Monday, May 29, 2006
Arrrrgh!
I just walked around Times Square wearing an eye patch and searching for sailors. For fun. Pictures and details to come. Shiver me timbers.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Phil's
For the past two nights in a row I have found myself doing the exact same thing, and it is a thing that is totally out of the ordinary for me. On both Tuesday and Wednesday I went to Phillip's Continental Lounge at Grove and Libbie. I had never been there in my whole life. In fact, I worked less than a block away for over six months and yet I never even knew the place existed. And not only did I go to Phil's (I don't know if people really call it that, but I imagine they do) two nights in a row, but both nights I watched my only episodes of American Idol this whole season. The only episodes in my whole life, actually. How bizarre is that?
Phil's is a diner-type restaurant and bar in the near West End that has been there since the 30s. It's full of old black and white pictures of Richmond. The first night Justin and I walked in and there were some guys sitting at the bar staring at us who looked like small town regulars. Finally they stopped staring and let us know we could pick any table we liked and a waitress would get us some dinner. It was eight o'clock, so the TVs were both tuned into American Idol, and they even turned up the volume so the whole place could listen in. A small crowd of middle aged and gray-haired folks crowded around the bar to watch. I was a little astounded at the whole situation.
Tonight I ended up going there after potluck with Jennifer. Again, American Idol was turned up, though one of the workers had to keep turning the volume even louder to compete with the radio still playing in the background (when I googled the Lounge I found this: "More Reasons to Go: There is background music while you dine.") There wasn't quite as much of a crowd tonight, but I imagine it's because everyone was joining the millions of other Americans sitting in their living rooms and biting their nails over who would be their new Idol.
Phil's is a diner-type restaurant and bar in the near West End that has been there since the 30s. It's full of old black and white pictures of Richmond. The first night Justin and I walked in and there were some guys sitting at the bar staring at us who looked like small town regulars. Finally they stopped staring and let us know we could pick any table we liked and a waitress would get us some dinner. It was eight o'clock, so the TVs were both tuned into American Idol, and they even turned up the volume so the whole place could listen in. A small crowd of middle aged and gray-haired folks crowded around the bar to watch. I was a little astounded at the whole situation.
Tonight I ended up going there after potluck with Jennifer. Again, American Idol was turned up, though one of the workers had to keep turning the volume even louder to compete with the radio still playing in the background (when I googled the Lounge I found this: "More Reasons to Go: There is background music while you dine.") There wasn't quite as much of a crowd tonight, but I imagine it's because everyone was joining the millions of other Americans sitting in their living rooms and biting their nails over who would be their new Idol.
Hair Cut
Yesterday I got a hair cut. I don't really want to talk about it yet because the jury is still out on whether it's cute or not. Part of me feels like I have crazy lesbian rock star hair, and I don't really like any of those words to describe the way I look.
The hair cutting experience, however, was amazing. I went to Mango in the West End. I knew of it because I used to have to take pastries there every morning when I worked for the coffee shop, which is now closed and totally empty and depressing. Anyway, I had never been to a place like this.
First, they give you a black robe and you can go take off your shirt in a changing room, and they have lockers to put your things. I put the robe on, but didn't remove my shirt. That would have been weird. Then you're supposed to get coffee, but I think they were out, so that was a little disappointing.
Next the shampoo girl becomes your best friend ever by giving you a head massage. It's always nice to have someone else shampoo your hair because you can imagine they're giving you a head massage, but this girl really was. It was great. And she didn't ruin the whole moment by making you come up with small talk. It was silent and beautiful. After the massage she put a hot towel over my head and let me sit and relax, then she came back and did more massaging as the towel was slowly removed. She even used the towel to get the water out of my ears. How thoughtful.
From there my "designer" came and we got to the cutting part. At one point my earring came out and flew to the floor, so we stopped to look for it, and then I had three fancy salon ladies in black pants and heels on the floor searching for the stupid tiny earring I've worn for three years straight. I felt embarrassed about all the fuss, but finally one of them actually found it.
When it was time to leave I got a $10 discount because my stylist had been running late, so that was nice. And even though this place sounds super expensive it really wasn't, compared to everyone else (above the Hair Cuttery of course). They even gave me a gift bag with little bottles of fancy shampoo and conditioner.
And to top it all off my boyfriend came to meet me and tell me I look cute, even if we're not really sure it's true yet.
The hair cutting experience, however, was amazing. I went to Mango in the West End. I knew of it because I used to have to take pastries there every morning when I worked for the coffee shop, which is now closed and totally empty and depressing. Anyway, I had never been to a place like this.
First, they give you a black robe and you can go take off your shirt in a changing room, and they have lockers to put your things. I put the robe on, but didn't remove my shirt. That would have been weird. Then you're supposed to get coffee, but I think they were out, so that was a little disappointing.
Next the shampoo girl becomes your best friend ever by giving you a head massage. It's always nice to have someone else shampoo your hair because you can imagine they're giving you a head massage, but this girl really was. It was great. And she didn't ruin the whole moment by making you come up with small talk. It was silent and beautiful. After the massage she put a hot towel over my head and let me sit and relax, then she came back and did more massaging as the towel was slowly removed. She even used the towel to get the water out of my ears. How thoughtful.
From there my "designer" came and we got to the cutting part. At one point my earring came out and flew to the floor, so we stopped to look for it, and then I had three fancy salon ladies in black pants and heels on the floor searching for the stupid tiny earring I've worn for three years straight. I felt embarrassed about all the fuss, but finally one of them actually found it.
When it was time to leave I got a $10 discount because my stylist had been running late, so that was nice. And even though this place sounds super expensive it really wasn't, compared to everyone else (above the Hair Cuttery of course). They even gave me a gift bag with little bottles of fancy shampoo and conditioner.
And to top it all off my boyfriend came to meet me and tell me I look cute, even if we're not really sure it's true yet.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Weekend
I did interesting things this weekend. At least, interesting for me.
For example, Friday night I found myself being the only girl at an apartment with a bunch of tattooed dudes. This usually doesn't happen to me. We walked to a crazy college bar and played a round of bowling on an arcade game. And on the way there we passed a guy playing the banjo.
Then on Saturday I found myself at a blogging get-together. Sure I have a blog, but not like those guys. This get-together was at an old firehouse, and involved me buying a t-shirt.
Next I drank my very first (small and watered down) mint julep. I also watched my very first horse race. Who knew they only last two minutes long?!
Following the short horse race I found myself eating dinner and drinking beer at an Exxon. That's right. Hanging out at the gas station.
From the Exxon we walked to the Innsbrook Pavilion and saw the Strokes perform. I had heard of them, but never actually heard them. So that was fun.
Then came Sunday afternoon, where I found myself eating Shiwarma and stuffed grape leaves at the Lebanese Food Festival. Saw some Lebanese dancing, too.
I mean, who doesn't want to move to Richmond after reading about the awesome things one can find herself doing here?
For example, Friday night I found myself being the only girl at an apartment with a bunch of tattooed dudes. This usually doesn't happen to me. We walked to a crazy college bar and played a round of bowling on an arcade game. And on the way there we passed a guy playing the banjo.
Then on Saturday I found myself at a blogging get-together. Sure I have a blog, but not like those guys. This get-together was at an old firehouse, and involved me buying a t-shirt.
Next I drank my very first (small and watered down) mint julep. I also watched my very first horse race. Who knew they only last two minutes long?!
Following the short horse race I found myself eating dinner and drinking beer at an Exxon. That's right. Hanging out at the gas station.
From the Exxon we walked to the Innsbrook Pavilion and saw the Strokes perform. I had heard of them, but never actually heard them. So that was fun.
Then came Sunday afternoon, where I found myself eating Shiwarma and stuffed grape leaves at the Lebanese Food Festival. Saw some Lebanese dancing, too.
I mean, who doesn't want to move to Richmond after reading about the awesome things one can find herself doing here?
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Virginia is for History Lovers
Saturday Justin took me to Charlottesville and Lexington. After visiting with his aunt and uncle in their log house on the side of a mountain we went to Lexington and walked around the Virginia Military Institute, or VMI. I'm not used to military schools, or the military for that matter, so it was so crazy for me to see all these young guys in uniform standing around display cannons. It felt like glimpsing the Civil War, but really it's 2006 and those guys will go back to their bunk rooms and instant message online just like every other college kid. Also, VMI is where Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson once taught, and if you don't already know, he happens to be my seventh great uncle.
After VMI and Lexington we stopped by McCormick's Farm. Cyrus McCormick is the guy who "invented the first successful reaper and founded the harvesting machine industry." The buildings were closed for renovation, but it was a cute area near a stream and surrounded by sheep and cows. We even went on the Interpretive Trail along the stream and learned about the ecosystem and how McCormick liked roasted chestnuts.
Next came Charlottesville. We walked all over the University of Virginia. I liked it a lot. Justin likes to categorize the Virginia public schools pretty broadly/stereotypically, and he doesn't describe the UVA kids very nicely, but I'm not gonna lie, I feel like maybe I would have wanted to go there if I were from Virginia. Or William and Mary, which is a school I really did want to go to when I was applying.
It was so nice to get out of Richmond and into the country for a day. The weather was beautiful and I feel like we saw a lot for one day. I definitely want to go back though, since there are tons more awesome places to see. I've been to Jefferson's Monticello before, in the sixth grade I think, but I would love to go again. I also want to visit Madison's Montpelier and Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland. There's also a Frontier Culture Museum that I'm interested in, and I want to see the Natural Bridge, which I'm told was owned by Jefferson and surveyed by Washington.
As an American history lover, these sorts of things make me giggle with glee.
After VMI and Lexington we stopped by McCormick's Farm. Cyrus McCormick is the guy who "invented the first successful reaper and founded the harvesting machine industry." The buildings were closed for renovation, but it was a cute area near a stream and surrounded by sheep and cows. We even went on the Interpretive Trail along the stream and learned about the ecosystem and how McCormick liked roasted chestnuts.
Next came Charlottesville. We walked all over the University of Virginia. I liked it a lot. Justin likes to categorize the Virginia public schools pretty broadly/stereotypically, and he doesn't describe the UVA kids very nicely, but I'm not gonna lie, I feel like maybe I would have wanted to go there if I were from Virginia. Or William and Mary, which is a school I really did want to go to when I was applying.
It was so nice to get out of Richmond and into the country for a day. The weather was beautiful and I feel like we saw a lot for one day. I definitely want to go back though, since there are tons more awesome places to see. I've been to Jefferson's Monticello before, in the sixth grade I think, but I would love to go again. I also want to visit Madison's Montpelier and Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland. There's also a Frontier Culture Museum that I'm interested in, and I want to see the Natural Bridge, which I'm told was owned by Jefferson and surveyed by Washington.
As an American history lover, these sorts of things make me giggle with glee.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Today I was *that* girl...
You know, the one who brings leftover fish to work and then microwaves it to stink up the whole office? Yeah, that was me. What a disaster.
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