Think Skinny!

I journey toThailand tomorrow!!! Waaaaaaaahhh!! Excitement at peak level emoticon.

This is my packing vessel:

And here are all the goodies to go inside:

Well, at least that is most of it. There are a few toiletries I have yet to put in there. But as of now I have

• 4 shorts
• 6 shirts
• 1 pair of pants
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• flippy floppies
• Topsiders
• 2.5 swimsuits
• 2 sports bras
• 7 pairs of funderwear
• 1 scarf
• 1 hairbrush
• 1 bag of many liquid items (all 3 oz or less!)
• 1 deck of cards
• 1 game of Bananagrams (because Adam and I will be spending a lot of time together)
• 1 outlet converter
• 1 backpack rain cover
• 1 Kindle, fully loaded
• 1 ipod, fully loaded
• 1 paperback novel
• 1 camera

While it may look like a lot written out, my bag is far from full. I just thought, Hey there is still quite a bit of room. Is there anything else I should take? No! Stop right there. I have to carry everything on my back and I want it to be as light as possible. Plus, I won’t need a crazy amount of shtuff. Furthermore, let’s be honest, chances are high that I will find one or two things to purchase while I’m there…

Dooo You Wanna?

This is a genuine note left on the counter by my dad–

Unsure of what a “Do Rag” is?

Dad and Jared, dooooods*

 

Yes, my dad has plans to buy all of my sister’s guy friends a doo rag to wear down at the lake this weekend. Nothing says patriotism and fun like a close-to-the-skull-fitting, eagle-covered piece of cloth on the head. God Bless (or Help) America.

*No, thankfully, that is not a real firearm. That is simply the BB gun used to scare away ducks and other birds of prey from the pond and pool.

‘Zarks

There’s nothing like a good weekend at the lake.

Positive fluids to keep energy up.

Beer to keep everyone going.

Laying on the dock is all sorts of fun, but it’s all about getting out on the boat.

Captain James!

Total Glamour Shot

Time to refuel. I think I could live on cheese for the rest of time. Nom nom.

The gang’s all here!

Hannah, Mir, Bridget, Charlotte, James, Amanda, Emily

Notetable Notes

• Today was my last day of work. I think I will miss skipping around the store slathering women in (mostly) genuine compliments on how they wear the clothes and the clothes don’t wear them.
• I watched Oprah at the gym this afternoon. This was the episode with Chris Rock’s final appearance. Commenting on a picture of his daughter holding a Notorious B.I.G Barbie he said, “Every little girl should have a doll of a slain rapper.”
• Tonight I am headed to our house at the Lake of the Ozarks for the first time in two years. Really, really excited.
• I have a secret addiction to “The Bachelorette.” And I’m (mostly) not happy about it.
• I started Solar by Ian McEwan and think it’s off to a great start. Looking forward to this one.
• I’m going to Thailand in exactly one week. I will be laying on the beach in one week. I will be hanging out with Adam in one week.

Are Wednesdays Purposefully Boring?

I literally just thought that as I was attempting to come up with a title for this post. (Sidenote: Titles are often more tough for me to think up than actual ideas for the post). Honestly, for today, I’m not complaining. I have an empty-ish day in front of me and I am looking forward to it, but I can’t help but wonder if we mentally delegate Wednesdays as nothing-is-going-to-happen-today.

Monday is clearly that day of the week that everyone dreads: back to the grindstone! Get to work! Tuesdays, for me, are the worst. Nothing happens on Tuesday; I am over the novelty of Monday and the weekend still isn’t closer. Wednesday, “Hump Day,” is just so blah. I feel like it’s one of those days we just have to get through so we can arrive at Thursday. I like Thursdays. The night usually has a hint of the weekend in it; you know something good is coming. And then it’s Friday (Friday, gettin’ down on Friday…)! Huzzah! I swear, during the 5 o’clock hour on Fridays there is something in the air. Maybe good feelings? Is this possible? Anyway, even though I have never worked a 9-5 (muahaha) I still feel that excitement of the start of the weekend.

Nothing, I mean nothing, is better than a lazy Saturday morning. Oh what I wouldn’t give for one, right meow. Sunday, well sometimes I get the Sunday Night Blues: the weekend is over, back to reality. But sometimes they are really nice, like this past one. It’s a day to relax and savor the last few hours of weekend time.

How the heck did this post become about days of the week? I suppose I let my fingers take over and flutter about the keyboard unbeknownst to me. Alas, it is Wednesday and the only thing on my agenda is meeting up with Claire and Sawyer (my new little best/boy friend) on the plaza and running an errand or two. Otherwise, gym time, pool time, and reading time will fill up my day.

And just to keep things going, I am currently listening to the brand-spanking-new album from Bon Iver, Bon Iver. I’m only on my first listen, but already I can tell I will like it. Though nothing will compare to For Emma, Forever Ago, which clearly reigns supreme. Their latest single, below.

One of Those Days

I’m having one of those mornings when you put off brushing your teeth until the afternoon and somehow can’t find your way out of pajamas. Wait, you don’t know the type? It’s just me? Impossible! I know you know…

In any event, I think I am relishing the “student” life waaaay too much. This morning as I was postponing surfacing from my covers I realized that I have never had a year without a summer vacation (maybe last year was an exception, but let’s get real, that year wasn’t actually real now was it?). And for the next two years I will be back in academia with potentially two more summer holidays. That is weird.

Moving on, because I can’t really talk about the future like that without starting to feel a wee bit panicky, today is clearly a restless day. I have to work at 5, but until then I have plans to hit the gym to visit my meat-head friends, read my new book Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby and I don’t know what else. Maybe something productive?

This song comes to you today courtesy of Adam, who is currently residing in Cambodia. Thankfully, through the powers of the Interweb, we are still able to share music and other gems. So, here you have it: a super new tune, for a super new week! (How’s that for a sign off?)

To My Pops

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! I love you so much.

Ray

Last night I was lucky enough to see one of my absolute favorite artists in concert, Mr. Ray LaMontagne. The weather yesterday was beyond perfect, just right for sitting outdoors, sipping a beer and listening to the slow, raspy crooning of Ray.

He opened the show with a solo rendition of “Burn,” which would have made me weak in the knees had I not already been sitting. From the first line I knew it would be a special show. Rarely have I heard someone sing with so much belief and soul.

While there was little interaction with the crowd Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs made it a very special show. “Henry Nearly Killed Me” had just about everyone in the audience wiggling in their seats and “Are We Really Through” made us all root for the underdog. Other favorites of the evening include “Let it Be Me,” “Jolene,” “Hold You in My Arms,” and even “Trouble,” which isn’t one of my go-to tunes.

Ray really got me right in the middle, however with “Shelter.” This is already one of my favorites, but the passion and from-the-gut singing took it to a new level. Definitely my favorite part of the night.

Just Another Day at the Office

What have I been up to? Why have I been so silent the past couple days? Well, Aunt Winnie came in town from Connecticut and we have been enjoying her company. We’ve been shopping, cooking, reading, watching movies, chatting up a storm, and always observing Cocktail Hour.

Today, was just another day at the office.

I had plenty of files to read through.

I did my fair share of gossiping at the office watering hole.

Time for a snack break! Chips and homemade guac.

I looked up and thought, When will this taxing day be over?”

Double-checked with my assistant to make sure she was keeping all the riff-raff out.

Now that I think about it, I guess it wasn’t that tough of a day at the office.

Boulevard

 

One of the reasons I love being back in Kansas City.