Holiday Hangover

I'm the worst. I literally have minor responsibilities in my life and I can't even make my ass blog about the minor responsibilities in my life. The holidays came out of nowhere and pretty much kicked my ass.

Last I typed I was on my way to Iceland. Such a wonderful country and I greatly enjoyed myself.



Gulfoss




Blue Lagoon




Skogafoss




Glacier walk on Solheimajokull


Everything was great: the food, the quaint town, the adventure and exploration and of course, the people. Upon my arrival back home however, I was a different person for probably 2 solid weeks.

I have always been a very productive sleeper. Back when I was 18-20ish, I could easily sleep 12 hours, sometimes sleeping into the afternoon on weekends. But when I got home, I couldn't buy 5 hours a sleep a night. I tried going to bed at 10, I was up at 4. I tried 11, I was up, FOR THE DAY, at 3. Then, when I tried pushing myself to stay up until 2 or 3, I would be up at 6 or 7. It was actually painful, I have never been that tired in my life. During the same time, I was having horrible headaches and my dexterity was completely off. I have never been a clumsy person, but I was dropping everything, knocking things over, and if I wasn't bumping into something, I was tripping over it. My whole body was screwed up, my "friend" decided to skip a month too, which obviously in hind sight is a great thing, but at the time, I was anticipating it every day for over 4 weeks. Not cool.

Everytime I thought about writing, something else would come up. The best friend had her 2nd son on Dec 30th! That was very exciting news, and now I'm leaving for Virginia to meet the little tyke and see his older brother, my God son, this Sunday. I'm going down for a week, which will be the longest we've been able to spend together since Beck moved down there many years ago.

I also went to NYC for 2 days right after NYE. That was such a great time! I joined Tbag and her mom on their girls getaway and we had a blast. We did the touristy stuff during the day: Roc Center, 5th Ave, Times Sq and Canal St; then at night, we kinda just hopped around to smaller bars in the area and proceeded to have ourselves some good, drunk times. I love my Scat ladies!

In case it's not clear: I'm still unemployed. However, it's really starting to become an annoyance. I need to get back to having a real life and working toward some sort of goal. Such as a 401K.

After VA, I'd like to squeeze a mini trip to Nashville with friends in Feb. After that, I gotta make something happen job wise, and quickly gain some vacation time, I have tentative plans for a trip out to San Francisco/Napa in late spring ;)

Iceland or Bust

Sitting at Logan, impatiently waiting to fly off to the land of fire and ice. Tim manned up and brought me in, such a good guy he is. He dropped me off at 6:15 and I was checked in and through security by 6:35. My flight doesn't board until 7:55 for a 8:35 departure. Needless to say, I'm gonna drain my iPhone battery before I get on the damn plane. I have mags to read, but just like at home, I'm kind I'd over reading right now. I literally have a stack of about 10 magazines on my floor begging to be held. I won't end up reading on the plane either because, even though I should try to sleep so I get myself on the right schedule, I can't wait to see the movie options! For some reason I think I'm getting "free movies", which couldn't be further from the truth, I'd I watch 4 roundtrip, that's about $165 a movie. So, certainly not complementary. I will having a nontraditional holiday this year, which I'm pretty happy about. I can't wait for the amazing things we will see and do! Happy Thanksgiving!!

4 weeks from today.....

I'll be snapping shots of the famous Geysir....

and waterfalls.

    

I'll be on the lookout for puffins...



Aurora Borealis,



and gnomes (that's the rumor). 



I'll be lounging in the Blue Lagoon

  

hoping to avoid this, and certainly

 

women like this.



On the night before Thanksgiving, I will be taking an overnighter to Iceland!! I'm so excited! Why Iceland? Funny story, after seeing Ali from the Bachelorette leave that tool, Kasey (who got the rose tattoo for her) on top of a glacier, Marth and I thought it looked like a fun place to visit. I think Marth is mostly excited about getting herself an Icelandic sweater.

Once I land, I'll meet up with Marth and Jessie (they're flying from NY). So, minus Sarah, it'll be the crazies from New Orleans taking over Reykjavik for the holiday weekend! Seeing as though our trip to NOLA was pretty much the female version of The Hangover, I'm cautiously anticipating the happenings that will occur.



Jessie, Sarah, Me and MZ, about an hour before Sarah's wallet &
phone were stolen and 48 hours before we were visited
 by the drunken ghost of "Julie" from our Haunted New Orleans tour

 

We will only be there Thursday-Sunday, so we need to hit the ground running. The flight is only 5 hours, so it's a quick trip to the old Artic Circle. Knowing Marth, who I strongly believe was put on this earth to plan, we will not be wasting one moment. I came thisclose to cutting my own feet off after a day of non-stop sightseeing while in Paris with that maniac. On the docket will be a trip to the Blue Lagoon (the geothermal spa), a glacier walk (straight Bachelorette style), geysirs and waterfalls, and of course the well documented Reykjavik night life!

Icelanic winter weather is similar to NE winter weather: cold. The summer isn't super warm though, with an average temp of 57 during Jun-Aug. In the summer months, it's pretty much always light out; in June there are about 20-22 hours of daylight. In the winter, it's the opposite; in Dec there are only about 4 hours of daylight. So while we're there, we're looking at about 6 hours of light. Marth is gonna be bonkers on the itinerary with that limitation.

If it were up to me, I would spend my life traveling. So in order to see the world, a girl's gotta start somewhere. I'm already thinking about my next adventure. 




I'm ready to be scared, and to take advantage of my friend's good fortune

Finally! Glee bought their B game last night. I wouldn't say "A" because it still didn't have the amazing Top 40 selections of Season 2. Although Coldplay's Fix You was the certainly incredible! WTF is up with the next 3 weeks being reruns, though? Because my Sox are out, the MLB Playoffs are a ridiculous reason to stop the momentum Season 3 is starting to gain. One step forward and 6 steps back, Fox. Not cool.

American Horror Story starts tonight! Oh how I've missed you, Dylan McDermott. I'm very excited, but I think it might be a nervous excitement. Especially after seeing this preview:

In non-terrifying news, Martha pretty much made my day yesterday. She travels for business, and I was lucky enough to tag along during one of her England trips. As much as I loved London and Paris, I was hoping to reap some of the bennies of a traveling friend stateside. Unfortunately (for me), her territories are D.C., Virginia Beach, Upstate NY and other been-there's or undesirables.

MZ and I in Paris

Yesterday I got the news I have been waiting for: Marth got herself a new territory, and it's in Nashville!!! Nash is currently #1 on my US where-to-next list. Now, if she could just weasel herself Northern California, I'd really be in biz.

Now this is where unemployment comes in handy, it doesn't matter when she goes. It could be M-W and it wouldn't matter, mama's sched is wiiiide open! I'm hoping to be line dancing my way into some cowboy's heart by end of year!

New York State of Mind

I have never been a big fan of NY, too big, too loud, too many people. If it weren't for my little Pierogi, MZ living there with her hub, I'd never visit. This weekend they hosted a 1st anniversary party at their neighborhood dive bar. The ride down there, whether it be by bus, train or car, is like death to me. But Martha would do just about anything for me, so I wasn't about to miss her big night. I'm so glad I went, because when all was said and done, the wknd as a whole hit my Life Top 5 list.

Friday night we went to Pio Pio, a glorious Peruvian restaurant. Their menu has one main item on it: chicken. I have no clue what they do to this chicken, but sweet jesus, it is amazing! Like finger-licking-good amazing. I'm getting hungry again.



Saturday was the big day. How do you start out a day at MZ's? On the couch, in front of the tv. Her wonderful, sent from Heaven husband, went out and brought us home breakfast. So we sat and eat and tv'd for a few hours. So enjoyable. Then Chris and his best man took off for their day and Marth and I headed out for ours.

Marth wanted to do something nice before the big night, so we decide to treat ourselves to a little pampering. Marth got her nails did and then we went to a salon and both got a wash and blow out. After the salon, we went to Shake Shack. Soooo amazing. Better than I was anticipating. We planned to go to Bloomngdale's and hit up the comestics section for a free makeup application, but Sephora is right nextdoor to SS, so we just went there. Luckily for us, the rep for Urban Decay was in the store and she did a whole face for both of us. We couldn't believe how great we looked. Marth got a heavy eye and nude lip and I got the cat eye look and bright lip. Both of which we have never had before, so it was a nice change of pace.

Cat eye and a bold pink lip

 So for $40, we each got a wash, blow-dry and a full face of makeup. Definitely recommended for a special night out!
That pretty much gave us nothing to do to get ready, so we met W. Hartford's finest, Ally and Rob and went back to the apt. We had some drinks, watched Clueless, threw our dresses on and literally crossed the street to the bar. I'm a pretty easy girl when it comes to plans, I'll do just about anything, anytime.  Having everything done FOR me is pretty much at the top of my list of amazingly awesome things!

The party was so fun, just a small group of Martha and Chris' close friends. Weddings are usually filled with 2nd cousins and friends of your parents, so it was nice to just have an intimate group there to celebrate with them. I'm really happy I went. Marth and Chris are always such great hosts and they are great friends of mine, so I would have been sad if I missed a chance to toast (a lot) their 1st year as a married couple.

I had so much fun in fact, that I made up an entire new life for myself while talking to strangers at the bar and totally kept it going! FYI, I am a very successful entertainment lawyer with a undergrad & law degree from Yale. Holler!

My Dos and you better nots

I hate necklaces worn with one shoulder dresses!  (if there was ever a chance of a man reading this blog, that just went out the window) Anyway, I can't stand it, the neckline is the necklace! Wear some large, chunky bangles, or a fantastic cocktail ring, but leave the necklace at home. GRRR. Now that's just my personal opinion. In fact, right next to me is the latest issue of Lucky, and there in all her glory is Ginnifer Goodwin, rocking a massive necklace with a one shoulder dress.