Friday, October 30, 2009

Friday Five- Halloween Edition

Ohhh, I am EXHAUSTED. Thank goodness for the adrenaline and excitement of Halloween and dressing up or I never would have made it through work this morning. Here is the five for the week…

1. Last weekend, the Adventurer’s Club came over to carve pumpkins and then brave it out at a Haunted House. My mom used to take a few of my friends and I out to pizza and a haunted house every year back in junior high and high school…but I haven’t been in a while…and Rachel and Willow have never been. It. Was. Terrifying. We went to the KUBE haunted house down at the SoDo morgue. Yeah, at the morgue. Though they didn’t do much with that…it was more just the idea, I guess. It was your typical “creepy people in makeup with blood everywhere jumping out at you, and even though you are expecting it, it still makes you pee your pants” kind of event. And then there is a lot of laughing afterward because your voice is hoarse from fifteen minutes of nonstop screaming.

2. There are some good shows on TV right now. The usual shows have been a bit disappointing this season…the Grey’s Anatomy’s and such. But there are some GREAT new sitcoms. I think I already talked about Big Bang Theory in a past post. Still great. I think my new favorite show is Modern Family. So funny. Follows three VERY different families…the gay couple with the adopted kid, the traditional family with the super dorky dad, and the husband with a MUCH younger, gorgeous wife…and they are all related and hang out…and it’s funny stuff. Also enjoying Community, the new show with Joel McHale from The Soup…and Chevy Chase and a whole group of super random characters are all in a study group at a community college. Parks and Recreation can make me laugh out loud from time to time.

3. I was babysitting last night, the baby asleep, older kids working on homework…the doorbell rings. Hmmm, who would be ringing the bell at this hour? I went to the door, no one there, peek through the window (I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that the babysitter shouldn’t just throw the front door open)…there, sitting on the front step was a little purple Halloween bucket, filled with fun Halloween toys and treats. The kids came over and were like “ohhh man, did we get boo’d again? This is the third time. We put the ghost on the front door…” Apparently this “boo-ing” thing is a thing people do…have you ever been boo’d or done the boo’ing. It’s like May Day…drop off a present, ring the bell, and run. Then, when it happens to you, you have to boo someone else…and once you have already been boo’d, you tape a ghost to your door, so people know not to boo you again. Is this new? I’d never heard of this.

4. I was having a heck of a time coming up with a Halloween costume. We were allowed to wear costumes at work, so it needed to be easy to move around in. All my costume possibilities are packed away in storage down in Bonney Lake, and I really didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on a real costume (plus, most of the fun is putting the outfit together yourself)…I don’t like being generic characters “a nurse, a fairy, a princess…” I like to be a specific character..someone that has been somehow meaningful that year…I thought about being a Mad Men secretary, etc. Went to Goodwill hoping for some inspiration….nothing. I was about to give up. Then I read the latest Sarah Dessen blog, and she mentioned the new season of Friday Night Lights started (if you have directv…don’t even get me started on that…)…DUH! Friday Night Lights! My favorite new show of the past year. Sooo, I went to a tshirt place, had a Riggins “Clear Eyes. Full Heart. Can’t Lose.” shirt made, and put together a whole Rally Girl costume. Fun Fun. Apparently not too many people watch the show, because I had to explain to several customers…but the people that did recognize it, TOTALLY appreciated the costume. So, while I should be napping right now (seriously, sooo tired), but I really wanted to watch some FNL. And seriously, it’s soooo good. Go rent the first couple seasons. And get past the first few episodes- they didn’t hook me.

Okay, I know that is only four…I’m so tired though…and I am really distracted by the show…so I’m going to leave you with those. Maybe there will be an extra one next week? Have a safe Halloween! Eat lots of candy. :)

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Five 10/23/09

Happy Friday all...while this was a short work week for me (didn't return from Chicago until Tuesday), the week felt very long. Very, very long. But alas, Friday has arrived. Here's what went on in my life for the past week....

1. Okay, so I know I lived in Chicago and decided it definitely wasn't for me and moved home...and I know I have a tendency to only remember the good things in a memory...but man, why did I leave Chicago? It is such a great city! So much to do, so much character... and speaking of characters...one of my old Starbucks pals (part of my Thursday night closing Dream Team) took me out for some ice cream in Bucktown. Margies...whoa. This place had a multiple page menu that was filled with nothing but sundaes...it was an ice cream novel. I don't know how I never came across this ice cream heaven. Angel did warn me to stay away from the sundaes with candy included...because it was generally stale. I had a Coco Loco...which was coconut ice cream, choc syrup, whipped cream, etc. Yummmm

2. After enjoying my tasty ice cream treat, I was to hop on a bus and head over to Wrigleyville to meet up with Jessica and Brad for a little board game time at Guthries. Well...in true Eryn form, I jumped on the bus going the wrong direction and by the time I realized I was most definitely not in the right place, I was in a not so great part of town. Luckily Angel was still with me, so waiting at the bus stop back the other direction wasn't nearly as scary as it could have been. After more than an hour and a half of public transportation, I finally made it to Guthries...got myself a beer and jumped into a game of Taboo. Somehow Jessica and I never discovered Guthries when I lived there...it's a bar, with every imaginable board game right there for anyone to use...AND you can order take out from anywhere...they will deliver it to Guthries! So fun.

3. Another of my very favorite things about Chicago is the abundance of Skillet Cookies. Heaven. We most definitely DID take advantage of that when I was living in Chicago, and that was actually my only request to Jessica about what I wanted to do on my trip. MUST HAVE A SKILLET COOKIE. It's a giant chocolate chip cookie, cooked in a cast iron skillet...served still fairly gooey, with ice cream and whipped cream. Seriously, it's A-MAZING. There is one place that I know of in Seattle that makes a skillet cookie....Madam K's...I haven't actually gone to try it out since being in Chicago, because I am afraid of the severe disappointment I might find...right now it is just nice to think that such a place does, in fact, exist.

4. So, I haven't been flying a ton lately, but I have gone on a couple of trips recently...and I don't know if it is just the particular flights I've been on, if for some reason I am just feeling old and more concerned, or what...but it seems like the amount of turbulence on my flights has increased dramatically. Both duration and degree of turbulance. And it is scary as all get out. I try to think about my mom and how she thinks it's fun...like being on a ride...and no big deal...I mean, most plane crashes happen during take off or landing...not while coasting thousands and thousands of feet up in the air. Nevertheless, my life flashes before my eyes, time after time...which may explain my high productivity level on place rides...I have the near death experience and then feel the need to act on all my "I still have so much to do in life" dreams.

5. And now back to Seattle. I went to Marty and Jodi's big severance blowout party last night...their contracts weren't renewed at the radio station a few weeks back and they are gone from KMTT...which is very sad. Marty has been around for forever and is such a face of the station. But they decided to have a big ol party and invited their devoted listeners...it was just like being at a Mountain event from the good ol days (seriously, how old am I?)...pretty much everyone that ahs ever worked at the station and left, or been let go, plus all the die hard listeners showed up. Jen was there in work mode (not really, but she did hang some stellar banners...above eye level...Promo Rule #126)...I'm sure it made Marty and Jodi feel all warm and fuzzy inside to see how supported they are. AND, they announced that they are going to be putting on a comedy festival in January. I'll keep you updated on details as they come out.

And that's it for now...hope you have fun, festive Fall plans for the weekend!

Friday, October 16, 2009

From the Windy City

Hello from Chicago! I know, I know...you are thinking..."Eryn, it is Friday night and you are in CHICAGO....why are you sitting at a computer writing a blog entry?" Well, let me tell you...because I am dedicated to you readers. I tell you I will write a blog on Fridays, gosh darn it, I will. It isn't called 'The Friday Five Except When In Chicago". Here it is:

1. I flew in LATE last night, was picked up at O'Hare (miraculously, my flight not only got in on time, but a bit early) by Jessica (my old Chicago roommate) and her BF...which was very, very nice of them, since I got in after 11pm. Anyway...got in, ate some delightful homemade apple crisp, and went to bed. And this morning, I went and saw my favorite little Chicago guy, Henry. I babysat him when he was not even 2 yet...and now he is five. And still the cutest and funniest thing ever. He has always been quite the musical kid- carried his guitar around with him, and played lots of those playschool instruments. Well, he still has his guitar, and he is taking piano lessons. AND, he is asking Santa Claus for a bagpipe for Christmas. A bagpipe! Kills me. We all went out to lunch (he has a little brother now, who is a mini version of him) and there was a musician playing inside Potbelly's...and Henry was singing along to Johnny Cash. So great. After that, I strolled around the old neighborhood, before hopping on the El and returning to Jessica (and even more apple crisp). It is soooo fun being back in the city...and I love that I can return and feel like I never left...I know where the train stations are, the street names, etc. Love it.

2. Part of the Adventure Club made the adventurous trip down to the Des Moines/Kent area this week. In the POURING rain...a little bit scary in the jeeper, but she handled herself nicely. We made the trip to visit one of our co-workers who is out because she just had a baby...very sweet. And heard more than a little bit about the whole labor/birth experience...wowza. And then we drove over to my old home golf course to hit a bucket of balls at the range. Willow has never golfed before and her form was unintentionally Happy Gilmore-like. It was hilarious. She couldn't keep her feet in one place. The Adventure Club has been discussing our winter options- since much adventuring takes place outside. There are several ideas on the calendar....more to come in the coming months...

3. After watching My Sister's Keeper (that movie about the kid with cancer that I cried my eyes out in a few weeks ago), I have been thinking that I would like to get tested to be a bone marrow donor. It has always sounded scary- I know it is a really painful procedure. But I feel like a little bit of pain is worth saving someone's life. But I didn't know how to go about getting tested for that. And then I walked in to work on Wednesday and there was a note posted saying they were doing bone barrow testing at the central library right up the street. So easy, and right in front of my face. So Willow and I walked on up to the library, filled out a ton of forms, and then did some cheek tissue swabs for tissue testing. I guess they contact us if our tissue matches someone in need. And they keep you in the database until you are 61 years old! I guess we'll see. 

4. I started a new bookclub, but we decided on the Time Traveler's Wife for the first book, which I already read...so I went to the library and checked out a couple of random YA books. I picked up Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist...which I have been wanting to read for awhile. I never saw the movie, and I have heard it wasn't that great. But I thought the book was really cute. Pretty short book, very quick read...and just a sweet, young adult romance. I'd like to catch the movie sometime soon.

5. I didn't do much for cooking this week...didn't find any time to bake bread...boo. I did have some delicious Thai food, twice, AND the Pumpkin donuts have made their appearance at Mighty-O. So now, how do you choose between a pumpkin or an apple spice? You get one of each and eat half at a time, save the rest for later. Brilliant. There will definitely be some tasty seasonal baking being done once I return home. I saw pumpkin pancake mix at Trader Joe's today...mmm, will definitely be picking some of that up! 

Okay...now I need to go booze it up like a real Chicagoan...later

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sunday, not Friday 10/11

I know, I'm a couple days late...and this is going to be a short entry because it is Sunday afternoon, and I don't really want to spend my whole afternoon on my computer. Here ya go...

1. The reason I didn't get around to posting on Friday was that I was heading over to Ellensburg to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins, and this particular weekend so I could see my lil sis's soccer game. BUT, I wanted to make sure the jeep was a-ok to make the drive over. So I stopped at the oil place to get the oil changed, get some air put in the tires, etc. They ended up doing a whole cleansing of the uhhh, engine? I don't know...but apparently it was important and overdue and would be good for my jeep. And it was done at a place I trust, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't unecessary. Jeep made it over and back, no problem. Way to go jeep.

2. While we did make it over successfully, in one piece...since I STILL hadn't put the windows in the back, as I went over the pass, it was sooo cold! It got down into the 20's on the other side of the mountains. I was all bundled up in my coat and scark and hat...my breath visible in the front seat...but, luckily my cousins helped me put the windows in this morning for my drive back home. It was much toastier.

3. I finished my book club book yesterday- Time Traveler's Wife. I liked it a lot! Took a little while to get into it...not that it was hard to read or anything...I just didn't feel especially attached for a little while...I think because you have to get used to the format and understand what is happening with the time traveling. But once you get past that, it is such a sweet story. And sad. I didn't love the actual end of the book...but for the most part, I was quite satisfied. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie now...looove Rachel McAdams.

4. Also read the latest Sarah Dessen book...I have had it on hold at the library since it came out in, like June or something, and it was finally available. It was alright. Not my fav of her books. Pretty standard young adult girl book...predictable. And I actually didn't fall for the main characters like I usually do. Was a little disappointed. Oh well.

5. I have had a serious craving to make bread. I have a bread maker, but it's in storage, so I haven't made any yet, since I have to do it the slow, old fashioned way, that takes years to make. BUT, it will happen sometime this week, I think...because I think about it ALL the time...kind of like the apple spice donuts from Might O...must make bread. In fact, I think I'm going to make sure I ahve all the right ingredients right now, so when the time is right, I can go for it. Mmmm, doesn't that sound delicious?!

Later....

Friday, October 2, 2009

How do you Via?

Ohhh, it's Friday again...I still have almost two hours to get this up and count for being on time for the Friday Five. But why push it...I'm tired. Five for the week:

1. Did you visit a Starbucks today? If so, you were probably encouraged to accept the Via Taste Challenge...duh duh duh(that is supposed to sound really dramatic)...Starbucks has launched their Via Ready Brew (aka instant coffee) nation wide...which means huge store sales goals. Today we got to dress up as "How do you Via"...as in, when do you use via....I put on my golfing gear...because who has time to stop for coffee when you have a tee time to make? One girl dressed up as Darth Vader...for those Star Wars conventions that are apparently coffee-less. It was silly and fun. Really though, Via is a grgeat option if you are going to be somewhere where regular coffee isn't convenient...camping, meetings, school, etc. It dissolves in hot or cold water OR even milk...you can make your own little latte at home. Give it a chance...it really is 10x better than any other instant coffee out there. If you want to get some, feel free to contact me and we can put the order in at my store (so we can get a little closer to our outrageous sales goal!)

2. I went to my littlest sister's soccer game last weekend (she is in college...she isn't that little...but c'mon, how crazy is it that my youngest sister is in college?!) I'm not much of a soccer fan...to be honest, I find it pretty boring (don't hate me, I'm sorry)I mean really, a game that can go on for that long and end in a tie...or with a score of 1-0...lame. BUT, it was really fun sitting out in the chilly evening with my dad and grandma, cheering on my stud of a little sister. Watching those gals run all over the field got me feeling pretty motivated to get back into my track workouts...so I started that back up again this week. I'm just hoping I can stay motivated through the rain...I miss my Chicago gym with the indoor track.

3. The Seattle Public Library had a giant book sale last weekend...luckily one of my friends reminded me, so we hopped in the car and jetted over there...we spent a couple hours looking through boxes and boxes of books...it was a little overwhelming...they were $.50/book...I came away with 13 new ones...very exciting. Though one of the books I have had reserved at the library finally came in, so I haven't actually started reading any of my newly purchased books. I should be set for a little while though.

4. Big happenings tomorrow night at The Triple Door. The Ian McFeron Band is playing one of their few yearly Seattle shows. They are bringing in a couple of guest musicians, recording and videotaping the show...and, of course...the delightful menu with food prepared at the Wild Ginger restaurant upstairs (seriously, the green beans...yuuuum). If you don't have your tickets yet, you should call the Triple Door and make some...the early show atarts at 7pm, and the late show at 9:30 (late show is 21+). I'll be selling stuff at the merch booth, as usual...see you there.

5. About time for me to get going to bed...I am doing an overnight babysitting gig tonight, and need to be up bright and early to cook something fun for breakfast. We just had such a fun night. After dinner the girls talked me into letting them have some dessert (they don't eat many sweets, but know they can always talk me into it)...well, we discovered their ice cream collection was down to about two bites...but they were already cozy in their pajamas. I took them out for their first ice cream grocery store run in pajamas. They thought it was HILARIOUS. Then...we played M.A.S.H...do you remember that game? Where you pick boys names, kinds of cars, careers, pets, etc...and then you pcik a number and go through the list crossing items off until you have your whole future planned out? Haven't played in years...and let me tell you...my future is NOT looking too bright...though it did let me know that I will be living in a mansion in Paris...that sounds pretty awesome.

Have a great weekend. Try some Via (but buy it from me!)