The Game
The Reward
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
La-La Land
Going to LA in mid-June, and I've never spent any time there (besides the airport) - so I'm excited for the adventure. I'm even more excited to be visiting my younger brother; we're going to have fun!
What to do while we're there? That's still up-in-the-air, and I'd like suggestions. Restaurants, hiking trails, sight-seeing spots, Santa Barbara, and sun - I'm eager to hear from you!
Point me in the right direction and post away people!
What to do while we're there? That's still up-in-the-air, and I'd like suggestions. Restaurants, hiking trails, sight-seeing spots, Santa Barbara, and sun - I'm eager to hear from you!
Point me in the right direction and post away people!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Getting Away
Headed to East Hampton for the weekend, and it was really great.
Crazy fun happens when you get together a group of 3 gal pals, get away from work, and load a rental car up with fun groceries like veggies, a pineapple, shrimp for the grill, beer, and vodka.
Even more crazy fun happens when you decide to go full tilt and get boxed wine.
The MOST crazy fun is when you decide to hold an impromptu ipod-playlist dance party between the three of you after you've pretty much drained the boxed wine.
The result - one of us left chicken on the grill too long, one of us did multiple costume changes, and one of us threw out her hip from said dance party.
It was such a great weekend; so nice to be in a gorgeous setting with great friends, to sit still on a sun-drenched deck, and make wonderful memories.
My Hamptons experience definitely lived up to the Hype.
Crazy fun happens when you get together a group of 3 gal pals, get away from work, and load a rental car up with fun groceries like veggies, a pineapple, shrimp for the grill, beer, and vodka.
Even more crazy fun happens when you decide to go full tilt and get boxed wine.
The MOST crazy fun is when you decide to hold an impromptu ipod-playlist dance party between the three of you after you've pretty much drained the boxed wine.
The result - one of us left chicken on the grill too long, one of us did multiple costume changes, and one of us threw out her hip from said dance party.
It was such a great weekend; so nice to be in a gorgeous setting with great friends, to sit still on a sun-drenched deck, and make wonderful memories.
My Hamptons experience definitely lived up to the Hype.
Friday, June 8, 2007
A Vacation In Review: Barca
DEPARTURE
A dicey departure in NYC rush hour was made fun by a bottle of wine for the car ride. By the time we hit JFK, we were laughing at nothing. That was all about to change.
TURBULENCE
At the airport, we were met with "Did you miss your flight?" Umm... no. There was some confusion behind the counter - the taking of passports, and a disappearing act by the ticket agent. Should have known, as this was Iberia Airlines - which translates into You-Will-Be-Confused-Because-We-Work-Hard-To-Confuse-You Airlines. In a short time, however, we had boarding passes in hand and were on our way.
FLIGHT OUT
All I remember of the Madrid Airport on the way to Barcelona was that it was the size of 9 airports - enormous and eerie, considering the lack of passengers/hustle-and-bustle normally found at airports. It's like it had been built to host an Olympic Games - but never got them. Also jetlag and an Ambien that didn't take resulted in me throwing up. Hot.
BARCA LANDING
Wheels down in Barcelona. Best part about airport adventure was our taxi driver playing Criss Cross' "Jump" when we got in the cab... evidence of the indelible pen of the best in American culture and music - and its reaches worldwide.
JET LAG DISMISSAL
Got to hotel - where we ran into some of the DC contigency... who had been there a few days before us. They prodded us to wave off sleep for a chance to meet up with bride and groom in Placa de Santa Maria. We walk through cobblestone streets and end up tossing back Claras here:
ROOM SERVICE
After about a dozen beers each, Heather and I join Steve to check out his hotel. He stayed at the Ritz Carlton on the Mediterranean... and his corner suite dripped in gold. His bathroom alone was the size of 2 of my apartments. Our trio got silly - donned 5-star white robes, ordered room service for a vodka bar and dinner... topping $600 Euro total. Ouch! And it was only our first night! We laugh it all off at a Euro club and eventually - a quick skinny dip in the Mediterranean.
WEDDING DAY
Next day was Marc and Julie's big day. Ceremony was in lovely 13th Century small church on a cliffside outside Barcelona. Reception was at a dining hall on the beach. Most hollywoodish wedding I've attended to date. Pictures of couple and party below:
FLOWER COMPLEX
At the reception, Julie and Marc gave me the bride's bouquet... which I was extremely flattered by, but at the same time - a bit mortified at the meaning of such a gesture. Complex set it... in which I believed this was the only bouquet I was EVER going to hold, and asked Heather to take a million pictures of me with it. Lame girl. Rest of reception was filled with mad dancing and laughing and everyone hitting on the wait staff. Rest of night was spent drinking in a Spanish square and staying up until 10am on the roof of our hotel. You have no idea how much fun.
WHAT CITY ARE WE IN?
Last 2 days in Barcelona was trying to get a handle on where exactly I was. As stated above, the first 2 days were more or less wedding-related, and I still had no bearing as to how to get around. Spent time wandering down colorfully-lined cobblestone streets, dipping into local restaurants, and taking a bus tour of the city.
Barcelona Overview
La Sagrada Familia
TRAIN DEPOT
After 4 fun-filled days, it was time for us to depart for Paris. Our overnight train trip took on a life of its own, with absolutely insane misadventures to follow. Will update Paris Phase of trip soon. For a tease, hit Heather's recount of our entire trip at her blog.
*pix made possible by Mrs. Ali Breen. More of my flix to come; I'm still weeding out the scandalous.
A dicey departure in NYC rush hour was made fun by a bottle of wine for the car ride. By the time we hit JFK, we were laughing at nothing. That was all about to change.
TURBULENCE
At the airport, we were met with "Did you miss your flight?" Umm... no. There was some confusion behind the counter - the taking of passports, and a disappearing act by the ticket agent. Should have known, as this was Iberia Airlines - which translates into You-Will-Be-Confused-Because-We-Work-Hard-To-Confuse-You Airlines. In a short time, however, we had boarding passes in hand and were on our way.
FLIGHT OUT
All I remember of the Madrid Airport on the way to Barcelona was that it was the size of 9 airports - enormous and eerie, considering the lack of passengers/hustle-and-bustle normally found at airports. It's like it had been built to host an Olympic Games - but never got them. Also jetlag and an Ambien that didn't take resulted in me throwing up. Hot.
BARCA LANDING
Wheels down in Barcelona. Best part about airport adventure was our taxi driver playing Criss Cross' "Jump" when we got in the cab... evidence of the indelible pen of the best in American culture and music - and its reaches worldwide.
JET LAG DISMISSAL
Got to hotel - where we ran into some of the DC contigency... who had been there a few days before us. They prodded us to wave off sleep for a chance to meet up with bride and groom in Placa de Santa Maria. We walk through cobblestone streets and end up tossing back Claras here:
ROOM SERVICE
After about a dozen beers each, Heather and I join Steve to check out his hotel. He stayed at the Ritz Carlton on the Mediterranean... and his corner suite dripped in gold. His bathroom alone was the size of 2 of my apartments. Our trio got silly - donned 5-star white robes, ordered room service for a vodka bar and dinner... topping $600 Euro total. Ouch! And it was only our first night! We laugh it all off at a Euro club and eventually - a quick skinny dip in the Mediterranean.
WEDDING DAY
Next day was Marc and Julie's big day. Ceremony was in lovely 13th Century small church on a cliffside outside Barcelona. Reception was at a dining hall on the beach. Most hollywoodish wedding I've attended to date. Pictures of couple and party below:
FLOWER COMPLEXAt the reception, Julie and Marc gave me the bride's bouquet... which I was extremely flattered by, but at the same time - a bit mortified at the meaning of such a gesture. Complex set it... in which I believed this was the only bouquet I was EVER going to hold, and asked Heather to take a million pictures of me with it. Lame girl. Rest of reception was filled with mad dancing and laughing and everyone hitting on the wait staff. Rest of night was spent drinking in a Spanish square and staying up until 10am on the roof of our hotel. You have no idea how much fun.
WHAT CITY ARE WE IN?
Last 2 days in Barcelona was trying to get a handle on where exactly I was. As stated above, the first 2 days were more or less wedding-related, and I still had no bearing as to how to get around. Spent time wandering down colorfully-lined cobblestone streets, dipping into local restaurants, and taking a bus tour of the city.
Barcelona Overview
La Sagrada Familia
TRAIN DEPOT
After 4 fun-filled days, it was time for us to depart for Paris. Our overnight train trip took on a life of its own, with absolutely insane misadventures to follow. Will update Paris Phase of trip soon. For a tease, hit Heather's recount of our entire trip at her blog.
*pix made possible by Mrs. Ali Breen. More of my flix to come; I'm still weeding out the scandalous.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Shea Date
So Heather's totally into the June 25th Cards game at Shea. Not too late to join us for Cracker Jack and big-mouth beers!
FRENCH LESSONS
Silly Frenchy DC United guy is on the hunt. Confirmation - he called me 13 times last night, and left 3 messages and 1 text message. Envision the Pepe La Pue cartoon - and that's pretty much the scenario.
DOORMAN WONDER
My overnight doorman Victor is a wonder. We always have the best conversations, and they usually center around people being too drunk to get to their apartments. Last night, a tenant was so drunk - she was crying and screaming in a bra and mini-skirt of the floor of the lobby. He cell phone videotaped the entire mess (in case he needs it for legal reasons), and showed it to me tonight. The video starts with her screaming. It's so very tragic. And hilarious.
EUROVISION
Getting so totally psyched about Barcelona and Paris trip. I've had it on the radar for months, but haven't really been feeling it. Until now.
TEAR THROUGH TEXAS
Eyeballing a Texas trip in September. The plan is to fly into Dallas, spend 2 days with my family, then hit the road to San Antonio and Austin... margaritas all the way. Come back with sombreros and Stetsons. Maybe I'll plan trip to be there when the TX State Fair is going on... which is completely insane.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Hola Barcelona - Bonjour Paris!
CAVA AND BRIE!
Just booked tickets for Barcelona and Paris trip, and feeling great to have another overseas vacation on the radar! Julie's wedding outside Barcelona being the catalyst - Heather and I are also heading to Paris on same jaunt. We plan to live dual lives while there - thoughtful American tourists by day and flirty girls who dance on discotheque platforms by night.
HELL'S KITCHEN HELL
Love how high-class nights can turn into low-class nights so quickly. Last night was a good example, as started at the very nice Market Cafe on 9th with Kenny and Alex and ended with Alex and I at a dive crap bar with what seemed like circus freaks - talking to a guy named Justice from Harlem for far longer than we should have, and screaming at the bartender to play Pink Floyd.
WINDSWEPT EFFECT
Windy walk to work today had my hair looking like I was in a Beyonce music video.
REAL ART
Yesterday, pang of sadness upon hearing news that famed satirist Art Buchwald had died. His columns were a big part of my literary diet. Loved his wit... even the humor he used to describe dying. For an instant smile, go to the NYTimes website and listen to the first line of his "Last Word" video. It's a pearler.
SID CALLS
Ex-boyfriend Sid from New Zealand keeps calling to catch up, but I keep missing him BECAUSE HE CAN'T DO MATH AND REALIZE THAT I'M EIGHTEEN HOURS BEHIND HIM - so his 3am rings go unanswered. I gotta get that guy an international time zone clock.
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