s Starbucks. They always have about 10 employees working at a time, so it should have been no big deal. Yeah right. Waiting in line for 20 minutes, we desperately tried to politely ignore the disgusting comments that the nasty old man in front of us kept interjecting into our private conversation. The only saving grace at the end of the line was when the incompetent barista accidentally made an extra strawberry smoothie, and gave it to us for free.

Finally back on track for our walk, we got approximately 50 yards before another distraction. “Hey, are you registered to vote?” This not being a typical annoying cat call-type statement, we were intrigued by the question. Dodging a stroller, we wandered over to a table manned by two guys about our own age. We quickly learned that they were from Florida, traveling the country working with some sort of political forum. Their goal for the day? To lure Greenlake patrons into signing a petition which, with enough signatures, would get a Green Energy bill on the ballot. Eh, what the heck, we signed it. Not only that, but Lacey and Hannah volunteered the information that Alki Beach would also be a great place to collect signatures. Seeing their chance, the guys quickly asked for a phone number, “So they could find their way to Alki,” they insisted. (Lacey and Hannah live across the street from the beach).

Now, anyone who knows Lacey is aware that she has had some problems with a certain stalker. She wasn’t about to give her phone number to another psycho, so politely declined. Hannah, however, was nice enough to volunteer some general directions. Noticing that the sun was going down, we waved goodbye and continued on our way. Hannah and Lacey prided themselves on not giving up their digits to strangers, thus avoiding another potential stalker situation. Until Hannah stopped cold in realization. We had written down our addresses on the ballot forms. Not only that, but Hannah had basically held out the directions to her house on a silver platter. Oops. Maybe we weren’t so smart after all. So if anyone reads the headline, “Girls kidnapped from Alki Beach” in the next few days, you know what happened.

It's Over

I KNEW they would kill off Denny!

Last night I watched the final two hours of the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, and I still have to maintain my claim – This show is the best thing on television! It’s got everything; sex, drama, comedy, romance… the perfect escape for those dull Sunday nights with another work week looming before us. However, I’ve just learned that next season Grey’s will air on a new day and time – Thursdays at 9 p.m. Interesting.

So now we are left with a summer to ponder Meredith’s dilemma. Will she choose Dr. McDreamy (played by the oh-so-steamy Patrick Dempsey), or Dr. McVet (Chris O’Donnell)? I can’t help but cheer for the latter, because let’s face it, Derek is still married to Addison, and does seem to care about her. Of course not enough to resist doing Meredith up against the wall of an exam room while his wife is still in the building, but that’s neither here nor there. Oh and by the way, is anyone else still wondering if Meredith ever found her panties?

Talk about a tear-jerker though! I tried hard not to cry when Meredith and Derek had to put their dog to sleep, but I couldn’t handle it. I personally happened to see the death of the dog as a metaphor for the ending of their relationship, but apparently I was wrong. I can’t help but feel bad for Addison Shepherd, because she’s trying so hard to make her marriage work, but then again, she did sleep with Derek’s best friend – Not a forgivable offense, in my opinion.

But the question of the day remains… What is going to happen to Izzie Stevens? I predicted that they were going to kill off her love interest, Denny, but it was still awfully sad when they did! However, I still think they could have developed that particular story line a bit more. I find it kind of far-fetched that she could have fallen so deeply for a patient in such a sort period of time. But it has been suggested that I’m jaded, so I could be wrong. But my prediction for next season? I think Alex Karev will waltz in and save the day. I always thought a spark remained between him and Izzie, and they were just so HOT together!

Gosh, the episode was frustrating though. What the hell is Christina’s problem?! I don’t know if I can take another season of her bullshit. She occasionally attempts to be a human being, but I think she really might be dead inside. I mean, how much do you really care about your boyfriend if you can’t help him stop throwing up the tube inside his throat? And she basically told the Chief that she would do anything not to lose her edge, basically admitting that medicine will always come before her relationship. Why does she even bother to string Burke along then?

Ah, and George and Callie. I was a George fan for a while, but his whining about Meredith finally became too annoying. And I am NOT a fan of this Callie chick. She’s just big, loud and obnoxious to me, and I find it very hard to sympathize with her. We’ll have to see how that story-line progresses.

OK, stop reading here if you don’t want anything spoiled for next season.

Not sure if any of this is true, but according to Spoilerfix.com, Sara Ramirez (aka dirty-hand-lady Callie) is only committed through the end of season two. Thus far, there has been no movement to retain her. That doesn’t mean she’s not coming back, it just means she’s not currently contracted. Chris O’Donnell, meanwhile, was booked for eight episodes – with two still remaining for next season. Again, this doesn’t mean he won’t stick around longer. Meanwhile, Kate Walsh (Addison) is on board through early 2007. And rumor has it than an attractive older female is coming on board as a heart surgeon.

All I know is, I can’t WAIT for next season! I think I may have to buy the DVDs of Season One to get me through the summer.

Want to know more about Grey's Anatomy? Check out the web site.

The Underground

For Mother’s Day, my parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins came up to Seattle to spend the afternoon. For our exciting holiday activity, we had decided to sign up for Bill Speidel’s Undergound Tour in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The Undergound Tour is a leisurely, guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets, and let me tell you, it was pretty darn entertaining. I had no idea that there is virtually an entire neighborhood resting beneath the streets of Pioneer Square!!

The tour began with a fairly lame (and not very informative) standup comedy routine/introduction inside Doc Maynard’s Public House, a restored 1890s saloon. Once outside, the large group of tourists was broken up into several small groups and we were off for the underground. We roamed the subterranean passages that were once the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle before a disastrous fire destroyed the entire area in 1889. The tour covered about three blocks in all.

Have you ever wandered around Pioneer Square and noticed those squares of purple tiles in the sidewalk? Well, I always thought they had something to do with Seattle’s art scene, but no! They are actually SKYLIGHTS, which provided light for shoppers in the underground, which actually stayed open for business years after Seattle’s streets were raised up an entire story. So when you wander around Pioneer Square, you are actually looking into the second floor windows of the shops… weird!! The underground eventually closed down and was condemned after several earthquakes rocked the city, but the skylights remain. It was so creepy to be underneath them, looking up at where I had walked naively above dozens of times before.

I have always found history fascinating, so wandering around dingy, dim, musty old corridors was actually quite entertaining! And since at present Seattle is the current #1 love of my life, learning a bit of history about her couldn’t hurt me. Plus, I got to spend the afternoon with my family, which is always fun on many levels. My mom and grandma both had a fantastic time on the tour, and considering the date, they were really the only two people who counted.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

I know that no one is perfect. I have never claimed to be. I procrastinate writing thank you notes. I forget to return phone calls. I take too long returning emails. But I still feel as though I try very hard to be the best friend, sister, girlfriend, niece, daughter and granddaughter that I can be. It gets frustrating when some of the people you care about the most don’t seem to feel the same way in return.

I have found that what people say and what they actually do can often be polar opposites. After the events of the past few days, I have taken to heart the advice my best friend Cailin has given me over and over again. Actions speak louder than words. It doesn’t matter how many promises someone makes, when it comes down to it, their actions backing up those promises are what really matters. A person can talk until they’re blue in the face about how much they love and care about you, but the time and energy they take to show you are the most important.

My dad hasn’t told me he loves me in more years than I can count. But when our family had a crisis, my dad drove two and a half hours to take me to dinner, just to ask, “Are you okay? Because if you’re not okay, I will fix it.” I know my dad loves me. He shows me every time he remembers what kind of beer I like and keeps it in the fridge for when I come home. Every time he fills my car up with gas because he knows I hate to do it myself. Every time he sits down to do a puzzle with me at Christmas.

I have a few very close girlfriends, who are all very important to me. I work very hard to maintain those friendships. Friendships are like any relationship. They take time and energy, and they’re not always fun and games. Sometimes they are work. When I had to leave work sobbing this past Friday, my friend Lacey called me about five times to see if there was anything she could do to help. She has sat and listened to me rant about the same things over and over again for months, because she understands that I need to talk and cry to process the issues. She has never brushed me off, never made me feel as though my feelings were not valid. She listened, let me cry on her shoulder, and continued to tell me that everything would be ok.

Another friend who was not only aware of how hysterical I was that afternoon, but witnessed it for herself, never called to check on me. We had specific plans to hang out on Saturday night. She did not return my phone message that morning. Nothing. She did not return my phone message that evening. Nothing. She never called to cancel. Nothing. The last time I spoke to her I was sobbing. Still, nothing. I don’t care what is going on in my life, when I have a friend in need, I am there, no questions asked. Even if I don’t agree with the reason why they are unhappy.

My mother heard how upset I was, so she left work, got in her car, and ran to my side. I have always believed in the sort of unconditional love that comes from family members. Now I realize that love is not an expectation, but something that is earned. Betrayal can come in many forms, but I think it is the most painful when it comes from someone you had learned was to be trusted unconditionally.

I have experienced too many broken promises. What I have learned is to value the people who have proved themselves, and to try harder to prove myself to the people that matter to me. To not abandon people in their time of need, no matter what the circumstances. To keep my word, to make the phone call, send the email, make the effort. Talk is cheap, but someone’s actions can truly make or break another person’s day. My goal is to always keep this in mind. I will strive to treat others the way I want to be treated. And I will surround myself only with people who truly enrich my life and make me happy. I am going to take action. I will be happy. I promise.

The Great Fall

Why do we always fall for the wrong men? I get so sick of fitting in with those stupid stereotypical girls, but I seem to find myself in the same position again and again. Last night I spent the evening with some girlfriends who were either recently out of bad relationships, or currently going through bad breakups. What is wrong with us? We face the world of dating with the best of intentions, only to get our hearts broken again and again. Why do we bother?

I’m trying hard not to become jaded, but it’s so difficult not to succumb to feelings of, “All the good ones are already taken.” However, after a discussion with the girls, we do admit that these “good guys” are not as appealing as the “bad boys” we continue to chase. At one point Hannah hypothesized, “Maybe we should just go for ugly nerds?” Yes, the theory seems ingenious, but let’s be realistic… we’ve all tried dating the nice guy who is slightly below our normal standards, and what do we do? We get bored. We cheat. We’re annoyed by his constant attention. Why can’t we appreciate a guy who actually wants to fulfill our every need? Is it the thrill of the hunt? The challenge that each new asshole provides us?

The fact of the matter is, we really do want a nice guy. And the men we begin dating seem to be exactly what our hearts desire. And for a few weeks or even months, everything is perfection. Then, things simmer down. Are these guys playing games? Are they pretending to be a certain person to get us into bed before pulling their pants back on and revealing their true colors? Who knows. The point is that it keeps happening. Again, and again, and again. I’ve got to break this cycle.

Watching 20/20 last night, I learned an interesting fact. There is actually such a thing as “Broken Heart Syndrome.” According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers have discovered that sudden emotional stress can result in severe but reversible heart muscle weakness that mimics a classic heart attack. Patients with this condition, called stress cardiomyopathy, have suffered from a days-long surge in adrenalin (epinephrine) and other stress hormones that temporarily “stun” the heart. So at least now I can validate the pain that I am feeling, however irrational others may think it is.

But why do we put ourselves through this torture again and again? I know I will get out alive, but how many times can your heart be broken before you can’t put it back together again? I know eventually I will heal, but at this point I can’t imagine dating again. I’ve seen so many failed relationships, the pain hardly seems worth it. If the odds are so much against us, why gamble? I think I would much rather remain slightly lonely and continue to spend my time and energy on the relationships that are truly valid, and truly important to me. My friendships. As corny as it is, I may have to agree with Charlotte. “Maybe we can be each other’s soul mates?”

Or then again, maybe we have to be willing to take the risks. Maybe the hope that the perfect man is out there will be enough to sustain us. I don’t want to give up on love. I want to believe that someone is out there who will love me as much as I love him. But regardless of being single yet again, I am still loved. By so many people, for so many reasons. Maybe I can be put back together again. Because unlike Humpty Dumpty, I’ve got a great safety net.

Can A Girl Get A Drink In Peace?

After months of schedule juggling, I was finally able to meet up with my cousin Alyson last night for dinner and drinks. No small feat, since we have been trying to get together ever since she got married and moved to Seattle this past August. Needless to say, I was excited to see my older cousin who I had idolized since the age of 5.

Since we live on opposite sides of Queen Anne and both like Thai food, the most logical thing to do was meet up at one of the neighborhood's countless Thai restaurants. We had quite a few to pick from, but settled on the Thai Kitchen. Lured in by their sparkling display of wine and martini glasses, we were shocked and disappointed to find that the restaurant does not serve alcohol!! (We think the waitress mumbled something about an expired liquor license, but couldn’t quite understand her.) Still feeling a little bummed about the lack of cocktails, we managed to get through our meal with great conversation and full water glasses. (If you know me at all, you know how important this is to my dining experience.)

Catching up with my cousin was great. She filled me in about being married, I gave her the scoop on the single life. We were having so much fun chatting that we decided to wander up the street for a drink. Too lazy to bring our doggy bags back to the car, we decided it would be only semi tacky to carry them with us. We walked half a block and into the first place that looked remotely like a bar that we came to, which happened to be Orrapin Thai Cuisine, how ironic. We thought it was a bit rude to bring our leftover food into another Thai restaurant, so we tried, giggling, to tuck the offending noodles underneath our chairs. One Vodka Diet and one Vodka Tonic later and we were feeling much better.

But just as a took a refreshing sip of my drink… BAM!!! The live band started up. It immediately became so loud that Aly and I were forced to shout at each other to be heard. Our conversation went from fun childhood reminiscing and drunken stories to “What? WHAT??” in a matter of about five seconds. Finally Aly’s frantic motioning and screaming in my ear translated… “Do you want to leave??!” Yes. Trying to actually get out the door was another story. The bartender couldn’t hear our pleas to close out our tabs, so we tried a method of sign language; Aly waving her credit card and me making a frantic cutting motion across my throat. The bartender immediately began to make us two more drinks. “No, NO!” we shouted in vain. He finally got the picture. Maybe it was bad karma because of those leftovers.

Not about to give up yet, we headed up the street, bound for the Hilltop Ale House. However, we were disappointed to find that the bar only serves beer and wine. Now, after an evening of stuffing my face with noodles and rice, I was not about to dump more carbohydrates into my body. Beer was not an option. Moving along, we were slightly encouraged to see the Paragon, with no live band in view. Finally, peace, quiet, and liquor. I picked up the drink menu. Oops. Not a drink menu. A listing of weekly live performances!! And on Wednesday nights… taking Britney Spears requests!! I immediately turned to the waitress. “Do you guys have live music tonight?” I asked. “Oh yes!” she responded enthusiastically, like her comment would make my freaking night or something. “It starts in about 10 minutes.” We were out of there.

Standing dejectedly on the sidewalk, Aly and I briefly considered walking the 6 blocks up to Sapphire, but since we weren’t sure about the live music situation there either, we decided to give up and go home. I mean seriously, how hard is it to go out and get a drink in peace in Upper Queen Anne? Much too difficult, in my opinion. Now don’t get me wrong, I like live music as much as the next person. But does it have to be so mind numbingly loud that the bar patrons are forced to scream at one another? Queen Anne is in serious need of a live music revamp. Or at least a couple more bars.

Bottoms up.

Advice from Miranda...

"If I make my bed a place I want to be, others will want to be there, too." -- Miranda Hobbs, Sex & the City.

OK, that's not exactly why I decided to redo my bedroom, but I have to say I was so sick of the purple decor I have had since the age of 12 I wanted to pull my own hair out every time I looked at it. So this past weekend I broke down and spent some money on new bedding. After painting my ugly teal sponge-painted bedside tables a more pleasing shade of cream last night, it was time to make up the bed. WOW! You would not believe the difference! No more floral purple for me! The bold red with cream stripes was exactly what I needed! I put together my new silver lamp and the package was complete... Oh, anyone need a purple lamp? It's going in the trash tonight, otherwise!

The sun streaming through my window gave a glorious glow to the entire room this morning, and I swear it actually made it easier to get up and face the day! And the new million-something thread-count sheets that I stole from my parents' house were AMAZING to stretch out in while I pushed the snooze alarm about six times. Oh wait, is my P'jammer clock radio no longer compatible with my new sophisticated bedroom? I don't know if I'm ready to part with it quite yet!

I didn't really change my bedroom because I wanted to get laid or anything, but I have to admit I am a little frustrated and bored by my life, so perhaps this small change will help. However, the man that I am in love with and perpetually dream of having back in my bed hasn't been there in months, so the chances of him seeing my new lovenest is slim to none, although a girl can dream, so to speak.

Sadly, I think another quote from Miranda is more fitting for my life... Watch your answering machines for this message, girls...

"I know you're probably busy having mind-blowing sex, but I feel you need to know that your good friend, Miranda Hobbs (insert my name here), has just taken a piece of cake out of the garbage can and eaten it. You'll probably need this information when you check me into the Betty Crocker Clinic."

Sweet dreams...

BFF

OK yes, I admit that I am officially the laziest blogger ever, but I’m not going to get into that here. I feel like writing today, so I am. Enjoy if you’re bored at work or something.

Anyway, yesterday I spend the day with one of my best friends from high school and her husband. Jamie and I have been very close friends since we were 13, and she was one of my very best friends in the world senior year of high school. Our senior trip to Waikiki was awesome and we managed to visit each other several times my first quarter of college. However, Jamie joined the Air Force shortly after, and moved to Arizona. I missed her so much, but we kept in touch through email, although sporadically, because I tend to procrastinate when it comes to returning emails. Especially when they are from people I don’t see often. Do you ever notice that it just takes SO much effort to fill someone in on your life when they are not involved on a daily basis? It’s always a NOVEL of an email, or a three hour-long phone conversation. Not that the friendship isn’t worth the time, but let’s just admit that effort must be made, more so than those quick emails I exchange all day long with the friends I see every freaking day. OK, end of tangent.

SO, I spent the day with Jamie and Clint, all the while in the back of my head doing cartwheels because I was still getting paid! (You gotta love paid vaca!) First we headed off to Pike Place Market, because Clint, being from Iowa, had never seen any of the typical Seattle landmarks. We first paid a visit to Starbucks, where I was appalled to see Jamie order an iced black coffee, ick! Made me appreciate my grande nonfat almond mocha with whipped cream! After wandering through the market, we decided to stop at the restaurant where part of Sleepless in Seattle was filmed… I believe it’s called the Athenian Inn. Although my stomach was sloshing with chocolate coffee (the only thing I’d had to eat yet that day) We had to order some frosty mug beers, which this restaurant is supposedly famous for. Well let me tell you, if you ever want a great beer and are in the market’s general area, go to the Athenian Inn. GREAT huge icy mugs of beer, it was a great way to start the afternoon, along with some chicken strips and fries.

After that we headed to another landmark, Gasworks Park, which Jamie was determined to see after watching the movie “10 Things I Hate About You.” (Part of the movie is filmed at the park.) We took a few photos with the city background (I know, how cliché) and hiked to the top of the hill to check out our horoscopes. At this point we still had a few hours before the Mariner’s game, so decided to head for Pyramid Brewery for some beers and maybe dinner. Being a big drinker, this was the highlight of Clint’s day, and I just couldn’t wait to sit down and chat with my best friend and her husband. This was actually my first time meeting him, because I missed their wedding due to college finals. And the fact that they have been stationed in England for the past few years hasn’t helped our communication at all! Anyway, Apricot Ales for me and Jamie, and a sampler platter for Clint started off the drinking. We sat and chatted and I was amazed at how personable Clint was. It was so much fun to see my friend, someone I care about so much, so happy with someone who obviously loves her so much. Of course this resulted in some surfacing feelings of self-pity at the fact that I am so perpetually single, but I tried to keep that to myself. (Sort of!) We never did get around to dinner because our bellies were so full of beer, so we paid up and headed off to the game.

Of course at Gasworks sitting in the mid-afternoon sun, it hadn’t occurred to us that T-shirts and flip flops were not appropriate for an outdoor sporting even in Washington State! We tried to warm up by buying ridiculously expensive beers, but Clint was forced to buy an XXL sweatshirt that Jamie and I both huddled in together. Well, our $10 seats were logically not that great, and we were starting to get the beer munchies, so around the bottom of the 5th we decided to head back across the street for some food. Jamie and I devoured a plate of nachos while Clint attempted to eat a plate of the spiciest buffalo wings he had ever eaten! I swear he was going to cry, poor guy!

To finish off the night, we went back to my apartment and showed Clint videos of Jamie and I in middle school and high school. It was so much fun to laugh with her again! They had to get going to get back to Olympia, where they had left their beautiful daughter, Taylor. I fell asleep only to wake up at about 1:30 with a horrible pain in my stomach. Let’s just say those nachos didn’t taste quite as good coming back up! Ick.

Anyway, I had a fabulous day with two fabulous people, who I can’t wait to go visit in England in October. I am so thrilled that my friend found happiness, and that I got to share in it for one day. I know I am going to work harder at doing the little things to better maintain this friendship from now on. You just can’t ever erase the bond you have with the people you grew up with. It’s very comforting that friendships can stand the test of time.

I think I have a problem...

I think I have a major problem. I tend to be a little anal-retentive about things. My clothes are all organized according to color. And it drives me crazy when the hangers are not all facing the same way. I can't stand the fact that my mom will fold towels and basically just throw them on a self in the linen closet, instead of arranging them by size and color, making sure the same side of each towel is facing out. You see what I mean? My movies are alphabetized, as well as my CDs. All my canned goods face the same way. I can't stop myself!

So you can understand why it has been bugging me FOREVER that I did not write a blog during the entire month of April. Why would this drive me crazy, you ask? Well, because on the right hand side of my blog, there is a list of archives. And the list is organized by month. Needless to say, it's been driving me freaking insane to see the list jump from March to May with nothing in between. Why, oh why, didn't I write a blog in April?!? I can't remember if I was busy, or just not totally into the blog scene yet, or what, but that little mistake has been on my mind constantly ever since.

However, I was poking around on my Blogger settings tonight (which happens to be August 22, 2006), and I think I may have found a way to correct the problem. Normally, at home, I use a web browser called Safari, which is a Macintosh based program. I have the option to use Explorer, but it constantly crashes, so I try to avoid it. Anyway, for about a month now I have been unable to upload photos to blogger from my work computer. I can't explain it; I do everything correctly, and then the link never shows up. So I've had to do it when I get home from work. But I have to write and post the original blog at work, because my home computer, for some reason, does not allow me to see all the special features such as bolding, adding bullet points, etc. It's very weird.

Anyway, tonight I noticed that when using Explorer on my home computer, it allows me to see an extra special Blogger setting that I can't see at work… “Change Time & Date.” YES! I've been looking for this exact feature for months; I don't know why I couldn't find it before! I swear it's so weird how some computers and browsers will allow you to see certain features, but others won't. It's a mystery.

Anyhow, I am fairly excited that I can now add “April” into my blog archive list. It takes very little to make me happy, really. I doubt any of you will ever read this, because who would think to look back into my archives just for the fun of it? But for me, this solves the daily anxiety I feel when I log onto Blogger and quickly have to scroll past the archive part of the sidebar because I can't bear to look at it. Yes, I realize I have really weird issues.

Happy April!