Happy Halloween!

From the sweedish chef! Have fun tonight!

It's a tough job...

Today we carved punpkins for tonight's wine tasting! It was incredibly fun - I carved a big scary one, a small happy one and a mid sized skeleton one with a pattern (first time ever using a pattern - it was a success).

Andrew Z's Pizzeria

Last night we visited the newish pizza joint in Levis Commons - Andrew Z's - it's the old Bistro Wasabi - with an extreme sports makeover.

Our appetizers were these cheesy pizza dough balls with marinara that were delicious and southwest egg rolls with a ranch sauce that were equally as delicious. We ordered pizza (of course), and I got a veggie sub named Gay Steve's Veggie Sub (I ordered it extra Gay and the waitress laughed so she gets points for not being stuck up). The reviews came in - everyone said it was average. I tasted it and thought is was delicious (although that may be due to the fact that I have been on a steady diet of air and water for a month). The dough looked to be made from scratch.

The restaurant itself was really clean, had those great red tumblers, tons of flat screens and sports paraphernalia, played upbeat current music, and was hosting a beer pong tourney that evening. Interesting concept: there was one women's restroom, and one unisex restroom (no men's!).

Andrew Z was in the kitchen making pizzas and came out to our table to see how everything was - I really appreciate good customer service! I wonder how late he was there? Working late at the pizza place then on the morning talk show would be tough. It would be nice for a local guy make it in Levis. Good luck Andrew Z!

Adam

Adam’s Scary Apples

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Potato Power

Wow! Tell me you aren't going home today to try this!

BORK

Do you remember the Swedish Chef from the Muppets? He was crazy - always making something random and fighting with the chicken. Well, that's what I'm dressing as for Halloween! I love it! Yesterday, I got my giant chef's hat and mustache and shirt. The apron will be easy seeing as how I am dating an actual chef, but the bow tie is proving to be a bit difficult. Here's a little psyche up video. YES!

Nap Time

Do you fall asleep in inappropriate places? Do you get tired during loud events like monster truck rallies or live sporting events? If you answered yes, you might be my twin.

If I am tired, I absolutely cannot control falling asleep in public. Examples:

1) Today - at my desk - sitting up.
That's not that uncommon. Many people do this. Right? I'm blaming it on post vacation depression.
2) In college - during lecture - regardless of sleep the night before.
Again, I know most people cannot stay awake the entire class because they were up the entire night before bonging beers or smoking cigarettes on someone's crappy porch furniture. Same for church - the staying awake part.
3) At a televised UT football game - 3rd quarter - after about 4 beers.
I had been working all day and it was the first time I sat down in about 8 hours. Everyone was cheering and screaming all around me and it did not matter. I might as well had a binky in my mouth and a blankie in the other. Terrible.
4) On my first date with DT - in a movie theater - Harry Potter even!
Now, that's ridiculous. A first date with someone you are trying to impress, and a movie you have been dying to see!

Sigh. I have been to a sleep clinic and have been diagnosed with some sort of sleeping disorder, but, c'mon, who doesn't get tired? At least I have a permanent doctor's note. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Halloween Costumes: For Kylee

Kylee, per your request, here are some of my past Halloween costumes and some other unique costumes from parties I attended.

Here is my sister and her friend as Siamese twins - an old costume my Dad and his brother wore in the 80s (sans fishnets). You are not mistaken, it's two lime green polyester jackets sewn together. Nice. Itchy.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a GAZELLE! It's Tony Little exercising in a bar complete with a mullet...oh yes.

My parents take Halloween very seriously (maybe that's where I inherited the spirit) and are seen here as their famous Christmas trees complete with light-up bulbs powered by a battery pack. Those are gifts on their feet and yes, these costumes have won them awards.
My sister and I dressed up as the Girls Next Door the first year it aired. We just needed to find a blonde friend to complete our trio and a male friend willing to get drunk in a robe. It wasn't hard.
Being the Wicked Witch of the West at the time of the play Wicked was just incredible. The effect: all the girls told me the LOVED the play and I looked just like Elphaba - all the men told me I looked disgusting and to try to be sluttier next Halloween. "Uh, 'member when you were Kendra?? "

Being Medusa was very exciting because I used an old bridesmaid dress (recycle!) AND it was comfortable. What I found annoying was that Britney Spears pulled some stunt earlier in the year, donning a big snake around her neck and several party-goers asked me if I was trying to be Ms. Britney. Uh - when hell freezes over. Didn't you read Greek Mythology - I'll turn you to stone.

Home

Well......I'm home. Bah hum bug.

Downtown Vegas

Old Vegas, otherwise known as downtown or Freemont Street, was quite the experience. The entire street is covered in what seems to be an aluminum shell that also acts as a humungous movie screen. The Freemont Street expereince is complete with lots of street vendors, Elvis impersonators, spray paint artists, and incredible people watching. Some of the casinos still use the ole coin and bucket system! I finally saw the cowboy so I can so home now.

The Wedding

Saturday at 5:30pm we headed to the JW Marriott Resort for the ceremony and reception immediately following. The ceremony was outside in one of the most beautiful settings I've seen for a ceremony; palm trees, stone pergola, harpist, perfectly manicured gardens - gorgeous.

Cocktail hour was on the rooftop terrace at sunset with passed appetizers and drinks (and no bugs or humidity!).

Dinner was filet mignon the size of Nevada itself served with a shrimp appetizer and spinach salad prior. Toasts were great, dancing and more drinks followed then we all hit the casino (bride and groom in their tux and gown too!).

Pics to come upon my return. Here's the cupcake table (not to fret, there was also a 5 tiered wedding cake).

Saturday afternoon's alright alright!

Here's the lobby of Planet Hollywood complete with chandelier pillars surrounding the escalators up to the casino - who says Vegas is glitzy? Tonight is the wedding at the JW Marriott just off the strip. J Timberlake is in town so I am keeping my eyes peeled for more celebrities.

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Today in Vegas

Jerry Springer is at our pool! Weather is perfect again!

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At Caesars!

Pool

We survivedthe first night - saw Penn & Teller and hit the tables a bit. At the PH pool now, dream come true! Weather is perfect!

Viva Las Vegas!

We're off to Vegas in the morning!! Friends are getting married there on Saturday and we are staying until Monday. Planet Hollywood is our home base (complete with a bottle of liquor each day! and roof top pool). This will be my third trip to Vegas and I am extremely excited.

My goal is to mobile upload once a day. Have a great week! Wish me luck :)

Art Tatum Memorial

Habe you seen this? It's right in front of the new arena downtown. Pretty cool.

If your name is Chris....

...Or Christine, or Kristine, or Kristin (you get the point), hit up Spaghetti Warehouse for lunch today. In honor of Christopher Columbus, they are giving away FREE select lunch (and possibly) dinner selections to celebrate Columbus day. Click here to get the coupon.
I adore the Spaghetti Warehouse - their bread and butter alone is to die for- their spicy meat sauce is amazing, minestrone soup and salad combo is a great healthy option, not to mention that you get a vat-sized receptacle of soda with your meal. They even have DMD (that's Diet Mountain Dew to those of you non-pop lovers). When I go there, I MUST sit in the trolley; it's is one of my favorite things to do (often resisted or eye-rolled by co-workers).

The Toledo Spaghetti Warehouse is downtown on the corner of Superior and Lafayette. I find it humorous that their website is www.MEATBALLS.com. Good one.

Why drinking inhibits weight loss

The title of this post may seem obvious but I think the real reason is that weight loss experts say that drinking inhibits weight loss is because when you get drunk you lose your willpower. For instance, you can stick to your eating plan all day, go out and have some drinks, and then blow it when you come home by eating a whole frozen pizza. Possibly not really recall eating it. THAT's the real reason.

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday to my Dad (aka the Mustache)!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the five of us from a charity function in Denver - Jamie's "Bad Santa" event.

Thanks for being an amazing Dad and teaching me so much! Happy Birthday - Love you!

Gentleman Broncos

In the vein of Napoleon Dynamite, this movie could make you pee your pants or walk out of the movie theater...it's a crap shoot. Either way, Stiffler's Mom is a comedic genius in every movie she graces with her presence (Best in Show, a Mighty Wind, Legally Blonde, Pootie Tang, and all her amazing TV cameos).

Just go, just go...

Today, I stopped at a Mediterranean deli for lunch on Conant after a meeting in Arrowhead Park. I am never out that way hence I cannot think of the name of the deli, so forgive me. It is located right next to Chipolte...

Either way, the case was full of Lebanse delights - tabbouleh, fattoush, shish tawook, grape leaves, hummus, fava salad, falafil, you name it! I decided to be good and get a little dish of fattoush. I get to the register and hand her my debit card. She says to me that the credit card machine is down and they are only taking cash. I tell her I don't have any cash but I open my purse to look anyway.

Sure enough, I don't have any, but she tells me to just give me what I have - like the coins in the bottom of my purse! So I empty out my purse and am giving her my coins mixed with wrappers and bobby pins and loose aspirins that have busted out of the vessel. "Uh, these are over the counter, they just came out of the bottle. They aren't drugs."

Oh, I was so embarrassed, but she was hell bent on giving me this food and I was hell bent on not taking it for free. But for as embarrassed as I was, she was equally as nice and kind. A lesson in karma. She really paid it forward today.

SO - I must go back and overpay at some point this week and I encourage you to visit this generous deli as well. The fattoush was the best I've ever had.

Uninspired

Normally by this time, I have a great Halloween costume idea and I am already constructing it. Nothing has struck me yet this year.

For those of you that don't know, I am a super huge geek about Halloween and take my costume VERY seriously. I mean it. One year, I painted my body green and wore a fake nose to be a very convincing witch (I loved that costume, sigh).

Maybe it is because no great movies have come out lately. Let's face it, I cannot pull off being The Silk Spectre.

Right now, I want to be some kind of R2-D2 (not current), Dolly Parton (way not current), or maybe Lady Gaga (overdone).

Got any great ideas for me? You can be outrageous.

The gift that keeps on slitting

You know how when you receive a new knife, everyone says, "Be careful! It's really sharp!" Well, even though I was being very careful, my new birthday presents from DT proved to be very sharp. On Saturday night, I accidentally sliced my pinky finger on my right hand to the point that I thought that I may need stitches. Ugh.

On one hand (bad pun, very bad), you are just mad at yourself. One the other, you want to get it taken care of but are not sure if you need to go to the hospital or not. Luckily, I can always call my Dad (firefighter) in these very situations. He talked me through it and asked me some questions to determine if it was hospital serious. I even took this picture to sent to him:

I am glad that it is not in focus because the main question he asked me is, "Does it look like there is HAMBURGER coming out of the cut?" Uh, yeah, it does. How did he know. "Well, that's muscle, you have a pretty deep cut." Secretly, I was glad that it was not fat. Hahaha! I have muscular fingers! YES! So he coached me over the phone more and we determined that I would go see him at the station the next day for the professionals to get a look.

I am fine. No stitches, but I am sporting a giant bandage and typing is difficult. Hunt and peck, hunt and peck.

So, thanks to DT for my amazing birthday presents and thanks to my Dad for helping me through the mini-trauma, and thanks to Sal who was watching my little cousins while this entire thing happened. They were at my house and I didn't want them to get upset so I told them nothing was going on and I was just doing an "experiment." Yeah, an experiment to see if I needed to go to the hospital.

Myspace - out!

Today I feel a large weight lifted off my shoulders.

Today I no longer have to check to see what Tom and friends are doing.

Today I deleted my Myspace account.

AHHHHH!

You are what you eat / Rosie's Italian Grille

Hogfish - all I could picture was Pumba from the Lion King with a fake fin swimming in a baby pool when I heard this. However, when the waiter at Rosie's Italian Grille informed us that it was last evening's special and a fish that feeds on crabs and lobsters and thus takes on their flavors, I was interested.

Last night's birthday dinner for Sal was excellent. I did, in fact, choose the creepy sounding Hogfish, and it did have some lobster qualities about it. I think it would have tasted better if I had not been staring at Stromboli, spaghetti, manicotti, and the Italian sausage all around me. Somehow baked fish and steamed broccoli tastes less good when you are looking at such amazing Italian specialties.

Have you been to the newish Rosie's on McCord? It is the only one left in Toledo and is pretty upscale. No more red plastic booths, no more red plastic cups, no more buffet line - but yes, there is HOT MAMA BREAD! The decor is very Tuscan-esque and the food is to die for. It is very much on par with Bravo and Trio but better since we know half the kitchen! Danny even told me that Rosie's flies in their seafood from the Florida Keys fresh daily! Insane!

Hit up Rosie's next time you are looking for a place to eat.