Things I Learned This Weekend

A UNC win over Duke and a celebratory outfit make for a great Friday.
While I have worn just a plain UNC t-shirt to work before, and will surely do so again come March Madness, I thought I'd fancy it up a bit on Friday in honor of the joyous events of Thursday night. (Ignore the spots on my mirror; I clean on Sundays.)

Fun nails also make for a good Friday.
I painted my nails during the first half of the game. I rarely do anything complicated so this was a nice change.

A perfect blue-skied day is a great antidote to the Winter blues.
On Friday I was so sick of the weather and city and people that I thought about maxing out my credit card and flying somewhere warm. Luckily both Saturday and Sunday were clear and warm and put a little pep in my step.

Fill-a-bag day at the thrift store is as good as various bloggers have said. 
My fave thrift store had $7 fill-a-bag last week. By the time I went on Saturday, it was pretty picked over, but it was still awesome to not even look at the price of things and just toss it in the paper bag. I got a skirt, shirt, two books, vintage hot curlers, a board game, a small picture, and I think that’s about it. 

Carrying a dowel around is dangerous. 
It really is a miracle I didn’t poke my eye out or the eye out of someone else. 

If I need help at a hardware store, I should just call my Daddy. 
I needed to buy drill bits for my drill but was confused by all the options. I’ve written before about the over-eagerness of employees to help me at said store, and this time, when I actually needed help, they didn’t know what I was talking about. Calls to the four different phones of my parents—and finally a call back later—I got help from the father. 

Just because you were born in the ’80s, doesn’t mean you actually know anything about the ’80s.
Included in my fill-a-bag was Trivial Pursuit: ’80s version. Karey and I played it Saturday nite and it was hard. Really hard. We called it a draw after a few hours and after I had been in and out of the center circle for the win so many times I lost count. And the most upsetting part to me was that I completely bombed at my best and favorite category: News/Headlines/Events. 

It is difficult and exhausting to try and attach casters to vintage wood. 
I don’t know if it’s my wood, or my drill, or my cheap casters, or just me, but there’s a good chance that this soda crate is just going to have to make it on one wheel. 

There's only one way to celebrate the closing ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics.
With a slightly offensive banner, some vodka, and a Mexican dip. (Because there was no Russian food that seemed appealing.)

Things I Learned This Weekend

The inability to sleep in is the worst way to end a stressful and tiring week.
For some completely baffling reason, and despite going to bed at midnite, I woke up at 6:47 on Saturday morning, wide awake. (It's important to note, that this is an hour earlier than I get up during the week.) I started watching Netflix on my phone, which usually lulls me to sleep, but instead, I was just ready to start my day.

Pretty Little Liars is a completely ridiculous and completely addicting tv show.
Ok, fine, I'm hooked. I saw the pilot when it first aired but wasn't interested and hadn't seen any more episodes until I caught a few with the roommate. Now, I'm just addicted and watched almost the entire first season this reason thanks to Netlix.

You can get a lot done before noon when you've been up since 7.
I had some errands to run near my apartment and managed to get them all in and pick up lunch by noon. And since it was so cool I didn't have to worry about sweating slimey lotion.

It's important to open a window when spray painting indoors.
I spray painted again this weekend and during the first round forgot to open the window. It was a bit smelly, to say the least. 

One of my weekend spray paint projects: Big Ben.

Pinterest + Recommendation of friend = Clean couch
I'd seen a tutorial on Pinterest many times for cleaning a microfiber couch with rubbing alcohol and a sponge. After my friend Lauren tried it and verified its effectiveness, I gave it a shot. I didn't flip the cushions over and do the dirtier sides, but the rest of it is looking brighter.

Spray paint and rubbing alcohol fumes make for a good napping environment.
Just kidding. I think my surprisingly short nap was due more to the early wake up call, and not the variety of fumes in my place.

Reading by the pool (as usual) is great fun until 14 kids show up.
Apparently someone decided to have a pool party with 14 kids under the age of 10. Rather, 14 very loud, jumping, shrieking, splashing, running kids. When they finally left, every adult breathed a sigh of relief.

Three hours in the sun plus a wine slushie are very conducive to napping.
Though it was an accidental nap as I try not to nap on Sundays. However, I managed to still get to sleep on Sunday night, so for once, perhaps, my body knew what it was doing.

Not even Tim Riggins could save "John Carter."
Finally got around to seeing this and it was truly one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Blah. But I also got to re-watch "X Men: First Class," start "Shame," and catch most of the Olympic Closing Ceremonies, which more than made up for the bad action flick and the sub-bar Opening Ceremonies.

Things I Learned This Weekend

You can get a lot done if you don't watch the Olympics.
Since I can't get NBC in my room, the cleaning of said room has been severely neglected. So instead of watching Olympics in the living room, I put in "Gone With the Wind" and cleaned and organized my room. This included finally hanging my peg boards turned necklace hangers. I don't love them but they'll do for now.

But when watching the Olympics, make sure it's to see Michael Phelps.
I managed to see him swim his last two races on Friday and Saturday night. Rio just won't be the same.

If you put lotion on and then walk many blocks in very hot heat, you will sweat slime.
I hate sweat. Hate it like I hate Duke and mayonnaise. It turns out, tangerine-scented sweat is no better, especially when it makes you feel like you're covered in slime.

Even something as neat as a theatre yard sale can't beat the heat or compare to frozen yogurt.
The reason I had to walk many blocks in very hot heat was to stop by the yard sale with the roomie that a theatre was holding. It was interesting to see what they had out, but neither of us bought anything. Instead we high tailed it to a yogurt shop to cool down.

Spending three hours at Ikea with a friend makes for a great Saturday afternoon.
And also an expensive one. But I really did need a new hamper and light bulbs! (I probably didn't need the sheets, though.) I went to the College Park Ikea with my friend Gloria and we spent quite awhile wondering up and down the aisles, debating our purchases, and filling up our cart.

If you miss your plans to go to a movie due to oversleeping, it's nice to have the gold medal tennis match to make up for it.
I haven't seen any movies this summer and planned on seeing a 10 a.m. showing of Spiderman. But I turned my alarm off and went back to sleep, until my mom called to tell me to watch Murray beating Federer. Which I did. So even though I missed the man be a spider, I finally got to see a Brit win at Wimbledon.

I don't know what I'm going to do when my apartment pool closes.
On Sunday I of course spent several hours at the pool reading and then floating. Sadly, like all pools around here, mine will close Labor Day weekend, even though it will still be hot for at least another month, and I'm really going to miss what it does for my mental state.

The worst way to end a Sunday is by setting your alarm.
Especially when, thanks to a client meeting, your alarm is set to this:

Yes, that's two alarms for 6 a.m. I didn't want to take any chances.

Things I Learned This (Olympic) Weekend

The Olympics never fail to make me happy. 
Even with a less-than-stellar Opening Ceremony and inane announcer commentary, they still make me very happy. All day I looked forward to it and all week the roommate and I planned to snack on international fare and watch it in its entirety. Which we did. (Along with Brandie, who was allowed to come even though she didn't realize they started that night.) This was our spread, with something to represent each of the rings: 

• Africa: Moroccan hummus and African hot sauce 
• The Americas: Southern Caviar 
• Asia: Dry-roasted Edamame and a spicy snack mix 
• Europe: Sangria 
• Oceania: Chocolate cookies from Australia 
• Host city: Cookies and napkins with the Queen on them 

Sitting by the pool in the rain is lovely.
I hung out with my friend Shana on Saturday, starting with a couple hours at her rooftop pool. It started to rain but instead of racing for cover we waited it out, appreciating the cool water on such a hot day. 

Handball might be my new favorite sport.
After the pool we went to a bar for a drink and apps and to watch some more of the Olympics. They were showing a handball game and somehow this is a sport that I've never seen. 

The boats used in rowing are called "sculls," not toothpicks.
After the bar and before dinner, we watched more Olympics, including what we like to call the toothpick boat races. 

There's no such thing as watching too much Olympics.
After a restaurant week dinner, we went back to her place to watch, you guessed it, more Olympics. We caught USA in beach volleyball, but missed the Lochte/Phelps match but that's ok because I love Phelps too much to watch him lose. 

"Gone with the Wind" is an amazing and intense book.
After two weeks of reading the 1,000 page tome, I finally finished on Sunday morning. And all I can say is, "Wow."

I read so much faster when reading by the pool. 
On Sunday I spent a few hours lying out and reading at my pool. I don't know if it's the fresh air or just being away from technological distractions, but I get so much more read when I'm outside.

The Olympics make Sunday nights more tolerable.
I know, shocking, but I watched more Olympics on Sunday. Water polo, synchronized diving, swimming, and gymnastics.

Things I Learned This Weekend

(It's too late for this but it was such an out-of-the-ordinary weekend, for so many reasons, I can't not write about it. Even if it's longer and vaguer than usual.)

To stop. Drinking. Sangria.
I should count how many times I've "learned" this. (And should also probably note I had it again Sunday.)

There are not enough words for how great it is to have the company of a good friend after a bad night.
Have I mentioned how awesome my friends are? Oh, I have? And I should shut up about it? Yeah, not going to happen.

And a nice stranger lady in the ladies room is really great, too.
Long story, not that interesting, but if you work in the same place for 4.5 years and frequent the same places, people remember you. And care.

Sometimes it's worth it to spring for the long cab ride.
No explanation needed.

Especially when you arrive at a restaurant minutes before a crazy storm hits.
For real.

That a "derecho" is a crazy, scary, out-of-nowhere storm I hope to never experience again. 
I'd rather have a hurricane any day. (No jinx.)

Tree on car at end of my street.

Sometimes it's also worth it to spring for a cab ride when the power at the metro station is out and there are port-a-potties in the middle of the road.
Also no explanation needed.

Blessed: Living in a building with power when all the buildings around you are without.
And there are power lines tangled in the tree in front of your building. But still there was power. BLESSED!

Power lines tangled in tree.

Spending a Saturday at the pool alone is fine, but spending it with a friend is even more fine. 
As is eating veggies and chatting in the AC afterward.

These are from my book club dinner
I made last week, but I wanted to share.
Aren't they pretty?

Forget running errands, even walking errands in 100 degree heat is too much.
Especially if your usual, shaded route is closed due to damage.

Favorite route: closed

My tendency to get ready too early comes in handy when a fire alarm forces you out of your building.
Random fire alarm at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Grr...

Fire trucks!

Channing Tatum is an amazing dancer.And as odd as it was, I'm grateful for two wonderful girlfriends to have seen "Magic Mike" with.

The U.S.A. women's (and probably men's) gymnastics team is going to be amazing.
And my new favorite is Gabby Douglas. But I still love Nastia and will remember her for all her previous accomplishments, not that last stumble.

Day 229: Golden boy

As much as I claim to hate sports, I readily admit to always loving the history of them. Though it's insane, the feats athletes do now could be remembered 100 years from now; it goes in the history books too.

Something that will definitely be remembered for 100 years and beyond, Michael Phelps winning eight golds at one Olympics. And I saw every one of them, including his final one tonite. I also got to watch some of this year's Olympics with Mom for the first time.

Maybe not the most traditional of new things, but I watched all of his races in 2004, and again this year, with the same kind of heart-pounding anticipation I only experience during Carolina basketball. And I just was never quite sure I'd get to see history made like this.

Day 221: After a long, arduous, boring four-year wait...

...they are here! The Olympics are here! (As is a certain Aunt's birthday. Happy b-day Shannon!)

Of all the obsessions I write about in this blog, this is one of my oldest and fiercest loves. So proud am I of my Olympic devotion, I don't even call it a nerdy obsession. It's not nerdy or dorky, it's AWESOME. To kick off this year's Olympic season, my fellow Olympic fiend friend, Elizabeth, came over. I provided "international" appetizers for a mini-Olympic party as we watched the Opening Ceremonies. I tired to represent every continent, even if my interpretation of their food was often quite loose. It was still fun and a great way to kick off the next two week!

USA cookies, which prompted one of my favorite quotes of the night, from E: "I don't want to eat the 'Bronze' one, I feel like it won't be as good." My cookies, complete with USA, medals (G, S, B) and favorite events. And yes, that is an interlocking NC for UNC in the corner. Lots of alums in the games, after all!

The spread, as follows:
United Kingdom: English toffee
Brazil: Chips and salsa
China: Chinese noodles and mixed vegetables
Switzerland: Swiss cheese spread
Greece: Olives
Iraq: Hummus and pita bread
USA: Cookies
South Africa: Wine
Australia: Shrimp (on the barbie) (Not pictured because I didn't make it for fear of making too much. But considering all the food and the fact that it was just the two of us, we still devoured quite a lot, and probably could have handled the shrimp too.)

Elizabeth posing.