Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day! And what a happy weekend it is. We are all given an extra weekend day to do anything we want! Here are some fun things you should be sure to do this weekend...

Have a delightful outdoor happy hour equipped with delicious wine and snacks!

 Your body & mind will be very happy afterward.

 Buy some beautiful, colorful flowers at a local farmer's market!

 Make some hard-boil eggs and put smiles on their faces :)

Celebrate September with a Caramel Apple Cupcake! (Now being served @ Georgetown Cupcake)

DO NOT watch this video of Miley Cyrus at the VMAs. It will destroy your image of this Disney superstar forever.

Only click on me if you're drunk or have a very strong gag reflex

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Best Man/MOH Speeches (My New Business)

My cousin was the best man in a wedding this past weekend. Four days before the wedding, he mentioned to me that he hadn't started writing his best man speech. Having never even met the couple, cousin Jimmy enlisted my help to write a memorable speech that would entertain the wedding guests.

I asked him a few questions about his experiences with the bride & groom and about good times they had together growing up. His sister recorded the speech so that I am able to share it here with you today.

I'm thinking about starting a business writing speeches for Best Men & MOHs. I think this could be the next big thing! Enjoy...

Youtube Link to Jimmy's Best Man Speech (Ross Wedding)

Mini-Golf Surprise Party!

Brian's Birthday was last week and his buddies & I wanted to surprise him w/ a party. One of his favorite summer activities is mini-golf, so we planned an elaborate scheme to get him to the course.

Brian was under the impression that he was headed to a work party hosted at my boss's house. Conveniently, my boss's house is 3 streets away from the mini-golf course. Right before we left, she "called" me and asked if I would pick up her kids at the mini-golf course on the way over since she & her nanny were busy cooking & hosting.

We drove up to the mini-golf course, got out of the car and walked up to the ticket-booth "looking for the kids." As we approached, 8 of his friends jumped out from behind the ticket booth and shouted "SURPRISE!" After clearing up Brian's confusion that there was NOT a work party, we all played a lovely round of mini-golf, enjoyed some delicious cupcakes and had dinner together at the Dogfish Head Alehouse.

 Gotta love surprise parties!

Hanntonio Wedding!

I made my way down south this weekend to celebrate the marriage of Hannah & Antonio at Hardywood Brewery in Richmond, VA. Hannah & Antonio both love beer so a brewery was the perfect spot to hold their reception. It was a beautiful day with great food, friends, booze & celebrating!

Congrats to the newlyweds!

Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

I think the world just about lost it this past week when Kate Middleton gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. The new Prince of England and an heir to the throne! (I imagine the Queen had a large drink that night knowing the line wouldn't end with Harry).

After hours of letting us plebeians squeal with delight, the royals finally announced the name of the new heir: Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

Really... Prince George!? When that name comes to mind, I typically picture old portraits of George Washington or the man who's featured on the Quaker Oats logo. But for a baby!? No. Baby "George" just doesn't ring the cute bell in my brain. Here are some other royal names Kate & William could have chosen from instead of George...

Henry
William
Albert
James
Richard
Oliver
Edward
Harry
John
Edmund
Stephen

In my opinion, Kate & P-Willy should have blazed some royal trails and named their kid Albus, Mad-Eye or Severus. A little nod to the great English novels of our time!

Movies, Heat, Running, ICE-POPS!

A few fun updates...

1) Brian and I had a cinematic adventure last night and saw "This is the End" on the big screen. Abso-freakin-hilarious! If you have yet to see this film and enjoy raunchy comedies, please get off your couch right now & go see this movie. It features some of the biggest names in Hollywood, starring as themselves, and portrays what would happen if the Apocalypse were to strike during James Franco's house-warming party.

2) I started training a few weeks ago for the 20-mile race I'm running this September. Unfortunately we've been having a heat wave and temperatures have soared into the triple digits. My 6AM runs are already 80+ degrees. I have found the following tips very useful during outdoor long runs..

• Always bring water. Multiple bottles of it if possible. If you're cool enough to wear a fuel belt, do it!
• Don't be scared to stick random (appropriate) body parts in public water fountains. Getting your head wet can keep you cool for MINUTES in the hot weather!
• Run laps around a route close to home rather than a "there and back" distance for long runs. If you feel like you're going to die, you'll be much closer to the AC!
• If you get the chills or start seeing unicorns, you should stop running immediately! At least that's what Runner's World magazine said.
• Put your running shirt in the freezer for a couple of hours before your run. (I have yet to try this, but it sounds like a good idea, right!?)

 

Stay cool, readers! Make sure to eat your Sponge-Bob ice-pops.

Summer 2013: Adventures of Late

What a fun summer it has been so far! Here are a few pictures that show what I have been up to lately...

Brian's band had a show this weekend at the Velvet Lounge in DC. Here he is rocking out on stage!

I took a trip to NYC the other weekend and visited the MET. This "Turtle Mug" was definitely my favorite piece of art. Ken Price was the artist of this classy creation!

I also played some serious mini-golf in NYC at Randall's Country Club. It was an "All-You-Can-Putt" 36-hole course. I obviously concluded the round with the obligatory ice cream bar.

As you know from a previous post, I ran the North Face Endurance Challenge in June. I think it is clear from this photograph that I've mastered the art of race photos.

More summer 2013 adventures to come! Stay tuned :)