I Did It!

I posted once a day for the entire month of November!!!

And it kinda feels good.

But the overwhelming feeling of "blah" has taken over. I had a horrible day at work and it didn't really get much better. I feel like poop. Which is overshadowing my slight feeling of accomplishment. I do have a ton of books to get through though and that helps to keep the blahs at bay a little.

What I'm reading?

I'm also diggin some new music:

And for once I DON'T really have that much to talk about (scary huh?).
Catch me tomorrow, when I'm hopefully in a better mood. And I'll be participating in NaBloPoMo for December too. Maybe just not officially. I haven't decided yet. Either way, keep on keepin' on with my blog and don't forget about the new giveaway!

Chrismahanukwanzakah Is Upon Us

Ahh the holiday season. Where have you been all my life? I love you so, please don't go. The screaming kids, the angry parents. It's like blog-material heaven!!!!

ManLosch and I were on our way to Mass this morning and I put some Christmas music on in the car. Well it was one of the stations that plays nonstop Christmas music until the new year, and I know how much he likes it, so I put it on that station. The song that came on was "Feliz Navidad." And the part that everyone usually joins in? "I WANT TO WISH YOU A MERRRRY CHRISTMAS." And I thought, "Well nowadays, you can't really wish ANYONE a Merry Christmas." These days, it's inappropriate to wish someone a Merry Christmas, because God forbid they don't celebrate Christmas. They may be Jewish, they may be atheist, who knows? So, to be politcally correct, we say...we print on cards....we greet people with "Happy Holidays."

Look, I'm sorry. But I celebrate Christmas. And I think it's alright to say "Merry Christmas" and print that on your cards. If you're speaking to someone that you KNOW is Jewish or doesn't observe, then I mean, yea don't be a jackass. But about 75% of Americans still call themselves Christian and in 2008, about 93% of Americans said they celebrate Christmas! Because if you WANT to get all high and mighty about this, then I'll say "Um, why didn't anyone wish me a 'Happy Kwanzaa'??" ManLosch and I were having a conversation about this and he said "I'm not going to be offended if someone comes up to me and says 'Happy Hanukkah.' It's just another celebration, it's not offensive." I mean, again, I'm not going to go to Long Island and say "Merry Christmas Hebrews and Shebrews!!"

But the point is, IT'S OK PEOPLE. You can say whatever makes you comfortable and if someone is offended, they'll tell you, you retract your statement, wish them a Happy (insert holiday here) and everyone continues with their shopping and crying. The whole point of the season is about giving; giving to those less fortunate, giving to your friends and family in whatever way you can. So even if you wish me a Happy Hanukkah, it won't matter. I'll say thank you and STILL celebrate on the 25th. Lighten up America. It's about the season....not just the day.

And while we're on it....I'm banning ALL Christmas sweaters.

LoschDog May Get Jealous

So the LoschDog maaayyy get jealous. ManLosch and I filled out applications to volunteer with kitties at PetSmart. It's a cat rescue and we filled out the applications to be Cat Caregivers, also known as the kitties bitches. We clean out their cages, feed them, change their bedding and litter, and play with them. Even though we only trained tonight, I've already fallen in love with some of them, especially the kittens. They were SOOOO cute.

But before you jump to conclusions, hear this: CATS ARE VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE. Holy crap. I thought ManLosch walkin the pup was enough, but cats are...eh. Cute, but they need a lot, especially shelter cats. I liked it though and can't wait until we're on our regular schedule. :-)
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Damn You Karma

ManLosch and I went to the mall today. Even AFTER I said "We aren't going to participate in Black Friday," we participated in Black Friday. It wasn't that bad though; we went a little later and went to Rhode Island to shop. :)

So anywho, we're in a shop and I'm about to purchase an item, and ManLosch looks down and says, "Hey someone dropped a dollar." We were like "Hmm ok." Then we were like "Well it's a dollar, we'll just pick it up." Holy crap, it was 1 dollar PLUS 99 dollars. Someone dropped a $100 bill in the store. We practically shat our pants. So I said, "So do we give it to someone?" He said, "Well it's cash. If we give it to the front to ask the store, EVERYONE will run for it." So we lingered in the store for an extra 15 minutes looking for anyone who looked like they lost something. No one. Nothin'. So I checked out and the woman asked "Do you want to donate money to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital? I didn't hear her and ManLosch said," YES. YES YOU DO. JUST DO IT."

So we walked out and I thought, "Well what do we do?" I called my mom and asked her. We weighed every possible option. Cash...in a mall....during the holidays. Really? So we went to the police and asked them and they said, "HA! Merry Christmas...take your lady out for a nice dinner. It's cash. There's not a whole lot you can do about it. But you also don't find alot of people who would have said something or thought about it either."

Soooo in the end...we're $100 richer. But I still feel like I didn't balance out the universe correctly, ya know? It wasn't mine to begin with, but maybe we were meant to find it. I was also told it was a trap. So who really knows? What I DO know, is that we aren't spending the money on ourselves. We found it, but that doesn't mean we should necessarily keep it.

So welcome to my 2nd giveaway of the month. Just comment on this blog about what you'd do with $100 for the holidays and you'll be placed into a random drawing for a $15 Target giftcard. The rules? You have to be a follower, there needs to be 10 or more comments, and the last day to comment will be December 8th (I'm giving a little extra time because of the holidays and the lack of keeping up with posts).

Hopefully karma won't kick my black ass for this. :)

Let Us Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! It's been a nice day so far, taking it slow. Cooking and watching tv. I have my in-laws here and my friend Joey (say hi Joey). We're also about to play Wii. So this morning, as ManLosch and I were waking up, I started thinking about all the things I was grateful for. I started thinking that because I was extremely grateful to have slept in this morning and not have my phone ring or have to be at my desk at work. So I thought, "Why not share with everyone what I'm grateful for?" These are the things that I'm grateful for:

My husband
My family
My dog
My amazing friends
H&M
Soul Food
People who hate minivans
Cream cheese frostings
Barnes & Noble
Coupons from Nine West that appear in my email
iPods
Public Transportation (sometimes)
Madame CJ Walker
Deep fryers
Newbury Comics

I'm grateful for lots of other things too, but what are YOU grateful for? (besides having the opportunity every day to wake up and read my blog :-) )

Happy Thanksgiving!

Holidaaaaaaaaaaay

It's here. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Or as I like to call it, "FriWednesday." You can feel the buzz of excitement at work, hoping to get let out early. The frustration or elation of packing up your car to go visit family. And Black Friday (which I never dare bother with).

I love Thanksgiving; I go all out with the cooking. But the Friday after is sometimes the best because that's when ManLosch and I pull out the Christmas decorations, put on some music, and start decorating the apartment. One year, I would like our apartment to look like something the Griswold's would have put up ("Why is the carpet wet TODD??? I don't know MARGO!!") but until we have enough space for that to happen, we'll settle for the smaller decorations placed around the entire apartment.

I've got alot of reading, writing, and sleeping on my agenda this weekend. Feel free to stop by and lounge around with me. Watch a movie. If you're driving, be safe; no texting and driving and use a handsfree device if you have to talk kids. I don't need to get a call in the middle of my night that some deer jumped out in front of your car and kidnapped your boyfriend or girlfriend because you were too busy texting your friends. Bring me some pie back or something too. And a Snuggie.

Did You Forget To Share The Road??

Don't you remember me asking people to "Share The Damn Road?" I asked you, yes you, the bicyclist to share the road with me while I drive.

But I must extend this to a few other people as well. Are you listening? Because this is important. Minivans, I am asking you to SHARE THE ROAD. This morning, as I was driving down School Street:
(See the smile on my face?)
And I was slowing down because I was driving down a hill and coming towards a red light. A minivan was at a side street waiting to turn right onto the street:

Instead of waiting for me to safely brake behind the next car, the minivan decided to peel around the corner causing me to jam on my brakes and yell a long string of profanities:



This is why no one likes you minivan. I'd also like to throw in Subaru's and Volvo's when there are kids on board. Just because you are transporting children, does NOT give you the right to turn at your leisure, choose your own speed limit, and drive in between two lanes. Normally though, on a daily basis, I hate minivans. ManLosch has a stronger hatred of minivans, whereas before I could tolerate them, but today, minivan douche, you have been placed on my shitelist.

Also, bicyclist on my blindspot on the left side of my car, I CANNOT SEE YOU. Don't ride that close to my car. I drive a truck (well, an SUV/truck..a hybrid if you may) and I have no problem pummeling your ass, which is exactly what could have happened if I didn't do a double take while turning left from my lane.

One more time everyone and let's say it together: SHARE THE M&*$%^$%ING ROAD!!!!!

Why I Like Work

Okay, so sometimes I have these moments at work with my friend J (Punch-A-Pony) that make me laugh inside and sometimes laugh outside. He sends me this link online today:
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/thanksgiving/5-no-cook-thanksgiving-appetizers-546459/

And the following quick conversation ensues:

J: make me the turkey!
L: what? no.
J: YES!

woman...get in the kitchen and make me some pie!

L: you nerd

J: respect my authority

L: respect my fat ass.

J: exactly

These are sometimes, the bright spots of my days. Thanks J. :)

So 10 people commented on my blog and I used www.random.org to generate a random drawing for everyone. Each person that commented was assigned a number based on when they commented on the post. I used those 1-10 numbers and the magic number is 8! So congrats JK! You'll be receiving your $10 iTunes gift card very shortly.

I'll be doing one more random drawing before the end of the month is over since this one actually worked. Keep an eye out for the next giveaway!

It's The Most Expensive Time Of The Year

I've been doing alot of thinking lately about what to get people for Christmas. Usually, I don't start to recognize Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving, but thanks to the holiday overload America puts us on (Christmas music on the radio right after Halloween, lights up, decorations already lit and prominent, Christmas trees available weeks ago), you kinda don't have a choice BUT to start thinking about it. Which also led me to think, "Damn Gina, I ain't got NO money!!"

So what kind of gifts do you buy for people when you're strapped for cash yourself? I thought, "Everyone will think I'm lame." But I took a moment to realize that I shouldn't be scoffed at for trying to save my own money or spending that money on something that will benefit ManLosch and I in the long run. I work hard for my paycheck and I'll be damned if I spend all of it on frivolous gifts this year. So I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be creative with gifts this year. No, there will be no nasty fruitcakes and shit. But I hope to bring smiles to faces, per usual.

Know what else sucks? My birthday is 5 days after Christmas. So here are the excuses I get:
"Hey Lex, Christmas was 5 days ago, so here is your birthday AND Christmas gift!"
"Eh, I'm tired from the family gatherings and I'm going out tomorrow for New Year's Eve, so I'm going to opt out of going out with you tonight."

So guess what? Remember that gift I gave you on your birthday or on Christmas? Count that as both. I'm a recessionista, what can I say?

I can't wait for the holidays!

I <3 Brookline Booksmith

There is an independent bookseller in Brookline called Brookline Booksmith. The Augusten Burrough's event was held through them (his holiday book is just DELIGHTFUL INDEED) and I bought my book there. I also bought a bargain book from them at the Boston BookFair. So I figured, this must be a good store, let me check it out.

Well I also found out that they buy used books too. I brought in some old paperback chick lit books today just to see if they'd buy them back and I was given the option of about $12 or $17 in store credit. STORE CREDIT PLEASE! Their used book area downstairs is AMAZING and they have great bargain books upstairs too. I bought 4 books today and with the credit, only spent $4. I left completely in love with this place. Like dizzy in love. Can you be dizzy in love with a bookstore? I don't know, but I am.

Now excuse me, I have some reading to attend to.

Kathy, it's you. Not me.

I went to Panera for a salad today for lunch to go with my soup that Jared (Punch-A-Pony) made and brought in last night. I got to the register and noticed that Kathy was working today. Kathy is an older woman...like 70 or 75 maybe. If she's only 50, then she's had ALOT of hardships in her life.

Anyway, there was a gentleman already giving her his order. And as usual, she was slower than molasses. I moved around a bit. I looked at the manager behind the counter in hopes that he'd come over and take my order at a different register. No such luck. He just gave me this look like "Damn, I'm sorry you got Kathy."

So she finally gets to me and I give her my order and she says "What did you say you wanted?" You gotta be kidding me right? I re-state my order and then she says, "What's your name?" I say "Alexis." Wanna know how she spelled it?

A-I-E-X-I-S (I will post a picture of the receipt later.)

C'mon Kathy. I know it wasn't the way I said it. I'm going to need you to step it up, or um...well....we'll see. I may complain. At least my Greek salad was right. Kathy, we'll try again next week, okay? Go clean out your hearing aid please.

Boo Sickness

So the office bug is starting to catch up to me and I left work sick today.

I slept some, ate some soup, and watched a show from last night on the DVR. I barely even feel like writing this, but I must blog for my devoted readers (yea like all 3 of you). Anyway, some more soup, orange juice, and rest and I should be good to go! I think part of it is slight exhaustion too, but we'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Just a reminder: not everyone who commented on my music blog from Monday is a follower, and so far, not enough people have commented. We've still got a few days for the giveaway, but let's hope that some more people read it and comment (and also click on "Follow" to be eligible).

Okay, I might go back to sleep soon. Sniffle and snooze.

Waffles in Crisis

Even waffles have taken a hit with the recession.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108191/leggo-your-eggo-theres-a-waffle-shortage

Apparently Kellogg's is announcing an Eggo Waffle shortage from now until mid-2010.
Um.....yeaaaaaaaaaa.

I think some people are really pissed off about this. I mean, I like waffles (I prefer Belgian Waffles though....so good....). I'm not sure I'd go crazy if there were no Eggos though. However, I MIGHT be upset if there were any food shortages of:




Or:

I mean because really....everyone eats that crap. Every day. You should see the stash ManLosch and I keep in our house. Srsly.

Oh You Nasty Girls

11/17/2009

To: The Women of The Arsenal on The Charles

Good evening ladies,

At the close of our business day, I had to tinkle, considering I've been drinking alot of VitaminWater lately. So I shuffled on down to the restroom. Now, please, can someone tell me why I found a PLATE in one of the stalls, that clearly had food on it with some napkins.

Anyone? Anyone want to take a stab at that? No?

That's nasty ladies. We give off the impression that we're pristine and proper and turn up our noses when guys belch or fart. And then you go and leave plates in restroom stalls. Whoever placed it there, we'll all close our eyes for approximately 58 seconds while you go and remove it from the stall.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Lexi (Mrs. Losch if you're nasty)

Music...Makes The People...Come Together

I like listening to music. And some of the things I listen to aren't really mainstream. Some things I listen to don't make it into the Top 40, or probably even the Top 200. But I like it. Sometimes it energizes me and sometimes I just relate to it and relax. Now don't get me wrong, I still love me some Ne-Yo, Jill Scott, etc. I love alot of mainstream. But tonight, I'd like to share with you 15 songs that you may have never heard (maybe slightly indie) that completely rock my world.

1. Today Has Been Okay by Emiliana Torrini
2. Hold You In My Arms by Ray LaMontagne
3. Destination Vertical by Masha Qrella
4. The Garden by Mirah
5. With The Notes In My Ear by Peter Broderick
6. A Storm Is Going To Come by Piers Faccini
7. Doorway by IO Echo
8. Turn And Turn Again by All Thieves
9. Koop Island Blues by Koop Island
10. Feeling Good by My Brightest Diamond
11. Liar by 8mm
12. Genesis by Justice
13. Hip Hip Chin Chin by Club Des Belugas
14. On Board by Friendly Fires
15. Billie Jean by The Lost Fingers

If you are interested in hearing any of the above songs, just let me know! I'll make you a CD(seriously). And because I love music so much, I'm offering a giveaway! Well, here's the thing. Most of you either don't read my blog or if you do, you don't offer words of love in the form of comments. So if you are reading, we'll find out. I'd love to giveaway a $10 iTunes giftcard. If enough people participate, then I'll do a random drawing on November 23rd of the people that comment on this blog. So 10 (or more) people for $10 (and you have to be a follower)! If not, well then hopefully you'll still want to share in my love of music and want to listen to the above 15. Either way, think about it.... :-)

LaLosch Learns About "Load Bearing Members"

And wouldn't you like to know exactly what that is????
It sounds like......yea. EXACTLY THAT. It's so awesome.

But, unfornately, it's not what you think. I had ManLosch teach me some architecture words today, kinda like 1st grade flash cards. Architecture for True Dummies. We were eating a fabulous lunch at Pizza Hut today after Mass (which by the way, they brought back the holy water AND the "Peace Be With You's....ehhhhhh) and I said "So teach me something architecturally related." ManLosch says,"That's a little vague babe. What do you want to know?" I said, "I dunno, something that will make me sound like the smartest person alive. Like I want to tell someone they look like something architecturally related and they'll have no idea what the hell I'm talking about."

So he thinks. And he says "Cupola." I said, "Who?" He said, "A cupola. It's like, uh, it's always on a roof. It's often an ornamental feature." I said, "Like the Capitol building in D.C.?" He says, "No that's a dome." (BTW people, we came back to this and I was right. He finally knew which piece I was talking about)

Then we started talking about how engineers make it work and architects make it pretty, and that you need an architectural engineer to be your consultant. I asked him why he can't ask a civil engineer. He said "Because they are mainly responsible for LARGE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS." I said, "Whoa, whoa. What's that? That's phrase number 2." He said, "Like all the roadwork you see, highways, bridges, etc." (Why they can't just say bridges and crap, I don't understand).

Then he looked at me, smiled, and said "Load Bearing Members." I said, "WHAT?! Wait, not here. Not at Pizza Hut. Really??" He laughed and said, "That's a phrase. I knew you'd like it." I said, "What the hell?! What is that? As far as I know, a load bearing member is....." He said, "Well basically, you are a load bearing member. I am too. The furniture is too. Architects have to take into account all structural members that carry a load, like weight."

I was all too happy with this last one and all day, I've been pointing out load bearing members. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! I also taught myself "geodesic dome" a few months ago, so everything I said today sounded a little like:

"Your large geodesic structural project of a face looks a little like Johnny is holding onto a load bearing member."

I LOVE architecture.

Just How Black Am I?

So black, that I did NOT enjoy that ski film I went to with ManLosch. Know why? There were NO black people there to watch it. White people love them some ski shit. It was a montage ("We need a montaaaawwwwge") of different white folks on skis, falling and zipping through the snow to rock music and everyone in the audience was like "YEA Skip ROCKS! Wooooo, yeeeeeea."

At least I know not to watch that again. Or go to an event at the Berklee Performance Center; the seats are made for Smurfs, I'm convinced.

Either way, back to my Saturday night of watching friends play beer pong! (That just made my black argument null and void, huh?)
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All I Want For Christmas is......

I'm getting an early jump on my Christmas list this year people (ManLosch....are you reading this?). So feel free to come back to this whenever you aren't sure what to buy me for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or my birthday!

1) Wii Fit (because my gym membership isn't enough....even when I barely go)
2) A new digital camera (just because...shut your face)
3) A puppy (because LoschDog needs a friend)
4) A kitten (because LoschDog needs a squeaky toy)
5) A $2,000 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble (because we allll know how books can be expensive these days)
6) A MacBook Air
7) New neighbors (because the ones upstairs SUCK royally)
8) A servant (I take kids, midgets, anyone. I don't discriminate)
9) World Peace
10) Kidz Bop 16 (because we all love versions of our favorite songs sung by your neighbor's 10 year old boy whose b*lls haven't even dropped yet)
11) A Snuggie

Stay tuned.......

You Saw WHO??

I went to yoga last night. I mean, I normally go on Wednesday nights for my 7:30pm class. Hatha Yoga with Jill (we love you Jill....Namaste). So I settle in, put my mat down, take my sweater off, and start trying to relax. And I see someone walk in.

I squint a little, with the low lighting and not having my glasses on, and I think, "Hmm, that person looks familiar." I stretch a little more and the face gets closer. I think, "Hmm, that person DEFINITELY looks familiar...wait....is that.....noooooo...no it can't be."

Yep. It was my freakin therapist.
And if you could imagine a silent freakout in ones' own head, I can imagine I looked like this:

(The fact that I go to therapy is no secret people. It's on my list and it's nice to pay someone that you can vent to objectively)

But yes, she walked in. And she recognized me. And she put her mat right down next to mine and talked to me. It was all KINDS of strange. And so what? Yea, I freaked out a little, but hey guess what?? That's why I'm in therapy people. Makes a little more sense now doesn't it? I think it's the fact that you never expect those types of people to have an outside life other than doing what they get paid to do. Kinda like "No, they just go to work and then go home." Like if you were in 3rd grade and you saw your teacher in the mall and you're like "OMG IT'S HER! I KNOW HER! And she's going to talk to my parents about my class performance on the weekend in the mall!!!!!!!!!"

I'm not making a big deal of it, but I AM telling you that it was strange. Like "Oh, that baby named Cortez has 6 fingers" strange.

It's Back!

I waited too many weeks for this. But it's finally back. Tonight.....it's finally back.


I'll be parking my sweet ass on the recliner tonight and reuniting with Mr. Shu, Prego Quinn and her clueless boyfriend Finn (THE BABY ISN'T YOURS DUMMY!!), and my idol Sue Sylvester. Sue, no worries. We're only a few hours away from reuniting in Glee glory.

If you haven't given this show a chance yet.....damn. I feel for you. Now go watch it and tell me what you think.