Birthday Surprises and More!!

So, last weekend I was given a Birthday surprise like no other. In reality, my Birthday is February 17, but we will be sitting by a fire in Lake Tahoe at the cabin we have reserved with Katy and Becky on that day. woo hoo! Anyway, I had been struggling with when exactly to do my Birthday celebration in Los Angeles. I finally decided I would have it the weekend we returned, that way it could be a sort of combo Birthday/Vince and Justin house warming event. I had told Denise last Friday, and she said, "Sure, tell Vince and Justin."

On Saturday morning I had to arise at 7:30 AM (ugh) to go to a CLE class to keep my license current. It was an interesting topic, but I was way to sleepy of all this law jargon so early in the morning. After that, I met up with my friend Jess for lunch and pedicures. She had also requested that I PLEASE go with her and some friends to pick out bridesmaids dresses for an upcoming wedding. I actually could not imagine a more miserable activity, but I agreed since she is my friend. :) After two bridal shops, an annoying sales woman with an unattractive habit of agreeing with EVERYTHING anyone says, another with an attitude, and 5 hours of sleep, I was useless and wanted to go home.

I arrived at home about 5:30, and needed to be in the shower by 7:00 to get ready for dinner at 8:00 with Laura, Noa, and Shannon. I used my hour or so of time to try to nap. At 7:00 Denise and I were rushing around to get ready, and as usual, I was ready first. So, Denise asked me to take the dog out to pee before we left. I begrudgingly agreed. Of course, Baron was awful on the walk! He was pulling, jumping at every person that walked by, would NOT go to the bathroom. I just kept pulling, yelling, and getting more frustrated by the minute because I knew it was after 8:00. Finally I took him in, and he was pulling me up the stairs like a madman. I was SO pissed. I opened our apartment door, and said, "Get in there!" At that exact moment the lights turned on and everyone yelled, SURPRISE!" I was completely shocked! I can't imagine the look of horror that was on my face. I had NO idea and was feeling schizophrenic due to my quick emotional switch from angry to flabbergasted to happy and releaved.

It was a wonderful surprise and very well coordinated by Denise. It was perfect that Vince and Justin live next door, so everyone could hide there until I walked Baron down and rush next door. I later saw the evite later and her orders for everyone to just indulge me if I mentioned any Birthday plans, just as she had done.

I had such a great time and realized once again how lucky I am to have all these wonderful friends in my life. I got so many great gifts, but the highlight was the 80 GB ipod people pitched in to get! I was SO shocked. My little ipod Nano barely turned on anymore, and I had been needing a new one, but 80 GB??!! I don't know if I will ever fill it up, but I will sure try. ;)

On Sunday, we decided to ignore the utter chaos that was our house, and go to the Gentle Barn!!! Shannon and Laura accompanied us, and it was such a great day. A young boy greated us to get our email addresses. When asked if we needed to make a donation, he said "You don't have to but it is very nice of you." haha! The animals were SO cute and friendly. There were only a couple of horses that seemed skittish, but all the other animals allowed you to pet and feed them. Above are a couple of pictures Denise took. The horse I am petting is in the Clydesdale family, and it was HUGE (although Shannon said they were actually small, but they were big to me!) They had shiny red hair and blond wavy manes. I read later that they use these horses to make a hormone supplement for women with menopause, and haven't stopped even though there are many synthetic types available. :(

I think it is amazing what these people are doing and deserve lots of money and support!

After we went to a famous local diner, and then made our way back to good ol Cahuenga to help Vince and Justin move a few large items. That night was all crashed on the couch with bloody marys, a wonderful dinner created by Denise, and watched Rock of Love 2. What a great way to end a great weekend. ta ta ya'll!!

My Down Stairs Mix-Up

So, first order of business...LOST!! We are two episodes in this season, and has already put our brains in tail spin (get it, tail spin, their tail section spun onto the island...whatever, it's clever. :). They have introduced 4 new characters who may or may not be good and who may or may not be there to rescue them. We found out last night that their real mission involves Ben, the malicious leader of the Others, and they don't seem to like him very much either. We have seen a flash forward for Hurley (but not as forward as the season finale last season), and learned that 6 people get off the island (they are calling them the Oceanic 6), 3 of whom are Jack, Kate, and Hurley. Hurley tells Jack that they need to go back to the island, and that they need to help the others who are still there, whoever that may be. Jack is still adamant they are not going back. What happens to make this Jack turn into the obsessed Jack (obsessed with getting back to the island) from the season finale is a HUGE mystery and I cannot WAIT to find out. Every Friday I look at LOST blogs to see what people are saying about the episode from the night before, and today they were all abuzz with some GREAT theories. If anyone has any ideas to share, please comment. What is probably so exciting about this show is it is full of mystery, and forces our brain the bend in ways that is rarely done with television. Although, my brain does bend to figure out why anyone would eat bull testiles just to go on a date with someone, but it's not quite the same.

Moving on, last weekend my friend Noa celebrated her Birthday with karaoke/bowling. Whoever decided to combine these two highly entertaining pastimes is a genius. We bowled for 2 games each team. The funniest moment for me was realizing the Phil has this cute gay swish when he bowls, which is a crack up because in other aspects of life Phil is one of the "least gay acting" of our gay friends. It's nice to know there's still a little flame in there somewhere.

After bowling, it was time to take karaoke by storm! Pretty much everyone went up to do a song, except Shannon and Denise (chickens!). Vince and Carmen were karaoke virgins, but they each surprised us with their performances. Vince did a rambunctious rendition of "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics, complete with ass slapping and scarf flailing. Carmen belted out "Love is a Battlefield" by Heart, which had all of us hopping and dancing around like the bunch of Lesbians that we are. The next day I was still signing "Love is a Battlefield" in my head, and Denise was suffering from the ailment known as "bowling arm."

Saturday we were in Santa Monica and had a great celeb sighting. Ellen Paige from "Juno" was at Wholefoods. She is SO cute and little. She is truly a "pee pee." She looked like a little lesbian too, but you didn't hear that from me cause I ain't one to gossip.

This weekend I think Denise and I are going to try to visit the Gentle Barn. It is a great organization that rescues Domestic and Farm animals, as well as helping abused and at-risk youth. Denise and I were reading some of the animals stories last weekend, and we were both sitting there with tears streaming down our faces. Here is the link to their website http://www.gentlebarn.org/ I'm ready to pet some animals and give them some money.

Have a GREAT weekend ya'll!!

VOTE!!

If you live in a state that is holding a Primary Election today, GO VOTE!!!! We have to become more active in our political process for things to ever change. Not only will you feel good about yourself for partaking in a right so many fought to gain, but you get a cool sticker as shown above! :) Thanks!

One More LOST Item

After I published my below post, I saw this on Yahoo!!

http://tv.yahoo.com/slideshow/214/photos/1

LOST PREMIERE!

So, for those of you who are not obsessed maniac's like myself, you may not know that the season premeir of LOST is tonight. I am full of anticipation and glee for this season, especially after the shocking finale of last years season. I know, I sound like a LOST ad on television, but it's such a true statement.

If you are not a LOST fan yet, I encourage you to run out, rent all three seasons, and watch them in about a weeks time (it can be done, believe me). After that, you will be all caught up for next week. I'm telling you, I heard all the buzz about LOST for a couple of years, and I thought, "seriously, how exciting can a show be about people stuck on an island." Obviously my skeptism was due to my only point of reference, Gilligan's Island.

However, look at the stranded LOST members below



Now look at these, see the difference?


Plus, if you watch, you get to experience the hotness that is Evangeline Lilly (evidentiary support below).


LOST is obviously NOTHING like Gilligan's Island. I really don't know what else to compare it to, but it's definitely a dream for those who like to pay REALLY close attention to detail, find clues in every scene, and remember characters, plots, or comments from seasons past to match up with what is happening currently. Also, if you have a vast mental catalogue of prior movies, books, and comics written on a variety of topics including destiny, alternate universes, paradise, and interconnectedness, that helps too. I really have none of these qualities, which is why I read the blogs online by people who are good at that stuff, and reap all the benefits of their hardwork and attention span. I love the internet.

Anyway, run out and rent those seasons!!! I'll let you know how tonight goes!! YEA!!!

I like surprises!

We are only three weeks into 2008, and it has already started with a bang! Full of surprises, adventures, and projectile vomiting.

First, to my extreme pleasure and delight, I was informed near the end of December that my sign sister (aka Ms. Jodi) would be flying into LA from London on New Years eve for a glorious 10 days!! Woo Hoo!!! Jodi once lived here with us in this urban jungle, but she left in December 2005 to go back to family, friends, better pay/vacation, the pound, weather, and no ice (sorry, Denise made me say that.:). While I understand her decision, I have missed her terribly. We still communicate often by chat, text, blackberry messenger, and the occasional phone call, but it is not the same as her walking with me to get coffees and pedicures while we gossip about gay and straight drama.

Anyway, we had a wonderful time while she was here, and I miss her so so much. We consumed copious amounts of coffee and had great discussions about life choices, why she likes assholes, and the empirical truth that there must be some validity to astrology because we are both so similar in small ways. :) Jess, Jodi and I went to lunch, pedicures, shopping, and ended with pictures taken in the photo booth on the Santa Monica pier a la Beaches style (minus the Atlantic City part of course) over the weekend. It brought back so many fun memories. Friday night we danced our asses off (literally, I swear I have less ass) at Popstars and practically had the dance floor to ourselves because most people don't venture out of the house in LA if it is raining, which it was. The night before she flew out we went bowling, and I beat everyone with my superior bowling skills....at least that is how I remember it. On Thursday evening before her flight we had one last coffee bean together. After there was a tearful goodbye in the streets of Hollywood while two men in a convertible harassed us and a girl gave us death stares for standing in the street... it was magical. ;) WE MISS YOU JODI!!

In other exciting news, our friends, and other long-term couple of the group, Vince and Justin are moving in RIGHT next door to us!! I don't mean next building down the street, but mean same floor, same side of the hall, DIRECTLY next door. OH SHOOT!!! Let the good times begin.

The next adventure was not exactly mine, but is so incredible that I had to put it in my blog.

My friend Noa and a girl she was on her 3rd date with decided to go on a day hike to Switzer Falls, which is right outside LA in the mountains. Noa, Denise and I have hiked there a few times. They arrived at about 10 AM, and started on the path, taking a different way into the falls than we usually do. As they are walking along the path they meet a nice man with a dog who tells them about the area, and that to the left is a camping site. They chat a bit more and the ladies are on their way. Eventually they get to the falls, hang out, and around 2:30 or so decide to hike out. They decide to take the path out that we usually take, just for a change of scenary. After over an hour and a half of climbing over rocks that do not look familiar, and no path in sight, Noa decides they somehow went the wrong way, and are lost. By now it's around 4:00 and she decides they need to go back the way they came and get out of there before the sun goes down.

They book it back over the rocks, and by the time they get back to the falls, it is 6:30 and pretty much dark. Assessing the situation, it seems like their best option is to go to that campsite the hiker told them about and see if it is near a road to flag down help. Noa tries her cell phone several times, but alas, no service. They finally arrive at the camp, but there is no road, and it is completely dark. Through the dark night they see there are two outhouses (Noa called them latrines. Who says that? ;) hahaha!), and decide that the choice is clear. They are going to be spending the night in one of them.

Squeezing onto the woman's bathroom floor, cuddling up, lying on top of each other for warmth, and shifting so as not to suffocate each other is how they spent their night. (Again, note this is their 3rd date!) Finally, the sun starts to rise about 7:30 AM, and they run out of there as fast as they can. To top it all off, it starts to snow! They finally get to the car, and drive out of there. Since they are delirious from their lack of sleep and warmth, they go the wrong way on the highway (I'm giving Noa the benefit of the doubt here) and don't realize it until they cross under a bridge they don't recognize. They stop at a small coffee shop, get some food and warm drinks in their belly, and finally make it home.

Crazy huh?! It's like one of those stories you see Monday morning on the MSNBC Headlines, "Two day hikers lost in the woods, sleep in Outhouse," because really, no one says latrine except Noa. ;) Glad you made it out alive Noa!!!

Finally, we went to see Cloverfield on Monday. I was damn scared and kept placing my hand on my head due to nervousness and disbelief. The content of the film aside, we were warned before hand that some people get motion sickness because the whole movie takes place from the perspective of a handheld camera. They had actually been cleaning up vomit beforehand, so we were delayed getting in the theater. The usher informed us that they had placed a trash can in the theater for viewers who felt instantly sick, and that the bathrooms were right out of the door if you could run that far. As we were exiting the theater after the film, still exhausted from adrenaline, right by the exit doors was none other than a pile of puke. A pile of puke noodles to be exact. Guess they couldn't make it to the bathroom, and did not want to hurl into the trashcan in front of a theater full of people. Justin took a picture... priceless.

Anyway, those are the highlights of my 2008 so far. Hope everyones 2008 is shaping up to be as exciting as mine. :)

Holidays and Such...

Since I really didn't post anything over the Holidays, the overwhelming idea of recapping the days makes my head spin, especially since I have a cold and my head seems to be literally spinning. So, here is a brief outline of what we did.

Christmas Eve - We had our few remaining LA friends over for a wonderful feast prepared by Denise. Our friend Noa came, who is Jewish, for her first Christmas Eve. I think we made a good impression. ;) The rest of the night was spent filming our antics such as drawing on Justin, desecrating the baby Jesus, and expressing every one's love of chocolate. I again made a French exit around 2:00AM, but the festivities continued until about 3:00AM

Christmas Day - We went over to Katy's dads house for lots of good food, drinks, presents, and ponderous performances.

Days to follow - hiking, sleeping, and the "Dewey Cox Story" which = DUMB!

The weekend before and up through New Years Day - We rented a cabin in Wrightwood, CA, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from LA, with our friends Noa, Laura, Shannon, Rob and Kendra. There really wasn't any snow around our cabin, but if you drove a few minutes there was enough to sled on. We cooked, ate, played games, sled, hiked and were almost eaten by a mountain lion, did head stands (as seen above:), and I was finally able to see the recent Harry Potter movie despite protests. :) It was fun, but after 4 days, I was ready for my own comfy bed.

Well, that's my last few weeks in a nut shell. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!