So...
Pretty sure I'll be leaving LiveJournal permanently.
I just don't think it's worth paying for now that I have Flickr for my photos and my own website. Plus, I don't think it offers as much customization to its "free" users as other blogs. No matter the reason, I've found a new blog home.
*So I'll be moving here: http://aridgley.wordpress.com, if you happen to check my page by typing in the web address.
*If you want to add an RSS feed of my new blog to your reader, the address is: http://aridgley.wordpress.com/feed/
*Paid members on LJ can also add a syndicated account as a friend to have my Wordpress entries show up on your LJ friends page. Create a syndication account from this page: http://www.livejournal.com/syn/ Just enter the feed URL into the box at the bottom of the page and assign it a username to appear on your friends list.
*Also-- and I think this will only last until my paid membership runs out in March-- you can add this account I've created to your friends land it should feed my new entries to your friends list: http://syndicated.livejournal.com/amanda
Anyway, there's that update... I'll still probably cross-post to MySpace, or possibly just cross-post links to my Wordpress entires.
Oh, and I moved every LJ entry I've made since I started my account in 2002 over to Wordpress (I don't think it got the comments, though...)
Anyway, there's something like 1100 entries over there now, so all that won't be lost, thank goodness.
So... This is probably the last entry I'll make on my LJ account.
Pretty sure I'll be leaving LiveJournal permanently.
I just don't think it's worth paying for now that I have Flickr for my photos and my own website. Plus, I don't think it offers as much customization to its "free" users as other blogs. No matter the reason, I've found a new blog home.
*So I'll be moving here: http://aridgley.wordpress.com, if you happen to check my page by typing in the web address.
*If you want to add an RSS feed of my new blog to your reader, the address is: http://aridgley.wordpress.com/feed/
*Paid members on LJ can also add a syndicated account as a friend to have my Wordpress entries show up on your LJ friends page. Create a syndication account from this page: http://www.livejournal.com/syn/ Just enter the feed URL into the box at the bottom of the page and assign it a username to appear on your friends list.
*Also-- and I think this will only last until my paid membership runs out in March-- you can add this account I've created to your friends land it should feed my new entries to your friends list: http://syndicated.livejournal.com/amanda
Anyway, there's that update... I'll still probably cross-post to MySpace, or possibly just cross-post links to my Wordpress entires.
Oh, and I moved every LJ entry I've made since I started my account in 2002 over to Wordpress (I don't think it got the comments, though...)
Anyway, there's something like 1100 entries over there now, so all that won't be lost, thank goodness.
So... This is probably the last entry I'll make on my LJ account.
"Dear Amanda," the letter reads. "It is my pleasure to inform you that you are being considered for inclusion into the 2007/2008 Cambridge Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women 'Honors Edition' of the Registry... Recognition of this kind is an honor shared by thousands of executive and professional women throughout America each year. Inclusion is considered by many as the single highest mark of achievement."
What's that? Stop there, you say, you know where this is going? As well you should-- these so-called "vanity publications" are nothing new-- I've dealt with them since high school ("Who's Who Among American High School Students), always being congratulated on my inclusion in this exclusive honor, flattery followed immediately by a request for money for a hardbound copy of the registry. I never paid anything, I just listed my inclusion on applications and things like that. From what I understand, though, WWAAHSS was actually a credible organization, and putting on your resume/college application didn't necessarily mark you as a total chump.
This organization is a bit different. I filled out the information as I always have, with the full intention of declining any offers they sent me hocking their print publications, placards, key chains, etc. However, I soon discovered they're a bit more cavalier with adults than they were when I was a minor and they were just trying to convince me to get my parents to spend $600 on a book.
I received a phone call from their organization this morning which consisted of a short interview. An interview, that is, to see if I qualified for inclusion. Imagine that-- an interview process-- it must be legitimate! After she congratulated me on "passing" the interview portion, she started a 10 minute monologue on all the goodies I'd be receiving soon, and, by the way, how would I like my name to appear on the certificate of achievement? Oh and would I prefer the 900 platinum membership or the 800 gold membership?
Ah, there's what I was waiting for. Now, let me note here that I have been a telemarketer and have a personal rule that I am never rude to one-- they are just doing what pays their paycheck and are forced to rebuttal enough times to annoy you and they probably don't like it any more than you do. So I told her I would rather not purchase anything. 4 times I told her this, with huge soliloquies in between about the great networking opportunities, plaques, airline vouchers, etc. that I would receive with my membership, and with a lower price tag each time. After her fifth rebuttal, and the final offer of a $99 "trial membership", I said "No, thank you" once again and she told me that my name would be included at no charge (as originally promised) on the web site, and to have a nice day.
Now. I knew what to expect when they called. Though I was surprised at the hard-sell tactics with SO many rebuttals and price-drops, I was not at all surprised that they wanted money. That's how they do business. I'm smart enough to know this. However, upon doing some research on this after my phone call, I have come to see that many people aren't.
The comments on this site alone show quite a few people who have gone for it, and given out their credit card number to purchase $300, $600, even $1000 memberships to this "exclusive" registry. Honestly, though, it kind of irritates me when these commenters all call it a scam. I could see calling it a scam or a con if Cambridge never sent you the materials they promised or didn't fulfill their end of the deal, but from what I can understand, they do hold up their end of the agreement. I think people just get angry that they purchased something so stupid and egotistical and want to call it a scam so they can be the "victim" in the story, rather than the person who gave their credit card info to a stranger on the phone in order to be "included" in this registry and be able to access it for "networking opportunities". (FYI, that's what FREE sites like LinkedIn and Plaxo are for)
Surfing the web looking for articles about "Who's Who" organizations, I read about the poetry anthologies that push an extremely similar agenda-- printing aspiring poets' work and then selling them huge anthologies with their poems included. I remember a school friend in high school who was not the brightest bulb, telling me excitedly how his poem had been published, and how he was going to buy the book. I knew at the time that it wasn't any really honor or achievement on his part, but he was so excited just to get something of his PUBLISHED, he had to have the book.
And that's why they call it vanity publishing... Why else would any of us spend up to $1000 on "membership" in a group that will accept anyone willing to shell out the money, yet, those smart enough to ACTUALLY BE RECOGNIZED for success and outstanding achievement are far too smart to join?
Well, they've got my info... I was going to add it to my resume, but at this point it seems like the equivalent of putting "I breathe air" under my "special recognitions". And heaven forbid a future potential employer think I actually fell for a vanity publishing scheme. I'm pretty sure that would prevent me from hiring someone.
What's that? Stop there, you say, you know where this is going? As well you should-- these so-called "vanity publications" are nothing new-- I've dealt with them since high school ("Who's Who Among American High School Students), always being congratulated on my inclusion in this exclusive honor, flattery followed immediately by a request for money for a hardbound copy of the registry. I never paid anything, I just listed my inclusion on applications and things like that. From what I understand, though, WWAAHSS was actually a credible organization, and putting on your resume/college application didn't necessarily mark you as a total chump.
This organization is a bit different. I filled out the information as I always have, with the full intention of declining any offers they sent me hocking their print publications, placards, key chains, etc. However, I soon discovered they're a bit more cavalier with adults than they were when I was a minor and they were just trying to convince me to get my parents to spend $600 on a book.
I received a phone call from their organization this morning which consisted of a short interview. An interview, that is, to see if I qualified for inclusion. Imagine that-- an interview process-- it must be legitimate! After she congratulated me on "passing" the interview portion, she started a 10 minute monologue on all the goodies I'd be receiving soon, and, by the way, how would I like my name to appear on the certificate of achievement? Oh and would I prefer the 900 platinum membership or the 800 gold membership?
Ah, there's what I was waiting for. Now, let me note here that I have been a telemarketer and have a personal rule that I am never rude to one-- they are just doing what pays their paycheck and are forced to rebuttal enough times to annoy you and they probably don't like it any more than you do. So I told her I would rather not purchase anything. 4 times I told her this, with huge soliloquies in between about the great networking opportunities, plaques, airline vouchers, etc. that I would receive with my membership, and with a lower price tag each time. After her fifth rebuttal, and the final offer of a $99 "trial membership", I said "No, thank you" once again and she told me that my name would be included at no charge (as originally promised) on the web site, and to have a nice day.
Now. I knew what to expect when they called. Though I was surprised at the hard-sell tactics with SO many rebuttals and price-drops, I was not at all surprised that they wanted money. That's how they do business. I'm smart enough to know this. However, upon doing some research on this after my phone call, I have come to see that many people aren't.
The comments on this site alone show quite a few people who have gone for it, and given out their credit card number to purchase $300, $600, even $1000 memberships to this "exclusive" registry. Honestly, though, it kind of irritates me when these commenters all call it a scam. I could see calling it a scam or a con if Cambridge never sent you the materials they promised or didn't fulfill their end of the deal, but from what I can understand, they do hold up their end of the agreement. I think people just get angry that they purchased something so stupid and egotistical and want to call it a scam so they can be the "victim" in the story, rather than the person who gave their credit card info to a stranger on the phone in order to be "included" in this registry and be able to access it for "networking opportunities". (FYI, that's what FREE sites like LinkedIn and Plaxo are for)
Surfing the web looking for articles about "Who's Who" organizations, I read about the poetry anthologies that push an extremely similar agenda-- printing aspiring poets' work and then selling them huge anthologies with their poems included. I remember a school friend in high school who was not the brightest bulb, telling me excitedly how his poem had been published, and how he was going to buy the book. I knew at the time that it wasn't any really honor or achievement on his part, but he was so excited just to get something of his PUBLISHED, he had to have the book.
And that's why they call it vanity publishing... Why else would any of us spend up to $1000 on "membership" in a group that will accept anyone willing to shell out the money, yet, those smart enough to ACTUALLY BE RECOGNIZED for success and outstanding achievement are far too smart to join?
Well, they've got my info... I was going to add it to my resume, but at this point it seems like the equivalent of putting "I breathe air" under my "special recognitions". And heaven forbid a future potential employer think I actually fell for a vanity publishing scheme. I'm pretty sure that would prevent me from hiring someone.
Well.... So, this is new:
So let's update, shall we...
I took vacation from work Dec. 15th till today, now I'm back at work. Did lots of running around, shopping, wrapping, baking (burned my arm), la la la. Christmas utterly snuck up behind me and then was gone far too quickly. But it was, indeed, the best Christmas ever.
I was given a book, a CD, some Accessory City goodness, gift cards, Scene It for the 360, Rock Band (just the game, to play w/ my Guitar Hero controller), a crock pot, a blender, a toaster, a breadbox, a cutting board, perfume, a digital photo frame, a carpet cleaner, I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff... oh, and some cash that went towards the big flat TV that Aaron and I bought. It was a great Christmas!
New Year's Eve was great fun except for that Mr. Ridgley got himself stupid drunk and was a little embarrassing. Worst part was no sleep because of him alternately snoring/vomiting throughout the night. Then him waking me from almost-sleep over and over so that I could fetch him water, cherry coke, cherry coke and water, and the Sprite from the Kum and Go down the road-- in that order.
And now it's after the new year so dammit gimmie a damn tax refund. Assuming I get one, that is. I try to cut it pretty close so that I keep most of my paycheck and don't give the IRS tax-free loans of my money throughout the year, but I do believe I'm owed some money. Unfortunately, since Aaron's done some freelance work, he'll have to claim those 1099's that hurt him so bad last year. But at least we're filing together so he can claim some of the mortgage payment as home office costs or whatever.
Everything's pretty rosy 'round here. No complaints. Sad that Christmas is gone but it will return next year. In the meantime I just hope summer takes its sweet time getting here.
2007 was the best year ever because...
We move into our new house together
We got a great little doggie
Our friends got engaged in our living room
Our other friends got married in our kitchen
We got married and has an awesome wedding!
Had a great honeymoon in Vegas
My sister visited twice from California
Best Christmas ever!
I took vacation from work Dec. 15th till today, now I'm back at work. Did lots of running around, shopping, wrapping, baking (burned my arm), la la la. Christmas utterly snuck up behind me and then was gone far too quickly. But it was, indeed, the best Christmas ever.
I was given a book, a CD, some Accessory City goodness, gift cards, Scene It for the 360, Rock Band (just the game, to play w/ my Guitar Hero controller), a crock pot, a blender, a toaster, a breadbox, a cutting board, perfume, a digital photo frame, a carpet cleaner, I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff... oh, and some cash that went towards the big flat TV that Aaron and I bought. It was a great Christmas!
New Year's Eve was great fun except for that Mr. Ridgley got himself stupid drunk and was a little embarrassing. Worst part was no sleep because of him alternately snoring/vomiting throughout the night. Then him waking me from almost-sleep over and over so that I could fetch him water, cherry coke, cherry coke and water, and the Sprite from the Kum and Go down the road-- in that order.
And now it's after the new year so dammit gimmie a damn tax refund. Assuming I get one, that is. I try to cut it pretty close so that I keep most of my paycheck and don't give the IRS tax-free loans of my money throughout the year, but I do believe I'm owed some money. Unfortunately, since Aaron's done some freelance work, he'll have to claim those 1099's that hurt him so bad last year. But at least we're filing together so he can claim some of the mortgage payment as home office costs or whatever.
Everything's pretty rosy 'round here. No complaints. Sad that Christmas is gone but it will return next year. In the meantime I just hope summer takes its sweet time getting here.
2007 was the best year ever because...
We move into our new house together
We got a great little doggie
Our friends got engaged in our living room
Our other friends got married in our kitchen
We got married and has an awesome wedding!
Had a great honeymoon in Vegas
My sister visited twice from California
Best Christmas ever!
A guy on my friends list posted the following as a bulletin. You don't have to read the whole thing, just skim it to get the gist...
If I have to hear another man (pffft) complain that he's lost his ability to be a "nice guy" due to his own poor, poor choice in women, I'm seriously gonna be sick. I mean, just look at that shit. Some dope was obviously chasing after some girl that either wasn't interested in him or was a total bitch, and because she chose to go out with someone else (whether that other guy be an asshole or not)... he's NO LONGER GONNA BE A NICE GUY.
I'm sorry, but there are puh-huh-LENTY of girls who have been through the exact same scenario. For instance, in high school (waayyyy back when), I had a crush on my good friend Bob. Guess what? Bob wasn't interested. Bob, instead, went out with a girl who he will now freely admit-- no, make that SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS-- was a complete and total heinous bitch. Now, did that make me say "That's it, I am no longer going to be a 'nice girl'!"
No. You know what I did? Picked up my sorry ass and moved on with my life. Which is exactly what these supposed "nice guys" ought to be doing. Starting by finding someone who WANTS to date them, rather than chasing after those who don't. Don't sit around blaming the FEMALE GENDER for why you are no longer a "nice guy" if all you are going to do is chase bitches or girls who aren't interested in you.
But therein lies the problem. A man who write things like this doesn't just want a woman who will love him, appreciate him and all the things that he does for her, appreciate his sensitivity and compassion, and a woman who will treat him the way a man should be treated by his partner. No, men like this want a woman who does all that, and is super hot also.
So my advice to all you "nice guys" out there complaining about this shit: get your priorities straight. There may actually be 1 or 2 really hot chicks out there who haven't been spoilt by their own beauty into treating men like crap. But there are plenty of the ultimate in nice girls out there that you look right past every single day.
" This is exactly the type of thing I'd have written a year or two ago, stolen from craigslist...
I see this question posted with some regularity in the personals section, so I thought I’d take a minute to explain things to the ladies out there that haven’t figured it out.
What happened to all the nice guys?
The answer is simple: you did.
See, if you think back, really hard, you might vaguely remember a Platonic guy pal who always seemed to want to spend time with you. He’d tag along with you when you went shopping, stop by your place for a movie when you were lonely but didn’t feel like going out, or even sit there and hold you while you sobbed and told him about how horribly the (other) guy that you were fucking treated you.
At the time, you probably joked with your girlfriends about how he was a little puppy dog, always following you around, trying to do things to get you to pay attention to him. They probably teased you because they thought he had a crush on you. Given that his behavior was, admittedly, a little pathetic, you vehemently denied having any romantic feelings for him, and buttressed your position by claiming that you were “just friends.” Besides, he totally wasn’t your type. I mean, he was a little too short, or too bald, or too fat, or too poor, or didn’t know how to dress himself, or basically be or do any of the things that your tall, good-looking, fit, rich, stylish boyfriend at the time pulled off with such ease.
Eventually, your Platonic buddy drifted away, as your relationship with the boyfriend got more serious and spending time with this other guy was, admittedly, a little weird, if you werent dating him. More time passed, and the boyfriend eventually cheated on you, or became boring, or you realized that the things that attracted you to him weren’t the kinds of things that make for a good, long-term relationship. So, now, you’re single again, and after having tried the bar scene for several months having only encountered players and douche bags, you wonder, “What happened to all the nice guys?”
Well, once again, you did.
You ignored the nice guy. You used him for emotional intimacy without reciprocating, in kind, with physical intimacy. You laughed at his consideration and resented his devotion. You valued the aloof boyfriend more than the attentive “just-a-” friend. Eventually, he took the hint and moved on with his life. He probably came to realize, one day, that women aren’t really attracted to guys who hold doors open; or make dinners just because; or buy you a Christmas gift that you mentioned, in passing, that you really wanted five months ago; or listen when you’re upset; or hold you when you cry. He came to realize that, if he wanted a woman like you, he’d have to act more like the boyfriend that you had. He probably cleaned up his look, started making some money, and generally acted like more of an asshole than he ever wanted to be.
Fact is, now, he’s probably getting laid, and in a way, your ultimate rejection of him is to thank for that. And I’m sorry that it took the complete absence of “nice guys” in your life for you to realize that you missed them and wanted them. Most women will only have a handful of nice guys stumble into their lives, if that.
So, if you’re looking for a nice guy, here’s what you do:
1.) Build a time machine.
2.) Go back a few years and pull your head out of your ass.
3.) Take a look at what’s right in front of you and grab ahold of it.
I suppose the other possibility is that you STILL don’t really want a nice guy, but you feel the social pressure to at least appear to have matured beyond your infantile taste in men. In which case, you might be in luck, because the nice guy you claim to want has, in reality, shed his nice guy mantle and is out there looking to unleash his cynicism and resentment onto someone just like you.
If you were five years younger.
So, please: either stop misrepresenting what you want, or own up to the fact that you’ve fucked yourself over. You’re getting older, after all. It’s time to excise the bullshit and deal with reality. You didn’t want a nice guy then, and he certainly doesn’t fucking want you, now.
Sincerely,
A Recovering Nice Guy"
All I can say to that is: BLAH BLAH BLAH, I have heard that shit so many times, it is gonna make me vomit. Allow me to translate: "Wah wah wah, some obvious bitch that I chased after was-- shockingly-- a bitch to me and didn't go out with me and instead went out with some asshole guy who treats her poorly."I see this question posted with some regularity in the personals section, so I thought I’d take a minute to explain things to the ladies out there that haven’t figured it out.
What happened to all the nice guys?
The answer is simple: you did.
See, if you think back, really hard, you might vaguely remember a Platonic guy pal who always seemed to want to spend time with you. He’d tag along with you when you went shopping, stop by your place for a movie when you were lonely but didn’t feel like going out, or even sit there and hold you while you sobbed and told him about how horribly the (other) guy that you were fucking treated you.
At the time, you probably joked with your girlfriends about how he was a little puppy dog, always following you around, trying to do things to get you to pay attention to him. They probably teased you because they thought he had a crush on you. Given that his behavior was, admittedly, a little pathetic, you vehemently denied having any romantic feelings for him, and buttressed your position by claiming that you were “just friends.” Besides, he totally wasn’t your type. I mean, he was a little too short, or too bald, or too fat, or too poor, or didn’t know how to dress himself, or basically be or do any of the things that your tall, good-looking, fit, rich, stylish boyfriend at the time pulled off with such ease.
Eventually, your Platonic buddy drifted away, as your relationship with the boyfriend got more serious and spending time with this other guy was, admittedly, a little weird, if you werent dating him. More time passed, and the boyfriend eventually cheated on you, or became boring, or you realized that the things that attracted you to him weren’t the kinds of things that make for a good, long-term relationship. So, now, you’re single again, and after having tried the bar scene for several months having only encountered players and douche bags, you wonder, “What happened to all the nice guys?”
Well, once again, you did.
You ignored the nice guy. You used him for emotional intimacy without reciprocating, in kind, with physical intimacy. You laughed at his consideration and resented his devotion. You valued the aloof boyfriend more than the attentive “just-a-” friend. Eventually, he took the hint and moved on with his life. He probably came to realize, one day, that women aren’t really attracted to guys who hold doors open; or make dinners just because; or buy you a Christmas gift that you mentioned, in passing, that you really wanted five months ago; or listen when you’re upset; or hold you when you cry. He came to realize that, if he wanted a woman like you, he’d have to act more like the boyfriend that you had. He probably cleaned up his look, started making some money, and generally acted like more of an asshole than he ever wanted to be.
Fact is, now, he’s probably getting laid, and in a way, your ultimate rejection of him is to thank for that. And I’m sorry that it took the complete absence of “nice guys” in your life for you to realize that you missed them and wanted them. Most women will only have a handful of nice guys stumble into their lives, if that.
So, if you’re looking for a nice guy, here’s what you do:
1.) Build a time machine.
2.) Go back a few years and pull your head out of your ass.
3.) Take a look at what’s right in front of you and grab ahold of it.
I suppose the other possibility is that you STILL don’t really want a nice guy, but you feel the social pressure to at least appear to have matured beyond your infantile taste in men. In which case, you might be in luck, because the nice guy you claim to want has, in reality, shed his nice guy mantle and is out there looking to unleash his cynicism and resentment onto someone just like you.
If you were five years younger.
So, please: either stop misrepresenting what you want, or own up to the fact that you’ve fucked yourself over. You’re getting older, after all. It’s time to excise the bullshit and deal with reality. You didn’t want a nice guy then, and he certainly doesn’t fucking want you, now.
Sincerely,
A Recovering Nice Guy"
If I have to hear another man (pffft) complain that he's lost his ability to be a "nice guy" due to his own poor, poor choice in women, I'm seriously gonna be sick. I mean, just look at that shit. Some dope was obviously chasing after some girl that either wasn't interested in him or was a total bitch, and because she chose to go out with someone else (whether that other guy be an asshole or not)... he's NO LONGER GONNA BE A NICE GUY.
I'm sorry, but there are puh-huh-LENTY of girls who have been through the exact same scenario. For instance, in high school (waayyyy back when), I had a crush on my good friend Bob. Guess what? Bob wasn't interested. Bob, instead, went out with a girl who he will now freely admit-- no, make that SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS-- was a complete and total heinous bitch. Now, did that make me say "That's it, I am no longer going to be a 'nice girl'!"
No. You know what I did? Picked up my sorry ass and moved on with my life. Which is exactly what these supposed "nice guys" ought to be doing. Starting by finding someone who WANTS to date them, rather than chasing after those who don't. Don't sit around blaming the FEMALE GENDER for why you are no longer a "nice guy" if all you are going to do is chase bitches or girls who aren't interested in you.
But therein lies the problem. A man who write things like this doesn't just want a woman who will love him, appreciate him and all the things that he does for her, appreciate his sensitivity and compassion, and a woman who will treat him the way a man should be treated by his partner. No, men like this want a woman who does all that, and is super hot also.
So my advice to all you "nice guys" out there complaining about this shit: get your priorities straight. There may actually be 1 or 2 really hot chicks out there who haven't been spoilt by their own beauty into treating men like crap. But there are plenty of the ultimate in nice girls out there that you look right past every single day.
So, Aaron's Grand Prix is a POS. So tonight we went car shopping and bought a new car.
It is a 2004 Suzuki Forenza. It looks like this (same color and everything):
Now we just gotta sell his Grand Prix. Oh, any make that extra car payment every month. WOOT.
It is a 2004 Suzuki Forenza. It looks like this (same color and everything):
Now we just gotta sell his Grand Prix. Oh, any make that extra car payment every month. WOOT.
Feel like I oughta post something, as it has been awhile...
Works going well. Stress and pressure, but it sure makes it interesting. And I've got a great coach who is really helping me excel at what I'm doing, which is just going to make me better at my job. Aaron's doing concept art for a guy he used to work for, which is awesome because he's really excited about it and also because it means extra money coming in... right around the time when we need to get him a new car. Methinks we need to not put any more money into El Heapo if possible. So I'm conducting car searches now...
The hardest part about buying a car is getting Aaron to actually go... buy... the... car. He hates making big decisions like that and tends to hem and haw over it rather than just getting it done. But that's where I come in, I guess.
Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Actually, the Sunday after. I'm taking the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off and also Dec 17- Jan 2 to use up the rest of my PTO for the year. Yes, that's 18 days off in a row including the weekends. NICE. I intend to do some stuff around the house. I'm thinking about putting in a window seat in the bay window in our bedroom. One with storage, so that would be cool. I could build that.
I really want wedding pictures because I've got a cool project in store for them... It's almost been 4 weeks so I'm crossing my fingers that she lets me know they're done soon.
Works going well. Stress and pressure, but it sure makes it interesting. And I've got a great coach who is really helping me excel at what I'm doing, which is just going to make me better at my job. Aaron's doing concept art for a guy he used to work for, which is awesome because he's really excited about it and also because it means extra money coming in... right around the time when we need to get him a new car. Methinks we need to not put any more money into El Heapo if possible. So I'm conducting car searches now...
The hardest part about buying a car is getting Aaron to actually go... buy... the... car. He hates making big decisions like that and tends to hem and haw over it rather than just getting it done. But that's where I come in, I guess.
Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Actually, the Sunday after. I'm taking the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off and also Dec 17- Jan 2 to use up the rest of my PTO for the year. Yes, that's 18 days off in a row including the weekends. NICE. I intend to do some stuff around the house. I'm thinking about putting in a window seat in the bay window in our bedroom. One with storage, so that would be cool. I could build that.
I really want wedding pictures because I've got a cool project in store for them... It's almost been 4 weeks so I'm crossing my fingers that she lets me know they're done soon.
Thursday we got up and had lunch at the MGM Buffet, which was pretty good but it took them FOREVER to seat us. Then we went over to Bally's to pick up our Price is Right tickets from Will Call. Then we registered for the show and got nifty name tags, on which the handwriting was extremely authentic to what you see on people's nametags on the actual show.
Then we gambled on these 1 cent 50-hand poker machines that were destined to become our friends for the remainer of the evening.
Off to the Price is Right show, where we did not get called up to the stage at all (boo) but we did site next to a very nice couple (yay) who made the whole experience that much more entertaining. For some reason the guy was EXTREMELY amused by me yelling out products when people were asking the audience for help, particularly when I was yelling, over and over, at the top of my lungs "MILK OF MAGNESIA!!!"
We planned to meet up at the bar for shots of good old Milk o' Magnesia, but alas, it was not to be.
So then we went and bought tickets to the 8 pm Second City show and played more 50-hand poker until dinner time. I was a little tipsy and we went to Margaritaville for dinner (it was very tasty) and listened to Jimmy Buffett music and saw the volcano blow and ate. I ordered a double pina colada and every sip was like a straight shot of liquor. WHEW. Then we went to the comedy show (improv, pretty funny but not as good as the Comedy Stop in my opinion).
After the comedy show, we played a little more 50-hand poker before heading back to the room. We packed everything up to prepare for the trip home and got to bed way too late to get up as early as we did.
Friday morning we got up, caught our shuttle, sat in front of the gate at the B corral (MOO MOO SOUTHWEST PASSENGERS) and flew home. The flight how was decently uncrowded, because really, who goes to Tulsa?
And that was the end of the honeymoon!
By the way, if you want to see the rest of the pics from the honeymoon, just go here:
http://flickr.com/photos/amandazig/sets/7
Then we gambled on these 1 cent 50-hand poker machines that were destined to become our friends for the remainer of the evening.
Off to the Price is Right show, where we did not get called up to the stage at all (boo) but we did site next to a very nice couple (yay) who made the whole experience that much more entertaining. For some reason the guy was EXTREMELY amused by me yelling out products when people were asking the audience for help, particularly when I was yelling, over and over, at the top of my lungs "MILK OF MAGNESIA!!!"
We planned to meet up at the bar for shots of good old Milk o' Magnesia, but alas, it was not to be.
So then we went and bought tickets to the 8 pm Second City show and played more 50-hand poker until dinner time. I was a little tipsy and we went to Margaritaville for dinner (it was very tasty) and listened to Jimmy Buffett music and saw the volcano blow and ate. I ordered a double pina colada and every sip was like a straight shot of liquor. WHEW. Then we went to the comedy show (improv, pretty funny but not as good as the Comedy Stop in my opinion).
After the comedy show, we played a little more 50-hand poker before heading back to the room. We packed everything up to prepare for the trip home and got to bed way too late to get up as early as we did.
Friday morning we got up, caught our shuttle, sat in front of the gate at the B corral (MOO MOO SOUTHWEST PASSENGERS) and flew home. The flight how was decently uncrowded, because really, who goes to Tulsa?
And that was the end of the honeymoon!
By the way, if you want to see the rest of the pics from the honeymoon, just go here:
http://flickr.com/photos/amandazig/sets/7
Hi again!
We got up today a little later than normal this morning and went over to Planet Hollywood to eat lunch, did some shopping and saw the Comedy Pet Theater (the animals were cute, the humans screwed up more than the pets).
Afterwards, we came back to our hotel and made reservations for the late comedy show at the Tropicana. We then called the front desk to see how late the pool is open and they said 7... It was about 6 so we ran down to the gift shop and bought Aaron some Treasure Island swim trunks and walked the loooong loooong walk to the swimming pool only to... find it CLOSED.
I... Was... PISSED. I had officially had enough of the shitty service we've gotten at this hotel so I decided it was time to complain. I talked to a manager at the front desk and explained to him what had gone on and he gave me some excuses but I was still displeased. I said if the desk clerks could tell us what time the pool closes accurately, I wouldn't have to walk a mile on my already VERY TIRED feet in an attempt to soak them in the hot tub. So he upgraded us to a suite with a jacuzzi in the bathroom. Yayyyy. Quite happy now.
We changed rooms, ate dinner in the Rainforest Cafe and then went to the Comedy Stop and saw some good acts. I bought the headliners CD with $10 I won playing Wheel of Fortune before the show.
Pretty good day today. Tomorrow we're going to the Price if Right live show at Bally's. Wish me luck. I could win a BRAND.... NEW.... CAR!
We got up today a little later than normal this morning and went over to Planet Hollywood to eat lunch, did some shopping and saw the Comedy Pet Theater (the animals were cute, the humans screwed up more than the pets).
Afterwards, we came back to our hotel and made reservations for the late comedy show at the Tropicana. We then called the front desk to see how late the pool is open and they said 7... It was about 6 so we ran down to the gift shop and bought Aaron some Treasure Island swim trunks and walked the loooong loooong walk to the swimming pool only to... find it CLOSED.
I... Was... PISSED. I had officially had enough of the shitty service we've gotten at this hotel so I decided it was time to complain. I talked to a manager at the front desk and explained to him what had gone on and he gave me some excuses but I was still displeased. I said if the desk clerks could tell us what time the pool closes accurately, I wouldn't have to walk a mile on my already VERY TIRED feet in an attempt to soak them in the hot tub. So he upgraded us to a suite with a jacuzzi in the bathroom. Yayyyy. Quite happy now.
We changed rooms, ate dinner in the Rainforest Cafe and then went to the Comedy Stop and saw some good acts. I bought the headliners CD with $10 I won playing Wheel of Fortune before the show.
Pretty good day today. Tomorrow we're going to the Price if Right live show at Bally's. Wish me luck. I could win a BRAND.... NEW.... CAR!
So today was great. We got up, headed downstairs for some breakfast, then headed across the street to New York, New York and did some gambling and early-morning drinking (haha) then went to the ticket outlet and bought tickets to see Spamalot at the Wynn and tickets for tomorrow to see a Comedy Pet Theater (we're animal lovers, it fits!). We came back to the MGM and had lunch at Emeril's. The food was really, really good. I had a cold streak sandwich and Aaron had grilled mahi-mahi. Very tasty and great service.
After lunch, we went over to the Wynn to exchange vouchers for assigned seat tickets, and then headed to the Bellagio to sight-see and to have dinner at their buffet. Sadly, I think their buffet had been built up too much to me and Aaron, because we were both pretty disappointed in it, particularly for the cost. I think TI's buffet is better. But anyway, it was still good food, just not the AMAZING food we'd been hearing about.
After dinner we walked through Ceasar's palace and saw the "Fall of Atlantis" show and went to FAO Schwartz and played on the giant piano like in the movie "BIG". Then we walked all the way back to the Wynn and gambled a little and then got seated for Spamalot (after spending $22 on a strawberry daquiri in a souvenier plastic "grail" and a small popcorn, haha).
IT WAS GREAT!!! SOOOOO FUNNY. I think this is my favorite show I've seen in Vegas, at least tying with Penn and Teller. It was so much fun and so funny. Really glad we saw that!
Afterwards, we headed back here to the MGM and stopped at the Mickey D's in the food court for some late night munchies. Then our energy ran out and it's time for sleeeeeeeeeeep!
After lunch, we went over to the Wynn to exchange vouchers for assigned seat tickets, and then headed to the Bellagio to sight-see and to have dinner at their buffet. Sadly, I think their buffet had been built up too much to me and Aaron, because we were both pretty disappointed in it, particularly for the cost. I think TI's buffet is better. But anyway, it was still good food, just not the AMAZING food we'd been hearing about.
After dinner we walked through Ceasar's palace and saw the "Fall of Atlantis" show and went to FAO Schwartz and played on the giant piano like in the movie "BIG". Then we walked all the way back to the Wynn and gambled a little and then got seated for Spamalot (after spending $22 on a strawberry daquiri in a souvenier plastic "grail" and a small popcorn, haha).
IT WAS GREAT!!! SOOOOO FUNNY. I think this is my favorite show I've seen in Vegas, at least tying with Penn and Teller. It was so much fun and so funny. Really glad we saw that!
Afterwards, we headed back here to the MGM and stopped at the Mickey D's in the food court for some late night munchies. Then our energy ran out and it's time for sleeeeeeeeeeep!
Today we started our honeymoon!
Emily picked us up and brought breakfast and we headed to the airport. Our flight seemed short to me-- I had gotten "Knocked Up" on DVD for the flight but I didn't even finish the movie before we landed.
So I am very displeased with the MGM Grand. I had asked when we reserved for a room with a good view of the strip and specified that it was our honeymoon... So we checked in at the airport (they have a check-in/shuttle service there) and they said our room would be ready by 3 and they gave us a little card so that we could check on the status in the meantime. So we took the shuttle to the hotel and ate at Wolfgang Puck's (AWESOME! and the waitier brought us a chocolate souffle for dessert with "Congratulations" written on the plate in chocolate! Soooo good.) Then we called about the room at 2:50 and they said it would be another hour. We checked in at 3:45 and they said it would be another 30-45 minutes. They kept saying they called us when it was ready.
So we asked the concierge desk if they could help us find a discount ticket outlet, but they were too bust trying to book it FOR us at whatever fees and couldn't tell us what we found out later-- that there's a ticker outlet right next to M&M World RIGHT NEXT to the MGM. Blah.
Well, they never called about the room. We went to the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur (paying full-price for tix since concierge girl was no help to us) and sat in theRussia section ("Huzzah!"). By the time it was over at 7:45 or so, we still hadn't been called so we called them back and they said it was ready. Wooh. So we came up to the room and found that it was... not the view I'd wanted. Our window faces south, so while it technically is a strip view, it's of the ass-end of the strip, looking at mainly Mandalay Bay and Tropicana.
Then later we had to call the front desk because our room was too hot to sleep.
But anyway, I decided this isn't going to bother me, and I'm happy simply because I am on vacation! Wooooo Hoooo!
Emily picked us up and brought breakfast and we headed to the airport. Our flight seemed short to me-- I had gotten "Knocked Up" on DVD for the flight but I didn't even finish the movie before we landed.
So I am very displeased with the MGM Grand. I had asked when we reserved for a room with a good view of the strip and specified that it was our honeymoon... So we checked in at the airport (they have a check-in/shuttle service there) and they said our room would be ready by 3 and they gave us a little card so that we could check on the status in the meantime. So we took the shuttle to the hotel and ate at Wolfgang Puck's (AWESOME! and the waitier brought us a chocolate souffle for dessert with "Congratulations" written on the plate in chocolate! Soooo good.) Then we called about the room at 2:50 and they said it would be another hour. We checked in at 3:45 and they said it would be another 30-45 minutes. They kept saying they called us when it was ready.
So we asked the concierge desk if they could help us find a discount ticket outlet, but they were too bust trying to book it FOR us at whatever fees and couldn't tell us what we found out later-- that there's a ticker outlet right next to M&M World RIGHT NEXT to the MGM. Blah.
Well, they never called about the room. We went to the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur (paying full-price for tix since concierge girl was no help to us) and sat in theRussia section ("Huzzah!"). By the time it was over at 7:45 or so, we still hadn't been called so we called them back and they said it was ready. Wooh. So we came up to the room and found that it was... not the view I'd wanted. Our window faces south, so while it technically is a strip view, it's of the ass-end of the strip, looking at mainly Mandalay Bay and Tropicana.
Then later we had to call the front desk because our room was too hot to sleep.
But anyway, I decided this isn't going to bother me, and I'm happy simply because I am on vacation! Wooooo Hoooo!
So... I'm married!
The wedding went wonderfully, if you don't count all the stuff that went wrong BEFORE the wedding. Like Al's Formarwear sending us 4/7 tuxes with noticeable holes, stains and snags. And Intrgrity Party rentals trying to deliver our champagne glasses and napkins to my house for some reason. And me rear-ending someone on the way to the nail appointment (the damage isn't that bad but it's not a pretty new-looking car anymore. And the hotel room for the bachelorette party not being available because it flooded (we got an upgrade). There's more stuff that went wrong, but I don't wanna think about that because...
The wedding... was wonderful. It was everything I could have wanted and just perfectly what I imagined. The decorations were perfect, the food was delicious, and party was a blast! I didn't make it 3 feet down the aisle before I started crying and I cried during the ceremony pretty much the whole time because I was so, so happy. I can't wait to see pictures, videos, ANYTHING because I really have no idea how I looked, haha. And I want to relive the whole thing all over again!
The wedding went wonderfully, if you don't count all the stuff that went wrong BEFORE the wedding. Like Al's Formarwear sending us 4/7 tuxes with noticeable holes, stains and snags. And Intrgrity Party rentals trying to deliver our champagne glasses and napkins to my house for some reason. And me rear-ending someone on the way to the nail appointment (the damage isn't that bad but it's not a pretty new-looking car anymore. And the hotel room for the bachelorette party not being available because it flooded (we got an upgrade). There's more stuff that went wrong, but I don't wanna think about that because...
The wedding... was wonderful. It was everything I could have wanted and just perfectly what I imagined. The decorations were perfect, the food was delicious, and party was a blast! I didn't make it 3 feet down the aisle before I started crying and I cried during the ceremony pretty much the whole time because I was so, so happy. I can't wait to see pictures, videos, ANYTHING because I really have no idea how I looked, haha. And I want to relive the whole thing all over again!
I guess this is bad karma for me complaining about that couple bringing their kid:
We invited all of Aaron's dad's aunts and uncles to the wedding. One couple called his mom last night to RSVP (late, but whatever).
The two of them were invited. "Mr. and Mrs. Guest"
They RSVP'd that there would be NINE of them coming.
They not only are bringing their (ADULT) children, but also tTHOSE children's spouses AND THEIR KIDS, TOO.
I don't even have the capacity of imagination to try to understand that kind of audacity when the invitation was address to TWO PEOPLE.
Aaron's mom said she didn't know what to say to the woman, not that I can blame her at all... that kind of thing would take anyone by surprise. And it's not like we don't have the space or anything, but I tried really hard to keep this in the budget his parents gave us. And I can't control that kind of thing, or her not telling them NO. Now she's worried about other people's family members that weren't invited and may feel shafted by seeing this HUGE family there when in most other cases we only invited couples. I told Aaron's mom to just blame me-- tell them I'm a horrible person and only invited half of the people on her list or something. Doubt we will see these people again anytime soon, so if I have to look like a bitch to keep her from freaking out about it, oh well.
We invited all of Aaron's dad's aunts and uncles to the wedding. One couple called his mom last night to RSVP (late, but whatever).
The two of them were invited. "Mr. and Mrs. Guest"
They RSVP'd that there would be NINE of them coming.
They not only are bringing their (ADULT) children, but also tTHOSE children's spouses AND THEIR KIDS, TOO.
I don't even have the capacity of imagination to try to understand that kind of audacity when the invitation was address to TWO PEOPLE.
Aaron's mom said she didn't know what to say to the woman, not that I can blame her at all... that kind of thing would take anyone by surprise. And it's not like we don't have the space or anything, but I tried really hard to keep this in the budget his parents gave us. And I can't control that kind of thing, or her not telling them NO. Now she's worried about other people's family members that weren't invited and may feel shafted by seeing this HUGE family there when in most other cases we only invited couples. I told Aaron's mom to just blame me-- tell them I'm a horrible person and only invited half of the people on her list or something. Doubt we will see these people again anytime soon, so if I have to look like a bitch to keep her from freaking out about it, oh well.
So, it occurs to me that most people I know don't have a clue what I do for a living. The short story: I'm in marketing.
I'm generally not terribly wary about talking about my job in a public forum, despite the fact that my domain is my name with a ".com" at the end and everything I publish online is extremely easy to find. Mainly I don't worry because I really like my job and love the people I work with and don't have anything negative to say about the company.
So, to shed some light on that area of my life... If you are interested in what I do for a living, here's two things you can check out:
The WorldTelemetry Corporate Blog
Our latest marketing piece (I call it the WTI Manifesto, but I guess that has sort of a UnaBomber connotation. Anyway, just finished writing / making it pretty yesterday. I'm really proud of the content of this one, but if you don't understand the industry I'm in-- software for wet-stock/fuel management-- it will probably not be very interesting to you.)
I'm generally not terribly wary about talking about my job in a public forum, despite the fact that my domain is my name with a ".com" at the end and everything I publish online is extremely easy to find. Mainly I don't worry because I really like my job and love the people I work with and don't have anything negative to say about the company.
So, to shed some light on that area of my life... If you are interested in what I do for a living, here's two things you can check out:
The WorldTelemetry Corporate Blog
Our latest marketing piece (I call it the WTI Manifesto, but I guess that has sort of a UnaBomber connotation. Anyway, just finished writing / making it pretty yesterday. I'm really proud of the content of this one, but if you don't understand the industry I'm in-- software for wet-stock/fuel management-- it will probably not be very interesting to you.)
So this might come across as a tiiiiny bit crazy, but I just looked at the 15-day forecast on accuweather which, as of now, goes up to October 11th...
They're calling for a big drop in temperatures a week from Monday (like a high of 67) and then 60s and 70s in the following days, all sun and no rain!
So YAYYYYY!!! Looks like we should have very nice weather for the 13th!
P.S. My florist has officially annoyed me. She was supposed to send me the details of my package and the cost like WAYYYYYY back when I put my deposit down (months and months ago) and I probably should have noticed when she asked for my address and I said "email address?" and she like, hesitated before she said that would work. So needless to say, she never sent anything. So I called her earlier this week to ask her to send that stuff (I need to know what the balance on the account is because it is due soon). She called me back a day later and... asked for a mailing address. Jesus H. So that info should be coming in the mail shortly, but i have it on my calendar as due tomorrow. ARGH.
They're calling for a big drop in temperatures a week from Monday (like a high of 67) and then 60s and 70s in the following days, all sun and no rain!
So YAYYYYY!!! Looks like we should have very nice weather for the 13th!
P.S. My florist has officially annoyed me. She was supposed to send me the details of my package and the cost like WAYYYYYY back when I put my deposit down (months and months ago) and I probably should have noticed when she asked for my address and I said "email address?" and she like, hesitated before she said that would work. So needless to say, she never sent anything. So I called her earlier this week to ask her to send that stuff (I need to know what the balance on the account is because it is due soon). She called me back a day later and... asked for a mailing address. Jesus H. So that info should be coming in the mail shortly, but i have it on my calendar as due tomorrow. ARGH.
So it's almost the weekend... After this weekend there's only two more before the wedding. Just 21 more days!
Things I haven't done yet due to laziness:
There's like 5 houses in our neighborhood that have fall / Halloween decorations up already. Ours are so going up this weekend!!!
Things I haven't done yet due to laziness:
- I haven't put tiny pictures of us into little frames to use as favors. Aaron's mom had lots of these little silver frames left over, I just haven't bothered with them yet. Was thinking about not doing it because I remember that A LOT of them didn't get taken at Erica's wedding and also because I've got the little bells with the cute messages and the boxes with candy in them (40 of each), so that's 80 favors, do we really need a bunch more? (For 80-90 guests?)
- I haven't called/met with the caterer again to confirm everything.
- I haven't talked to the florist to confirm everything since I put down the deposit .
- I haven't confirmed that the sound tech lady for the ceremony even received my email that I sent weeks ago...
- We haven't ordered Aaron's groom's cake yet-- Not my laziness, rather mainly because he hasn't decided what he wants on it. Oy.
- We haven't done the "counselling" thingie from our minister to get the discount on our wedding license.
- I haven't ripped all the music that needs to be done for our playlist.
- I haven't fixed our photo slideshow (If I'm even going to change these tiny things that bother me-- I accidentally put one photo in twice and there's one of me as a kid looking all pissed off, I can't decide if it is funny or just sad). Nor have I burned the video onto a DVD yet.
- I haven't asked people to call people who haven't RSVP'd yet (but the card DID say Sept 30th I think, so they 've got a bit more time before I send in the goons...)
- I haven't reserved and hotel for the wedding night yet... Since we aren't leaving for Vegas until Monday, I'd like to at least stay in a hotel room and not just go home and go to bed after the wedding, haha.
There's like 5 houses in our neighborhood that have fall / Halloween decorations up already. Ours are so going up this weekend!!!
So...
Aaron and I don't go ga-ga over kids. We're not having children as flower girls or ring bearers because I'm afraid of how they'll act (because I've seen how kids in weddings act sometimes.) The only kids I invited to our wedding are kids that Aaron and I both know and see on a regular basis.
On anyone else's intivation, I put "Mr. and Mrs. Whatever". I think that basically sends the message that the invitation is to... Mr. and Mrs. Whatever... don't you?
Today I got my first RSVP back that was sent to two people, and somehow "total attending" is listed as 3. HMMM.
No matter how much people warned me that this was going to happen, I'm still shocked at the audacity. WOW. There's one person that we can't invite now because this couple just DECIDED they were bringing their kid. In spite of the kid, you know... not being invited and all. Makes me want to call these people and ask them just who the third person is, because we only INVITED two. But that would be A) rude and B) insane because I don't even know these people, they are related to Aaron somehow.
Whatever, at least they gave me warning, I guess. But if some kid acts like a brat and somehow wrecks my ceremony that we didn't even invite, I'm going to be PISSED.
Aaron and I don't go ga-ga over kids. We're not having children as flower girls or ring bearers because I'm afraid of how they'll act (because I've seen how kids in weddings act sometimes.) The only kids I invited to our wedding are kids that Aaron and I both know and see on a regular basis.
On anyone else's intivation, I put "Mr. and Mrs. Whatever". I think that basically sends the message that the invitation is to... Mr. and Mrs. Whatever... don't you?
Today I got my first RSVP back that was sent to two people, and somehow "total attending" is listed as 3. HMMM.
No matter how much people warned me that this was going to happen, I'm still shocked at the audacity. WOW. There's one person that we can't invite now because this couple just DECIDED they were bringing their kid. In spite of the kid, you know... not being invited and all. Makes me want to call these people and ask them just who the third person is, because we only INVITED two. But that would be A) rude and B) insane because I don't even know these people, they are related to Aaron somehow.
Whatever, at least they gave me warning, I guess. But if some kid acts like a brat and somehow wrecks my ceremony that we didn't even invite, I'm going to be PISSED.
So, I hate to even mention Britney Spears this week and become one of the MANY, but I have to ask:
I'm not a fan or anything, but sreiously, why are people saying she looked fat at the VMAs?
THIS:
.... is fat?
She looks fine! Normal. Healthy. Curvaceous and sexy. Not heavy. Or plump. And certainly not FAT. What is the world coming to, anyway?
ANYWAY.
So UHHHH I'm getting married a month from today!!! Saturday is the wedding shower, yay! Everything feels like it's pretty much taken care of. The other night I bought my jewelery for the wedding and also called ULTA to make the hair appointments for me and my bridesmaids. Just little details here and there coming together!
We found out Zio's was already booked for the night we were going to have the rehearsal dinner there. So we've settled on the East China Buffet across the street from the wedding place. I was a little disappointed... It's a buffet... but at least it is nice inside and they have a pretty banquet room that we reserved. And actually, I really like their food. It's the best chinese buffet I know of. And with anywhere from 20 to 30 people attending, it's definitely a more affordable option. So I'm happy with that.
The weather here has been beautiful this week. I am so excited that fall is pretty much here. Aaron's already knee-deep in Halloween insanity.
Oh and we figured out our honeymoon stuff! We're flying Southwest and staying at the MGM Grand! This is what our room will look like: http://www.mgmgrand.com/accommodations/g
I'm so exicted. Can you tell?
I'm not a fan or anything, but sreiously, why are people saying she looked fat at the VMAs?
THIS:
.... is fat?
She looks fine! Normal. Healthy. Curvaceous and sexy. Not heavy. Or plump. And certainly not FAT. What is the world coming to, anyway?
ANYWAY.
So UHHHH I'm getting married a month from today!!! Saturday is the wedding shower, yay! Everything feels like it's pretty much taken care of. The other night I bought my jewelery for the wedding and also called ULTA to make the hair appointments for me and my bridesmaids. Just little details here and there coming together!
We found out Zio's was already booked for the night we were going to have the rehearsal dinner there. So we've settled on the East China Buffet across the street from the wedding place. I was a little disappointed... It's a buffet... but at least it is nice inside and they have a pretty banquet room that we reserved. And actually, I really like their food. It's the best chinese buffet I know of. And with anywhere from 20 to 30 people attending, it's definitely a more affordable option. So I'm happy with that.
The weather here has been beautiful this week. I am so excited that fall is pretty much here. Aaron's already knee-deep in Halloween insanity.
Oh and we figured out our honeymoon stuff! We're flying Southwest and staying at the MGM Grand! This is what our room will look like: http://www.mgmgrand.com/accommodations/g
I'm so exicted. Can you tell?
So, hi again. Quick wedding update and then some pictures.
- Got the leaf garlands.
- Got the "tossing" leaves, which I've also found another use for that should be quite cute.
- Printed and mailed invitation, so far one came back cuz I sent it to the wrong address. Already got 4 RSVPs!
- Went to the wedding hall and set everything up the way it will look on the day. I got so excited cuz I think it will be really lovely. Decided we don't need to rent candelabras, as they already have a pair that are actually much better-looking than the rental ones.
- Figured out the tables (we're going to have 3 reserved tables: 1 table of 8 for parents and grandparents(there are exactly 8) and 2 tables of 8 for the wedding party and their spouses. (This is, amazingly, exactly 16 people). Everything else will be open seating so people can sit where they wish.
- Checked out their music set-up and it appears that I can hook up a laptop to the stereo system so I don't have to mess with ipod business. Going to practice at least once to make sure this works.
- Decided to show the photo slide show prior to the ceremony, which the people that would miss it will see the night before at the rehearsal dinner.
- Borrowed, scanned and created slideshow of childhood photos that I think is really sweet. It made me tear up even though I made the damn thing.
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amandazig- Amanda Ridgley (Ziegler)
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