It's a Small World Afterall

Where I've made new friends (at college), and kept the old (from Brownies), and the silver and the gold have met each other and are totally doin it in another city. And I found out by looking at pictures on Facebook. The world is an awesome awesome place sometimes.

Julyoween

Was a boatload of fun. Here I am as Mitchell, followed by the actual Mitchell. I didn't get too many pictures before my camera broke. Dammit.

Hubba Hubba

So we all already know that I secretly find John Mayer kind of awesomely funny. And now, suddenly, he's hot again. It feels so wrong, but so right...

My Reaction

My response to finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Make of this what you will.

Further Proof in the Cutest Cat Ever Contest

Stinker for the win.

Go vote, for hotness' sake

The voting is now open! Cast your votes for Catherine Andrews and Kriston Capps, off air hotties and generally awesome people, as the hottest media types of 2007. Though beware, it might be going to Catherine's head:

Catherine: whatever, don't IM me, i'm too good looking for IM

Awesome Drinking Game

If you're ever with a big group of people looking for a good drinking game, do as we did at Beth's wedding.

Step 1: Cover a table top in blank sheets of paper.

Step 2: Tape them down

Step 3: Blow all over to test the integrity of the table, and tape down anything you missed

Step 4: Get a bunch of people to go to work on filling those sheets up with ridiculous dares, group activities, "drink if you...", and other ideas (such as, "cast a harry potter spell," "married people drink," "grab the ass of the player to your right," "truth or dare," etc.).

Step 5: Congregate around the table

Step 6: Spin or bounce a quarter to take your turn. Wherever it lands, do that.

This game is called The Table. It's really fun.

Hex You

Remember how I was all obsessed with that BBC America show Hex? Well, it had its series finale episode this weekend. And it was quite possibly the worst, most unsatisfying conclusion to anything. Ever. I mean, just really, really bad. Like somebody offed whoever had been writing the series all along, and wrote some terrible joke ending. And this is coming from a girl who actually really liked the "Angel" conclusion. So, in summation: Hex is awesome, until the last episode ever, which blows giant donkey ****.

Wamanda is Back

I've returned from a wonderful sojourn to the mid west. Who knew Minnesota was so beautiful? Beth's wedding was pretty much the best -- the ceremony and reception were both fantastic, so many great people, and adorable children and great times. It was a really wonderful trip. You can take a look at my somewhat spotty collection of photos here. I think pretty much everyone else was better about taking pictures this week than I was, so hopefully gaps will be filled in later.

Now I'm waiting somewhat patiently for my luggage to also return from the mid west. And to receive my copy of the new HP. I haven't seen the new movie yet either. So, internet friends, I'm pretty much going to be avoiding any and all things internety until both are remedied. Not that any of you would be spoilery jerks, but, I'm not gonna take any chances.

Nothin like a little conjunctivitis in the morning

As much as I love it when any part of my body is oozing, it's even better when it's an organ that's involved in every single activity possible, INCLUDING SLEEP. Thank you, pink eye, for effing up my week.

Other than that, lovely weekend. Very lovely weekend.

New Blog Obsessions

1. Bricks Explode. I've mentioned him a couple times of late, but this dude is cracking me up on a regular basis.
2. Storked! This 26 year old's tales of her unexpected pregnancy are really gripping and fun to read.
   

That is all. RSS away.

Love,
Amanda

Unbuckled 6: It was a hit!

So, tonight was just really, really great. For several reasons:

• I smell like so many people right now. It was hot as hades in DC9 this evening, and there were 200 bodies enjoyng the magic of Le Loup and The XYZ Affair, and I hugged about half of them.
  
• Both bands were out of this world. From the opening a capella "Sweet Adeline" to the final thrust of Le Loup's chorus, it was an amazing show. Sincere thanks to both bands and MDR for making Unbuckled worth way more than $8.
  
• My friends that didn't make it upstairs (because the show SOLD OUT around 9:30) had just as much fun kickin it down below as the ones that passed the doorman's threshold. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who came out.
  
• I now have a definitive list of keytar geniuses, including Jem's band mate, Raphael from TNMT and Julian Casablancas, among others.
  
• I got the pleasure of planning this thing with two of the nicest guys I've ever worked with, so big ups to Dan from Le Loup and Alex from The XYZ Affair.
• Also, the vibe of community music love and local support was out of this world this time around. There's always a big outpouring of support at these shows, but it was really palpable tonight.
  

Basically, I'm fully of happy, excited, jublient vibes right now, so thanks to everyone who had a part in making Unbuckled 6 such a success! I love DC9. I love DCist. I love DC.

We did it!

Thanks to everyone who participated in my efforts to skew the results of the poll on Beth's wedding website. Thanks to you, now she knows how we really feel.

1. In case you've missed my umpteen other mentions, tonight is Unbuckled 6! I've organized the sixth in DCist's concert series with Kyle and Sommer, and it's going to be the tits. We've interviewed both bands (Le Loup 2 times, actually), reviewed The XYZ Affair's album, and given you plenty of reasons to know these bands are tip top. If that's not enough, we're also giving away door prizes and having the hilarious and awesome guys from MDR (who were part of the most internet-laden night at the Black Cat of all time this past weekend) do DJ sets. So really, no reason not to come. NONE! And if that's not enough for you, head over to Read Express and check out my BFF Kriston's interview with Le Loup. So, see you tonight?

2. YES! I'm Harry! I actually squealed when Daniel Radcliff came on the Today Show this morning. I'm such a nerd. I also can't believe the movie's coming out the same day as Unbuckled, and the book's coming out while I'm in Minnesotta next week for BAT's wedding. It's ok, a little waiting never hurts. Right? Anyway, find out which HP character you are:

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

3. I've been watching a lot of old X Files episodes lately. Man that was some good shit. It's also made me nostalgic for a time when our distrust for the government was based in sci fi. And, who doesn't love watching things from the early 90s with enormous cell phones?

Why did my TV suddenly switch to B&W?

So Saturday morning I turned on my tv -- a flat screen AKAI -- and everything on every channel is in black & white. Still happening. Any ideas, internets?

Delicious Bean Recipe

I thought up this recipe while enjoying The Third Man on the couch at the flophouse. Quite delicious as a side or on its own, and excessively easy. Prep time is around 10 minutes.

-Cut up 3-4 strips of bacon and cook in a large pan
-When bacon's almost done cooking, add a can of butter beans (I'm sure navy or cannelloni would work just fine too)
-Add a splash of apple cider vinegar
-Add some chopped up mint leaves
-Add in some shaved spring onions
-Cook a few minutes
-Voila!

Friday Thoughts

1. Why is TLC's "Red Light Special" in my head? Have I heard that song in the last... ten years? Brain, what gives?

2. There is just so much I love about this story.

• He's moving there to "enjoy the women"
• Australian personality tests for admitance to their country. I can only assume there's some sort of physical challenge involved.
• The thought of snoop dressed as crocodile dundee (see image, collaborated on by the g)
• Attempts to make a bong out of a boomerang

3. Your millionth of aprox 7 million and five reminders: Unbuckled 6, Wednesday 7/11

Just Relax, Would Ya?

That was one great vacation. Five days in my favorite place with two wonderful traveling companions and my dad and his girlfriend who don't know how not to have a decadent meal. As you can see, we had a great time. Jenna, Stacy and I were a great three piece for a vacation -- all of us like to be active and adventurous, but also just lay like vegetables and achieve completely relaxation, and be really, really pretty. And eat hoagies. It was a wonderful trip marked by ridiculous meal, expensive wine, shopping for shoes, and falling asleep in the sun. Which then lead to my annual absurd sunburn, which prohibited me from going boating all day today, but, I'll live.

PS: Stacy, I think the movie you were trying to think of was Stomp the Yard.

PPS: Bricks Explode, I love you.

PPSS: I saw Live Free or Die Hard and Evening. Bruce Willis still kicks ass completely. My reaction to Evening was a lot like my reaction to The Hours -- wonderful performances, moving story, beautifully shot, but slow, and with questionable choices in direction and conception, and really freaking sad. When Joey's home this weekend, we will Transform.

Yup, vacation's definitely over

Unmistakable signs:

• Sun poisoning
  
• 109 emails in my personal account (not venturing into the DCist or work accounts yet)
• 838 posts in the RSS reader
• A kitchen full of rotted food