Rain, Humidity, and too hot for September!

I love how you can see the rain in this photo on my local news site.

I have to admit, when I woke up around 5:45 AM today it was ALREADY 76 degrees out (and humid). Yuck! It had gotten so cold out a few weeks ago that I had to cover my garden with sheets to prevent frost and add a down quilt to my bed. Now I'm wearing capris, sandals, and a sleeveless top. Oh how fickle the fall weather is!

This Saturday is the big wedding! I am SO excited for my friend Musevia! We have lots of new music that I'm pretty pumped about too. I almost said "cool new music" but a more accurate description would be "Classics that have stood the tests of time." Can classical music be cool?

Home Sweet Home

I'm back from the "new" New York (otherwise known as Jersey City New Jersey). JC is the fastest growing city in the states, because so many Manhattan businesses have just hopped over the river to relocate there. Somehow, we never made it to into NY propper, but we had a good and RELAXING time (with the exception of key-gate).

Now that I'm home there are bills to pay, and rehearsals to coordinate for next weekend's wedding, I need to get ready for my aunt and uncle to visit this week, and on and on....

Welcome home! Vacation is over...

Special Guest, BILL CLINTON!

While I was busy having my adventure earlier today Jamie had a big meeting with the Macy's folks as well as the Martha Stewart team. 

He saw a bunch of guys in suits hanging around where they tape the Martha tv show (except they don't tape on Fridays).  He thought they even looked a little like secret service guys.  BECAUSE THEY WERE!

Martha generally doesn't tape shows on Friday, but today worked for Bill Clinton to be her guest so she made an exception.  Jamie has access to tickets too!

If only we had known ahead of time I could have gotten to meet my hero Bill Clinton!

I've met John Kerry a couple of times, and Tammy Baldwin (we had a long talk about the gay marriage amendment...) but never BILL!!!!

I LOVE YOU BILL!!!

My BIG adventure

When I was a kid I used to go exploring.  And somehow I always knew to check doors before I went through them.

This morning I was home at Jamie's place and he and Chris both went to work leaving me with little Dottie.  After they had been gone for about 4 or 5 hours I thought that I should take her out for a walk.

For a brief second I thought about taking my purse or cell phone, but I didn't.  I almost didn't wear a bra!  But I managed to get dressed, leash up Dottie and head out the front door.

I undid the deadbolt and walked out.  I tried the knob behind me and it was LOCKED!

LOCKED!  

I had just talked to Jamie on the phone before I walked outside and told him, "It's OK that your meeting is going into the afternoon, I'm fine here!"

And now I'm locked outside with no purse, no cell phone, and a little pug dog for WHO KNOWS how long!!!

PANIC!!!

Of course I instantly had to use the ladies room.  Hold that thought....

So I tried the upstairs neighbors' doorbell and knocked a bunch of times.  They are the landlords after all.  But of course, they weren't home.

I had seen the next door neighbor yesterday when I arrived so I thought I would go see if anyone had a spare key or knew how to get a hold of the landlords.

Two brownstones down a nice couple let me use their cell phone to call my mom (because she had Jamie's number and without my phone I didn't).  She gave me the number and I called.  Of course I got his voicemail because he was in a MEETING!

Another neighbor (Hugh) gathered around and he called the landlords and left a message on my behalf.  Hugh said that I could wait in his house, which was a LIFESAVER!

I talked a lot with Hugh.  His 2 floors of the brownstone has never been renovated, he bought it for only $11,000 back in the day... he doesn't have kids, his sister still lives in Great Brittan, and one of his cats is at the vet today, possibly dying.  AND HE STILL WANTED TO HELP ME!

The best part is, that since I had Jamie's dog with me, my story checked out better.  I didn't seem like a burglar.

Hugh and I tried to call Martha Stewart to get a hold of Jamie, but again I only got his voicemail.  Hugh made me some tea to pass the time...

Finally I asked Hugh if I could use a ladder to scale the 10 foot fence between the gardens.  I could see a window open in the back of Jamie's place.

Hugh got me a full size ladder and a blanket to put across the top of the fence as to not impale myself on the picketed top as I climbed over.

I have NO IDEA how I climbed over or got down on the other side (but I'm glad I was wearing a bra for all this acrobatic activity).  Sure enough, the screen popped right out and I got in!

SUCESS!!!

I ran to the front of the hose and unlocked the door knob lock (stupid thing) and went back over to Hugh's to retrieve Dottie.  He said that she went CRAZY when I went over the fence! This whole ordeal lasted about an hour and a half.

I guess that most people are helpful and kind.  I was so appreciative of all the assistance I got from Jamie's neighbors.  And Hugh has a big thank-you package coming his way as soon as I get home.

I'm NOT getting sick....

For some reason I think I get sick almost EVERY time I go on vacation. Maybe it's the planes... But sure enough, my Professor was sounding VERY sick tonight. And I may have kissed him anyway.... He's so cute! How could I not?

I need to go take some nyquil... and some disinfectant. The Professor told me I had to promise him that I won't get sick.

I'm not getting sick, I'm not getting sick!

Stomach Woes (and other excitement)

With everything going on lately, my stomach has been a mess! I don't even know how I'm going to be on vacation this weekend.

My partner left my job this week (which of course means more work for me), I have Aldo's condition on my mind, I have a VERY important wedding coming up, I'm dealing with two contractors for the projects at my house, I'm also scheduling meetings with the CITY for the cool loan I'm getting for said projects, I have out of state relatives coming to visit the same time as the wedding, and I had to cancel my audition, a friend is hospitalized, and my grandma has been ill for almost a month (and I'm trying to manage it from 200 miles away). Gee, I don't know why my stomach feels like I'm growing a huge ulcer!!!!

And my throat feels a little sore too. *cough* *cough*

The FABULOUS going away party I threw today went off without a hitch. The Secretary and Deputy Secretary both attended and gave nice speeches. About 50 people in total attended. And I have to say that I wowed folks with the trick where you cut the cake with dental floss. I don't know where I learned that, but it rules!

I can't WAIT for vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catch Me I'm Falling....

Remember that 1980's tune???

I am indeed falling for the professor. But because I'm soooooooo classy (you can dress me up, but can't take me anywhere) I actually DID fall on our date last night.

First we went to a restaurant (that I picked) and the music was way too loud because it was BELLY DANCING NIGHT! Oops! I just thought they had a good menu. I swear I didn't know there would be half naked women shakin' it! I certainly gave us something to talk about!

We left the restaurant and went to our second venue of the evening to see/hear the band that I also picked. He parked the car and I got out and started kind of walking around the front of the car (towards the club) as he went around the back. He was asking me if I had locked my door. I started backing up to see what he was doing and as I was walking backwards I stumbled on this HUGE bolder sized (ok, the size of two softballs) chunk of concrete.

I thought to myself "There is NO f-ing way I'm about to fall in front of the professor!" and sure enough, I thought I could recover. I must have tripped on the concrete in one spot and actually stumbled backwards for about 15 feet before I fell. Oh yes, I did INDEED fall. IN FRONT OF HIM!!!!

So as I laid on my back staring at the stars, he came over and helped me up. I was laughing, and SO embarrassed, and in a little pain from the fall (my wrist is slightly sprained and bruised).

He said, "That was totally in slow motion. I thought you were going to be able to recover because it took so long for you to fall." You and me both buddy! I still can't believe I fell....

Inside the club there were TWO MORE BELLY DANCERS! I've never seen so many belly dancers in my life! In fact, I think the last belly dancer I was was on a video at Christmas time about 15 years ago. I walked past the TV and said, "Look at that fat belly dancer!" and it was a video of my cousin's wife. OOPS! Well, ex-wife these days (Hi Carol wherever you are!).

What in the hell were the odds of two places having belly dancing last night? And I picked them! We both had a great time, lots of laughs, and good conversation. Today I'm still falling... but in a good way. =)

(Non) Labor Day Weekend

I had a GREAT date last night, but don't want to talk about (or jinx) it too much.

I hadn't seen Oceans 11 or 12, but saw Oceans 13 yesterday. As it turns out, the plot pretty much stands on its own and I was able to follow (and enjoy) it without having seen the prequels. I know it has superior (and attractive) actors, but the whole film REALLY reminds me of "The Great Muppet Caper" when I was a kid. =) Good times. Remember the '70s? Anyone?

This morning Aldo woke me up an hour before my alarm. He didn't eat dinner last night and I'm a little worried about him. Luckily my dog-sitter is keeping a close eye on him for me today. The good news is that I got some bass practice time out of the deal (nothin' like 6:00 AM practice!). The bad news is I'm going to totally crash later…..

Saturday night was Emily's going away party. I think 25 people showed to the restaurant. Holy man! And none of those folks were related to her either. Dr. Anna got Emily a stuffed microbe of 'The Kissing Disease" which is just so cute! Here's the site:

http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/kissingdisease.html Love the stuffed plushie, but not the real thing. I had a post about these stuffed guys a while back. Maybe I should link that too: http://phaedraworld.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html (scroll down to May 25)

The price has gone up on the geek toys in the past year! Blame the economy...

Saturday I made my six hour trek for lessons. Two hour drive to Katy's house, played a super intense two hour lesson, another 2 hour drive home. WHEW! Only a few more weeks of this….

I hope that people had a chance to NOT work for Labor Day!