23 minutes

Just barely over a week ago, I packed my bags, headed to the airport, landed in DC, got lost in DC, attended the Marine Corp Marathon Race Expo, saw many sanity rally signs, picked up my hubs from the airport, had a wonderful day in historic Alexandria, dinner with a friend, and then, ran Marathon Number Two.

The difference between Marathon Number 1 and Marathon Number 2? About 23 minutes....

4:21:28

(Last year's time was 4:44:something)

Elated? You bet! Bear with me while I try my hand at a weekend recap/race report....

The night before was a semi-early pasta dinner with a friend who was stationed at our previous base. He, his brother and brother's wife and my hubs met up at a smallish, very crowded Italian restaurant at 5:30 and thankfully we were seated by 6:00. Between catching up, the conversation was obviously heavily marathon and running related. I was worried...while they were nervous, I had a kind of "eh, whatever" attitude, although deep down I was a tad nervous. I had my schedule changed, people at work, the running club, and friends all knew about the run, but the money thing was what got me....two plane tickets, 3 nights at a marked up hotel, plus a rental car. Oh, and my husband's boss knew that the hubs was taking a day off to watch me run.

No pressure.

Pasta dinner, goodbyes and good lucks, and we were off, but I was worried the hotel wouldn't have enough food for breakfast, so off to find a grocery store. In true fashion, we drove 30 minutes to get over-priced cereal at CVS (only to grocery store less than 3 blocks from our hotel). But we also discovered a mall with a great Macy's, Nordstrom, and smallish Apple store. I was happy, even if I didn't buy a single thing. (no doubt, I thought of bribing myself with an iPhone if I completed the marathon...)

Surprisingly, I got a decent night's sleep (read the 'whatever' attitude). Woke up, bagel, coffee, juice...walk to start line. we stroll...we're early. I gathered up the nerve to use the port-a-potty.

Then, I noted that the entertainment music was off. two fighter planes fly over. uhh....running late?

Quickly we start to head to the start line....cannon ball goes off. But at this point, we're at the back of the pack of the run, in the 6-7 hour corral. For some reason, only two lanes of the highway were being used to corral runners (last year it was 4 lanes), so I cut over to the open two lanes and cut into the pack, halfway between the 4:30 and 5:00 pace team (they weren't even moving yet...it ended up taking us about 20 minutes to cross the start line).

Obviously I wanted to finish the race, and would have been happy to beat my time from last year. My secret, unobtainable goal was to finish at 4:30. But not being an experienced runner, I just run. I have no specific laid out plans or strategy.

The race started rough. I don't mind those that are going to walk a marathon or even those that do the run/walk marathon programs. However, I quickly developed an issue with the sheer number of people walking at the two and three mile points. Shouldn't those who are planning on walking start towards the back of the pack, with the 5+ hour corral? It was crowded, and hard to get around people. I felt like I was running way slow, which I kept trying to tell myself was a good thing, but it was still frustrating.

Mile 2-3 were up hill (I forgot about that since last year). Mile 3-4 got especially crowded. Mile 5ish I had an untied lace(!), and finally, at mile 6 or 7 it began to clear a little. Mile 8 was a steep downhill mile and I was surprised at how many people slowed down. At the 4-5 mile point, runners are running along side runners who in the opposite lane/direction are running mile 8-9. I was sad to see that when I got to that mile 8-9 point, there was NOBODY running or walking mile 4-5. And I thought, man.....I'm really far back.....

At this point, I kept seeing the same lady in front of me, and I made her my pacer. I was going to keep her in sight. I was feeling good at this pace and figured while I was pushing myself, it wasn't unbearable.

Mile 9 was sticky with orange peels and at mile 10 I saw the a tall skinny pink balloon....my husband! We made a trade...I gave him my gloves, he handed me a Gu. After the trade, I heard him yell, "You're doing great!" And I felt like I was.....my pace was somewhere in the 10min/mile range.

I was headed towards Hain's Point, Miles 11-16, which last year was rough. The crowd of spectators thin until it's just runners. This year? Maybe I knew what to expect, but it wasn't as bad, and as I approached mile 13, there was some good music with a person on a stage who had a microphone; she saw my name and was calling it out. I looked smiled, waved, hand in the air. I was a rockstar, if for only 3 minutes. I passed the 13.1 point, saw my watch and wasn't positive, but thought the time looked decent for at least meeting last year's old time. Another mental boost!

Leaving mile 15 I stated looking for the pink balloon, saw it, high fived the hubs and said, "I'm hungry!"

Mile 16 is one of the best miles because of all the spectators. You're running around the Lincoln Memorial, past the Vietnam Memorial, along Constitution Ave. You see the White House. You run past the Washington Monument. Along the National Mall until you see the Capital Building. You run in front of the Capital Building, you get awesome pictures, head back along the mall, and the crowds begin to pick up. Nearing mile 20 I spied the pink balloon, removed a Gu from my Spri belt, and gave my hubs my sleeves and belt. He had a HUGE bottle of water, which I took from him, yelling, "Let's go!" and he jumped on the course with me as I took a sip of water and poured some over my head (it was fun to see him smile and laugh on the course). The entertainment at this point was a pretty sweet drumming group. Again, the hand was up in the air....

And then, the bridge.

Last year, I began to die on this bridge. Last year there was a grim reaper with a sign that said, "The end is near." There are hardly any spectators on the bridge leading to Crystal City. I was dreading the bridge and what was beyond the bridge.

But this year, I was ok....I pictured where I was on my long runs at home with "only 6 miles left to go" I saw a gal holding a blow up doll, which made me smile and laugh (and I later learned the meaning behind the blow up doll). I started to get tired. I came across a man running, whose left upper and lower extremities were prosthetics. I ran behind for a little bit. I couldn't believe it.

How could I be tired?

Motivated, my energy came ba

ck. I made it to Crystal City. Last year, at Crystal City, I began to lose some serious steam. I was hurting. I was barely moving. It was the longest two miles ever. In fact, my memory of crystal city was that it was 4 or 5 miles long. It was so bad a marine at the fluid station starting yelling my name and ran a couple of steps.

This year I entered Crystal City, grabbed my drink and kept going.

Because you know, it was "only" two miles (and by two miles, it's one mile out (22-23), another back (23-24). And here's where I looked at my watch and realized, I'm REALLY going to beat my old time.

Mile 24-25....hardly any spectators. virtually none. But at this point I was so happy. We all were....we can almost see the end. I was tired, but I had steam. And I saw my watch and thought, "OH MY GOODNESS. I am really really really going to beat my time." And just like that, the energy level came right back.

Mile 25....Pure happiness. I was finishing (alive, too). I felt strong. I was passing people (true, some were passing me, but I'm all smiles). I was happy to be running and not walking.

Mile 26, I saw the pink balloon. I'm smiling, hubs is smiling. I had my hand in the air. People were calling my name, people were cheering...for me, for everyone. I crossed the finish line.

I didn't pass out. I'm breathing, my chest felt ok. I went off to the side for a minute where I heard myself wheezing, and thought, "ha, I think I'm having an asthma attack" (I don't have asthma). I recovered. I got in line for the medal.

And......this is what kills me with ever marathon and half marathon. I can't just stand around in a crowded line after running for over 2 hours. I finally got my medal,

bypassed the photographer (they are always terrible photos anyways). I sat. A super nice marine gave me a large bottle of water. I sat some more & recovered. I get up to go through the food and beverage line, got some more water & Powerade, but somehow missed the food line.

Found hubs....happy, no tears. stretch. and holy moly, my time. I was elated; overjoyed, and like a little kid, could not stop talking about the run.

And ridiculously hungry!

For the second year in row I didn't go to the 'after race party' I don't like being in crowds, plus I was so hungry I really didn't want to pass out. The only food I saw being sold was of the hot dog and chicken finger fare....not what I wanted to eat. We walked back to the hotel. I had the most painfully cold ice bath, hot shower, coffee, food....rested, stretched, foam rolled. My husband took a nap(!), caught up with family on the phone. That night we met up w

ith another runner from the running club who ran the race. I had two beers....we walked back to the hotel (already better...last year I couldn't walk the one mile back to the hotel from the restaurant and had to take a cab). And, like just like last year, a shot of tequila to celebrate and

numb the pain.

I slept like a baby. And just like a baby wakes in the middle of the night crying, I woke at 3:30

with cramped legs. Who says marathon running isn't full of fun?

Blogcation Redux Part 3: Massachusetts

Finally! The rest of the vacay:

So after our breakfast in Portland, we drove through all parts of Maine...and decided that after seeing roughly 4 small coastal towns in Maine, they all begin to look alike...

On our way to Boston, we ended up driving back through NH and stopped for lunch in Portsmouth, which reminded me of Portland, which reminded me a bit like Charleston. The downtown area had lots of privately owned trendy businesses. My favorite was Second Run Books, a used bookstore that had their walls covered with "things found in books," ranging from train tickets to Penn Station in NY to photos, love letters, newspaper clippings, and shopping lists. It's where I bought this book.

And what is apparently a common thread of New England, we found another public garden.

After eating a slice of delicious cake with coffee, we began to head down to Boston. Honestly.

We actually stayed in Cambridge, just across the river from Boston. I liked this because it was between MIT and Harvard. We were surrounded by brains.

How to describe Boston? It's like a clean Philadelphia (which I'm not sure says much as I believe any city is cleaner the Philadelphia (aka Philth-adelphia). We walked parts of the Freedom Trail, lots of American History, historic graveyards, more seafood, and great Italian food. We were pretty disappointed in the hyped up Faneuil Hall-this was a glorified tourist trap....I imagined something more along the lines of the market at Grand Central Station in NY, not a high priced fast food hall with chain stores like the Gap.

We did take a swan boat tour....

The bookstores in Cambridge though...oh. my. goodness. My new fantasy? to be locked in the The Harvard Coop or the The Harvard Bookstore. Guess I'll have to look into grad school sooner than later ;)

Blogcation Redux Part 2: Maine

Ah, so Maine, land of lobster and lighthouses!

The first half of the day, Maine was cold & damp. If it wasn't damp, it was all out raining. But we still found it enjoyable, despite the weather.

We first stopped at Pemaquid Point. One word: wet.

Then, off to Portland, but not without stopping for a most delicious lobster roll (very light on the mayo-yay!) in Wiscassett ,the prettiest little town (no really, it is pretty). If it wasn't so wet (we ate standing), I would have taken a picture of our lobster rolls, plus the stand where we ordered it.

We went into a few antique stores, but everything was, oh, $500-$5000 out of my price range. Personally, I find it more enjoyable to hunt for treasures at second hand shops.

On our way to Portland the sun FINALLY came out and we went to another light house (the Head Light). It was here that we quickly realized that Maine (and New England in general) has done amazing things with redevelopment and public parks. The park was free to enter, free to park, and very, very pretty.

Can you believe this photo was taken on the say day as that above video was taken??

That night we headed to Portland's downtown, which looks like Charleston, but with wide streets and a salty breeze (no horses). The vibe was very much of what you feel/see in Asheville, NC. They had a great independent bookstore, with many many other great stores. One memorable store was named "Condom Sense" and had a poster that I think should be in the halls of every high school and/or college in addition to every hospital, subway stop, bus stop, etc. I've tried to find a copy of the poster online, but it went something like this:

"See Dick with an erection" (two stick figures in bed, presumbly dick and friend, was illustrated)
"See Dick with no protection" (naked stick figure..don't worry, no parts!)
"See Dick with an infection" (stick figure Dick is in hospital bed with IVs hanging)
"Don't be a Dick"

Back to Maine...

For dinner, Ryan had his first lobster, where the older lady at the next table went all out to teach him how to eat different portions of the lobster (as in her hands were on his fish...but she really was a kind, sweet, older lady so Ryan found it excusable). Breakfast was delicious the following morning before we left and headed for Boston...

Breakfast at the Porthole

Blogcation Redux Part 1: NH

With an unheard of five straight weeks off from classes, I told Ryan, "I am NOT sitting at home in Delaware."

So we planned our own New England mini-road trip. The plan? 3 nights at a B&B in NH, 1 night in Maine, 2 nights in Boston, and 1 night in CT.

We ended up starting the vacay a day earlier and spent the night on post at West Point, possibly the one thing the military has done right (ie, the only military institution that I've ever been on where there are trees, green grass, landscaping, and buildings that did not have the brown/beige color combination...some were grey-haha). The town of Highland Springs (outside the post) was quaint, but in all honesty, the area is absolutely beautiful. Mountains, valleys, and water, plus Manhattan was about an hour away...what more can you ask for? These people get nature AND the city...

Then off to NH where we stayed at a bed and breakfast (our first) that was just outside of a tourist trap of a town (read: Maggie Valley NC or Gatlinburg TN). Waterfall, a hike, a moose, and the best damn beer I've ever tasted.

On Sunday, we decided to hike Tuckerman Ravine, inside the White Mountain. We had no plans to hike up Mt. Washington (read more here and here). The first video clip shows us just past Tuckermans Ravine, on our way up to Mt. Washington. The second clip was taken pretty close to the top of the summit. Notice how rocky it is? The pyramid rock formation that you see at the end of the clip was a way of following that portion of the treeless trail (instead of the yellow painted strips you normally see on trees). Once at the top, our hair was wet as we were in a cloud (no joke). In the 7 1/2 hours it took to complete the hike (up and down), I went from wearing a tank top in sunny weather, to wearing an additional two layers of long sleeve clothing,

to back to sunny weather. We went from mid80s at the bottom to low 50s at the top. After buying a patch that says, "I climbed Mt. Washington", we left the park and headed 'home' to the B&B to wash up, pop some motrin, and head out for a much deserved beer. Cheap asses that we are, we COULD have taken a van DOWN the summit (saving us 3 hours, 15 minutes), but at $26 a ticket, we thought "rip off!" After 2 hours of climbing down, we were kicking ourselves.

Monday we woke up and I could not sit, stand, squat, or move either leg without a reminder of the humbling hell we put our bodies through (we still loved it though!). We headed to Diana's Bath, which anyone who has spent summers in the western mountains of NC knows how refreshingly cold the water is, and we relished every moment our legs were in the water. It was a true ice bath that actually soothed our legs. More waterfalls, more ice baths, until finally we found a place for Ryan to jump off a giant rock into the water.

(l to r: Diana's Bath, Diana's Bath, Ripley Falls, Ryan jumping off Upper AmmonoosucFalls)

Remember those friends in swimming lessons who wouldn't jump off the diving board, no matter how much you encouraged them? I don't ever remember having that fear, but on this day, I was that child. It took me 15 minutes to jump, from one of the lower (although not the lowest) boulder.

(sideways view...anyone know how I can switch it to right side up?)

She finally jumps! (this is actually jump number 2...picture of jump one shows me peering over the edge...PS...I screamed the entire way down on the first jump. Chicken.)

It was AMAZING, and a great way to end our trip in NH.

Aye, Que Rico!

Thanks to gorgeous gal pal Traci & my brother for making this past weekend so enjoyable! After a rough week of finals, I flew home to south Florida.

My brother & his girlfriend picked me up in Ft. Lauderdale and he didn't flinch once when I asked him to drive along Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

So he flinched a little bit. Camera shy maybe?

We didn't get out to go anywhere in Ft. Lauderdale. something to do with my brother's wardrobe. Don't ask. Just be warned...if you're picking me up at the airport, be dressed to GO OUT!

17th St Causeway & A1A. I miss palm trees. and neon.

After the mini-road trip that night was a stop at Pollo Tropical for a Tropi Chop (or chop chop). Essentially black beans and rice (white) with chopped grilled chicken. You're supposed to eat them with plantains, which you order on the side, but mix with the rice, beans, and chicken. Except Pollo was out of plantains....which is like McDonald's being out of fries. Very disappointing, but the rice, beans and chicken were delicious.

Saturday morning I got my brother out of his place by 8:45am...unheard of for him. First stop? A nearby cuban restaurant for a cortadito...1/2 cuban coffee, 1/2 steamed milk. then a bagel (hehe, I hit both of my cultures). Then a trip to my old house and neighborhood plus a visit with my childhood friend Liz and her beautiful daughter Ella.

Afterwards my brother and I shopped for his place...then I met up with Traci!

That night was filled with good food, shopping, and Sex & the City. We started off at a favorite restaurant, where I had bistec empanizado (breaded steak) with moro (black beans and rice that are mixed in while cooking). Followed by dessert.

The best flan ever. I will have to try making this again...without spilling it on the floor...

Then it was off to Lincoln Rd on Miami Beach to see Sex & the City. Snapshots of the city...notice the pink sidewalks of Miami Beach. I was thinking of these pink sidewalks during my final exam on Friday afternoon....

The movie was hilarious. We laughed so much in those 2 1/2 hours! After the movie we walked Lincoln Rd which was just as I remembered it: young, old, gay, straight, English, Spanish, South American, all with their dogs.

Sunday we had breakfast at the News Cafe & walked along either Washington of Collins Ave...I forget which one. Then a trip to Merrick Park where we gawked at the art inside Neiman Marcus. I found a couple of Dolce & Gabbana dresses that I had to have. Then Dadeland...where I am still mad at myself for not getting the shoes I saw marked down to 80something.

More Miami Beach....I spy tourists, even if I played (and dressed) like one...

Finally, we met my brother & his girlfriend for dinner at a Miami staple. Versailles. No, not french food, but more cuban food. You've all seen this place on the news...the minute something happens in Cuba, the newscasters head to Versailles to interview the cubans who are sipping their coffee. This is a restaurant where you will see people dining in baseball caps and tee shirts next to people in tuxs & gowns, dressed to the nines.

I had arroz con pollo (chicken and rice...even though I make that a lot). and for dessert, Tres Leches. !que rico! then it was time for the cafecito at the window.

Un cafecito & dos cortaditos, por favor...

Then it was time for a photo shoot!

Trip

to MIA is set!

Thrifted

This trip seems SO like it was so much longer than just two weeks ago.

The weekend was FULL of food. When I returned home, I felt, and looked 4 months pregnant.

We were the first people seated at my new favorite italian restaurant-it was 5pm...(I only had two mini-cupcakes for lunch). The name of the dish? can't remember, but it was egg noodles, shrimp, cabbage, and sheeps cheese. you're probably going, "EW" but honestly, it was delicious. I'm kind of craving it right now, in the middle of the afternoon.

Then we had tiramisu. and cappuccino. yum.

The next night's dinner was a pastrami on rye. PLUS a side of latkas, aka potato pancakes with apple sauce. Followed by a trip to Za.bars for rugalah. Yeah, it was gluttonous.

But the shopping! I wish I could say I did soho, S5A, BG, & HB, but the funds are low (one income + tuition) so we hit two of the better Goodwills in the city.

And I hit the jackpot.


Here's a picture of the find of 2008:

CHERRY RED 100% leather pants by THEORY in MY size!

(I should mention that I also have a pair of BLACK leather INC pants from a Goodwill in Charleston...but they were made for someone who is 6 ft tall)

I wish I could meet the previous owner and take a peek into their closet. and when she wasn't looking, I would put everything on and run out of her apartment.

True to my form, I wore them to the airport to pick up Ryan. very spiffy with sleek black tee and black ballet flats.

Other finds: Sisley (!) white crocheted top, D&G striped sweater (I saw D&G pink pants, too, but didn't get them), and black and white HIGH waisted and wide legged pants. I know skinny is in, but I hate skinny pants and feel like my butt is wider than a Chev-Suburban when in skinny pants.

Oh. And did I mention the red leather theory pants that fit me so well only cost $24? H&M, you have nothing on me!

This Weekend I'm Going To..

take a bite out of a Big Apple
And then I'm going to study. A lot.

time

Classes started up again last week and life as i know it has flown out the window. If I hear one more 'teacher' say, "if you think this is bad, remember to tell yourself this is a vacation. Wait until next semester."

We all know next semester (February-June) is going to be awful.

But right now, we all feel that THIS semester is awful. I came home sick from stress on the first day (another classmate broke out in a rash).

Since the next week will be filled learning about the giving bed-baths, changing bed pans, and taking vitals, I figured I'd quickly mention the new years trip to NY.

It was fun.

I ate. a lot.

The Rockettes? WERE TERRIFIC! I want to see them again next year (but before Xmas), as well as NYC Ballet of The Nutcracker.

Dinner at this tiny (and packed) Italian restaurant on the UWS was excellent (straight up Italian...even the TOURISTS sitting next to us were Italian). The tiramissu? to die for. No, really. I NEVER order tiramissu because I've never seen the big deal, but something told me I HAD to get it. I didn't even look at the dessert menu...we just ordered two cappaccinos & one tirramissu to share, and oh my goodness.

It's worth a train ticket to the restaurant JUST FOR THAT DESSERT.

I'm still having dreams about that dessert.

Oh, and the run you ask? how was that?

Only the best way to celebrate New Years (unless at friend Cassidy's party with friends...then it's the second best).

seriously, we had so much fun...from getting off the subway and following the 'cast' of Alice in Wonderland to the party, to crossing the finish line, it was GREAT. We ran the entire 4 mi at a snail's pace, but hey, we ran the entire thing AND we weren't ready for it. AND from mile 2 to mile 3 it was uphill. I LOVED getting high fives from the people on the 'sidelines' watching us. Getting nearly run over by a blind Homer S=impson was fun, too.

46:something wasn't so bad considering we also ate a greasy pizza for dinner....(that was good, too...not as good as the tiramissu though).

Heading to dinner....on new years eve...

self potrait. Dressed for the midnight run...

We're Heading to Brooklyn!!!

In case you forgot...

My last vacation before hopefully graduating
+
The husband getting guaranteed leave for New Years
=
New Years in New York!

No...not exactly Manhattan NY. We're too poor for that, but we scored a decent rate at a hotel in Brooklyn. (my father's reaction: You're staying in BROOKLYN?!)

I'm super psyched.

Here's my to do list:

1. Skate at Rockefeller Center (yes, ridiculously overpriced, but honestly, when I will I do that again?)

2. Possibly stand in the crowd of the Today Show like an idiot. Only because I want to ice skate FIRST THING in the morning because I hate waiting in line. I'm thinking of holding up a sign that says, "Hey camera man, FREEZE on ME!" (stolen from college roommate who wore a cow costume to the Today plaza with a sign saying, "Hey Camera man...Mooooove on over to me!" I don't think it was Halloween either).

3. The Rockettes! We have our tickets and we're going on the last day of the performance. Yet another reason to start those new years resolutions now: great legs.

4. Brooklyn Museum of Art

5. MOMA if I can convince the husband.

6. Brooklyn Botanical Garden would be nice if it wasn't winter.

7. Visit a church to give my thanks to St. Joseph (he helped sell our house). Yes, I'm superstitious. No, I'm not religious. Yes, there's a difference.

8. Walk 5th Ave to see the window displays. Secret: When I was in middle/high school I wanted to be a window dresser. This dream was crushed when I realized that retailers all used the same window design that was mailed to each store. Also crushed when Lincoln Rd on Miami Beach went from trendy & gay mom-and pop pedestrian mall to trendy & gay chain pedestrian mall.

9. Eat at Arties: 1 potato pancake, 1 pastrami sandwich on rye, and rugelach. Lots of rugelach.

10. Burn off above meal by running in the NYRR Central Park midnight run. I will do it. I will pay to run 4 miles in the bitter cold. At midnight. (my mother says: "Oh, that's great. you're staying in BROOKLYN, you wanted to walk 125th street, now you're going to run in Central Park at midnight and get mugged?!")

could I be any more excited?!!!!

To Good Friends :)

"Future Dalai Lama"

What a great weekend! Traci made it to town late Thursday-poor thing, she came up to visit me in Delaware and spent more time OUTSIDE Delaware.

Friday we hit IKEA (the novelty of the store has yet to wash away and I insist on bringing all of my friends to this mega store). A yummy sandwhich at Pat's (complete with f-and b- bombs from the guys working the soda & fry line), followed by trying to find parking in the city. Luckily these two grads can read a map and we found the historic district without a problem. Since we're more into shopping than history, we only visited the Liberty Bell & part of the Betsy Ross house (pictures will be added soon). And what trip to Philly is complete without stopping at Reading Terminal Market???

The new "BEST DRINK EVER" goes to the Amish family selling the Strawberry-Lemonade.

We spent Saturday in Maryland, first in Annapolisis. Who knew there was such a cute picturesque town there? The navy boys (from the Academy) were spending the first weekend out of prison and Traci and I wanted nothing more than to take a picture with them (especially the one eating the ice cream cone).

For lunch, we found a sandwich place called The Big Cheese. Two words: YUMM-O. This is the store I would love to own if I knew a thing about making food. i don't remember what Traci or Ryan had, but I had an apple & brie sandwich on a small french loaf of bread. I even got to pick out which loaf I wanted them to use for my sandwich! The brownies we had were delicious, too. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :)

After walking around Annapolis we headed to Baltimore. Timing wasn't quite right and the Water Museum was closing in an hour so just went straight to the Inner Harbour, which is kind of touristy, but nice nonetheless. except, it was so darn hot. I'm losing my Florida/Charleston adaptability to heat (especially after having three days worth of 60* weather here last week).

Sunday we had to take Traci to the airport :( So sad, but now I know flights are super cheap from Philly to south Florida that once our house ever sells (HA!) I'll be able to visit Traci more often. It's already known I will be visiting her and Versailles once Castro is dead... ;) Hmm...maybe we can go to the 'events' at the Orange Bowl, too...(I think Traci is the only person out there who will understand any of this).

MWAH to Traci for coming to visit :)

After leaving the airport, Ryan & I headed to IKEA where we still couldn't find any curtains (for the guest bedroom) and then we headed back to PASSYUNK & 9th for ANOTHER cheesesteak. Except this time we at Gino's.

hm. first off, the people in line are just stupid (yet we joined them). The line was so long that the people did NOT wrap around the restaurant (on the sidewalk, in the shade), but kept the line going straight out INTO THE STREET. Uh-huh.

Second, the people working behind the counter were nice. They actually said, "Can I help ya?" as opposed to, "NEXT!" (which is what the say at Pat's).

Third, the place was clean. we could have eaten the sandwich off the counter tops WITHOUT the paper liner.

and finally, forth, I heard no cursing. And the lady tried to give me cheese fries (what's up with that??). When I asked (for the second time that week) for REGULAR fries, she said, "Ok, just a minute." There was no, "Why the fuck did you mess up her order?" or "I don't know, if you were fucking helping me like you were supposed to, I wouldn't have fucked up her order bitch."

So...I think I liked Pat's better for the atmosphere. But if I'm bringing little people under the age of 12, it'll probably be Geno's.

*************************************************
AND-Muchas gracias a mi amiga FRANCES for the lovely shoe pajamas :) Put a big smile on my face!

Peanuts & Crackerjacks

I did the unthinkable today.

I wore red to a baseball game and cheered on the Boston Red Sox.

Well, sort of. I didn't so much as cheer for them, as I just clapped and hollered for no good reason at all.

Seriously, I am going straight to Yankee Hell.

Lucky & Michelle had two extra tickets to the Baltimore-Boston game so we drove on down to Balt, had a few beers, and watched the entire 9 inning game (something I haven't done in many many years).

Must say, twas fun.

First inning, second batter. Oh, and his name is pronounced U-kul-is. Not You Kill Us.

"Hey batta batta batta..."

The bottom of the 9th, the honest to goodness, longest inning EVER. The game went from 6-0 Boston, to 6-2 (Boston) in no time. The Yankees never play like that.