Vibrant.(Still) Unrepentant. Badass. Old. Queer

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 canc elled 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.

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*

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 ...

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*

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 p...

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

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*

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*

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 jea...

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! ...

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 g...

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, w...

Good Morning, Kittens. There was this: And this: And good times with them: More to come ... Flickr Set Here .

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 Craigtabulou s ! OMG. Best Trip to NYC EVER! *smooches*

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...

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 b...

Good Morning, Kittens! 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...

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!!!

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 tri...

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.