Brownie points for the hubby

On one of our nightly walks with Chino, Nick and I were discussing social media, namely Twitter.  Originally I signed up for a Twitter account to try to understand the ins and outs, tweets, retweets and follows.  We have clients who are dipping their toes into social media, so I figured that I should at least be able to have an intelligent conversation about the subject, and to do that I needed to gain somewhat of an understanding.

So I told Nick that he should follow me on Twitter, since 140-something other people think I'm interesting.  Without skipping a beat he says in a somewhat sarcastic tone, "I don't need to follow you on Twitter, I follow you with my heart."

And he says that he's not quick witted?  I beg to differ.

Hello and Goodbye

Ironically, our last stop before leaving Vegas for the weekend was the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.  This officially concluded my list of things that I REALLY wanted to see while we were there.  Actually, I had seen it on our way to our hotel on the first night, but didn't want to stop and take the photo.  We missed the sunrise by a few minutes, but managed to arrive at the same time as an amateur photographer, so we ended up with a great picture...as great as can be expected anyway at 6am...of the two of us next to the sign. 

I puked in a dumpster, don't judge me

For our last full day in Vegas, I had a full agenda planned.  I was looking forward to getting up, grabbing lunch and then hitting the town - starting with the pawn shop, featured on the History Channel show, Pawn Stars.  Notice the past tense that I used above.  I HAD a full day planned, I WAS looking forward, etc.  Unfortunately, I woke up on Saturday with a killer hangover, due to an over consumption of margaritas the previous night (approximately 4.5 ft of 'rita to be more precise).

So needless to say, my Saturday didn't start off on the right foot.  I overslept, waking up to Nick watching TV.  He said he was STARVING and had been up for a couple of hours, but was afraid to wake me up because of the inevitable hangover due to the previous night's activities.  I woke up feeling loopy, but functional, and proceeded to shower and get dressed.  Better late than never, right?  So I thought.

We headed downstairs to grab a bite to eat from an overpriced burger joint in the hotel.  Grease was just what the Dr. ordered.  I still felt and looked crappy, but was able to eat, which is more than I can usually do when I'm hungover.  I was feeling positive that I'd kick this hangover in no time.  I was eating, eating is good.

Once we were on our way, it was apparent that this hangover was going to hang on a little longer than I had originally anticipated.  The farther we went down Las Vegas Blvd., the more car sick that I felt.  Add a couple of wrong turns and u-turns and I was feeling downright green.  When it comes to touring and sightseeing, I'm a trooper.  I'd rather vomit in an alley than miss something (true story for another time).  We finally arrived and I reclined the front seat in order to collect my bearings and settle my stomach.  Nick sat patiently with me, glad that it was me and not him, since if it was him, we'd still be in the hotel room.  After a few deep breaths, I felt confident that the nausea had passed, so I got up and went to join the other fans in line to visit the pawn shop.  Side note:  How funny is it that there was a line to get into a pawn shop? 

I was in line less than 5 minutes and the nausea returned.  I didn't want to ruin everyone else's experience, so I looked frantically for somewhere to eject the cheeseburger, etc. from my still-recovering system.  The first spot I found was this dumpster, located directly behind the shop:

As the feeling continued to overwhelm me, I walked BRISKLY through the parking lot and just made it to the green dumpster as my overpriced cheeseburger and cheese steaks made their escape.  Me, being me, I also scoped out what was in the trash while I was there.  Unfortunately, nothing interesting, incriminating or sell-able on eBay.  While this is going on, Nick is holding our spot in line and also keeping his eye on me since I'm holding both my purse and our good camera in the back alley of a seedy part of a kind of a seedy town.  Seedy as in the shopping carts at the local Walgreens lock their wheels if taken too far off the premises.  That kind of seedy.

After blowing lunch (a DAMN EXPENSIVE LUNCH),  I headed back to line and didn't even think about everyone who had just watched that spectacle unfold.  I felt TONS better as we stood behind the velvet rope (not kidding, there was one) and waited for our turn to enter the shop.

So, overall, it was just a pawn shop.  I'm not surprised that it looks better on TV than in real life.  Nick and I went in, took a lap, checked out some of the high dollar items and left.  I did, however buy a t-shirt for my sister, who is a huge fan of the show.  So much so that she told me to go find a Vegas flea market or antique store, buy something and then try to pawn it.  Didn't happen - I tried to talk Nick into purchasing a wagon wheel for this purpose, but he refused.  My argument was that it was an antique.  He had no argument other than the word "no".  So, after our VERY quick lap around the store, we decided to leave.  I needed to lay down and Nick needed to go bet on some sports.  As we were walking outside, who do we see?  CHUMLEE!!!!!!

He had come out of the store and was attempting to get to his car, when people started asking him for photos.  He was super nice and very graciously obliged all of us crazy fans who were standing in line and milling about the shop.  I had the presence of mind to hurry up and grab my sister's shirt and include it in the picture, making me look even more like a crazed tourist.  I'm kind of proud of this picture because I do not look like I puked in the dumpster (or that I was trying to read his trash), or that I was about to puke out the window of a moving vehicle (PPT) on Las Vegas Blvd., OR that I was going to vomit in a parking garage.  Just sayin'.

A Griswold-esque adventure

For our 2nd day in Vegas, Nick and I decided to head out in the PPT (Periwinkle PT Cruiser) in search of the Grand Canyon.  We had done some research and figured out that the trip should be about 2 1/2 hours each way, which was surprisingly closer than what we had originally assumed it would be.  An added bonus to the excursion was that the road to AZ would take us over the Hoover Dam and would allow Nick to marvel at the new bridge being built as a bypass to the road over the Hoover Dam.  I was snapping pictures out the window, while Nick alternated driving and gawking at the towering structures.

*This picture doesn't do it justice*

After we crossed the dam, into AZ, it was just open road on our way to the Grand Canyon.  We found a fun radio station and sang along to some classic alternative songs - think Bloodhound Gang.  I was on the look-out for desert wildlife and Nick was focused on the road and purposely mispronouncing various landmarks (Mo-Jav-E).  Our GPS showed that we weren't anywhere that existed, which added to the fun!  Thank goodness we had our trusty print-out from the Grand Canyon Skywalk website to direct us to our final destination, using mile markers and street names.

Our first stop was the Sky Walk, where we took some shots of the canyon before walking over to the visitors center.  There, we checked the camera in a locker (no personal belongings allowed), put protective booties over our shoes and stepped out onto the glass.  I wasn't scared or apprehensive at all, it was really cool to stand there and look down to the bottom of the canyon.  The walk provided an interesting and unique perspective on the canyon and gave us a true appreciation for how deep it is.   It also made me appreciate my fearlessness when it comes to heights.  I saw one poor guy gripping the railing and only walking where there WASN'T glass.  Nick and I ended up doing a couple of laps to make sure to get our money's worth.

After the Sky Walk, we headed over to Guano Point, which was the highlight of our excursion.  The views were breathtaking and the silence (except for the Euro-tourists or squawking crows) was deafening.  It was as close to unspoiled canyon as we could hope to safely see and made us both so glad that we made the trip.  These are only a couple of the MANY pictures that we took during the time that we were there.  We almost couldn't get enough.  The light was perfect and the day was gorgeous.   It also gave us a lot of time to practice using the new camera, self timer and all.

Back at the visitor's center, around dusk, we prepared to begin our drive back to Vegas, but not before I took a picture of Nick and our trusty steed, the PPT.  Although laughable, the PPT managed to stay on the road after Nick got distracted and fish-tailed on our way back to the paved road.  Since he's used to goofing off, he quickly recovered and we finished out the remainder of the dirt road, without incident.

Ok, one incident - a longhorn, in the middle of AZ...

and a small mission to find a clean and photogenic Joshua tree.  Mission accomplished.

First trip of 2010

Viva Las Vegas!!!!  The trip out west was just what the Dr. ordered.  I think that everyone needs something to look forward to in January, besides the credit card bills and extra holiday pounds.  Our trip was in honor of a great friend's 30th birthday and a great excuse to get out of town.  We arrived on a Thursday and immediately met our friends out for some dinner and drinks.  Everyone had a long day of traveling and work, so we turned in relatively early (by Vegas standards).  Before we went to sleep, I took this picture from our room.  I think its kind of cool how you can see the Vegas strip with the room reflected in the background.

Overflowing

I've been riveted by the images that are coming out of Haiti.  I can't help but read msnbc and check yahoo news for the latest updates and information.  Do I know anyone in Haiti?  No.  But I'm sure that I know someone who knows someone who knows someone...

The world is so much smaller now that we have the blogosphere, Facebook, the Twitterverse, flickr and many others, making it so much easier to stay on top of the most current events.  Suddenly, something that would have been a blip on the radar 10 years ago, is world news.  Its more human since the information is coming direct from the people in the middle, rather than polished reporters, seeking an exclusive story.  Of course, an earthquake anywhere is a major event, but add the photographs and first hand accounts of desperation and despair, and suddenly the tragedy isn't just an event, its has a face and a voice. 

As I read the paragraphs and view the sometimes graphic images, I find myself seeking and hoping for a happy ending for the people who have been affected by the tragedy.  This is true with most of the "tragic" news that I'm inexplicably drawn to.  Sometimes learning and reading about the bad helps you to better see and appreciate the good.  So, you might see me as a tragic news junkie or a reality show (Intervention, Hoarders, Trauma) addict, I see myself as a person who is watching and waiting for a happy ending. 

My sister put it best, using Social Interview on Facebook.  When asked, "Is Linda more of a half empty or half full type of person?" She answered, "The glass is overflowing."  I figure that this is the best way to be, that way I have a little extra just in case anyone else needs topped off.

Cry for help

I tried to explain to him that a couch lacking pillows doesn't constitute a call to the Humane Society.  He begs to differ.  (Note:  This picture wasn't staged, this is how Chino relaxes in his down time.)

Chino and "The Sarge"

"Now is not the time to try to be artsy with the camera.  I am not amused.  This is not some PetSmart photo shoot lady, this is me, my bone and the carpet.  Now step off and let me get back to business."

Krogering on a Saturday

In addition to milk, coffee cream and Bisquick, Nick picked these up for me at Kroger on Saturday.  The best part?  He left the price tag on and they were a manager's special, on sale for $1.00.  Oh yeah, he loves me.

My loves

Chino wanted to get in on the whole "kissing at midnight thing" for 2010.  Nick happily obliged.

A little bit of Pittsburgh in C-Bus

This, my friends, is a New Year's pretzel.  Its really a cinnamon roll masquerading as a pretzel, but its a tradition, none the less.  You're supposed to eat it for good luck on New Year's.  I was going to get ambitious and make one this year (here's the recipe), but as usual I bit off more than I could chew and something had to give, so instead, I let Giant Eagle do the baking.  My family has been enjoying these for as long as I can remember, eating them at midnight or at breakfast on New Year's Day (or both!) and has become a tradition that I'm happy to continue here in Ohio.

Monkey Muffins

One of my favorite blogs and required daily reads is The Pioneer Woman.  I was introduced to The Pioneer Woman over the summer by my "work wife" and was instantly hooked.  If you find yourself navigating to her page, start with her story:  From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.  Its a great read and provides the all important background information, rhyme, reason and big smiles.  Anyway, her blog is updated frequently with stories of her life on a ranch, delicious recipes, photos and more.  Periodically, she has contests and giveaways, just to add a bit of spice to an already tasty site.  A recent recipe for Monkey Muffins caught my eye.  The pictures made them look delicious and even better, we had the ingredients in our fridge, just waiting to be transformed.  I've also awarded this recipe some major bonus points for having Monkey in the name and no bananas in the game.  After I whipped these up for breakfast, I think that Nick finally understood why this blog is on my must read list.  Since it was my first PW recipe, I thought it was more than appropriate that I blog about it!

PW site is up and ready as I started to gather my supplies.  The fact that these muffins are made completely IN THE PAN, means less mess! 

Any recipe with the butter as the first ingredient is A-OK in my book!

Of course I've got to have a helper, right?  This mutt has one heck of a sweet tooth.  Or maybe sweet fang?  Either way, he was at the ready, just in case gravity would bring something yummy down to his level.

Yum.  Just a few more minutes until we got to enjoy the gooey goodness!!!!

 

Oh wait, the goodness gets even GOOEY-er!  The evaporated milk soaked into each muffin adding more sweetness!

 Time to dig in!!!!

Happy husband!  Coincidence that I got the Pioneer Woman's cookbook for Christmas?  I think not.

Snap Happy

I must have been a good girl last year because waiting under the tree was a brand new SLR camera.  I think that this will take my vacation photos to a new level and I'm looking forward to trying it out in Las Vegas!  For now, my unwilling subject has been Chino.  I was uploading pictures today and noticed that about 90% of my "practice pictures" have been of him.

Here is the VERY first picture taken on the new camera.  Miraculously, Chino is looking at the camera.  I love how his front paw is tucked under.

After a few practice shots of Nick and some Christmas decorations at my parents house, I re focused (get it?  re focused!!!!) on Chino.  He decided that he hated the lens and went and hid behind the chair.  These models sure have attitude, I tell ya.

Chino and I were playing fetch and Nick captured this action shot of the mutt.  He is focused on calculating the exact stopping distance required to grab his toy and turn around all without running into the oven.

My puppy smiles.  I say smile, he'd say, "look at these teeth, am I really someone that you want to harass with your paparazzi camera?"

Ok, enough lady, this is getting a bit much and you don't pay me enough to be on call 24-7 for photo ops.

I was trying to make him look like Puss in Boots from Shrek.  You know, when he does that irresistible cute face?  This looks more like Kujo.

It's so hard to be adored.

Fine, just take the picture and get out of my face.  Go update your blog or something.