Crosswords and Cupcakes

who wears short shorts

2009-05-21T09:50:00.003-04:00

this is an oldie but a goodie, which may be happening a lot more around here.

two years ago. . .that's right. . .two years ago, rogray & i were in san francisco visting momgo & dadgo. rogray decided he wanted to go for a run. probably the first run he had taken in months and he probably ran something like 5 miles. typical.

here is what happened when he realized he needed a pair of shorts for his run:

all shook up

2009-05-20T10:44:00.009-04:00

i interrupt rogray's posting streak with one of my own.

last weekend rogray & i drove down to baltimore to meet my new nephew, richie aka lionel richie rich, and tend to our very broken 95 year old grandma. she's ok -- but with 6 broken ribs she's got some recovery to do.

anyway -- when we weren't convincing grandma she was not, in fact, being turned into a morphine addicted drug mule, we were hanging out with the newest addition to the go family.

let's take a look:

lastly, rogray bonded with lionel richie rich in a very special way. so much so that LRR let rogray use him as a modeling prop. amazingness ensued not once, but twice:

side note -- sometimes LRR bears a striking resemblance to elvis:

Cat Does Hilarous Impression of a Guy!!

2009-05-11T18:21:00.004-04:00

by rogray

So you've probably seen this video of this guy jumping into this box over and over again, right?

Well check it out. This cat decided to do this HILARIOUS imitation of that guy! This cat reproduces it move for move! This cat is a genius!!! Check it out!!!!

Cat In A Box @ Yahoo! Video

I like how the cat calls himself Maru, because the guy's video is called "I'm not Maru". How does this cat think of this stuff????!!!???

UPDATE: Someone just told me they thought the cat's video actually came FIRST!! To me, this seems impossible! How could the cat have PREDICTED what the guy was going to do! I mean, I know cats are psychic but they're not THAT psychic!!!!!

Wild Monkey Wreaks HAVOC!!!!! Zoo-goers FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!! Dangerous Monkey has intelligence of a human!!!

2009-05-10T23:00:00.003-04:00

by rogray

Is this monkey WANDERING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD right now!!!!!! Is your life IN DANGER?!!!! Watch the video to find out!!!!!!!!!!

Dream, dream, dream, dream, dream

2009-04-04T18:55:00.005-04:00

dadgo and momgo have been in town for the past few days and sadly dadgo has been super sick. we came home from ikea and i took a little video of him in response to my brother's most recent post:

Backstreet's Back Alright!

2009-03-31T09:24:00.002-04:00

what is the what blogosphere? what is the 411? have you missed me? i've missed you. . .what have we been doing all this time? why would i be so absent from this blog for soooooo long.what could be so important? well -- i'll tell you.

well, rogray made guacamoleeeeeeeee! from scratch! here's a step by step photographic journey.

he gathers his materials:

then, he goes to the cutting board:

he then deals with the avocado:

then he mushes the avocade, dices onion, tomato, cilantro, and with a squeeze of lemon he mixes it all together:

and voila! fresh, homemade guacamole. delicious.

oh, also. . .WE GOT MARRIED!

these next two are by our friend, the photog.

that's right. . .more to follow but holy cow we did it and it was the best.

and we're off

2009-03-10T00:24:00.003-04:00

people. . .it is on. rogray and i leave in 5 1/2 hours to drive 14 hours to atlanta. to get married.

i will see most of you in atlanta. in a pink dress. with a veil. and a new ring. and a husband.

whaaaaaat?

see you on the other side internets.

joy to the world

2009-02-27T09:17:00.003-05:00

my new nephew is here!

ladies & gents, for the second time on a blog, allow me to introduce the newest member of our family, richie g.

look at all that hair!!!

new mama and baby are doing well. you can see more pictures on my brother's blog but i warn you. . .there is placenta.

we are going to meet the little guy after the wedding. which is in two weeks.

life is happening people. it's happening.

lovin' you is easy 'cause you're boo-tee-full

2009-02-14T22:08:00.003-05:00

happy valentine's day internets.

at this exact time in 30 days rogray and i will be all sorts of married and if we're lucky we'll have a love like dadgo & momgo. lasting, a little cuckoo, and full of respect and stuff.

apparently we already have something in common with them:

Jason is the hangman's name

2009-02-13T22:34:00.000-05:00

happy friday the 13.

bwa ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaa.

Count down to a night gown

2009-02-08T23:08:00.001-05:00

40 days and 40 nights

2009-02-02T23:26:00.002-05:00

that's how long we have until these suckers leap out of their boxes and onto our ring fingers:

and that's your preview.

sweet land of liberty

2009-01-23T12:23:00.002-05:00

ok -- i know this is 3 days late and stuff but we have a new president. in honor of his first week in office i would like to post something i wrote in 2004 before the bush was voted in for round 2 of his "tour of destruction."

i wrote and performed this for the Rapid Response Team which and it turns out that the first thing i ever emailed rogray was the piece so i could find out if he thought it was funny enough -- and by it i mean me.

so here it is:

My first was Bill Clinton. I was 17 when he came onto the scene and I knew he was going to be special right away. There was just . . . something about him. The way he played sax on Arsenio, answering “boxers or briefs” on MTV (boxers, of course). I mean, how could I not walk into that voting booth a year later and not pull that lever for him. For 8 years I was a satisfied woman and stood behind him. A lot of my friends were shocked that I could so easily forgive, or rather, overlook his affair with “she who shall not be named” --- but honestly, it simply meant I had a chance. The real depression hit towards the end of the affair when I realized nothing could be done; there would be no constitutional amendment allowing him to run for a third turn. I couldn’t believe it was over but I knew I had to move on.

I began a rather wrought affair with Al Gore. I wanted to love him the way I loved Bill but every relationship is different. Ours was an intellectual affair. He just seemed so. . .smart. I felt that with him in our top office I would grow simply by learning from him. So, I began to allow myself to fall in love with him . . . and just as I was about to let myself go – well, we all know what happened. And then 4 years of the most unsatisfying and deceitful relationship. I was losing hope, and fast. How was I coerced into accepting this current relationship? I know I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t even want it! I wanted Al.

I was getting desperate for some good love and then, in 2003, it began to rain men again. I was in heaven. So many seemingly delicious options. (I had secretly hoped for a strong woman – I’ve never had the option to try a woman and thought it could be awesome but alas – maybe next time.) Howard Dean, a doctor!, burst onto the scene and I thought this could be the one. The one I have been waiting for all my life. His sleeves rolled up, just young enough to keep up with me, but old enough to be mature and really understand the meaning of commitment, galvanizing voters, and all that grassroots stuff. I was getting really hot for him, but then he FREEKED out!!! He was yelling at me and I didn’t know why and I really don’t like confrontation. I knew it was over right then and there so I began to look at my other suitors.

All my friends had their opinions on who would be the best match for me. When Clarke turned up on the cover of The Advocate I was definitely intrigued. And Lieberman? As a Jew I should have been running into his arms – but I’ve never really been with a Jew – mostly Catholics – lapsed or simply not practicing . . . which led me right to John Kerry. How could I have missed it? And when I saw both him and John Edwards at a rally sporting those Live Strong bracelets I was sold. And just thinking about both of them together – at the same time!! And don’t get me started on the Heinz boys – bonjour! I never knew barn jackets could be so dead sexy. But I am not quite convinced that this relationship is going to make it. I desperately want it to – but one second he’s right up there in front of that cheater, then neck and neck, and then lagging behind. I just don’t know if he has the stamina. But I’m with him. For now.

Because I have someone waiting in the wings and I think he might be the love of my life. He’s smart, funny, young, down to earth, ambitious, and really hot. You all met him on July 26, 2004 at the Democratic National Convention. Barack Obama – I am waiting for you in heated anticipation. He was outstanding that day when he gave that keynote speech. So confident, so one with the people, so dashing. I was filled with a sensation that can only be termed true love. Your day will come, Barack Obama, and when it does I will be right there with you, hanging on your every word, watching your every move. This is a love that is an eternal love. Barack Obama – You will be mine!

alls i'm saying is president obama -- i have been with you from the start and it's nice to see you in the oval office. very, very nice.

mr. turkey

2009-01-07T16:36:00.005-05:00

p & g turned four in december.

i'm not quite sure how that happened. when i first started dating rogray they were in utero. then they were out of utero. and now they can talk and they have opinions. i think it weirds me out more than my godsons and my nephews because p & g's age reflects the length of time rogray and i have been together.

this is them at thanksgiving. i think we made them do this 8 times.

we partied like it was 2009

2009-01-05T22:11:00.003-05:00

internets.

i am sorry.

i apologize.

no internet should be subjected to looking at the same fish day in day out.

i have excuses. really good ones.

like, i'm getting married! that keeps a lady busy.

and, it was the holiday season! that makes a lady busy and drunk.

and also, rogray was finishing grad school! and getting straight a's. that makes a lady really busy because who do you think was doing all that cheerleading? ME!

ok, new year. new me. well, i'm not new. i'm the same. but i do plan on making some resolutions.

i think 2008 taught me some things. i think i have always possessed a healthy sense of cynicism and i credit that outlook to be protective but i have been shocked at how that cynicism has turned into a deep distrust and pessimism towards the world. i have some serious road rage that could use some work.

i am quick to anger and slow to forgive. and that includes how i treat myself. my inherent drift towards negativity is a powerful force that will probably be the most challenging thing to overcome. but i believe i must. i think all of my cynicism and pessimism stems from this and the internal struggle between my desire to believe in myself and that little voice that tells me i'm just no good.

so internets, my resolution? to love myself and the world more.

oh, and to be a better blogger.

hey good lookin'

2008-11-10T10:26:00.002-05:00

i made something new and i loved it! it's been so long since i had the time to actually cook something real and new and i decided to go all in and do up some salt baked cod. . .which is insanely easy -- you should all do it.

step 1: get a whole fish. have the dude gut, clean & scale it.

step 2: stuff said fish with whatever -- i went with parsley, rosemary, lemon & olives.

step 3: put that sucker on some parchment paper on a baking sheet.

step 4: mix up some salt & egg whites and make a salt paste (1 cup of salt to 1 egg white) and then cover your fishy with the mixture.

step 5: bake it until the salt is crusty, hard and brown (like 20 minutes, maybe 30 depending on the size of fish).

step 6: break off and peel away those salt pieces.

step 7: transfer baked fish to dish and eat that succulent sucker.

so easy, so simple. and it looks impressive. go forth and salt bake people!

and thank you to serious eats for their great dinner tonight series for giving me the recipe.

pictures of you

2008-11-05T15:01:00.002-05:00

well, really pictures of me and rogray because do you really get enough of those on this here blog?

go here and look at out engagement photos with our amazing wedding photographers Our Labor of Love.

jesse & whitney were so much fun and they somehow kept us from making our usual goofy camera faces -- which means they have some magic in them and their cameras.

i think these pictures might have gotten us even more excited for the big day because once we're all hitched and stuff we will get to see jesse & whitney's beautiful work again.

They're Coming to America

2008-11-05T10:22:00.002-05:00

Something very, very important happened last night and I was fortunate enough to be a part of it. My candidate, Barack Obama, won the presidency of the United States of America.

The past 8 years have been dark ones for me. I don’t think I realized how adjusted I had become to living in a fog of fear and despair about the political climate of our country until last night when every network & paper had called it for Obama and I couldn’t believe it because I was waiting for someone to say “Oops. We made a mistake. It’s actually McCain by 2 electoral votes.”

It took McCain’s concession speech for me to accept that it was happening. It was real. We did it.

And the crowds at McCain’s rally and Obama’s hometown said it all about how this race was fought and run. McCain’s mention of President-Elect Barack Obama was met with boos, people shouting “Nobama” and the like. Obama’s mention of his opponent was met with applause. McCain divided and failed. Obama united and triumphed. I think that gives me more hope than anything else.

Our new president’s acceptance speech was spectacular. It was humble, funny, intelligent and honest. (And there will be a new puppy in the White House!) Someone said that his speech would tell us how he would lead. Why suddenly this speech after all of the others he’s given I am not sure but if this speech is to be the standard then we are in for a hard, challenging, lofty and wonderful four years. We will have a president that uses words for meaning, impact and power. We will have a president who loves his family and uses that love to guide him through his life. We will have a president that believes in us more than we believe in ourselves.

I am proud this morning. Proud that we have our first black president. Proud that we had the kind of voter turn-out we should have for every election. Proud that people feel hopeful about what we can do in this country and in this world.

The panes of bullet-proof glass that flanked our new president last night and the passing of Proposition 8 in California show us how far we have to go in this country and I don’t think Barack would have it any other way. Because it is those obstacles that inspire us to stay involved and strive for something better.

This is the giant leap forward to something better.

you can vote however you like: redux

2008-11-04T09:56:00.002-05:00

rogray and i had a very eventful morning today. we left our apartment:

we got in the longest line i've ever seen at our polling location and waited for our turn to vote in our district:

i went in and saw this:

and then i did this:

and then i kicked it party line style:

we left:

happy as can be that we voted today!

good luck out there people. . .happy voting!

boo

2008-11-01T00:04:00.001-04:00

kugs carved a pumpkin. . .get your vote on.

You Can Vote However You Like

2008-10-29T22:34:00.002-04:00

first watch this (i dare you not to cry):

then watch this to smile:

and then go vote.

smoke gets in my eyes

2008-10-17T14:41:00.002-04:00

i'm having a mild "i watch too much t.v." heart attack right now. today it was announced that mad men may not be picked up for a third season depite the fact that it just won some major emmys inculding best dramz and it's the first basic cable show to do that. and despite the fact the show is awesome and a critical darling and stuff.

but then it was announced that it IS being renewed but maybe without the show's creator and writer matthew weiner. the show won't be the one i know and love if weiner isn't the head writer -- it'll start to suck. a lot. big suckage.

fingers crossed people. because true blood ain't gonna cut it people.

dirty south

2008-10-15T14:49:00.002-04:00

this past weekend rogray and i went down to the ATL to do a bunch of wedding stuff. we were really busy so i didn't get to take the kind of photos i generally like to. for instance -- we had 3 cupcake tastings. not a single picture of rogray stuffing his face was taken. all i have is this:

which was taken in a vintage furniture store where i thought it was appropriate to do this:

so you can see that i wasn't super focused. but here are a few choice moments caught on film.

1: after i lost miserably at progressive rummy momgo disowned me and then got berated for it:

see the shame? rogray beat us which is a first especially since the first time he played he was so slow and bad i thought my grandmother was going to hit him over the head with a skillet.

2: t-dawg brought my godsons over and they continued their love affair with rogray:

but i got some godson love:

3: oh i'm sorry. . .did you want to see his face? why let me show you!

he looks quite presidential in that last one no?

4: before the ATL engagement shower (no pictures! can you believe how i slacked off on my duties??) we went to the park with my nephews and my godsons -- the cuteness level was so high i thought i might explode:

5: we met up with our friends the politicians for some flying biscuit breakfast which isn't as good as it once was and then went to piedmont park afterwards where rogray tried to start a new trend:

the trend did not catch on.

6: we had an engagement photo shoot with our amazing photographers who are so awesome i might have to wrap them up and take them home with me -- there aren't any pictures yet but hopefully they got some of the wild turkey that almost attacked us.

7: we ended by going to dadgo's 8:30 a.m. contract law class to watch him teach -- i tried to get some photos on the sly -- favorite part? when he made a point by pretending to give the finger and said "SUCKAAAAAAHHHZ!"

and that kind of sums it up people...witty repartee to return at a later date.

don't stand so close to me

2008-10-08T14:08:00.001-04:00

if this doesn't bring a smile to your face i don't know what will.

via kottke.org

the heat is on

2008-10-07T23:12:00.003-04:00

my initial response to tonight's debate as sent to my momgo:

mccain looked like a troll (or as rob said "a monster that lives under a bridge), obama was hot. as was michelle. cindy looked awkward and confused as usual.

obama "won" but it was kind of useless as they both just reiterated what they've been saying for awhile now. so i really thought it was kind of boring. . .except when mccain referred to obama as "that one" (holy offensice -- he has a name you dick!) -- and i wish i was playing a drinking game where i had to drink every time j.m. said "my friends" but i would probably be puking by now if i had done that.