Married!

The last two weeks have really been a blur, and I've meaning to come here and write about my thoughts and impressions from those days. Everything was so fantastic, and yes, parts of those days were a blur. I remember standing up at the altar and seeing the faces of friends, family, colleagues, and old neighbors and new....all of those who were there on August 2 to be with us and celebrate with us. Those who could not make it were missed, but I didn't think about that as much.

Lots of little things...
--listening to the Asian ladies and the British ladies getting my nails done.
--All of the food at Buca!
--Seeing my brothers in suits!
--Seeing mom's smile and her dancing moves!
--scrounging for food before getting our hair done.
--Taking a SMC chic picture.
--watching for the weather reports so anxiously, and having sunshine. Having it rain just as we were about to go for cocktails, and then brilliant sunshine coming out. Letting folks know the bride and groom wanted everyone out on the Patio!
--not getting much too eat. Two bites of cake, no coconut shrimp, and not much of an appetite for dinner.
--mom's gift of the frame and card.
--Never getting to make full rounds of all of the tables.
--T time with Margaritaville.
--Piano Man as the encore.
--So much photo coverage!
--My cowboy garter.
--The drunken toasts.
--Waiting to see Steve's face when he came up the Willard stairs.
--No longer caring about favors.
--Having the entree numbers work out perfectly.
--Father Fields talking about how hot I was!

So many details to remember...and then there was Antigua!
--our crappy room in the honeymoon garden of eden, whatever that is.
--Pulling bridezilla to upgrade.
--getting SO seasick.
--Jellyfish season.
--Breakfast buffets with fresh fruit, waffles, bacon and hashbrowns.
--Lunch at bayside.
--Kayaking amidst the crabs on the caribbean.
--Yummy dinners.
--the turquoise blue water.
--that nice bathtub.
--sea green bikini.
--Reading by the pool as steve played beach volleyball.
--Talking to Kay & Pete, Mary Lyn and Jeff (I think)...all of the 40 somethings.
--Losing luggage on the way back and silly duty free issues.

Conor Oberst

Streaming this today at work.

I should buy this when it comes out.

Tim Kaine

I would love to see Obama pick Tim Kaine as his running mate. Fox News describes him as Kaine having "no foreign policy background to speak of nor has he achieved any major or notable accomplishment while governor."

Yeah, sounds like the perfect fit for Obama.

Obamamania

In an echo of former President Ronald Reagan's speech when he demanded the Berlin Wall be pulled down, Obama said: "The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down." He said the fall of the Berlin Wall offered hope as the world faces up to international challenges such as terrorism, climate change and loose nukes. Climate change????? Seriously???

It’s one thing for Obama to act all high-and-mighty as a citizen of the world and what not, but seriously??!!!! President Reagan spoke out and crusaded against communism for DECADES. Obama has accomplished NOTHING. Don’t compare the two.

Philadelphia

So almost a week ago, I went to Philly for the day. It was an easy trip, and a nice break from wedding stuff. I was productive on the train ride up, doing thank yous.

The next destination: Antigua!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy Week

So wedding planning has officially taken over my life! Argh! But we survived bachelor weekend. Meg, Christina & Jenny took me to the Carlyle Club where we enjoyed comedian Mike Siscoe.
Then cocktails at PX. Steve and the guys enjoyed steak, George Clinton, and I-don't-want-to-know. But we all had wonderful evenings, and enjoyed being with friends. I cannot believe the wedding is next week!

We are busy with seating, final music requests, programs, transportation, getting our marriage license (pick it up on Friday!), BEOs at the Omni, and last-minute details. I need to do some shopping this week for wedding attire. We've been getting tons of gifts, too.

Work is crazy, but I keep telling myself that next week is the week, and just need to get to a few more things to survive til then....

Tony Snow

Tony Snow died early this morning, too young. Here's a piece to remember him by. RIP.

Top CDs Since I was Born

OK, I stole this off some blogs I lurk at it. Thought it was cool:

1976: Songs In the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder
1977: The Stranger, Billy Joel
1978: The Cars, The Cars
1979: The Wall, Pink Floyd
1980: Boy, U2
1981: Duran Duran, Duran
1982: Thriller, Michael Jackson
1983: Murmur, REM
1984: Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
1985: Meat is Murder, the Smiths
1986: True Colours, Cyndi Lauper
1987: Joshua Tree, U2
1988: Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
1989: Disintegration, The Cure
1990: Violator, Depeche Mode
1991: Achtung Baby, U2 and Ten, Pearl Jam
1992: Automatic for the People, REM
1993: MTV Unplugged, 10,000 Maniacs
1994: Dookie, Green Day
1995: Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette
1996: Weezer, Pinkerton
1997: OK Computer, Radiohead
1998: Villa Elaine, Remy Zero
1999: Happiness...is not a Fish That you Can Catch, Our Lady Peace
2000: No Name Face, Lifehouse
2001: Is This It, The Strokes
2002: One By One, The Foo Fighters
2003: Final Straw, Snow Patrol
2004: Hot Fuss, the Killers
2005: You Could Have It So Much Better, Franz Ferdinand
2006: Eyes Open, Snow Patrol
2007: Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Wedding Shower

I had a wonderful weekend. Starting Friday, we celebrated a soggy 4th of July with friends, fajitas, and fireworks. The last at 1768, that is for sure. Donna came in around 11pm, and we sat on the roof and chatted.

Saturday I tried on my dress...whoo hooo! Final fitting before I pick it up in a few weeks. It fits beautifully. Now on to hair and makeup.

The shower was wonderful. Liz had quiche, pasta salad, strawberries, and cake, along with wine. I got gifts and everyone told stories about what qualities I possess to have a strong marriage. I think mom was quite happy; I bet she told all of her work friends about it today. I received some wonderful gifts--C&B storage containers from Meg, wine & cheese book and cheese tray from Donna, towels from Mike & Shay and Jenny, amex gift card from Moira, baking pans from Ann, pilsner glasses and wine from Sally, Target gift card from Cindy, nightie from Liz, and of course that lovely Calphalon set from mom & dad. Good stuff! Afterwards we went to Pentagon City for some Lebanese Taverna.

On Sunday, after mass and brunch at Luna, we went to see Dahlgren. SO eerie that in less than a month we'll be married there. Wow. We went to Whole Foods for some cheese and fruit for dinner on Sunday. Then Donna, later mom, left on Monday.

But a great weekend, and it is wonderful to feel loved and cared for by so many.

Recent Reading

I've been stuck in a reading rut lately. I did finish Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver about a week ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed that. Barbara and her family spent a year only consuming what they could grow or what was raised locally. Lots of yummy recipes. It certainly rekindled my interest in gardening, if I ever were that ambitious. I've been trying for a while to eat more fresh fruits and veggies, and I think I'm healthier for it. Granted, last night at Front Page, I had two Sam Summers and a glass of pinot grigio. However, I also had a turkey burger sans cheese and mayor and pea pods on the side, instead of fries. Much healthier choice, and quite yummy. In my increasingly old age, I just can't eat that crappy junk food without feeling awful the next day. I've also gotten up early the last two mornings to work out, even running 3+ miles today. Since I've eased up on my quest to run as fast as possible, the running in the a.m. thing has gotten much easier. Would be nice to take off another five pounds, but it is more maintenance now than anything else. Plus, the drinks do add up, poundage wise...

But I digress. The book was a great read, and I think I'm going to seek out more memoirs and recollections to give myself a break from the history.

Busy weekend ahead. Out to DC Coast tonight, then the 4th of July (perhaps my favorite holiday!!!!!11), followed by the shower and a weekend with mom & Donna!