Porque. The Other Swine Flu

ZoMGz. Like, you know I can't resist a post on teh dangerz of teh Swine Flu. Combine that with my SuperFuntabulous IM conversations and you've got Comedy Gold. Srsly.

VUBOQ: i cancelled the date.

K-Factor: porque?

VUBOQ: i had ... um ... digestive issues.

K-Factor: hahaha

VUBOQ: we are meeting up tomorrow

K-Factor: nice...where?

VUBOQ: not sure. is "porque" the french swine flu?

K-Factor: haha. yes

VUBOQ: i knew it was all their fault! i hate the French

K-Factor: freedom fries

VUBOQ: Freedom Swine Flu

*smooches*

ps. there will be more on the date and the digestive issues later. promise.

Everyone Into the Pool

Good Morning, Kittens.

Yesterday was a good news/bad news kind of day. The good news was that I completed my EPA applications (and faxed my transcripts. Yes, Dr. Liz, federal jobs require you to provide proof of an advanced degree ... if you are using that degree in lieu of (or in addition to) experience for a higher paygrade). The bad news is pictured.

Pooling. The colors on my lovely stripe-y sock have started to coagulate. And, I was given several methods to correct it: (1) Move up or down a needle size or (2) Adjust by 2-4 stitches. Since this is my first sock ever, I think I am going to frog the whole thing and start over with a yarn that is solid, not stripe-y. *sigh*

No plans today. I'm supposed to have a date, but he hasn't called ... which -to me- means I'm not having a date. Which is also ok, because I'm really not all into the guy anyway.

AND, I don't have any plans for the weekend yet. What up with that?

Have a SuperFuntastic day. *smooches*

A Hard Rain is Gonna Fall

Good Morning, Kittens!

At last, the heat of the past few days has broken. Cool cool rain is falling. Washing away the dusting of yellow tree spooge off the cars and sidewalks. Hurrah.

Yesterday, I tried to write my EPA essays but was getting nowhere. So, I threw in the towel and ventured forth unto the pottery studio. The mug pictured is intended for a very special (and generous!) blog reader who told me she likes purple (this is as close to purple as we can get with the glaze options we have). At some point it will be winging its way to Philadelphia via USPS.

Pottery class is winding down. Only about 2 more weeks left. Soon I will be overrun with crap to give away. Yesterday, I threw a mug and a cup. I trimmed two vases and a bowl. And I glazed a vase and two Very Special Secret Surprise Gifts. So exciting. I hope they turn out!

There is some bad news though. The UMD Arts & Learning Center won't be offering pottery this summer *sad face*. Which means, I have to find a new place to take it. My Fabulous Instructor will be teaching an 8 week course in Greenbelt ... but that is very hard to get to via public transportation. I am trying to convince some car-owning friends to take the course with me. The DC option of Hinckley Pottery is too expensive ($300. Gah!). K-Factor suggested looking at some other community centers to see what they offer. Hopefully, I can find something. Unemployment without Pottery isn't worth doing!

Anywayz ... after returning home from pottery, I buckled down and wrote my essays! Today, I will proofread them, make a few cosmetic changes, and finish my applications (including faxing my transcripts).

Other plans for today include: cleaning, laundry, and watching Goal 2: Living the Dream with K-Factor! suh-weet.

Have a great day! *smooches*

Pottery

Good Morning, Kittens.

I have a busy couple of days ahead. Must write (at least) three essays for the EPA jobs from the job fair last week. *ugh*

And they have to be done by tomorrow at midnight. And the questions are Super Vague, like " describe your specialized experience which is directly related to this position. Include dates of employment and specific duties you performed." Could you not write an entire novel about that? Gah. So, anyway, here are a few pottery pictures to keep you entertained whilst I struggle away over these dumb essays...

Oh, and the plate is the Grand Prize for my friend, Carolyn (who donated to Food & Friends and the American Cancer Society), the winner of the 10% Refund Challenge drawing (unless she'd rather have something else, that is).

*smooches*

Weekend Update: Sunday in the Park Edition

Good Morning, Kittens.

Happy Monday. Hope your weekend was chock full of fun and excitement.

Mine certainly was.

The German's Friday night Bye-Bye Bash was a blast. Check out the pictures here. Apparently, babies are the Hot New accessory for straight parties.

Then, bright and early Saturday morning, the co-op denizens gathered for Yard Work Day. Good turnout. The yard looks really nice ... although it needs to be mowed ... by someone other than me.

Sunday, I was supposed to have a date. But, when I txted him that I would be late (because of delays on the red line), he txted back saying that he had to cancel. Bah. I continued on to Dupont Circle anyway, where I sat in the shade and knat. Eventually, Ray and Joey joined me. We talked. They left. And I headed over to Mike's house. We had fun chat. I knat more. He made delicious veggie pizza. I drank lots of cheap red wine. Then, I came home.

Fun. Times.

Today, I will be obsessively checking USAJOBS for the EPA positions I pre-interviewed for last week at the Job Fair. They are supposed to open today (and the close on Wednesday). Hopefully, there won't be too many essay questions. And, then, it's off to pottery class. Hurray.

Have a great day!

*smooches*

Sunday Morning Boredom Blogging

95% Complete. Must weave in the ends and attach the fringe at some point.



*smooches*

Bloomin' Rosemary

Good Morning, Kittens!

It's Friday. You made it! Hurrah!

Yesterday was full of fun and excitement. I slept in, which was nice. I blobbed around the house. And, then, I went to the pottery studio, where I threw the two things pictured: a bowl and a vase. I am quite please with the shape of the bowl.

Unfortunately, my dinner plans were postponed (*wah*), so I came home and had Martini Time. Then, K-Factor came down and we ate cheese, drank wine, and watched a movie.

Tonight in the German's Bye-Bye Bash. It's so sad that he is leaving us. *sniff*
Saturday is Co-op Yard Work Day.
And, on Sunday, if the weather is nice, I'm hanging out in the park.

Fun times, Kittens. Fun times.

Have a great day. *smooches*

Has to Share This

From the fabulous blog, Dorama World, regarding the recent arrest of my Future Ex-Husband, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi:

"He was screaming "Shingo, Shingo" when the police tried to suppress him. It is believed that he was shouting for his fellow member cum buddy, Katori Shingo from SMAP who wasn't present at the scene." [emphasis added]

Pervy Monkey! *slap*

Breaking News!

Good Morning, Kittens!

The hot news this morning (at least in Japan) is that SuperCute Member of SMAP, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, has been arrested for being drunk (and naked!) in a park. Read all about it here (in English!) (no pictures *sad face*)! A fun thing to do while reading this article is to pick out all the kind and indirect ways the author writes "HE'S GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY!"

Here's my favorite: "In a survey among single people in their 30s, Kusanagi was named the No.1 representative for "Soushoku Danshi" i.e. guys who are caring towards friends and family but are not too keen on romance."

As for my hot news? There is none. I spent yesterday doing laundry and knitting. And rolling quarters. And I vaccuumed. I have all the fun.

Today, I am going to do a little job searching stuff. Then, I'm heading to the pottery studio. After finishing there, I'm going to Mike's for dinner (and to pick up a couple of pairs of free jeans from a mutual friend ... if they fit *crosses fingers*).

Have a great day! *smooches*

Of Cabbages and Kings

Good Morning, Kittens.

Yesterday was certainly a full one for me ... I went to the EPA's Office of Water's Job Fair, hence the suit and tie. It was fine. They had on-site interviewing; however, you still have to go through the whole government job application process (which can take forever). Plus, they probably had over 400 people showing up for about 20-30 jobs ... of which, I am qualified for only a handful. *durgh* Job hunting sucks.

I got home around noon, had lunch, and jetted off to the pottery studio where I threw these:



The vase on the right is interesting, I think. The other one will probably become a mug.

Once home, I finally got around to tallying the 10% Refund Challenge. According to my records, 18 people donated a Grand Total of $2633! Hurrah. And the Grand Prize Winner (of some yet-to-be-determined pottery) is Carolyn. The Second Prize (the Worst Gay Novel Ever Written) goes to Nic the German! Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who participated!

*smooches*

Let teh Gayz Beware

Good morning, Kittens.

We need to gather 'round and have a bit of a chat, so pull up your chairs nice and close, put on your Thinking Caps and Listening Ears, because VUBOQ is getting ... concerned. I had a thought which has been plucking at my brain for about a week or so now. And the hum is starting to drive me a bit batty.

As you may know, I am not one who falls for Conspiracy Theories; however, I am beginning to believe that something is afoot.

It began with a simple April 15th tax protest. In which, people were encouraged to send Tea Bags of Protest to their congress person ... or the President. "Teabag Obama," the Conservatives screamed. And, Those in the Know, giggled.

Then, another group (which I am too lazy to research, but Rachel Maddow reported on this) wanted to have 2 million people protest for (straight) marriage [or against gay marriage?]. And, they called it 2M4M. And, once again, Those in the Know, laughed heartily at them.

Finally, a horrible group filmed a commercial about a Coming Storm which would steal Straight People's Rights! So, they formed a Rainbow Coalition! And, Those in the Know, made video spoofs and laughed 'til their sides ached.

Yes, we can laugh at the stupid Right Wing Christians and the Conservatives because they are taking words loaded with gay context and using them inappropriately. Ha ha ha. They are so dumb. They don't know what they are doing.

Or do they?

Could it be possible that somebody actually knows what he is doing? Could they be stealing Our Words? Our Language? Co-0pting it. Making them safe.

We sit and judge and laugh ... and they steal our culture. Hmm ... Ha. Ha. Ha. So funny.

Maybe this isn't the case. Maybe they are ignorant mistakes. But, a little nagging voice inside me isn't so sure. And, if in the coming months we hear about Uber-Christians making a Daisy Chain of Love or Snowballing for Hope, don't say I didn't warn you.

*smooches*

Weekend Update: Big Apple Adventure Bus Blogging

Good Afternoon, Kittens! I am on the MegaBus and heading home. Hurrah! NYC was totes fun, but I am ready to sleep in my own bed and pet my pussy for awhile.


When I last updated, I was meeting Nida and Nehal for dinner in Broolyn. We went to Walter Foods. It was delicious. I had a green salad and spinach and mushroom ravioli in a yummy lemon cream sauce. For dessert, we shared a slice of cheesecake and a slice of chocolate mousse pie. OMG. Total Yumz. After dinner, I headed back to Jake's Brooklyn abode, where we had cocktails and fun chat.

The next day, I met Min and his partner, Derek, for brunch in Midtown. We went to a cute little Frence bistro, Le Bateau Ivre. Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet! Wow! Flavor explosion! Then, because the weather was so nice, we walked around, ending up at Grand Central Station. Min and Derek left, and I walked to the Village to meet Alison and her boyfriend, Peter. They ate. I ogled the cute food bringer outer guy:

Afterwards, we walked to UniQlo, because I wanted to pick up a few more of their SuperSoft and SuperCheap ($4.90) t-shirts.

Returning to Brooklyn, Jake and I went out to dinner: A cute little neighborhood Mexican place, Elote, which had delicious margaritas. Mmmm. Margaritas. After dinner, we went to a nearby gay bar, Metropolitan. It wasn't very crowded. I assume all the NY Gayz were home watching Grey Gardens on HBO. In a fantastic turn of events, David was able to join us at the bar for a drink. Yay.

By the time we got home, Grey Gardens was over, but -since I don't have cable- I stayed up to watch the repeat at 12:30. Jake went to bed. The movie was great (lovelovelove Ms. Drew), and it made me want to watch the documentary.

The next morning, Jake and I had brunch at Enid's (where Jennifer Aniston was recently spotted filming... romantic comedy, perhaps?). I had a huge Bloody Mary (boozy salad in a glass) and fried cheese grits with scrambled eggs and a biscuit. Delicious! Then, we left to meet Craig and watch David's stellar performance in The Sorceror. Kittens, if you are in NYC, you must try to see him in it. Srsly. So good.

After the show, Craig left (sad face), but David, Jake, and I headed to a bar/restaurant called Fetch where the cast likes to hang out. The bar is only about 2 blocks from Alison's apartment so she joined us there. Fun times!

Once home, Jake and I started watching the crapfest movie known as Twilight. Vomit. Sparkly Vampires? Please... I packed my bags.

This morning, I only had time to finish packing, buy a sandwich for the bus and grab a coffee. It was a totally amazing trip. Thanks so much to Jake, Alison, Peter, Nida, Nehal, Craig, and -of course- the reason for my mini-vakay, David! I had a blast.

And take a look at the my NYC set on Flickr.

*smooches*

Weekend Update: Pre-Bus Blogging Teaser

Good Morning, Kittens.

There was this:


And this:


And good times with them:



More to come ...
Flickr Set Here.

The Apple. It Is Big!

Good evening, Kittens!

Hope you had a wonderful Friday. I certainly have! Walking in Central Park with the cherry blossoms in bloom, meeting Nida for yummy Thai Sandwiches, and then shopping like a crazy person at UniQlo. The damage: Pink chinos (pictured), bright blue skinny jeans, a SuperCute short sleeve hoodie, and a turquoise v-neck t-shirt. And, thanks to birthday gift cards and a forgotten rebate card, my total came to less than $20! Hurrah!

If you want to see pictures from the top of the Empire State Building (where I went on Thursday evening), click here.

I'm meeting Nida and Nehal tonight for dinner in Brooklyn. Tomorrow, I'm hanging with Min at lunchtime. And, Sunday is David's play! and Meeting Craigtabulous! OMG. Best Trip to NYC EVER!

*smooches*

Start Spreading the News!

Good Morning, Kittens.

We're Blogging from the Bus this morning. VUBOQ is going to take a bite from the Big Apple. VUBOQ also thinks that typing on a rattling bus is quite difficult. So this post may be shorter than expected ...

Anyway, yesterday was Chock Full o' Aweseomeness *and* Stress. The Aweseome part was serving, along with another alumna, as an outside evaluator of graduate student research presentations for one of my former professors. It was totally cool, but intellectually draining. We had to listen to 10-minute presentations, then ask relevant, guiding/probing questions. At the end of the nearly 3 hours, the professor thanked us and paid us a very nice compliment when he said, "I wish I had scheduled you for the presentations next week, too."

The Stress part involved getting ready for this trip. I over-packed. Then, this morning, remembered I had forgotten to pack the Pottery Thank You Gifts for my hosts. So, I took out some clothes. Guess who will need to do some clothes shopping now? Hello, UniQlo, will you be my friend?

Anyway, that's about it. I need to do some job-searching before my battery dies.

Have a sunshiny day! *smooches*

ps. Many apologies but I didn't have time for the 10% Refund Challenge Prize Drawing. I will do that when I return on Monday.

The Wall. It Was Written On.

Good Morning, Kittens.

It's Fantastic Trip to NYC Eve and we have So. Much. to. Discuss.

Ok. We don't have all *that* much to discuss...

(1) Today is the deadline for the 10% Refund Challenge. Inform me of your donations by 6PM EST to be entered into the drawing for fantastic prizes.

(2) Several of you have asked about CNTBD, about whom I have not recently blogged. Well, there are several reasons for that ... one is that there is really not anything about which to blog. Another would be that he, like the caterpillar emerging from the chrysalis, wishes to stretch his wings and flit from flower to flower sampling the available nectar.* I fully expected this (just as one fully expects the caterpillar to emerge) and was prepared. Perhaps we will still date and have QNT. Perhaps not. It is the Way Things Are. Suddenly, I feel so wise about Things Which Are Relationshipy ...

(3) I made a big bowl (pictured) and two small vases (or 2 big mugs) (not pictured). I won't be back in the studio until Monday.

(4) Any recommendations for fun things to do/see/eat whilst I'm in NYC?

Fun things happening today:
(a) helping out a professor at AU by serving on a panel for student presentations
(b) laundry
(c) dinner at K-Factor's

Have a wonderful day! *smooches*

*I feel like I'm misappropriating lyrics from The King and I

Moodyness

Good Morning, Kittens!

<-- Look what I got yesterday! Best. Easter. Basket. EVER! Chocobunneh! Gin! Martini Glass! The Sound of -Forkin'- Music! Too much fun. I texted SCGB after I received it, and he texted back "You have the best internet friends!" and I do. Thanks so much for brightening my day, SwankyMama! *smooches*

The rest of yesterday hovered between *meh* and *blah* with a few peaks of *eh*. I think I may be becoming a little pessimistic about my job/life/love prospects. It happens. I'll get over it (eventually).

Pottery class was reasonably good. I threw two (objects but I can't tell you what they are because they are surprises for a couple of people who sometimes read this blog). I wedged some more clay to throw another (of the same things that I can't tell you about), but my desire to throw more pottery flew away on gilded wings. So I cleaned up and left early. I'm going to head over there this afternoon for awhile ... if I can get some job stuff done this morning.

Can you believe I'm leaving for NYC in two days? Me either. So much to do before then. I'm really looking forward to seeing friends; meeting one of my first BlogCrushes,the SuperCute Craig; and -most of all- watching David perform his heart out just. for. me!

Have a great day! *smooches*

Weekend Update: I Blogged All Weekend So There's Nothing to Update

Good Morning, Kittens.

Happy sunny Monday! Since I blogged all the excitement over the weekend, here's what the week ahead looks like ...

Today: Pottery class
Tuesday: Board Meeting
Wednesday: Volunteering at AU, Dinner Party at K-Factor's, Laundry, 10% Refund Challenge Prize Drawing*
Thursday: Leave for NYC!!! *w00t!* (Speaking of which, if you live in (or near) NYC and would like to hang out sometime between Thursday and Monday, send me an email)

Busy Busy Busy. Plus I have boatloads of things to do around the house ... including transplanting the lettuce pictured above.

Have a wonderful day! *smooches*

*Yes, that's right. The 10% Refund Challenge is coming to a close. Please let me know once you make your donations (organization(s) and amount(s)), so that I can enter you in the Prize Drawing. The Facebook Event Page, with additional info, is here. So far, we've donated over $2000!!!

12 of 12: I Need New Rechargeable Camera Batteries Edition

Good evening, Kittens.

I actually remembered to recharge my camera batteries for 12 of 12 today. Unfortunately, they pooped out about mid-afternoon, so the final few photos were taken with my cellphone camera.

My morning started as it (almost) always does ... with coffee!


Then, I opened my Easter Bag from the Parental Units. It was fairly typical: toothbrush, washcloth, Christmas cocktail napkins, and a check (which was very generous). Yeah, Easter is usually a disappointment in the VUBOQ Household:


Isabella seemed happy (or sleepy) though:


I like tulips. Which reminds me of the joke ... do you prefer tulips on your organ? If you can see this photo in the original size you should. I really like it. In fact, I may make it my new wallpaper:


And, my SuperFancy Easter Dinner:


Fortunately, K-Factor called and suggested Easter Mimosas and Margaritas. Who was I to say no?

I didn't do it.


Yum. I just want to dive in!


Can you spot the cute guy?


Then, off to the pottery studio to do some trimming:


The second shift staff person didn't show up (again!), so we all had to leave at 3:15. GAH! Recently, life has been throwing me some of these (which I am not handling well):


Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.


And, even though there are still 6 more hours in the day. I am done with it. Srsly. Done.


*smooches*

ps. Here's the link to the set on Flickr.

Resurrection

At the mall at Pentagon City, quite unexpectedly, I ran into John. We hugged. He smelled good. He looked good. OMG. He looked great ...

We didn't talk long. I got his phone number and made a promise to call.

And all the feelings I had for him bubbled back to the surface. Since this afternoon, I've been playing back my decision to end it. Maybe I acted too hastily. Maybe I didn't think it through carefully enough. Maybe I over-reacted.

Maybe I didn't. Maybe I made the right choice. It felt right at the time. If hindsight is 20/20, I think I need to see an optometrist.

On the metro ride home, I realized that I've forgiven him. The hurt is gone ... or at least it seems to be. And, maybe, I dunno. Maybe we can forge some sort of friendship out of this mess. I don't want to be in a relationship with him again (for sure), but I miss him. The ache is still there.

And, now, I'm off to cry myself to sleep ... sometimes that's a good thing to do.

Rainy Saturday

Good Morning, Kittens!

I was really pleased with how my Good Friday Museum Day photos came out ... so here's the link to the Flickr set. Can you guess which photo is my favorite?

And here's a short video I took of one of the sculptures in the Sackler Gallery of Art:

Hope you are having a sunshiny day! *smooches*

Have You Ever Danced With the Devil in the Full Moonlight?

Good Morning, Kittens!

The Full Moon Hike (which, perhaps should be renamed the Full Moon Death March) was a lot of fun. Although the guide wasn't SuperKnowledgeable, he knew enough to make his little spiels at the (very infrequent) rest stops interesting.

Did you know that magnolias are the oldest flowering tree? Or that there are over 10000 azaleas in the Arboretum, which were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression?

Here are a couple more pictures:


DC at Night


Creee-eeepy


The Capitol Columns at Night

The rest of the photos are on Flickr.

Also, yesterday, I applied to my two jobs for the week (which I won't get, but whatevs), so I'm treating myself to a Museum Day! Hurrah. Off to the Freer and Sackler Galleries this afternoon!

Oh, and for my Xtian kittens out there, Happy Crucifixion* Day!

Have a great day! *smooches*

*This does not look like it's spelled correctly, even though I've checked in the dictionary.

OOG

Good Morning Afternoon, Kittens.

VUBOQ has had a morning. Let me tell you. I woke up at 8:30, felt a little sick (headache), met a neighbor to pick up some boxes, and, then, went back to bed for 2.5 hours.

Then, I applied for two jobs (which I won't get). Seriously, people, I'm thinking of packing it all in, moving to Oklahoma, and opening up my own pottery studio (Yamakawa Studios). This job hunting thing is ridiculous.

On the bright side, tonight is the long-awaited Full Moon Hike at the National Arboretum. It's a five-mile hike through the Arboretum grounds. I've been trying for over a year to get tickets (it sells out quickly). And the weather looks like it's going to be good! Hurrah!

And, finally, the 10% Refund Challenge deadline is Fast Approaching! And the total is Growing! We're almost to $2000! Which is Fantastic! And, now, a moment you've all been waiting for (I'm sure) ... the announcement of the Second Place Prize ...

*drum roll*

It's my copy of the Worst Gay Novel Ever Written: Third & Heaven by Ben Patrick Johnson!

I'll even leave the page marked where I had to stop reading. Will you be able to read past page 109? Here's a short excerpt from page 109 to pique your interest:

She wears a short denim skirt with a leather motorcycle jacket over a thermal shirt silk-screened with a yoga symbol. She is overly tanned and overly blond. Her breasts are bulbous and look rubbery, as do her lips and the pointy tip of her nose. On her feet are wedge-soled tennis shoes with glittered vinyl uppers. If she were standing on Sunset Boulevard instead of Third Street, Ritchie thinks, she might be mistaken for a hooker. Here, she is just one of a thousand aspiring actresses, never quite successful, clinging by her acrylic nails to youth and possibility, each angry at God for allowing her to age.

*retch*

Have a great day! *smooches*

Lil Brown Teapot

Good Morning, Kittens!

For those of you who don't follow my Tweets or Plurks or Facebook Status updates (and, if you don't, what is *wrong*with you?!), here is a(nother) photo of my Lil Brown Teapot. I totally luuuv it. So cute! So brown! So teapot-y!

Yesterday was fun ... well, except for the whole Waking Up Before Sunrise to See the Parental Units off. BUT, lunch with my friend was cool. We went to Panera. I had a gift card, so it was FREE. Yay! Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch?

Then, I went to the pottery studio ... which was mildly successful. First,I did some trimming, but -after nearly having a Trimming Disaster- I decided to save the rest of the trimming for another time. Then, I glazed two mugs and a plate. Hopefully, they will turn out.

No real plans for today. I do plan at some point to get off the sofa. I also need to do laundry.

Finally, the deadline for the 10% Refund Challenge is fast approaching. Have you made your donations? Check out details on the 10% Refund Challenge Facebook Event Page. C'mon, give a little money. It'll make ya feel good.

*smooches*

Weekend Update: They're Gone! Edition

Good Morning, Kittens!

Yes, the parents left this morning ... at 7AM ... which means they were clomping around the apartment at 6:30 ... which means I, too, was up ... which explains the extraordinarily early timestamp on this post. *durg*

Anyway, the weekend ... the visit -as a whole- was good. There was laughter and tears and a brief moment of "we might as well leave early" and "fine, do that" and then, "ok fine don't do that." And, it all began with ...

They arrived on Saturday afternoon. We went to Whole Foods. Then, we we had a very early dinner at Thai as Silver Spring (which was yummy). Came home. Played cards. Went to bed.

Sunday morning. Beautiful weather. We drove to the US National Arboretum to do their Cherry Blossom Drive. It was quite lovely (if a smidge too late to see Peak Blossoming). Photos are here. We came home, took a walk in the park, and then drove out to Target.

I had lots and lots of gift cards (from Xmas and Birthday) to spend. I bought some necessities (kitty litter, cleaning supplies), some not-so-necessities (DVDs - My Cousin Vinny, Pan's Labyrinth, Hairspray the Musical), and one Very Important Item:

Hello, Red Blender. Will you be my Boozy Beverage Making friend?

We ordered pizza for dinner and played cards.

Monday, the morning weather was kind of crappy - rain, cold, clouds. So we did some things around the house. Went to the hardware store. Bought sandwiches from Whole Foods. We decided to go to the National Portrait Gallery because Dad wanted to see their Lincoln exhibit. However, en route, the sun came out and Dad decided he'd rather see the World War II Memorial and Monument to Fascism (no, really, look at it). Here are some more photos I took.

Then, we decided to go to the newly revamped American History Museum ... which, um, dare I say, sucked. Whoever came up with the new design, did not do so with the anticipation of crowds. Like, um, how does one actually see exhibits? Without waiting in ginormous lines? I miss the old walk-in-see-things-walk-out museum. The signage was bad. The tourists were annoying. It was a miserable museum experience. On the plus side, on the way to the museum, I saw a tour bus that reminded me of Princess Sparkle Pony's Ugly Tour Bus photoblogging (except her photos are much more graphic and fun):


Pie and Fish! Yum!

We came home. Ate Mexican Food. Watched Hairspray. And that was about it. *whew*

Today, I am meeting a friend for lunch and, then, I'm heading to the pottery studio for a bit. Later, I plan on relaxing and enjoying my empty apartment. *siiiiiiiiiiiigh*

Have a great day! *smooches*

PS. The answer to Yesterday's Afternoon Quiz: The ninja is holding the calligraphy brush in his left hand. According to my calligraphy instructor in Japan, one can not properly write calligraphy left-handed, which is why I, a certified left-hander, had to learn to do it right-handed.

Afternoon Quiz

It took me a couple of days to figure out what was wrong with this image:



Can you spot it?

Weekend Update: Will Be Tomorrow Edition

Good Morning, Kittens.

For circumstances beyond my control, the Weekend Update will not be updated until tomorrow.

For now, go get yourself some pretty.

*smooches*