This thing that Nico does when he's "getting me" is hilarious. We're obviously working on trying to teach him that I dont always want Nico to get me. It sucks when you are just chilling out on the couch and suddenly, you are wearing a Nico hat, because he is laying across the top of your head. Its classic. He opens his mouth really wide open and gnashes his teeth. I dont know what that is about or who taught him that... but its hilarious. He also swings his arms like they are bats. Have you ever been hit in the face with a toddler swung forearm? Its like getting hit in the face with a bat. No joke.
We went to the libary last night and he really really liked the little kid sized furniture they had. I guess that will be a future purchase. Just when I was starting to think that our house was almost the perfect size. Actually, it would be the perfect size, if I could have one of these. What, you're saying that normal people dont have their own writing/craft/sewing hut? But I want one... Pfff.
So my mom, being the library hero she is, informed me yesterday that the Woodville Branch of the Leon County library had Deathly Hallows 1 and 2. And because I roll this way- I watched both last night. How do you like them apples? So what I didnt get to bed until 330 am? I am also in the interest of pulling together Nicole and JJ's birthday boxes. I wanted to give these a whirl, to see how they would work:
Can you think of anything else that says "Happy Birthday!" Like homemade snickers? I didnt think so.
The good news is that I like the homemade ones better than the real ones. I think homemade ones are less messy to eat. And being able to customize how badly you feel about eating one based on the size you cut? Nice.
The bad news is that while they are relatively easy, they are kinda a pain in the ass to make. Four different layers? Four different steps of cooking? Kind of a pain in the ass. Not going to lie. But it was a successful pinterest project, so I am happy with it.
Nicole and JJ I guess your boxes will go out sometime this week? Meh?
Mine and Dave's anniversary was yesterday 2/28. The Legislature is in session early this year, so he was pretty much on lockdown this week. So we are going to celebrate late by going out to dinner tonight. Also, maybe we dont mention this him, because he will be sad, but this girl is getting a massage. I booked the appointment for the end of the day... so I am going to dip out of work at 4pm, go get my massage and then meet a good friend who will have defended her dissertation for celebratory drinks. After that, Dave is going to pick me and we're going to dinner. Maybe to Rays Steel City. If they are open. The only thing that is getting in the way of today being a perfect day is the fact that I have to work. But work ruins most perfectly good days. :)
So, we had a fun weekend around here. I tried unsuccessfully for much of Friday night to find a hard copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I just finished reading the series and have been trying to watch the last two movies. Turns out there is some sort of dustup over the digital rights to it, so it is unavailable online. Anywhere. Not for rent or for purchase. :(
I have been doing some cleaning... only the most annoying kind though- the little at a time- tear up this part of the house and take two weeks to put it back together kind. :( Dave doesnt know it, so maybe dont mention it, but we have this massive built in bookcase in our living room that is about to get MADEOVER. Seriously. On this shelf sits a box of VHS tapes. In this box is prolly about 50-60 VHS tapes that are what is left of my "younger days" soccer career. In any case, I have been meaning to transfer such tapes to DVD for years... so finally I put an ad up on Craigs List and found a stay at home mom who is willing to do for 5 bucks a tape. Can you believe that? Yeah, pretty good. I am pretty excited about that. Friday, I dropped some tapes off and went for a run. Nico and Dave got pizza at Mellow Mushroom and had it waiting for me when I got home.
Saturday, Dave let me sleep in and got Nico up. They went to the fair grounds to check out the dog show- especially the agility trials. Nico was kinda annoyed because he wanted to do the obstacle course :( I ran some errands. Just before nap, I took Nico to the park so that he could run the bases and play ball... which he loves. After Nico woke up from nap, we went to get some groceries including ingredients for a "special treat" for Aunt Nicole and Uncle JJ. Why? Its their birthday. And also because I wanted to try making homemade snickers bars. Which brings me to- the problem with healthy food is that it doesnt taste good. Seriously. I am eating a salad for lunch. But I still would rather have a bacon cheeseburger. Meh.
Sunday, I woke up early with Nico. We made some breakfast and went to run some more errands. Then we went to Chapman Pond at Myers Park and fed the geese.
Then last night Dave and I went to play soccer. Nico was not terribly pleased. I played in goal and gave up five goals. Seriously. Five goals? BARF. On the upside, I did make a bunch of good saves, including one off my face, and one where I think I pulled my armpit muscle (dont ask how I managed to do that). In preparation for the baby sitter coming over, we managed to put the house back in order, so that is great. But its still dusty as ever.
One of Nico's funny things that he is doing lately is saying, "I'm gettin ya!" Where in he throws himself on the unsuspecting mom, laying across her face. But then he starts thrashing about, wherein I usually get a forearm to the face, an elbow to the neck and a knee to the stomach. I don't know where he got this, but its really funny.
He is also insisting on using his play keys to open the car door. Which is pretty cute.
He is also doing this other really funny thing when he gets mad or is about to cry... he is really starting to work the lower lip... big time. I am hoping to catch it on camera. I saw it on Sunday when I was explaining to him that Jessica the babysitter was coming to hang out with Nico when Dave and I went to play soccer. You'd think it was the saddest thing ever.
So, I kinda felt bad about going to New Orleans and eating delicious food without my husband and son. Lauren brought her husband and son. And I just felt bad. So I got a crazy idea last night when I went to the asian grocery at Cap Cir and the Parkway. Right next door is this seafood market that sold oysters, so I thought I would buy some oysters and grill them up all New Orleans like. Plus one of my first memories was sitting my Dad and Nicole in the kitchen of our house, while he ate oysters with ketchup (which Nicole really liked). Plus Appalachicola oysters are the best in the world. Period. They are huge (the shells are about half the size of one's palm) and they taste like the sea.
I didnt really know how many to buy and I have never shucked an oyster before. Turns out, that half a bushel is actually a metric ton of oysters. And most people take a cooler to get them, otherwise, you end up with paper bags full of ice in plastic bags. And they leak all over the kitchen. And I am not really good with an oyster knife. And you really should be wearing gloves when you shuck an oyster. And shucking oysters is really more of a weekend thing. And more of an outside thing. Oh, and while I dont know any other 2 year old that likes butter as much as Nico does (you'd think his last name was Deen), or asiago cheese, or salsa, the boy had very little interest in oysters. Surprise surprise.
In the course of an hour and a half, I managed to shuck maybe 30 oysters, make a mess in the kitchen, gash the tip of my left ring finger open (in such a way that I bled for a while). And I dont know how I did it, but I have what appears to be about 5 paper thin cuts on my right thumb. Suffice to say, the oysters got away from me a bit.
Ok. So one thing I got from this weekend in New Orleans was a new favorite music. Yes. So EM, who used to play for the Thomasville Dragons (KS invited her to the tournament) is a straight up baller. Really good player. In any case, we are driving in my car to the field and she is in the front seat, which is the DJ seat. She puts on Girl Talk. Mind blown.
A revelation about JCBR: I LOVE HIP HOP. This is a true story. I blame a boy I liked when I was a kid. He introduced me to MC Hammer and I was done. Cant touch this. Seriously.
Now, another revelation: I dont pretend to be high brow, either. I am not talking about underground hipster hip hop (the kind that is "so good" but you've never heard of it. What ev.) I like hip hop that has been played so much on the radio that people hate it. I like hip hop that my girls tell me about. I like hip-hop that I recognize from that wonderful time in college when I lived in the dorm and watched Vh1 Cardio morning while ironing before classes. I still know lyrics from Hard Knock Life by Jay Z. I am sorry. I have plebian tastes. I cant help it. It is what it is.
So Girl Talk is a guy (weird) that makes whole songs out of samples. Yes. I know. If my mother were dead, she would roll over in her grave. But since she isn't she is likely just going to slap me in the mouth the next time she sees me. Its okay, I get it. He takes songs that are played to death on the radio and clips and stitches them back together into something amazing. Okay... so he is a dj and he basically makes songs out of parts of other songs. I guess its all done under the auspices of "Art" (with a capital A). So he cant sell it. He tours clubs and such, so I guess that is how he makes a "living".
Here is a track from his album. Its cool, Lil Kim, Peter Gabriel, Miley Cyrus. That is an improbable blend of awesome. Can't wait to go for a drive with Nico in the car, I think he would like it.
And there is this: (Ludacris, Cali Swag District, Durrough, MIA).
So the tournament this weekend was pretty fun. I left Dave and Nico at home. When we originally started planning the tournament, I thought they would come with, but the session started early, and so I went alone. It was a good time. Our team played well and there was no drama. As per usual, I didnt get much sleep, as I stayed out late. The first night we were there, I met up with Phil (from Malawi) and his girlfriend. Phil is a professor at Tulane and they gave me the "swanky" tour of New Orleans. This included a delicious dinner and a cocktail tour of New Orleans. Side bar: if any of my players are reading this, keep in mind that I am 32 years old and that it is perfectly legal to drink. Also, I wasn't driving. And I wasnt drinking to get drunk. I was tasting new things. And again... I am a grown a$$ woman.
So dinner was ACROSS THE STREET from the Quarter Stitch. A cross stitch/knitting shop that I had given up hope of seeing because I wasnt doing NOLA as a soloist. So imagine my glee when I came around the corner and saw it on the way to dinner. OMG. As per usual, I needed to buy a bit of expensive, pretty yarn that probably isnt enough to make anything out of, but that is okay, because I suck at knitting and crocheting. But it's cool. Also, I know there is something wrong with me.
At dinner I tried absinthe. It is usually green but here it is mixed with sugar and whiskey. It tastes mostly like I was being punched in the throat with a rusty metal fist.
We went to several places, including Annauds (which is a bonafide NOLA institution). Phil's gf and I had a drink that was basically an homage to the king cake (because we are in pre-Mardi Gras NOLA). It had a gold baby in it. For those of you who dont know, the gold baby is something that you're supposed to find in the king cakes (which are basically round breads with frosting on top).
We also went to the Carosel Bar (but had to leave since it was packed). And the Roosevelt, which is like the capital of swank town. I had a drink called "The Honey Badger", which I thought was from the youtube sensation. Turns out I am a dumbass because there is some LSU athlete who the drink is REALLY named after.
Turns out we were having a great time and by the time I was ready to meet up with soccer girls in the Quarter, they were on their way back to the hotel. Bummer.
So the next morning was SOCCER TIME and we ruled the school. We won all three of our games easily. The weather was cold and windy. It would have been really nice but for the wind... but we played well, there was no drama, and I felt like a million bucks. Here is a team picture.
What is the green thing that Julia is holding on the end, you ask? It is a dinosaur tail. It is at least the second tournament that the tail has appeared at. Yes. She owns a dinosaur tail. No, she does not have children.
We played in the third division. For those of you who have never attended a soccer tournament with drunkards, it can be the most frustrating thing: when you travel several hundred miles to play in a tournament and half the team shows up drunk and you get your a$$es handed to you. For me particularly because I lost a long time ago that ability to be nice to my defenders. In the course of my post-college soccer career, I have dropped f-bombs on my defenders, I have asked them to remove their heads from their a$$es, I have screeched at unsuspecting drunkards "stop f-ing around with the ball in the back and get rid of it!!" and I have even gone so far as to tell friends playing in front of me that if their mark was too fast for them, they should switch with someone who could keep up. Side bar: sometimes I am not a nice person.
It was part of the reason I stopped going to tournaments. I got frustrated with taking it seriously, by not getting snockered and showing up to play only to find that some teammates were either still drunk or hungover or they couldnt play because they were throwing up or they just didnt show up. And nothing is worse than spending good money to go to a tournament to get your ass kicked because your team is a bunch of drunkards. And its tough because you dont want to be the Debbie Downer... like closing down parties and stuff.... like, "Yall get back to your rooms, we got an 8am game!" Everyone hates that guy.
So rather than doing that, we were registered in the third division, thinking that if anyone lost it and couldnt handle NOLA, we'd still be okay. We also didnt know how good the 1st division was compared to us. Turns out, we may have sand bagged ourselves a bit. We played in the third division against women who were in the twilight of their soccer careers and who at the pinacle of their game might not have made the varsity squad at WHS. Isnt that terrible? In any case, we ruled the school and made enemies left and right. Haters mostly.
After we were done being the mayors of Awesometown, we did the shower/change/nap thing at the hotel and headed back to the Quarter. We had a groupof 20+ that wanted dinner, but we were forced to split up to accommodate such a large crowd. Several went to Acme Oyster House (which is where I really wanted to go). But I was REALLY hungry, so I decided to go to Felix's, where I thought I could get in quicker. After standing in the cold for 45 minutes, we finally got in and were settled into a table back in the back that was warm and toasty and cozy.
I had chargrilled oysters (which are kind of my thing):
And while the oysters were awesome- soaking up that oil with the bread was the best part. After dinner some of us were to meet at Pat O'Briens for hanging out and such. Some didnt make it (Kelly, etc.) largely because they were wiped out and tired. I think the fact that I only had to make like 5 saves in three games contributed to me having the energy to hit Bourbon street... I didnt run my a$$ off for 3 games... like some people (Ashley and Kelly).
Here is a picture of some of us on Bourbon street. I didnt realize that my eye shadow was so light on my sun-burned face. So excuse the weird raccoon eyes. Yes, I am wearing a glow stick... that was our symbol... none of the group was to go with anyone who did not have a glow stick. Of course, it is New Orleans... and there is all manner of shiny objects to entertain the meth-heads... but it worked okay for us. Mostly.
Sunday dawned cold and windy (again). We played in the semifinals and were up several goals at halftime at which time we decided that I could play in the field a bit. In my second touch of the game, Erin (from Houston) drove down the right side to the goal line and squared off a pass to me at the top of the six. Side bar: I dont usually screw these up. One touch later and we are up a goal. This experiment of me playing in the field continued till the game ended and we played in the finals, at which time, I stayed happily back in goal.
Nico and Dave made this video to send to me before the game:
I know, right?
Henceforth, we won the Finals easily. Yay!! We won. And we made friends!! Which was fun!!
The drive back was easy. Kelly, Ashley and I listened to Bossypants (by Tina Fey) which only confirmed that I would love to know her in real life. I think we're best friends, only she doesnt know me.
This morning I am back at it. The College of Medicine is having its 8th Annual Research Fair. Here is one of our posters. Yes... I just said ONE of our POSTERS. I will have to tell you more about that $hit show tomorrow (by the way "$hit show") is my new favorite thing to say. Yes, I will be wearing that out, per usual.
I took Nico to the soccer field the other day. I wanted a brief soccer workout ahead of my trip to New Orleans this weekend. Speaking of which, the tournament is going to be a lot of fun... we'll get to play with some awesome Dallas people. And my friend Julia made a scavenger hunt. Some items:
2. Ride the Giant Whale at The Beach.
9. Buy and wear a crazy mask.
16. Sing karaoke at the Cat's Meow.
29. Find and document inappropriate figurines.
49. Score a goal.
So its entirely likely that #49 is out of the question for me... but a girl can hope, right?
In any case, while I was working out, Nico did this:
So Super Bowl weekend was pretty fun. We went over to Joe and Kari's house (Joe is a former press corps writer). We have been to their house several times- so Nico had a blast. Joe and Kari's youngest child Jack is maybe like 7 or 8- so they ran around and tore up things. It was pretty fun. Plus Margot and Mike were there with Zoe who is just about the most fun ever (next to Nico when he was 10.5 months old).
I didnt get any pictures of Nico... but I did manage a picture of the pie I brought. I hope that doesnt reflect poorly on my priorities as a mother... Oh it does? Sadface.
Other than that- not much going on here. Settling into a nice little post-season routine. I was telling Dave the other day that I thought I was suffering from post-season affective disorder (PSAD), because I just feel listless. I feel like I dont want to work... I dont want to write... I dont want to work out. I just want to go to the beach. And sleep. And watch movies.
I think its a feeling of getting my life back and not really sure where to start...
Or something. But I am better now :)
I am playing on a womens soccer team in New Orleans. I am still woefully out of shape... but it should be fun.
Nico was funny this morning. He asked for a cupcake for breakfast. Normally, he doesnt usually request things by name for breakfast. Of course, his whole eating situation is all weird anyways. But I wansnt about to entertain him on that... cupcakes for breakfast? Who does he think he is? Jessi Bishop-Royse? Yeah, that is how I roll!! So I got him a muffin... which was decent. I think I caused some sort of internal glitch at Bagelheads because I ordered something other than my usual (an asiago toasted with butter). Seriously- I order it probably 2-3 times a week.
Here is a picture of Nico at the park from earlier this week. Don't you just want to bite him?
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)