He's Baaaacck!

Sweets periodically dog sits and I've come to realize that I love this little cute/ugly dog....his name? Spud! He's great! I swear I'd subscribe to a dog timeshare. Anywho....here's my little friend and he's here for a few days. YAY!!!!!!

Note: I've really never had a pet so spending time with one is rather exciting.

The Tales Of A Coffee Lover

There once was a girl that fell in love with coffee. It was an accidental love that stemmed from the cold, barren cattle corral-esque cubicles at the telemarketing office where she worked. She knew little about coffee, short of it's warmth and abundance. She would add mounds of sugar and creamer, until the fertilizer taste diminished leaving a sweet, tolerable substance. As she transitioned from telemarketer to temp, she ended up in a myriad of construction offices, where coffee was the mainstay.

Years later, this girl got an internship at a PR company downtown. The boutique style office boasted a minimalist design and wealthy clients. It was as though the door triggered a Proletariat force-field that kept all things "common" at bay. Coffee Pots included.

The office temperature was at a constant 68 degrees. This preceeded the advent of snuggies, so what was a girl to do? One day, the girl noticed the account managers systematically dismissing themselves from the office and returning with these curious white cups, with green mermaid labels, and some kind of cardboard apparatus encasing the cup. She did some digging and came across a company called Starbux.

A closet nerd, at best, this girl casually questioned one of the account managers on his drink of choice. He said: "Caramel Macchiato." She then pulled up the Starbux website to see what that entailed, then to get a feel for the sizes (tall, grande, venti...hmm-odd), and how best to order. After which she too dismissed herself and ordered a cup of warmth that was acceptable in the land of the bourgeoisie. From then on she was hooked. Always factoring coffee runs into her budget, she was able to maintain this love for years on end. When her university opened a Starbux at the midpoint between the metro station and her dorm, she shouted for joy. Many an evening, making the trek in rain and snow, she would stop to welcome the moment of warmth and savor the pleasant jolt of caffeine.

Now, curiously enough. This girl had never owned a coffee pot and had never made coffee at home. She recalled her parents drinking coffee, always instant, and it never had the same appeal. Not to mention, as is common practice in Jamaica, coffee (and tea) are blended with condensed milk, not cream and sugar, so the experience was never the same.

Nearly a decade later, this girl decided to give the coffee pot a try. Figuring it would be cost effective and practical, she purchased coffee and cream and decided to tackle this ritual on her own. Now in all honesty the coffee wasn't as much fun without the experience of ordering it from a bustling coffee shop, but once the realities of working two jobs settled in, and the short nights of sleep took over, the joy of walking steps to the kitched and getting a caffeine fix outweighed the need for a coffee experience.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. This girl receives a curious phone call from her brother that her coffee pot had been broken. To which the girl replied, "they sell replacement pots, just purchase a new one." The brother, smacking on food that he had just purchased said, "I don't have any money." To which the girl replied, "find some." The girl's mother addressed the issue some days later and announced that she was "ready to upgrade to a new coffeemaker." Even though the girl was watching her mother mix instant brew in her work mug, she decidedly conceeded and backed her mother's desire to 'upgrade' the coffee maker.

It is 2 weeks later, the cream purchased 2 weeks ago, remains unused, the new batch of coffee which made only one pot before the machine was broken, remains in the refrigerator summoning staleness as the moments pass. The brother, determined to showcase his uselessness, sleeps his day away. The mother, rushing forth to work, spills a smidgen of her instant sludge on the girl's paper as she leaves. The girl sits listlessly in front of her computer wishing for a cup of coffee.

The End.

Really?

Now....I'm watching this video...watching....waiting for the action to happen...I see dollars....I see an outstretched hand to a fan in the crowd.....I see someone on stage who is thinking "hey,I'm on stage with Pitbull whoohooo"...then I see him get punched dead in face.....

1. Who in the hell goes to a Pitbull concert?
2. Who in the hell still throws money? Can they throw it in my BOA account?
3. Has no one seen the AKON concert footage? Why are people still hype to get on stage?
4. Why in the hell did Pitbull not break his stride in the song? Was punching someone something that they practiced?
5. Who in the hell goes to a Pitbull concert?

Just wondering......

Moving on the Mind

Based on the goodness of the trip, Sweets and I have to check out the Dunwoody Area.....More on this later.....Gotta get work situated......Don't get the party favors out just yet, but get them ready.

Update on ATL

Sorry I abandoned you with the conclusion of the trip.....It was a blast! And we ended up doing the proper amount of junk food consumption and lounging. I'm exhausted today, but that is to be expected.

I'll leave you with some more pics of the foolishness....

Today's Plan? ATL Bound

So...many posts back I hinted that Sweet's bday location had changed....I don't know if I ever updated that. We are going to Atlanta to bring in his birthday right. Ana, Dreezy, Podmate, Phi, Brew, Ash, Esteban, Kimmy J, Boogie, Smokey, Sweet's Home Skillet Dimps, Kandi, etc. etc. all seem to be on board. I don't really have any details outside of the date(July 17-19)....so this trip is 1 part visiting Podmate for her post B-day celebration AND 1 part planning for the July extravaganza.

Today's itenerary involves checking out some hotels (we are branching our from our beloved Westin) and ironing out some other venture points. Midtown, Buckhead etc. oh and of course I need some Atlantic Station time in my life. For some reason I love that place. Why? Because the design is what WPB's downtown district was supposed to be like...Hmmm...boy did that fall short.

Anywho....More to come.....In the meantime...here is my 'fish face' as my chariot(aka the Brewmobile) transports us to the city.



(sidenote: I don't know if my joy is oozing through this post, but I truly LOVE Atlanta---I wish Sweets was here, I'm missing him!!!!!!!)

Day 1 Foolishness

Ok so the best part of yesterday, besides seeing Podmate and Phi....was learning how to play 'Scene It' on the X-box! I'm so competitive and hate to lose so getting my a&& spanked twice(gasp!) was pretty terrible. However, the game was so much fun, it was completely worth it!


Honorable Mentions in yesterday's foolishness....

1. Peaches

Every Athens/ATL trip involves an obligatory trek to Peaches(there is no better way to start a trip) .....Good Southern Food....Good People......

Before......

(Sigh).........

2. Night @ the Museum....

(This is pre-nap)

Jase, Brew, and I didn't quite make it through the whole movie, but what I saw was cute. Podmate, is a trooper through and through, no nap for her..LOL!

We're Here!

Where? Here to be exact....

Hmm....not so exact, I suppose. We (brew & I ) are here (in Athens, GA) visiting the podmate and Phi.

I'm sure debauchery will ensue.....stay tuned for more details :)

Unofficially Official

I think that in every relationship there is a moment when something significant changes...for better or for worse. Ultimately that change can become a defining moment in that relationship. Today, I'm lost in memory of that change.

One year ago today, I caught a glimpse of what could be, if I let faith lead me.

50 Days and Counting!

*****
What's the feelin that I get
Every single time I look deep into your eyes
What's the tingle that I feel
At the touch of your hand up & down my spine
What's so funny, is my belly tryna tell me something
Feels like butterflies
What's the feelin, what's the tingle, what's the tinkle,
What's the world got for you and I

*

Everytime I hear your voice
It seems I have no choice but to be amazed
It's like music to my hears
How I really love to hear everything you say
Does love really have a way of speaking whenever ?
What's a voice, what's a touch, tell me is it really love, does it feel this way?

*

I always knew love would take over me soon
But I never knew just how deep,
I never knew just how sweet this love would be
It looks like I have got my eye on something real
So real, so real just between you and me
*******

Put A Ring On It!

I would just like to pause for a moment and pass on a Congrats to Podmate and the Phi on their one-year engagement mark. I figure once Oct. 3 comes around, the engagement date might get lost in the shuffle.

Love You Both!

Mirror Image

I firmly believe that couples should have a complimentary essence. Co-existing hauteness , if you will. To be clear, you don't have to be fashion-forward/trendy, but I do believe that whatever your niche look is as a couple you should do it well.

Conversely, you should probably avoid this look @ all costs.

(Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta)

Thankfully, sweets has no problems letting me know when something is oh so wrong and vice versa.

(sigh)

Questions

1. Why is it that the gnome that goes behind me and dirties my room never cleans it?

2. Why does my boss only choose to give me a project 2 minutes before the end of my shift?

3. Why is it that I get less done when I wake up a hour early?

4. Why is it that when my brother says he's broke, he can always afford to buy some food?

5. Why am I eating his food as I type?

6. Why is it that my pay schedule, bank account, and bills never quite line up?

7. Why do I love wearing gym clothes, but hate going to the gym?

8. Why is it that a music-less, express line-esque 8am church service has me actually excited about church again?

9. Why is it that my ipod stops working when I finally get a new FM transmitter and start a new gym membership?

10. Why is it that my "overnight bag" is too small for my overnight stuff?

Hilarity

I can't stop giggling about the commercial that I just saw........
OMG its for this service.......

I love it!

Commercial

Weekend Excursion

Going to Athens this weekend to spend time with podmate and her hubby-2-be. Just have to make it through the next two days!

59(ish) Days And Counting.......

And I swear it's real,
Yes it is can't nobody ever tell me otherwise
And I swear I feel,
No I can't deny what I'm feeling inside

**

I always knew love would take over me soon
But I never knew just how deep,
I never knew just how sweet this love would be
It looks like I have got my eye on something real
So real, so real just between you and me

Change In Vacay Plans.......

For a couple of reasons, mostly convenience to all involved, there MAY be a change of venue for Sweets' Bday blast......But I'll let him survey you about it......Keep your ears open.

Hint:

My 'Saved'ness Isn't Saved Enough

In the news.....A woman driving to the ATM runs over a bag filled with $120,000. She proceeds to turn in the money to authorities.

Hmmmm......Let me present you with a different scenario

If I leave my wallet in a store and someone else finds it...it's my loss... correct? The wallet has my home address and ID in it, so it is unquestionably mine. However, when you lose something...it is your own fault and unless someone is kind enough to return it, you are pretty much out of luck.


Why doesn't this apply to money?

Hmmm....I sincerely hope that there isn't a bank/company willing to experiment with my Good Samaritan-ness, because they will be sorely disappointed. I, however, will have additional funds in my pocket.

Yes, indeed.

Almost There.....

Watching Gotti's Way last night (yes....I love the show....I don't think that he'll ever resume his position 'on top' of the music world, but something about his contradictory nature entertains me).

Anyway, watching the show...and the issues that he and his wife still have....

**Pause***

Summary

He and his wife are separated because he can't remain faithful. He comes by the house every weekend and 'plays' family. During the week he lives in an apt in NYC and has his run of women in and out. His wife, however, can't really move on because he doesn't want other men around his kids, in his house etc. But they acknowledge that fixing their marriage isn't an option for them.


***Resume***

Several things came to mind for me.

1. Wow a year ago I remember watching the show and seeing that his wife clearly wasn't happy, but was too scared to really step out and pursue change. I remember thinking..."uh-oh...could that be me?"

2. Also the lyrics to "Freeze" play non-stop in my head when I see their odd, cyclical coupledom (and I think of my own run with complacency on the relationship front):

Don't change...
Don't go...
Don't leave...
Just FREEZE!
I know girl it's alot to ask!
Tell me what other choice I have,
When you love someone this bad...
Just FREEZE!
Don't change...
Don't go...
Don't leave...
Just FREEZE!
Girl I hope you understand,
Promise I'll be back for you,
When I become a better man...


Foolishness!

3. I cannot believe that a year has gone by already!

I won't get preachy, but I will say this. Time seems to be whisking by faster and faster. After years of doing the same thing and hoping for a different ending, I'm so incredibly grateful that I have some evidence of the goodness that can come with Change. Next up...the living issue. I'm working on it...but that's another blog.

Thought: Where were you last year (physically, mentally, emotionally)? Are you in the same place, a worse place, or a better place this year?

Happy Tuesday :)

My Worst Nightmare

Famed stylist June Ambrose took her kids to a bday party today and took a pic of the moms @ the party. I did not have the stylish mom when I was little. She is/was a great mom...meaning you wanted for nothing....but almost to a fault. She's only just recently started to tap into her 'inner sass' (her 'baby' is 20). Anywho, the image that June Ambrose put up is what I fear most about motherhood.

See for yourself.......



Not to leave you in a state of despair here is what she's wearing.....



Simple but sassy....That is all I hope to be able to maintain.....

Parking pt. 1

So I woke up this morning @ 4:13am to a sinking feeling. Let me set up the scene.....

I get to the b/f's house @ 10......He's in the driveway there is one spot open. Now his housemates (we'll do another story about them later) are gone. So as per the norm I parked on the side of the street. The course of action is....
1. They return
2. I move my car into the end of the driveay(perpendicular to theirs)
3. Everyone is happy.....

Pause.......
"Why don't you just take the spot until they get home?"
1. That never goes over well and/or I will be 'blocked in.'
a. I need to leave @ 6:40 am for work(starts @ 7)/have to get ready for 8am service.

(back to the regularly scheduled program)

I sit up @ 4:13 am with a sinking feeling. The house is silent.....I jump up run outside....

I see.....

Housemate car #1 in the spot
Housemate car #2 in the other spot
Housemate #2's guest in the 'end of the driveway' spot

.... and Jaece is gone.

F*uck!

So I check again (these contacts could be wrong......) nope she's gone.

So I turn back around wake up the b/f

Dani: (whisper) umm....Baby....Ba...by..
Sweets: Hmm?
Dani: My car is missing
Sweets: Hmmm.....
Dani: Baby...the car is missing
Sweets: are you kidding? (sigh) Let's
go get it

So here we are.....in my 4 yrs in DC and 11 yrs driving the closest I had ever been to a "lot" was parking wars on A&E. So here we are on a lot......stalking the tow truck driver....getting Jaece back @ 5:05am......

Sweets paid the $114 so she could ride again.......and I'm taking her home now......(sigh)

Remember When?

There are a few shows that I adored growing up.....Here's one of my favs...and I think that this set the foundation for my adoration of all things Paul Reiser



Here is a lovely second.....




Have a great weekend!