Chris happened to come home early from work one afternoon. On our way to Allen Parkway for a run, we somehow ended up at Max’s Wine Dive. Who knew? We sidled up to the bar where Julian did a helluva job in making excellent recommendations on both the food and wine front. The Anne Amie Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir were tastylicious. The southern fried chicken–while very tasty, organic, and delish with the honey chili pepper sauce–lacked the abundant crusty I prefer. The wild boar pasta with goat cheese was oh so nice. The standout dish, though, was the ultra moist, not too sweet white cake with a pocket of red berry pudding, in a pool of clotted cream. Heaven.
CONGRATULATIONS, Sharon and Greg, on your engagement!!
Oh my word! I meant to post this weeks ago…and I thought I had a 1000 pix of Sharon & Greg kissing…’cause that’s what they do. And I bet they’re smooching even more these days. I think its absolutely wonderful they’re tying the knot! Woooo!
I do hope you’ve saved some celebrating for when I get back?! We’ll throw a big dinner party. There will be pork involved.
I’m so excited. We’re in the home stretch for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary party in Honolulu that I’ve been planning for over 18 months now. The end is in sight!
Well, that and it’s going to be a kick-ass party. We’re going to have Frank DeLima, a local comedian, and the Jeff Teves Trio. If we can get the machine to work properly, we’re going to end the night with a rousing bit of karaoke. But besides all that, there’s going to family and friends and good food and good times. And since my Mom never had that big wedding when she was 18 years old, this is as much her Big Day as anything. My folks are so excited and are really happy with how it’s coming together…I’m so glad ’cause it’s been a huge effort.
And the trip will mark the end of 8 weeks of crazy (for me) travel and maybe things will settle back into some amount of normalcy…whatever that means. Yay!
In other news, I had my faith in humanity shaken last week when I learned that there are people in the world who actively wish me ill. What is that all about?? Thankfully, it was restored when one of my dearest friends called me “Tinkerbell;” another pointed out the amazing US women’s ping pong talent; and my mommy told me that I just have to be myself ( 
how sweet is that?). And then my ego was stroked by a very attractive job offer from a really cool company that I would actually consider except they might expect me to work and stuff.
When in Seattle, I got Chris a Tiger Tail massager which rocks. I’ve used it as much as he has. Highly recommend it. Haven’t figured out a good way to do my own shoulders though.
And finally, I was asked to be a contributer to this zine for small businesses/entrepreneurs. Sometime in Oct. I’m going to look more closely at it but it could be really cool.
Right now, I’m a little better about keeping my Facebook updated. Which in turn updates my Twitter. My fotobook app that pulled images from my Facebook and placed them on this blog is not working and I don’t have time to fix it. So if you want to see what I’m up to, you might wanna look me up on Facebook.
I’m just sayin’…
I’ll probably be back more regular on this blog ’round about end of Sept.
Anthony’s been hard at work. Check out his new paintings and the “making of” videos on his site at www.abartist.com and on YouTube. Some of his paintings are available for purchase online at www.AnthonyButkovich.etsy.com.
I know. I’m nearly a decade late in reading this amazing book. But hey, better late than never, right?
I wear my parent’s rags-to-upper/middle class riches story like some sort of badge of fraternity. Why yes, my father grew up in a house with a dirt floor; my mom was the last of 13 children who eventually got her GED in her 30s. Well, that and my own story of how when I first got a place with 2 roommates in Houston, how there was a period where I could only afford 1 ramen a day. And how when I went to college I worked at a restaurant as a waitress, picking up dishwashing, salad chefing, hostessing shifts when I needed extra cash (to go to Costa Rica and Guatemala after graduation). And in my head, berate over-educated friends about how their bourgeois guilt-fueled passion for the plight of the poor is not something they could ever understand much less sympathize with. God. Who the hell am I to talk, eh? [And for the record, those of you who read this who count themselves as one of the over-educated friends I refer to...well, actually, none of you are the people I had in mind when writing this.]
Yea. Good book. Really good book. I’m sure you’ve probably read it. But if you haven’t, you can ask Chris if you can borrow it. I’d go on but I have to go conduct a 2.5 hr interview to improve the lives of millions in Houston. Well, at least those that have vehicles.
From National Stroke Assoc.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:
F ace: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A rms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S peech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
T ime: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.
Stroke Symptoms include:
SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.
