Poppy Cedes

This is try 2 of the panda post. I have no idea why it doesn’t feel like showing up on my blog, only in my feed.

A weekend away for the girls to play from Poppy Cede on Vimeo.

It’s 17 minutes and 26 seconds of me talking. If you wanna skip it, probably the photos kinda tell a bit of the story too. :) B is Bdogg, in case you needed the reminder.

A weekend away for the girls to play from Poppy Cede on Vimeo.

It’s 17 minutes and 26 seconds of me talking. If you wanna skip it, probably the photos kinda tell a bit of the story too. :) B is Bdogg, in case you needed the reminder.

On Tuesday night I rode the E train with B and her DH to 25 Hudson Street and went underground to Ninja New York. Dawg joined us about 20 minutes later and we had a 4-hour ninja experience.

It was lady’s night so B and I got free champagne. B also ordered a sake tasting. DH had gin and tonics. Dawg, B, and I had Ninja Pepsi. Everyone had Ninja Tapwater.

And then… the food.

B’s 5-course meal:

Dawg’s 5-course meal:

My 5-course meal:

DH’s defiant 2-course meal:

Everything was delicious. It was my first time trying roe, and Dawg’s first time with sushi!

Highlights of the evening included: Lots of components of the meal being intentionally set on fire by the ninjas. B eating the carrot out of DH’s miso soup AFTER the ninja had warned us if he didn’t save his carrot he would be kept in the kitchen and carved into steaks. B having to make up for this error by effectively karate chopping her kirikabu with her bare hand before she even got a photo of it. B’s ninja star dessert arriving as an actual ninja throwing star instead of chocolate dessert, then ninja magic turning it into a chocolate dessert. Dawg’s rose mist dessert being activated (dry ice!). Seeing flashes of fire from other tables and hearing screams when people got scared by the ninjas. A (ok, I know how to say this in Chinese, not Japanese) baipeng/”whitey” ninja showing up to our table to do magic tricks for us. B and DH refusing to let us pay and paying for us, despite the fact that we had no way of driving them back home because Dawg had his work truck that has no back seat room. And the best highlight to everyone but me: Toilets that cleaned you “front to back” then dried you too. (I chose not to use those features, they freaked me out.)

UNFORTUNATELY Dawg’s camera had died earlier in the day during another event, and I had prepared my camera to put in my bag that morning before work then promptly forgot it on top of the couch. So, the only photos of this event are in B’s possession and I’m pretty sure she’s not putting any up until next week at the earliest. When/if she puts up photos I will point you in their direction.

Suffice it to say, despite DH coming down with the flu during dinner ( ), we all still had a fantastic time together. We were all supposed to spend Christmas Eve together too, but that’s a story for another post, and in retrospect at least we had ninja holiday together.

Dawg came to visit me Thursday night even though he never actually admitted he was coming to see me. (I love surprises, which I’m guessing is why he did that. He kept trying to tell me he was having conversations with Squishy Dawg even though I heard car and road sounds… mmmmhmm.)

We went to sleep after a little conversation of our own.

I woke up and it was my birthday.

I dragged Dawg to lunch at my favorite Chinese restaurant.

I dragged Dawg to the waterfront to walk around and then drink beverages to rehydrate us.

I dragged Dawg to the tallest free-standing filing cabinet art in the entire world.

I dragged Dawg to my storage unit to show him all the stuff I’ll eventually be bringing with me. (He did not freak out. He’s weird.)

I dragged Dawg to the Lake Champlain Chocolates factory to make him buy me chocolates. (heeheeheeehheeenheheeeeeheeee num)

I kindly brought him home where boxes were waiting outside my door.

Dawg dragged the presents inside.

I opened the presents.

I love my presents. … Oh, hmm, you wanted to know what they ARE? Think Keurig. I’ve wanted one of those damn things for years. Dawg had no idea, and yet he got me one anyway. He reads my mind. He also got me extra coffee singles and a book of coffee recipes and the movie This is Spinal Tap.

I primed my Keurig then we had a coffee.

My mom called to wish me a happy birthday. Apparently I forgot to mention to her that I haven’t moved yet. Oopsie.

Dawg and I had a conversation with Squishy Dawg.

Dawg and I went to see a pencil disappear. I liked that trick very much. I liked Heath Ledger’s character waaaaaaay too much, and am starting to wonder if I am a psychopath. We had popcorn, 44 oz sodas (we each had one), and candy.

I checked my voicemail after the movie and heard my stepdad singing to me. bleep.

Dawg and I discussed the movie on the way home and it has now been confirmed for the millionth time that Dawg leads a very exciting life.

We got home to find the cats had not cleaned up after my tornadoing of the apartment with the gift wrap and boxes and packing materials.

I couldn’t stand the fuzz on my teeth from all the candy so I brushed my teeth.

I wrote this recap.

Here we are.

Thanks to all who emailed me, sent me cards, wrote on my Facebook wall, and made posts about me. Also, thanks to some guy who sent me dinosaur forks and spoons.

Um, in case anyone left on the planet didn’t know, my birthday was today. I’m 21, for the 14th year in a row. (Use your fingers to count and you’ll realize that’s correct.)

B sent me more chocolate!

I wonder if it will be tastier than last time…

Also, for stalking Karl I finally won a prize! An Introverts Unite magnet! Dawg will be very happy to have another magnet for the fridge… (Avi, could you please make a magnet so we don’t have to keep wearing you on our chest? [TWKS! hehehehehehe]) I even did a happy dance for winning the magnet, because, you know, that’s how I roll.

B sent me a gift through the magical door.

Soooooooo, I made 1 big long video and chopped it up into 10 parts but my computer crashed and I lost parts 4-7. I thought I had part 4 which was this really great part of me explaining the homeless guy who sat next to Avi at Iron Man and then at the end of that segment of the video I get a phone call from Dawg but that segment didn’t make it off the computer as I thought it had.

So, part 4 is simply gone.

Parts 5-7 I was able to play on the computer so I used my digital camera to film them. They kept freezing so I have to actually take the time to edit them. Pain in my ass because I’m really busy and don’t have the time to do that, so it’ll be a while before you actually get to hear anything at all about TequilaCon itself, but… honestly, that’s what everyone else recapped so instead you get the bits around TC! And maybe later when I have the time I can share the actual TC event with you.

Here are the parts after TequilaCon: [Part 8] | [Part 9] | [Part 10]

Totally unrelated, B sent this to me because she me:

So, you know how I like to do memes but I like to change them up because rules and I don’t actually get along so well? (How I am not in prison for eternity is beyond me, honestly.)

I’m stealing Tug’s meme, except I’m also stealing her answers and then just commenting about them, but on my blog in a post instead of in her comments where comments belong. Yup. So, without the furtherness of ado…

Tug: I totally think men on motorcycles are HOT, but will never.ever sit my ass on one again as long as I live. (the motorcycle, not necessarily the man) ;-)

Poppy: I was offered to ride a motorcycle when I was seven. I was terrified of the idea so I declined. Also, when I told my brother I am dating a man from NYC my brother asked me if he was a biker (as in, Harley). Because, ya know, all guys from The City are bikers! (hehehehehehehehe)

Tug: I don’t believe my mom when she tells me she’s proud of me, but I do believe my dad. I hope my daughter believes me when I tell her.

Poppy: I am the opposite. My dad rarely praises me, but when he does I don’t feel sincerity behind it. When my mom praises me it’s usually with that choked up voice I get when I’m really proud of someone, so I know she means it.

Tug: While I’m very confident and well-spoken with anyone – no matter their position in life – each & every day – I still have to really talk to myself & convince myself not to cry or scream when I’m REALLY mad – because if I’ve gotten that mad? I’ve held it in, and that’s not good.

Poppy: I actually used to have this problem, but back before blogging. I blogging, it’s really helped even out my moods because I don’t have to keep everything pent up. I know that I could just talk things out (as in, omg, verbally!!!!), but I have a very hard time not just completely clamming up when things are bothering me. I’m an internalizer.

Tug: One of the best times my daughter & I have had was a trip from Vegas to MT in a car that crawled up hills (think semis & motor homes passing you & stopping every 100 miles or so to add oil), but flew down them! We totally bonded (her jr. high years), and just had a blast doing what we wanted, stopping where we wanted, and cranking the tunes, singing along, and laughing.

Poppy: I submit exhibits A, B, C, and D.

A: Bdogg

B: Dawg

C: Mom

D: Big Brother

Tug: I have never in my life been anorexic, but I can look at a woman with my body type & think she looks good – but I don’t think I do. In the same breath I can say I’m lucky to have 1 or 2 good hair days a year, and I don’t really care. This is me, take it or leave it. ;-)

Poppy: I’ve been bulimic and anorexic. I was much more successful with the bulimia part since I love to eat so much. I’m still bad about food, but it’s not because I have control issues. I’m just lazy about incorporating healthy eating into my life. Send me on vacation and I eat breakfast, lunch, and steak dinner. Otherwise I kinda just suck at squaring away those meals. I think women with my body type are beautiful and, not to be conceited or anything, I think I’m beautiful. It took me a long time in life to think that, but I’m there.

Tug: I’m quite the cunning commentor, but a pretty pathetic poster in the blog world, but I’m glad I’m here (and again, take it or leave it) – I’ve ‘met’ some pretty awesome people!

Poppy: Tug is not a pathetic poster. That’s just redonk. However, I totally agree that I’ve met some pretty awesome people in the blog world! (If I said I hadn’t then my best friend and my boyfriend would probably be kinda pissed at me, maybe a little. )

Thanks, Tugbug. That was fun!

I finally got the award I was slightly jealous of never receiving but didn’t want to call attention to, and then I got it again a day later!

Life is funny.

DutchBitch gave me the award yesterday, then Dawg gave it to me today when he should have been sleeping even though he knew I already got it cuz he’s sneaky like that.

Rules:

1. Identify the originator of this award, and link so she can get her well-deserved traffic. It’s Kayla at Project Mommy.
2. Pass on at least 10 Excellent Blog Awards.

I award the following blogs with E for Excellence:

Ocean of Reality
1 step beyond
Rude Cactus
Midnight Therapy with Crystal
BelchSpeak
Potatoes in the Mist
Jumping on the Bandwagon
Anonymous Coworker (you fucking slacker [just kidding!])
sourpuss
Maman des Filles
stefanie says
Amanda in Real Life
A Slice of Geek
Tense Teacher
The blog of whall
ButteryPopcorn.net (I know I write there, but Dawg does all the hard work. )

Ok, I’m done.

Have a great Friday, dammit! And… fuck it?

I just spent ALL of Saturday writing the Poppy awards post. I am so drained, and I’m not even done yet. Luckily I have this meme I filled out on Friday when I was being completely non-verbal on the blog. I’m just feeling like I need to be prompted to say anything, so memes and quizzes it is.

1. What curse word do you use the most?
“Fuck” and its variations. (I’m particularly fond of muttering “fucking fucker fuck” when I’m completely alone.)

2. Do you own an iPod?
Yes, which I bought myself for my 30th birthday even though it was supposedly given to me.

3. Who on your MySpace “Top 8” do you talk to the most?
I don’t even know who’s part of my top 8.

4. What time is your alarm clock set for?
6:45am but lately Georgie’s been waking me up at 5:30am with her icy “FEED ME, WOMAN!!” stare.

5. What color is your room?
Light blue

6. Flip flops or sneakers?
Out of those two choices it’ll be sneakers with inserts, thanks. No inserts, my back flares up.

7. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
Both.

8. What was the last movie you watched?
Kill Bill Volume 1 and Kill Bill Volume 2 double header!

9. Do any of your friends have children?
All my local friends have children.

10. Has anyone ever called you lazy?
My uncle did once, and it resulted in me and my mom moving out of the house he and my grandmother own and into a hotel for a few weeks while Mom secured an apartment. My uncle doesn’t think I’m lazy now, he thinks I’m awesome. (Likewise, Uncle.)

11. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?
I occasionally take Advil PM which I keep calling Tylenol PM, but I take Tylenol arthritis strength for my back and leg flare-ups so taking MORE Tylenol for bedtime is a bad idea. I wake up groggy and ornery when I take sleep meds, so I try not to.

12. What CD is currently in your CD player?
Solid Gold Hits ~ Beastie Boys

13. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
Ice-cold skim milk on the rocks (“extra cold,” I suppose).

14. Has anyone told you a secret this week?
Probably. I’m a vault, so people do that.

15. Have you ever given someone a hickey?
I have, although I much prefer to receive.

16. Who was the last person to call you?
FFiB

17. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
I’m guessing they do.

18. Did you watch cartoons as a child?
Yes, although I preferred the cerebral ones like “Tom & Jerry” and “Dungeons & Dragons” and ZOMG!!!`!!!~1!!@~ “VOLTRON”!!!

19. How many siblings do you have?
Hmm. You ask my brother, I have just the one. You ask my sister, I have two. You ask B or Sour, I have four.

20. Are you shy around the opposite sex?
I am randomly shy around people, so yes.

21. What movie do you know every line to?
… … … How about Clockwatchers or Office Space? Yup.

22. Do you own any band t-shirts?
Yes. My favorite is my 1993 Spin Doctors tour t-shirt from a very famous town a few exits away.

23. What is your favorite salad dressing?
Blue cheese and Caesar tie for top. Depends if I want creamy or not.

24. Do you read for fun?
Yes.

25. Do you cry a lot?
I used to cry a lot a lot because I was really unhappy all the time. Now, not so much. Although, I did cry twice this past week for the first time since December. Both times this week were because I missed someone, but not the same person.

26. Who was the last person to text message you?
FFiB (um, surprise…)

27. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
Laptop

28. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoo?
NO to piercings (I have a funny story about getting my ears pierced, which explains my aversion. oh, and…NEEDLES). I’m not actively wanting a tattoo, but the idea shoots through my mind randomly. I think I’m going through a bad girl phase.

29. What is the weather like?
IT’S FUCKING COLD.

30. Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos?
Yes.

31. Is sex before marriage wrong?
No. And sex during marriage isn’t wrong either.

32. When was the last time you slept on the floor?
Hmm. I have no idea.

33. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
8. Ok, ok… 7. But I can do 3. But I prefer 10.

34. Are you in love or lust?
Yes.

35. Are your days full and fast-paced?
My mind instantly jumped to work, and my work answer is that it depends if there is a security incident to handle.

36. Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?
Well, I look at them and think, “wow, that’s a lot of calories” or “wow, that’s not many calories” then I shove the food in my mouth anyway.

37. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
34

38. Are you picky about spelling and grammar?
I am much more laid back about it than I used to be. That said, I have to proof my own blog entries about 12 times — before, during, and after they’re published.

39. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Asked and answered. But I absolutely love going to amusement parks so I hope there are many more in my future (hint hint hint hint HINT, hi, hint).

40. Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?
Depends, but generally guys and I get along much better. I’m not very girlie.

41. Do you like cottage cheese?
I cottage cheese! Thanks, Gram, for making me eat it as a kid.

42. Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?
Sides, although my best sleep is when I am so tired that I can fall asleep on my back or stomach.

43. Have you ever bid for something on eBay?
Yes? I’ve definitely bought on eBay.

44. Do you enjoy giving hugs?
Yes, and I give really good hugs, as a few of you know.

45. What song did you last sing out loud?
Sabotage by Beasties.

46. What is your favorite TV show?
“10 Items or Less” and “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Gauntlet III” tie for first because I have them both through iTunes and I’m not done watching them.

47. Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with?
I’m absolutely certain this is a trick question. I suck at this question. … Matt Damon? Since, ya know, I am fucking him.

48. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
The very late evening of February 14.

49. What one thing do you wish you had?
FFiB (He’s not here right now, please leave a message. *beep*)

50. Favorite lyrics?
You know my answer would be arbitrary anyway so I’ll just be cute and say “it’s classified!” and not give one.

No good? Ok, ok, how about Don’t Let’s Start by the Johns:

You know I want you (yes, you!) to do this meme, but I don’t like pressuring people into doing things. So… yah.