Sweet Mary, Mother of Pearl ...

I plum forgot, dear Blogger ...
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!
Last month was our one year. Forgive me, I was a complete as$hole. No flowers, no chocolates, not even an e-card.

I've made it a point to never blog about anything too personal. I usually judged that by what would get me in trouble.
Sometimes, I don't use my best judgement.
But overall, I think I've been pretty good.

I adore this little online journal because:
1. I'm able to vent. And most of the time, get some validation.
2. It's easy to keep in touch with Sister and friends. The daily grind and sheer laziness make it hard for me to stay in touch. Thanks to this blog, it's a lot easier. And entertaining!
3. I made new friends. For instance, the Milan sisters! And dear Karaway, wherever you are.
4. I'm still writing. Now that I'm out of school, I hardly ever write anymore. And while this is a far cry from academic writing (not that I'm knocking you, my fair Blogger) it keeps my mind stimulated. And that's always nice.
5. Hours and hours of browsing. It can be a good and bad thing but when it's late at night, and I can't sleep a wink, Blogger is there to keep me company until I was tired enough to "shut down."

So Blogger, thank you. Can you believe a year and one month ago we started with this? Happy Anniversary!

Spreading the word of Lulu

If you know me at all, you know how much I love, love, love this word.
It took six months ...
behold!

VAGANUS

Now, who are the jackasses who gave it a thumbs down?!

They obviously can't handle the truth.

Please give it a thumbs up. And silently give the middle finger to all those perverts that gave vaganus a typical meathead "Beavis and Butthead" definition.

Featherweight ... it's a good thing

In my early 20s, I would slam a shot and then be drunk off my ass.
In my mid 20s, I hated my job so I loved happy hours and drank like a fish on the weekends. I could down seven drinks (shots and frou frou mixes) before I felt goo-ood.
Now I'm in my late 20s. This evening, I met a friend at this trendy little restaurant and ordered one rum & diet coke and sashimi for dinner. Ten minutes later, I was three sheets to the wind and had to order roti prata to soak it up. Because, no lie, I was tanked.
When did I become a featherweight again? Ahh, just as well ... I'm damn near "college student" broke.
Aren't I a little young to be full circle? I'm a cheap date AND poor. All in less than a decade.

Before you ask, yes, I'm still a smidge drunk. Just a smidge.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POOKIE!

OK, I think I'm on time with this Milan sister ;)

Have a Happy Birthday, my friend! It's been so much fun hanging out with you and getting to know you even better through this little gizmo called "Blogger!"

I look forward to hanging out with you, Tater and the men folk in Disneyland come November. I keep telling The Man that I'm really pulling for you guys to move here. I figure, once Tater gets her duff to the Bay Area, you guys will HAVE to follow.

I know I'm so blessed that my boyfriend's best friend is normal and good guy (not to mention he has a kick ass family) so I'm determined to have you guys close by!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POOKIEPIE!

I got nothin'

Sorry, I don't have anything. I've been waiting for inspiration.
But I got nothin'.
I was browsing through my old entries and I forgot that I had written most of them! Part of me wishes I had organized them and catalogued them by subject.
But I'm too lazy.
I pretty much know who reads my blog (the peeps who comment ... it's not rocket science.) And I like to read them, too. So my question to you is: "Have you looked back on what you've written and realized that you had completely forgotten that you had written it?"

Happiest place on earth?

+ =
Traffic + Huge Disneyland Crowd = A Peeved Lulu*

OK, so I went to Disneyland this weekend. I've already chatted with my local Disneyland expert, Tater Pie, and she is aware that if I am to go back to Disneyland, I'm going to need the following -

1. A driver. Or a plane ticket. It was an eight hour road trip. Eight hours. (We made a pitstop in Fresno.) Sure, I wasn't driving. But I was trying to keep the Man company because he was so sleepy from a hard week's work and he already drives 2+ hours on his daily commute. We didn't get to our hotel until 2:00am. I woke up at 6:00am. Maybe I need to take a day off so it's a three-day weekend but I don't have the time off so I have to squish it in 2 1/2 days.

2. Less people. I knew I didn't deal well with crowds. This just confirmed my suspicion. It is very very crowded in Mickey's hood and that just isn't my scene. That's why I don't shop during the Christmas rush. Tater assured me that it will be less buck wild in November. I couldn't move freely, there were people everywhere. And, of course, that meant a variety of people with a variety of thoughts regarding personal space. Some need very little. I am not one of those people.

3. Strollers. I'm not hating on families or little folk. But I hate - let me emphasize HATE - the people who charge at me with their strollers, nip my heels with their strollers, or basically use it as a defensive device. I don't want to play football, I just want to walk peacefully, man.

P'tater assured me that my next trip will be a lot of fun. I hope so. Or I might have to push some people down in the happiest place on earth. Just kidding. Maybe. I'm looking forward to going in November. I think it will be really cool to go right before the holiday season. Does anyone know when Disneyland puts up their Christmas decorations?


*Isn't that the cutest angry pup you've ever seen?!

Thank you, Demondoll & Kim ...

... I love me some survey forwards.
I don't really like them.

And now you do, too! I know you don't really, either.

To quote Dave Chapelle who quoted Rick James (with a slight alteration), "I'm Lulu, Bitches - Enjoy yo'self!"
I don't really think you're a bitch, I just like to say it.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. ALICE 97.3 Sarah & Vinnie Morning Show Intern
2. Bare Escentuals make up artist/ sales associate
3. Burlington Coat Factory Sales Associate (exactly ten years ago!)
4. ABC7 Television Production Assistant

Four movies I'd watch over and over (or have watched over and over):
1. 50 First Dates
2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
4. Ocean's Eleven

Four places I have lived:
1. San Franciso, CA
2. Hayward, CA
3. Daly City, CA
4. (That's it, there's no 4th! Does Treasure Island count? It's kind of part of SF, kind of not.)

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. So You Think You Can Dance (Guilty pleasure!)
4. 24 (just got hooked this summer)

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Oahu
2. Maui
3. Phillippines
4. Germany

Four of my favorite foods:
1. See's milk chocolate truffles
2. Sushi
3. Sashimi
4. Shanghai lumpia

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Santa Cruz
2. Waikiki
3. Bicol
4. Any big Las Vegas hotel spa

Four friends whom I have tagged that I think will respond:
1. Miss Lips
2. Pookie
3.Taters
4. yer mama

How I met the Man

Back in 2001, my old roommate had been dating a boy named Arniel. I ended up getting him a job and we started to hang out after work. He would bring along his roommate/best friend, Lorena. We all partied hard together and had lots of fun.
They both belonged to a service organization and Arniel asked if I would narrate a documentary he made for them. Lorena's parents were having a party to celebrate the money and in-kind donations the organization raised to bring to the Philippines. I was invited because of my participation in the documentary. I had attended another party that same day (it was at Tel and Sassy's!) and I found it hard to tear myself away ... there was wine and cheese, for crap's sake! But I felt like I should go to the other one so I did. I brought my friend, Regina, with the intention of only staying an hour and making my way back to Treasure Island.
I drove us across town to Lake Merced. The party at Lorena's ended up to be an intimate gathering. Dammit, no way to slip out without notice! There were about six people there, sitting around the table. Regina sat down at the table, looking at me, silently begging me to bring her back to the other party. I stood next to Arniel and Lorena's as they introduced me to everyone. I met Lorena's mom and dad, a family friend named Gus and Lorena's other best friend, The Man.
Regina and I snacked a little, watched the documentary, and asked about trip preparations to the Philippines. True to my word, after an hour, I told them we had another party to attend (I left out that it was the same party we just came from) so Regina and I had to leave. We wished them a safe trip and they all said good bye. I was excited to get back to the drinking festivities back on Treasure Island.
As we headed back, Regina asked, "What did you think of the guy next to me?"
"The Man?" I replied. "What about him?"
"Don't you think he's cute? I think he's very cute!" Regina exclaimed. "You should find out about him! You know I'm not particularly attracted to Asian guys but he's cute!"
"I guess so. But I think he's gay." (Yes, I actually said and believe it.)
"What?!" Regina blurted. "I don't think so! Why would you think that?"
"I don't know! He's so handsome he's almost ... pretty. He looks very put-together. No straight guy could care that much about his appearance. Besides, what straight guy wears a snug sweater?" (It's true.)
Regina replied, "I think you're wrong!"
"Fine, I'll call Arniel. He'll tell me." I said.
I dialed his cell. "Hey! Are you still at the party? Good. Are you near The Man? Well, walk away from him then. Hey, is he gay?"

Pause.

"He's not? Are you sure?"

Pause.

"Oh. No, no. I just assumed is all. Thanks!"
"Well, what's the verdict?" Regina asked.
"Mmm, you were right. He's straight. But you have to admit, he was very pretty!"
"Whatever, you should go for him. He's cute." she insisted.
"Mmm-hmm."

It would be three more months before I would run into The Man again.

I received permission from The Man to write this entry. And before anyone thinks I was off my rocker, more (gay and straight) men than women commented about my new boyfriend's good looks. I suspect he may be the pretty one in this relationship!

I know, I've been a very bad girl

I hate it when y'all don't blog. It ticks me off because I'm reading the same stuff. I wonder, "What's going on? No one is too busy to blog! I mean, just a few lines, for crap's sake! Give me something to read! Criminy."
Now I done did it to you!
Well, I'm tired.
It's the week of my 7:30am - 6:00pm shift and I'm pooped.
This past weekend, I attended a bridal shower retreat. My friend is pretty awesome. (She's the one who picked a dress that was under a $100 and a something I can wear again.) Maria decided she didn't want a conventional bridal shower or an expensive spa treat [sidenote: I am A-OK with a spa retreat, believe you me. But since this wedding is in Hawaii, I appreciate not having to spend money.] We went to her mom's cabin in Sonora, drank, swam in a swimming hole (my first time!), drank, swam in a lake, drank, sat in the hot tub, went fishing, drank, and ate a lot of food. And drank.
OK, I actually didn't get drunk. I just sipped a little bit all weekend to sustain a nice buzz. With the heat and the hot tub, it was pretty easy to do. Because now that I'm in my late 20s, it is unacceptable to yak. It's just bad form. I mean, we all need to learn from our early 20s, right?
Now I'm tired and this work week is lasting F-O-R-E-V-E-R. And it's only Tuesday. Hot damn.