Awesome Clip of the Week

Why oh why do we not have someone who will stand up and say this to President Obama AND Congress?

Quick Random Notes

*We are at the Best Western in Yiwu. Incidentally-- it is neither Western NOR the Best.

*It is extremely cold here....which I'm not really complaining about. Amazing how much less fragrant a place can be in the cold. (It was insanely hot and humid when we were here last Sept.)

*I accidentally wore my shirt inside out when we crossed the border from Hong Kong into mainland China (we actually walked across it with our suitcases). I feel this only bolstered my "we look like refugees fleeing persecution in Hong Kong" point to my coworkers.

*I don't care how proficient a spitter you may or may not be-- you have not truly seen (or HEARD) spitting until you have been to China.

*The iTunes store (or at least MY iTunes store) does not work in mainland China. This is very annoying when you want to download the season finale of Burn Notice to watch on the plane.

*In case you hadn't figured it out-- I have nothing that interesting to post at the moment......

Is My Maid Trying To Tell Me Something?

I am once again back at the JW Marriott in Hong Kong. And while I know you are ALL excited to hear my twice a year update on the status of the bacon on their breakfast buffet... I am sad to report that blog feature has been discontinued due to unfortunate and newly developed food allergies.

HOWEVER-- that does not mean that I don't have exciting news to report. (and possibly even MORE riveting than a bacon update would have been....but I make no promises......)

My first post was GOING to be movie reviews of the bajllion movies I either started to watch and/or actually finished on the flights over. And while I still plan to get to that eventually....there has been a new development that I feel deserves a priority entry.

We spent a long day today walking around the city to various appointments.....thankfully able to dodge the POURING rain due to Hong Kong's lovely system of covered walk ways. I finally got back to the hotel a little bit ago.....tired and ready to flop. Everyone else in my group is on the 22nd floor.....but I am all alone on the 12th floor. I didn't think too much about that, but as I walked into my room tonight...I began to suspect I am on some sort of special party-girl floor. Why is this, you ask? Well, first let me explain that as you walk into my room....you enter a short hallway and you have to go around a little curve to get into the bedroom. As I opened my front door tonight-- I noticed a thump of base playing.....and I wondered if I'd forgotten to turn my TV off this morning. But as I walked into the bedroom, I realized that the maid had been in to "turn down the bed" for the night...but let me tell you, she went the extra mile. My lights were turned down to dim, the bed covers were turned down, and.....someone was rapping/singing on the stereo system about all of the "sweet honeys in the club tonight" and his need for me to "shake it baby, shake it". I went over to the stereo and realized that the maid had decided that LL Cool J was just the fellow to sing me to sleep tonight (and in case you were working the theory that the maid was listening to her OWN CD and forgot to take it out...nope. The CD actually has "property of the JW Marriott" imprinted on the front of it)

Let me tell you-- I don't know who they think was coming back to this room tonight--- but I really don't feel worthy of the ambiance she worked to create. I feel like I need to put on some tight pants and make some sort of martini or something. My grand plan of reading Jane Austen in the bathtub just doesn't feel right.....



P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSIE!!! (even though you don't read this. Maybe you dad will and he'll tell your I said it......

Delayed in Tokyo. Bored. Really, really bored. Updates that have been promised have not come.

The Flattering Lighting of Incredible Pizza

Meredith (my niece--for the 2 of you that don't already know that) and I spent the afternoon at Incredible Pizza yesterday. If you are unfamiliar with the establishment (and before yesterday, I'd never been there)-- basically it seems to be an all you can eat pizza extravaganza combined with go-karts, putt-putt, bumper cars, arcade games, etc. Meredith and I skipped the food and went straight to the games. Our first stop was the go-kart line where we wanted to sign up for a "double" ride (meaning I would drive while Meredith was the passenger/navigator/encourager)--- Anyway, it was there that the following conversation was had:


Me: (addressing the teenager working the register) "Hi...we'd like to sign up for a double ride."

Meredith: (smiles and waves at him like she has been smiling and waving at everyone since we got there...)

Incredible Pizza Dude: (looks a bit confused): "You're going to ride with her?" (points at Meredith)

Me: (returns his confused look) "Uh, yeah...." (also throws in a nod in case some body language is needed as well)

Meredith: (still smiling)

Incredible Pizza Dude: (frowns slightly) "How OLD are you?"

Me: (starting to look around to make I'm not too old to be riding go-carts-- but am reassured when I notice old dudes currently racing) "Uh..." (then blank for a minute and try to remember if I am 31 or 32).... "31! I'm 31!"

Meredith: (waiting patiently, still smiling)

Incredible Pizza Dude: (loses the confused look and replaces it with a startled one) "Really?"

Me: "Uh, yes."

Incredible Pizza Dude: "I would NOT have thought that. I was thinking like...22 at MOST."

Me: (speechless and still not a little confused about why it matters)

Meredith: (smile turns reassuring-- pats my thigh) "That's a GOOD thing, Aunt Sarah!"

Me: (starting to appreciate the dark lighting of Incredible Pizza) "I know, sweetie." (turns to Incredible Pizza Dude) "Uhm, thanks I guess?"

Slightly Blind Incredible Pizza Dude: (smiles and "scans" my payment card)


Our scene now cuts to 10 minutes later when I look at the balance of our payment card and realize he hadn't charged us for the ride....we go back over to tell him....



Me: (waiting for weird 50 year old lady to stop going on and on to poor Incredible Pizza Dude about how there better not be any kids in the "fast" go-kart race because she drives FAST-- FAST!! and she will not be thwarted by some kid who is out there piddling around not knowing what he's doing)

Incredible Pizza Dude: (kindly waits for the woman to walk off before he starts laughing at her)

Me: "Hi! Us again! I just noticed that it didn't subtract the money for the go-karts when you scanned our card."

Incredible Pizza Dude: (looking at me with a look that says "annnnddd????)

Me: (feeling a bit awkward) "Well, I just wanted to let you know."

Incredible Pizza Dude: (smiles and cocks an eyebrow) "Well, that's a GOOD thing, right?"

Me: (not really sure if a 19 year old is flirting with me or not) "Uh, yeah....."

Incredible Pizza Dude: (smiles) "Well, good!"

Me: "Alrighty, then. Uhm...thanks!"

Meredith: (looks at me and shrugs)



As we were leaving later, I was telling Meredith that I still couldn't figure out WHY he cared how old I was-- when she pointed out that he was probably checking to make sure I was old enough to take her on a double ride (apparently you have to be 18...I failed to notice that). I have no idea if her theory is accurate, but I have decided to go with it....as 18 is even better than 22!

(also? Meredith and I TOTALLY won our go-kart race....in case you wondered)

Analyze THIS

I've been having lots of weird dreams lately. One involved a Friday the 13th-like scenario with me and other people running around some summer camp. (No, I haven't watched any horror movies lately)

One involved one of my good (single) friends getting pregnant and lots of conversations with my father (the dream version) with him insisting he had no idea she was "THAT kind of girl!!!!" (he was taking it very hard)

There was another dream where I accidentally dyed my hair blond and was SO relieved when I woke up and realized I still had brown hair.

But by far the most disturbing (to me) dream was the one where I had these long purple, hairs growing out of my finger tips. I just couldn't figure out how to groom it-- and if I should shave it (how WOULD you shave your fingertips?) or try to pluck it or WHAT. But I did have the (dream) thought that it would nicely conceal my fingerprints. WHY dream version of me was worried about this....I have no idea. Maybe I was going to be a covert Muppet or something......

Surprising Things About Being Single in My 30s

1. It totally snuck up on me.

2. I don't mind it nearly as much as the 15 year old me thought I would.

3. My father has revealed a previously unsuspected busybody/matchmaking streak.

4. My mother remains well behaved (at least to my face).

5. I have so many friends that are ALSO single to keep me company.

6. It is kind of fun and not a little liberating.

7. Having this many years to watch marriages from afar has left me with a conflicted view of the institution. (No unmarried person should be made to watch the movie Fireproof. If that movie doesn't make marriage look utterly exhausting, I don't know what does. I mean-- if you are already in it, great! Work hard at it! But for us singletons? Let's just say it isn't exactly a marriage recruitment video....)

8. Did I mention that my father has revealed his busybody tendencies? Well, it is worth mentioning twice because it was doubly surprising.

Breaking Out My Rusty Typing Fingers

Anyone who has known me for more than a day knows that I am-- well, how to put it?? Let's just say I am a candid person. I often share more about myself than anyone probably wants to know..... for instance, if I do something particularly stupid-- I usually can't wait to tell as many people as possible about it (particularly if it is a FUNNY stupid thing--- for instance when I figured out last year that a "Water Pill" is not actually a pill that magically hydrates people).

But the interesting thing about being a candid person is that many people also assume that I don't have an inner edit button. Several people in the past year have joked with me that they always know what I'm thinking because (and I quote) "If Sarah thinks it, she says it". And for some reason, I have found that surprising. While I admit I almost always have something to say about everything (even if it is just to announce I know nothing about the topic on hand)--- it really amuses me that I might have a reputation for saying everything that pops into my head....because seriously? What I actually say out loud constitutes about a 1/3 of what is going on in my head (if that).

I apologize if that scares you.

Alas, I realize that just because I manage not to spew my every thought on to the world does not make me mysterious or anything.....but I would like to reserve the right to be not quite the open book that everyone thinks I am.

Hong Kong Int'l Airport

Ok- I promise to start actually WRITING blogs again very soon.....but in the meantime you have to check out this awesomness. Why does this never happen when I'M at the Hong Kong airport??

Color Me Surprised

Look-- a little awareness!!!

(The saddest part of the whole thing is the last line-- they hope he doesn't mean it???)

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Food For Thought

Agree or Disagree.....but I thought this was interesting

This is Probably A Bad Idea

I've been thinking about doing this post for awhile-- sort of arguing with myself about it, to be honest. But I've decided that Katie might need some cheering up today...and so I am just going to quit putting it off and just put it out there......

What am I rambling about, you ask? Well-- I think I have covered my need for deadlines multiple times on this blog (look no further than my "post every day attempts" for proof). I have also mentioned more than once that I have started a ton of books/stories over the years that I never, ever finish. And finally-- as anyone who reads the comments on this blog (and if you had access to my emails and/or phone conversations) knows that Katie is one of my biggest "supporters" (or "naggers" depending on my mood) when it comes to getting me to write.

So combine all these things and what do you get? Well-- you get me deciding in December to announce what I am going to TRY and give Katie for her birthday in May. And I figure if I announce it here, then that means I sort of really have to do it. And what is "it" that I am going to have to do?

I am going to write and COMPLETE a book for Katie for her birthday. It is likely not going to be very good or will probably not be seen by anyone but her (and maybe Laurie if I rope her into editing for me).....but I'm putting this out there so I can't back out.

So there you go. I now have to actually finish something and I have until May 18th to do it.

Eeek.

Tag From Katie

I've been tagged by Katie to post 5 things about myself that you may not know. Since I tend to overshare in everyday life, I'm going to have to get a little obscure......


1. I have recently decided to try washing my hair once a week.

2. There are three songs I obsessively listen to in my car:
*The Story by Brandi Carlisle
*Fell in Love Without You (Acoustic) by Motion City Soundtrack
*Sometime Around Midnight by The Airborne Toxic Event

3. I am in love with my new down comforter.

4. I have checked out approximately 30 books from the library this month....which is more than the past 3 years combined.

5. I have a large stash of toothbrushes I've taken from hotels all across China.

Question of the Day (with Bonus Answer!)

Question:

How do you know your gym time isn't as effective as you'd like?


Answer:

The cashier at Akins assumes you are buying powdered Vitamin C as a part of a diet plan.

The Story

Two girls pull into the parking lot of a gas station

Me: Ok, you wait here while I run in and get cash

Mandy: (already reading her book and ignoring me)

Me: (Locks the door and gets out of the car)

5 minutes later

Me: (Taps on the window)

Mandy: (Unlocks the door)

Me: (Getting in the car) "What's the noise?"

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONK

Me: (Looks around) "Is that my car? What is that?"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: "Uh, your alarm?!"

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONNNKKKKK

Me: "I DON'T HAVE AN ALARM!"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: "Uh, apparently you do."

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONK

Me: "I don't know how to shut it off!" (pushing every button I can think of)

Car: HONK HONK HONK HONK

Me: (Decides the best thing to do is start the car and drive off with alarm blazing, cause really-- I'm sure DRIVING OFF will make the alarm shut off, right?) "Make it stop!"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: .........

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Me: (Pulls the car back over around the corner from the gas station) "Get the manual out! Does the manual say anything about how to shut it up??"

Car: HONK HONK HONK

Mandy: "Give me your keys!"

Car: HONK HONK HO....

Me: "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?"

Mandy: "I don't know. I pushed a button"


Moral of this story? Still don't know what turned it on and still don't know what turned it off. Good times for all!

Surprise!

My car apparently has an alarm I didn't know about. Wanna know how I found out?

Pop Quiz

Which item is more dangerous for the visitors to the White House?

Random Thought of the Evening

You know what I don't appreciate? A workout machine that has "Are you enjoying your workout?" pop up on the screen every 5 minutes or so. You and I both know that you don't care if I'm enjoying my workout, machine, so just stick to telling me who much longer it is until I can get off and how many calories I've burned and we'll call it good.

Lesson Learned

Sometimes it isn't about the message-- just the messenger.

Sisterly Love

So, I am breaking my silence to answer my tag from Katie. I was supposed to post the 6th picture from the 6th folder of my photos. Because of the way I have my pictures done, that was easier asked than actually done. This is as close as I can get.