Best-laid plans

Magnet #868 - London

If you've read this magnetblog with any sort of regularity, you'll remember that I have this inexplicable love affair with London.

No why fore or reasoning, really, I just like it. I mean, really, ya'll know how much I love New York City. London's just the UK equivalent, is all.

I'm just using this Kristina Myers Crafts magnet for today because I have a few friends over there right now.

One lucky gal who moved her life over there and is Facebooking pictures, allowing me to live vicariously. And another one just on holiday, who has dropped off the map since she's been away. (I'm so sad she hasn't found the 1 GBP web cafes!)

Either way, they're both sitting in London - well, sleeping at this point - and I'm sitting here in New York, wishing I was there.

It's ok for right now, though, since I'm in the midst of planning the next big holiday - going to Comic-Con in San Diego in a couple of weeks. SDCC's releasing the official schedule one each day, starting yesterday. Dudes, seriously. The Excel spreadsheet was full before the official schedule came out.

Now? I haven't figured out how we're going to physically be in as many as 3 places at once. I haven't figured out how when we're hitting the floor. For that matter, I haven't figured out when we're hitting the bathrooms.

The funny thing is that while we're whining about how we're gonna get it all done...there are folks out there, like @televisionary trying to actually figure out their schedules as well. For work.

And that my friends, I'm seeing, is another blessing in disguise that I wasn't able to parlay my love of all things entertainment into a real job. I did that with publishing and now I can't read a book without editing it and criticizing its cover. I did that with advertising, and now I can't watch a tv spot or print ad without seeing all the behind-the-scenes issues.

Imagine, if I'd actually ended up at Warner Brothers or ABC. I wouldn't be able to go to Comic-Con just for the sheer entertainment of it all. I can go to all these panels and screenings and Q&As just for fun. And enjoy it. And Tweet it. And be a big old (not dressing up) geek about the whole thing.

So, I guess, thanks WB and ABC, for not hiring me after those crazy interviews! Looks like that was part of someone's plan.

Now. If only I could figure out the rest of the plan - for my SDCC trip. And for my life.

Whoa. How meta.

Man in a balloon

Magnet #833 - Stick figure

One last sickbed magnet, because hopefully when I wake up on Saturday morning, I'll rejoin the human race again. And perhaps catch up on the hundreds of work emails in my inbox.

Because I didn't check emails. I couldn't. Not when I couldn't sit up long enough for more than an early morning Tweet here and there, not when I barely left my bed. So I know there's a thousand work explosions lying in wait for me, and I know I'll be paying for it, and cursing before the end of the catch-up.

There are all sorts of theories as to why this food poisoning knocked me down so hard this week. There's the theory of last week being a never-ending series of craptastical weeks, and my nerves were frayed to the point I couldn't hold any conversations regarding my work well-being without being all teary. (That's the broken workhorse theory.)

The other part of me refuses to let that crazy place get me down. (That's the Sister Mary Sunshine, albeit deluded, theory.)

There are several other theories. But this is a magnetblog.

I wanted to use this Kristina Myers Crafts magnet that came from her mistake bin because first, it kinda cracks me up. I can't figure it out. I mean, it's a stick figure in a quote balloon. What can it possibly be saying?

For me, it's saying, I can count the number of meals I've had since Tuesday, only 2 of which included solid food, 2 of which consisted of Cheetos, and the rest was really just liquids.

So, yeah, this magnet is probably more representative of how I feel right now, a mere stick figure of myself. Oiy.

By the way, who knew Cheetos could be a good stand-in for Saltines? I know! They should use that in their marketing materials.

Whatever!

Magnet #789 - Whatever

Another magnet that I got from Kristina Myers Crafts.

I'm worried that too many people say this word, in every situation.

But, at what point do we stop saying Whatever, and start saying What can I do to help?

/grumpitygrumpgrump message brought to you by Grumpy McGrumperson. But admit it, short and sweet is way better than Ranty McRanterson.

Doing the Dew

Magnet #754 - Soda

Another Kristina Myers Crafts magnet, one that I specifically took a picture of, to post about down in Tampa.

Mainly because I kinda figured that I'd be living on caffeine down there. Hah.

I kinda figured right.

At the risk of sounding like a commercial for Mountain Dew, during my 20 days on-site, I made sure that I had a steady stock of the stuff (in bottle and Throwback form) in the Playpen (our team HQ), the office fridge (in our conference room office), the Tahoe (big enough to lug around boxes), the Camry (yes, we had a note from Hertz saying it was safe), and my room fridge (not that I spent all that much time there).

The only place I never thought to stock it was the pavilion (because I totally didn't even think of it until just now. Huh?) or the CHIPsmobile (because I totally stocked that with waters for Erik and me).

Even so, no matter where I went, I was within easy reach of a Dew.

You know, they say that if you give up one sugary drink a day, you give up something like 50,000 calories in a year.

I believe it.

I sure as hell won't do it, but I certainly believe it.

Boys who wear glasses

Magnet #630 - David Tennant in specs

Another lovely magnet from @KristinaMyers' Etsy store. I sent her this, my favorite pic of the David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, and she made this magnet for me!

Who says publicity junkets don't work to cull favor? I was saving this for another time, but this guy's allll over the airwaves right now - plugging several things. First, is this Sunday's Waters of Mars UK premiere and the end of his Doctor Who run, St. Trinian's 2, and even Rex Is Not Your Lawyer, his NBC pilot.

Seriously. Co-hosting a handful of radio shows, dozens of radio interviews, magazines, trailers, blogs, websites, auctioning off his 15-year-old manky old bed for $8,200 to British Gas of all bidders - the man's everywhere. And I'm not even in the UK!

But, since I'm here late waiting on some client work to come through, regarding eyewear, I wanted to use this magnet as my blatant to attempt to convince the clients that we should totally use David Tennant as our UK brand ambassador. I'm full-on prepared to go on set for that TV shoot.

Or, maybe at least score a product placement deal if his pilot hits, even if it's an NBC pilot. I'm just saying.

I love this guy in his glasses. Many girls make passes at this boy in glasses. I'm just saying.

Well, ok, that wasn't much of an sales attempt.

I won't lie, then. I really, really, really just wanted to use this magnet.

Whatever STWfiance wants, STWfiance gets

Magnet #596 - New York, New York

Another magnet from @KristinaMyers' Etsy store. I ended up buying a whole set of these map location magnets. I could get in trouble figuring out more and more places to request, but I do love them so.

DCsis and STWsis and STWfiance are in town this weekend, so that STWfiance can finally play tourist. This is opposed to the usual running around town, but never really getting to see anything.

Now, we're gonna try and jam pack the weekend, end to end with everything like Governors and Roosevelt Island, the Intrepid, Central Park Zoo, the Met, and who knows what else I'm forgetting.

Yep. It's gonna be a challenge, I think, with 18 of 27 subways undergoing major repairs this weekend, plus the Avon walkers.

But hey, ya'll know I love playing tourist! Yay for the best city in the world!

Various and Sundry

Magnet #583 - Moose

Another magnet from @KristinaMyers' Etsy store - a cool little moose!

Love this little guy - mainly because every time I travel to New England, I keep hoping to see a moose. And never do. It's kinda like my bear hunts.

This moose reminds me of the best series I've never finished reading, but wish I would. Van Reid and his wonderful Moosepath League.

The series is set in 1800s Maine, and starts with Cordelia Underwood, who introduces you to a terrific little universe, which includes the oddly charming Moosepath League - the Misters Ephram, Eagleton, Thump and Walton...and their little tagalong, Sundry Moss. Together the League goes on the laugh-out-loud adventures - oh, not the kind of Superman, but probably more enjoyable and definitely funnier than most.

They continue through several books - definitely check 'em out, well worth the read.

When you woke up this morning...

Magnet #545 - Chiyogami Butterfly

So, I totally couldn't help myself to second helpings from @KristinaMyers' Etsy store. I saw this gorgeous set, which lead me to this set of magnets. I had originally bought these for a work project - a new business pitch that fell through. And, darn, I had to keep these as part of my collection. Heheh.

YAY for pretty, pretty magnets!

I love days when stuff happens that leave you saying to someone, "did you think...when you woke up this morning...that you'd be doing [insert out of the ordinary activity here] now? Love that. Love saying it. Love doing it. It means that your day was moseying along and some sort of opportunity landed right at your door, and instead of running home to watch whatever you've DVR'd, you went ahead and did it.

For me, that was yesterday's "did you think...when you woke up this morning...that you'd be going to a play that a former coworker's twin sister wrote that starred your former chairman and oh, by the way, you'll be watching an additional four plays on the same night?"

Fun. It was fun. New York's great for finding off-beat things to do - that's part of why I dig this town so much. Last night, it was the semifinals for the Strawberry One-Act Festival.

And, while NY's often accused for being a soul-sucking city of concrete, metal and broken dreams, it's also great for nurturing creative talent. I saw five plays tonight - each with a different playwright, a different director, and a different cast. Then, I got to vote for my two favorites, to get them into the next round on Friday.

There were pluses and minuses for all the plays, and certainly, some of the work wasn't for me. But one thing's for sure - it was a pleasure to be around such creative people, in such a creative environment, watching such creative work.

Of course, I voted for the best of show, and hope that it makes it to the next round on Friday - Sue Hodara's play entitled Chrysalis, a multi-layered character study about a married couple and their 40 years together.

It was interesting seeing a former manager out of familiar elements. There was one hairy moment where the husband (my former chairman) starting disrobing. I gotta be honest, I was full-on ready to cover my eyes, in case it went further than his button-down. Hahahaah.

Still. Great work all around!

I'll have fries with that

Magnet #529 - French fries

Another one of my new @KristinaMyers magnets from her Etsy store!

French fries are a happy-making food, no matter where you get them. And I don't care if the world judges me for my love of McDonald's, but no one can deny that it's the king of the french fry. Nothing better in the world than a large fry and a Coke from MickeyD's.

Speaking of... I'm gonna go out on a limb here: I love McDonald's.

Go on. Judge me.

McDonald's is awesome. It's always been awesome, and I don't care if I die early, it'll always be awesome. Let me count the ways:

When I was really little - I mean before my little sisters showed up - my parents and I would go to McDonald's for breakfast after church. Happy memories. I'd get a Big Breakfast - back when it was still big, and the English Muffin came standard. Best three-is-a family memory meal ever.

When we were all little - my dad would say late at night, "Who wants a sundae?" And we'd pack ourselves into the car, jammies and all, and run to town. And there we'd sit, while my dad ran inside to get our sundaes, fries, and sometimes, apple pies. Best dessert ever.

When we were older - we went on a zillion roadtrips, and between the rest areas breaks, McDonald's was always the place we knew we'd always find, and where everyone could have something to eat - include my very picky dad. Best roadtrip food ever.

When I was sick - hamburgers from McDonald's were the only thing that I could eat when I was sick. Best cure ever.

When I was in junior high - Bop! and/or 16 reported to me that Big Macs were Jaunty John Taylor's favorite food. And therefore my favorite food. Best fangurl meal ever.

When I was in high school - I would get a two-cheeseburger meal, eat one burger and the fries before band practice at the college across town. And on the way back, I'd eat the other burger. Ever had a winter-cold cheeseburger? I swear, it's the best not-supposed-to-be-eaten-cold food ever.

Even now, I'm still buying Happy Meals - because, even without the Ronald McDonald cookies with Grimace and the Hamburglar, they're still the happiest-making meals ever.

Oh, I don't eat there every day, like that guy in that stupid movie. And even though I know it's not the healthiest of foods or the haute'est of haute cuisine, and even though I know it makes me what they politely call "a little downmarket," I still flat-out refuse to listen to any McDonald's haters out there. The ones who refuse to set foot in a stores, or scoff at the Dollar Menu, and look down their noses at a McAnything.

Funnily enough, it's those same pretty people in the elevators judging my Happy Meal box at lunchtime, who are taking extra deep breaths to take a whiff of my french fries. And wishing that's where they'd gone for lunch. I know. They tell me. Haha.

Those Golden Arches have always been there for me, and I'm happy to be several of those billions and billions served.

The Memory Mile

Magnet #525 - Chicago

I just realized that today is DC sister's birthday, and we spent all day reminiscing about days before she was born. Whoops.

Still, happy birthday!

After being rudely awakened at 3:45 this morning, we finally made it to Chicago, and it's been a total trip down memory lane - from seeing the building where I was almost kidnapped, to seeing where I was baptized, to seeing our first apartment and my mom's hospital.

It's been a great day, as I rediscovered memories of the Lions Club selling their candy on the street side and finding the Mold-A-Rama at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

More on everything soon...

Oh! Today's supercool magnet is another one of my @KristinaMyers magnets from her her Etsy store! Love these map ones - totally my fave!

I scream, you scream

Magnet #521 - Ice Cream

Dudes, did ya'll know it's National Ice Cream Month? Had no idea. But yay! Ice cream's like the best food in the world - and I'm hard-pressed to say my favorite flavor.

No matter what grocery or bodega I'm at, I end up in the ice cream aisle, trying to decide what new flavors to try. My problem is that a pint of ice cream might be too much for me - because I very quickly get bored. I love the descriptions, but then, when I actually start to eat them, I'm done within the first quarter of the pint. Which is how I end up with several flavors in my freezer at once.

And, I don't like fruity flavors or sorbets, either. In fact, outside of strawberry and the occasional mango, I'm pretty much done with the fruit realm. Which leaves me with chocolate, vanilla, pieces of chocolate, pretzels, any kind of nuts, chocolate-covered anything, etc.

Though, I have to admit, I've been craving a soft serve for weeks. I'm always afraid to go get ice cream from the ice cream trucks - for two reasons.

First, when I was about five years old, I heard the ice cream truck, and my parents said no...and I ended up furtively running throughout the house looking for change to go buy some. I did. But I got in a world of trouble for disobeying a direct order. I didn't get to eat the ice cream, either, if I remember correctly.

Second, we have one of those ice cream trucks on almost every other corner here in town, and every year, there's another newstory about them not always the being most sanitary of places to get your ice cream. Apparently, you have to go to the one with the longest lines, because that means they're busy, and their ice cream taps don't linger with dabs of germy ice cream that's been hanging there for a while. What? That's what they say!

Anyway, this magnet is one of a set of fast food magnets I just bought, which was part of a biiiiig Etsy magnet purchase I just made. Last week, I was on wefollow, wondering who else was out there twittering about magnets. And I found @KristinaMyers, this supernice lady who has a magnet shop!

Seriously, ya'll. She. Makes. Magnets.

And custom ones! I can't wait to show you more of what I bought from her - they're all supercool, and I'm superhappy with my Etsy purchases. In the meantime, check out her Etsy store and her blog! And buy some magnets! They're awesome.

Speaking of awesome. David Tennant during this introduction for the Torchwood/Doctor Who showing said (in his just terrible American accent) that that's what Americans say over here, premeeeres (instead of prehmiere) and awesome. At about the 3:54 mark, he said he loves awesome, and he's taking it back with him to London.

Hmph. I wish he'd take me back to London.