Paris always makes me happy

Dude, if someone flew me first class to Paris, to tell me 5 minutes later that my clothes looked ridiculous, and then sent me back to New York, I would be p-i-s-s-e-d, pissed. But it didn't happen to me, it happened to Angela and it makes the evil, mean bitch in me really, really happy. HA HA. Take your stupid little rosettes and wipe your mother's fake tears with them Angela, because no one else wants to see them.

Runway made me laugh tonight. Could there be hope?

At least he can polish the fenders

I started waiting tables again last night. I figured that between my full time job, school, and planning a wedding I have plenty of free time to serve people food, just for fun. I mean really, anyone who tells you that they don't wait tables just for fun is completely lying to you. It has been a long time since I have worn an apron, so last night provoked some interesting reflections. Overall, it was the proverbial 'riding a bicycle' it just came flooding back. My little sayings, my fast waitress walk, and my balancing prowess, all returned for what felt like an encore ballet performance. I am not however, in peak server shape, meaning being able to stand for hours on end, on floors that were not designed for the men and women that would be using them the most. I left with tired legs and feet, but they will adjust, they always have. I don't know how long this little stint will last, and thankfully it will only be one night a week, but in many ways it feels like I have reunited with an old friend. A friend that on some days would beat me down, physically and emotionally, but a friend that brought me a lot of laughs, introduced me to a lot of friends, and brought me cash money. And who doesn't love that friend?

I invented the piano key neck tie! I invented it! What have you done, Derek? Nothing!

Friday night, out at a bar, during a conversation with a group of friends, we starting talking about Will Ferrell. One of our friends mentioned that he loved him, and Dave mentioned something about Zoolander.

AF(anonymous friend): "I have never seen that movie."

Insert shocked and appalled looks, from both Dave and I, followed by words that sounded like,
"whatthefuckiswrongwithyouhowcouldyouhaveneverseenthatmoviegrrrrrandyoucallyourself
awillferrellfan"

Dave(toAF): "I swear, that movie is a good 20% of the reason why Meaghan and I are getting married."

Insert shocked and appalled look by me.

Me(to Dave): "What is wrong with you? Are you crazy? That is soooo not true. It is at least 30% of the reason why we are getting married. At least 30%"

And that is why, this relationship works. At least 30% of the time.

Circle

I took this photo outside the Library of Congress a few weeks ago. There was a giant pile of rubble, which you can see below, just dumped on the corner. DC, or our federal government to be exact, takes very poor care of the federal land in the district. This pile is just one example of a very large problem. There is poor, or no, grounds keeping of the National Mall, where large expanses of land have no grass and the paths can feel like a giant dust bowl. There are minimal public bathroom facilities anywhere between the Smithsonian and the Lincoln Memorial. When you can find one, you sort of wish you hadn't found it because they are so nasty. The security barriers that have been erected everywhere are heinous, and a major eye sore. At least we have sacrificed aesthetics for a false sense of security. That makes me feel good. I find this upsetting because I do love this area of the city. I have great memories of being here, multiple times, as a kid. It is our welcome center to people of other nations, and if this is the best we can do it is embarrassing. For such a rich, and powerful nation, we look like schmucks. I don't think that when L'Enfant was designing the city he was going for "trailer park chic." But that is just a guess.

The first photo is also my Photo Friday entry for circle.

More bitter than sweet

After several weeks of watching season three of Runway, I have developed a complex, and comprehensive, analysis of the way the show is developing. My love of season two has been well documented on this blog. Since I care for you all so much, I will share with you my thesis.

Project Runway fucking sucks.

Where is Andre?

If you are not first, you are last

Just in case you were wondering, I have totally blocked out this past weekend. Was there baseball being played? Was there a rival in town? I have implemented my own "don't ask, don't tell policy." So really, I have no idea what everyone has been talking about. This is the only viable option for me. Otherwise, I might rip someone's face off with my bare hands.

In the streets of Delaware, I swear

This first photo is my entry for Photo Friday, "Friend."

We went to the beach again this weekend, but this time we went to Delaware. I am on a never ending quest to find a beach that I like in this area. Ocean City didn't work out so well for me. The Outer Banks are great, but it is too far away for a quick trip. So, we gave Delaware a shot and the results were mixed. We went to a beach in a state park thinking that it wouldn't be as crowded, but we were dead wrong. It was packed. So packed that is became a nightmare. Maybe I am spoiled, but I will never understand how people can like being at the beach when there are people packed in like sardines all around them. I have accepted my beach snobbiness, and I know that I have big expectations, but even this was beyond the realm of normal crowdedness. I know, I know, it was a Saturday in August what can I expect?? I know. But I have been to beaches that aren't, and I just want to find them here.

The highlight of the trip was his little town that we found in Delaware, called Lewes.

We walked a round for a while, ate dinner on the harbor, bought homemade ice cream, etc. Basically all the things you should do while in a beach town. We found this new agey labyrinth thingy near the church. We each took turns walking through it, and the brochure said that it would bring us inner peace.

I didn't buy into it, but then I went to get in the car. As I opened the door, and went to sit down, I realized that it was the wrong car. I had so much peace that I didn't know where I was. Or, as Lauren decided, I had so much peace that I could unlock random doors. I am just glad that the owner of the car didn't see me.

Overall it was a great trip. We climbed an old WWII watch tower, watched dolphins swimming yards away from us, napped on the beach, and ate like pigs. It was fun.

Oh, I almost forgot, I loved this building, and just want to post a picture of it. I liked it that much.

There are more photos on flickr.

I'm just a bill. Yes, I'm only a bill.

I have been thinking a lot about the post last week regarding things that I love. After perusing my photos I realized that there are so many things that I love that I do not have on film, or in pretty little megapixels. So I am trying to remedy this problem.

I work on Capitol Hill, not to be confused with "On The Hill," meaning I don't work for Congress. Thank God. My office is in the area of DC known as Capitol Hill. I love where I work, because, well, every day I see this:

Not a bad deal. I try very hard, as with all the brilliant things about DC, not to take this for granted. Despite the number of times I want to trip a hill staffer or intern in the street, I enjoy the 'hood. Plus we just got a Dunkin' Donuts. Score! There is a new visitors center being constructed around the Capitol building that really kills the scenery, but if you just squint really hard you can pretend it isn't there.

I also love being so close to the Library of Congress. The library is my favorite building in the District.

I often walk over on my lunch break to catch the most recent exhibit. They displayed photographs last winter that were taken by the Farm Security Administration in the late thirties, early forties. As I was examining the shots I came upon one that looked really familiar. In the middle of the quiet, marble covered gallery, I yelped (yes yelped) because I realized that the photo I was starring at was of my hometown. Wicked cool. There is one coming up this fall about maps that I can't wait to see. No, I am not only a bill, I am also a nerd. Get over it.

This last photo is the fountain in front of the Library. I was standing above it when I took this shot.

There are more photos of the hill over on flickr.

Four roads diverged in a green wood

Taken during my hike yesterday. I recommend clicking on it to get the larger view in flickr.

This hike was particularly awesome because we came upon two deer who were fascinated by us. We stood still as stone for a while and the deer were so curious they continually walked towards us. One even got within about 15 feet before leaping away. Very cool.

Photo Friday entry for Four.

Weirdest pick up lines ever...

I went out with Dave's sister tonight, and this is what was heard.

"Did you go to such and such an elementary school?" For real? Elementary school?

"You are a good reason for cloning" What?? And as we were running away, "No, really, you should be cloned." And to clarify, that was all Lauren.

So f'ing bizarre. Does that work? Like, ever???

All you need is love

The world needs more love, doesn't it?

I saw a link to this Love Revealed site today, on Jen Garrett's blog. The premise is to share more love in the world, very simple. So I created this slideshow, in flickr, that shows some of the things that I love. These are a few things that are already in my flickr account...hope to add more when I get home...I may be a little snarky sometimes, but there are so many things that I do love, that make my life amazing.


Love is all you need...

[Edit: I added some more pictures, but realized that there are so many things that I love that I do not have pictures of. I am going to work on that.]

Dear Santa,

Hello Mr. Claus! I really hope you are enjoying your summer vacation, and the time away from your hectic winter schedule. Where was it you went this year? Fiji? Tahiti? Wherever you are, please enjoy your rest. No one deserves this break more than you do Santa. The President, Congress, and the Supreme Court are taking vacation now too, but for your sake I hope you don't run into them...akward questions about who made the "good" list this year and such. Never a good situation. Fall is just around the corner, and you will be scampering about with the elves before you know it. So take your time, enjoy your Pina Coladas, the sand between your toes, and those long summer nights. You will need your energy soon.

I am writing to you because I have a problem. So let's cut the small talk and get right down to the point. I know it is only August, but I have been really fucking good this year. Scratch that, I have been great this year. Yea, there have been a few slip ups here and there, some photos of my friends on the internet, a little bit of swearing, and some smack talking, but nothing too malicious. For the most part S.C. I am a glowing example of good behavior. I have not started any wars, nor committed any bombings, or kidnapped any white women, or anything. Hell, I am even nice to old people. My point here is Santa, I am due. I am due big time.

So since I am such a good person, and smell like freshly baked cupcakes, I know what you can do for me. Nikon announced this new camera today, and I want it bad. Just look at this sucker, 10.2 megapixels of pure lusciousness. I want to lick it. Do you realize what I could do with this thing? It doesn't come out until October, so that should give you, or the elves, plenty of time to shop. I don't even need the lens, so you can just buy the body. But if you are feeling extra generous a nice 28 or 35mm wide angle would be perfect. Thanks.

So anyway, enjoy the rest of the summer. Call me if you have any questions, you have my number. And I will be waiting for that camera to come in the mail sometime after October. I think waiting until Christmas is not very fair, early November is fine.

Thanks again Santa, keep up the great work!

Love,

Meaghan

I Love the 80's!

We saw this awesome band last night, at the Iota. Since it is polite to share, I must tell you about them. Then you can tell your friends, and they will tell theirs, and this great little band will become wildly popular and I will not have to listen to terrible shit on the radio, like The All American Rejects, or whatever junk the kids are listening to these days. Their name is Jupiter One, and they are like Duran Duran meets the Talking Heads. Minus the 80's cuteness of Duran Duran, because no one is as cute as my third grade husband John Taylor. I have been listening to their CD for a few weeks, and was glad they sounded just as good in person. That can sometimes be a crap shoot.

Anyway, go listen to them on myspace. Yes, myspace is not just for crazy sexual preditors, it is safe to click, I promise.

Why are you still here? Go listen.

Private

On a clear day like this one you can see all of southeastern Massachusetts on the descent into Logan. I could see my hometown, my sister's hometown, my grandmother's beach, and the whole outline of the Cape. This particular shot is of Scituate harbor. Having this view from the air makes you feel like the only person around. It doesn't matter how many people are on the plane with you, it is your private slice of the world.

Photo Friday: private

There are a few more in this group over on flickr.

An Open Letter to Mr. Tim Gunn

Dear Tim,

Abort! Abort! Abandon ship! The S.S.Runway is sinking!

Oh wait you didn't notice? Oh that is right, you were busy "relaxing" at the cloisters. I am so glad they included that little segment last night because when I think relaxation in nature, I think Tim Gunn.

Seriously Tim, what is going on? I fear that my beloved Project Runway has jumped the shark, a whale and a bonobo named Suzy. Was season two the end of the fabulous ride? Please say it ain't so.

The first mayday signal was kicking Malan off the show. Yes, the dress he made for the Miss Universe pageant was wretched, but at least it was an attempt at something new. Miss puffy skirt Angela, who made nothing, contributed nothing, and is overly irksome, should have been gone. She would not have won last night if it weren't for her teammates. Enough said.

But what really concerns me Tim, is not the judging, over which you have no control, but the bad advice you have been giving the contestants! In the first contest, you suggested that Keith (ahhh, Keith, I will miss you) add more housewares crap to his dress. Thank God he didn't listen to you because it would have been a disaster. He went on to make a beautiful dress, and won the contest. No thanks to you. Then, last week you told poor Bradley that his shirt was bad, so he started over. This process caused a Bradley slow motion meltdown. He almost didn't finish. He went back to his original design and the judges loved it. Are you trying to sabotage these people? Or, as you like to say my dear Tim, is this just a matter of taste?

So Tim, I am bummed. My Wednesday nights are not what they used to be. Perhaps it is the close connection to Donald Trump that has gotten the show in trouble...the Miss Universe contest, former Runway contestants as judges of Miss Universe, Ivanka snooty pants as a guest judge...what is the deal? Or maybe I just miss my beloved Santino...ahhhh, Santino....Whatever it is Tim, things just aren't the same. But I want them to be!!!!

Tim, I am begging you, pleading for you to do something about it. Give me more Michael, more Alison, more Bradley...more pizzazz, something, anything...I WANT MY RUNWAY BACK!!!

A lifeboat may be our last hope. Send it quick.

Your beloved fan,

Meaghan

Nothing beats...

...getting roses sent to your office, for no other reason, than just because.

Dave is the best.