GOT Predictions

My predictions for Game of Thrones tonight:

Sansa and Arya kill Littlefinger
Jon and Dany get it on.

Went to a birthday cook out on Saturday afternoon followed by a birthday party at an arcade bar Saturday night. I wish I had a summer birthday. I also wish I had a nice deck and a fire pit.

Today I had lunch with my mom at a Thai restaurant. It's her birthday tomorrow. Let's all wish her a happy birthday. She deserves it.

Now I'm off to a Game of Thrones viewing party. I napped so I'm ready to go. The weekend's not over yet.

Rats!

I saw three rats yesterday. I'd prefer that number to be zero. The last one I saw started running towards our table on the patio at Devlin's but then we screamed and the rat freaked out and ran in the opposite direction. Besides the rat crashing the party, drinks at Devlin's with the Brighton crew was fun. I'm trying to get in as much patio time as possible before it starts getting cold again.

Since it's nice out today I tried to eat lunch outside but then the wind blew my chopsticks away and I had to eat my sushi with my hands. I wasn't going to walk back to the super market to get another pair of chopsticks so hands it is. I moved inside after my chopsticks blew away before I lost my soy sauce too.

I updated the photo blog yesterday.

Wizard's First Rule

"People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool."

"Because of Wizards First Rule, the old wizards created Confessors, and Seekers, as a means of helping find the truth, when the truth is important enough. Darken Rahl knows the Wizard's Rules. He is using the first one. People need an enemy to feel a sense of purpose. It's easy to lead people when they have a sense of purpose. Sense of purpose is more important by far than the truth. In fact, truth has no bearing in this. Darken Rahl is providing them with an enemy, other than himself, a sense of purpose. People are stupid; they want to believe, so they do."

Wizard's First Rule is getting a little to real these days.

How to ride public transit without being a jerk

With the college students returning to Boston very soon I thought I'd post a how to reminder on using public transit.

Wait for the passengers exiting to get off. You think this would be common sense but all too often I see people trying to shove their way on while passengers are trying to get off. It slows everything down so please wait the extra few seconds for people to finish getting off the train or bus.

Move to the back. People love to hover by the doors when there's room in the rear. MOVE BACK. I always manage to make it to the doors for my stop and so will you.

If it's full, wait. I know it sucks when it's rush hour and the train is completely full but trying to push your way in and waiting in the open door so the train can't move slows down the entire system. Step back and wait for the next one.

Ditch the giant stroller. I know parents need to take public transit too but do you really need the largest stroller you can find? Not only does it take up massive amounts of space but it's really awkward to get on and off public transit with. I'm not a parent but I would want something smaller and lighter that's easier to maneuver.

Don't argue with the operator. You're not going to win and the train/bus is not going to move until the operator decides it's going to move.

Give up your seat to people who need it. Don't pretend you don't see that elderly man with the cane get on the train. Offer your seat to those who need it if you don't.

And please don't forget the deodorant! Public transit is fragrant enough.

Ikea and ladies night

Yesterday I went to Ikea with Lil-Anne and please remind me in the future to never go to Ikea near the end of August ever again. It was insanity. I'm in denial that the college kids are making their way back to Boston. Despite the crowds I did manage to replace a pot though and eat Swedish meatballs. I brought some home for Derek since he's never had them! He's not a fan of Ikea but I might be able to persuade him through food.

After our Ikea trip Lil-Anne and I decided to go to the Irish Village. Derek wasn't feeling well so he stayed home. Fiona joined us in costume after going to the Goblin Ball (from Labyrinth) in Worcester. I'm going to go to the next one they have. It looked like a lot of fun.

We had a fun little ladies night.

Lil and I

Me and Fiona (in costume)

Bosco would like to let you know that he ate a giant live fly this morning. It was gross but I was also like, well you're good at pest control at least.

A 90s Throwback

I have to give credit to my friend Fiona for always finding random fun things to do. Apparently the Coolidge Corner theater has a Rewind! night. One Thursday a month they show "small screen classics" followed by an after party at Osaka. When she asked me if I wanted to see Romeo + Juliet of course I said yes.

I can't believe this movie came out 21 years ago. I was in middle school at the time and I remember having a huge crush on Leonardo DiCaprio. I'm pretty sure every young girl had a crush on him back in 1996.

The ceiling in the theater

I love the Coolidge Corner theater. They are an independent movie theater that's been operating since 1933. The decor is fantastic and the popcorn is always super fresh. They also serve beer and wine (hollah!)

It's been a long time since I last watched Romeo + Juliet and I realized I missed a lot of the humor in the movie when I watched it as a teen. There were quite a few times where we all laughed out loud. Of course we all know how Romeo and Juliet ends so the movie ended with tears. Fiona went through all of her tissues.

The after party at Osaka was sold out so we missed out on sushi and 90s music but we consoled ourselves with "Irish" nachos and drinks at Harry's. We staked out a table by the open windows but quickly regretted that decision when we realized it was actually a bit chilly. Luckily beer helps with that. The husband, Lil-Anne and Phil ended up joining us and the sushi after party was soon forgotten.

Fiona and the "Irish" nachos

We made it home much later than planned but I have no regrets. Ok, maybe I regret eating so many "Irish" nachos but how could I resist?

I have a crystal and I sort of maybe know how to use it

I don't often get thank you gifts as a legal assistant but when I do they tend to be interesting. Today I got this.

Suck it edible arrangements, I got a crystal! I think it's selenite? The client who gave it to me was telling me what it can be used for and not to wash it (um ok, no baths for my crystal) and when she finished I said "and you could also throw it at someone if you need to." I don't think she agreed with me but it's got some heft to it.

Right now the crystal is sitting on my desk at work. According to crystal sites selenite can be used to dispel negative energy. I'm going to give it a shot the next time a client is yelling at me over the phone.

New England Holocaust Memorial vandalized

I took this picture on Friday night after work. It just happened to be the view from where I was standing and I felt like taking a picture. You can see some of the towers from the Holocaust Memorial. The Memorial was vandalized Monday night. I'm glad they were able to clean up the glass and replace the panel so quickly but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.

If you're ever in the Faneuil Hall area of Boston you should take a few minutes to visit. I think it's best viewed at night.

The blame game

I'm currently dealing with a blamer at work. Nothing is ever their fault and they will throw anyone under the bus to cover their own ass. I have zero patience for this. If I screw up, I own up. That's what you do as an adult. I've had to resort to sending emails for issues I would normally discuss in person so I have a paper trail. I can't do much else due to nepotism but it's better than standing in the middle of the road watching the bus come barreling down.

Speaking of work, this past July was my 10 year work anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long!

Cleaning frenzy

Credit card has been recovered. Stayed in last night and watched the Craft. I miss the 90s sometimes. I ordered a calzone from Pizza Days but it tasted funny so I didn't finish it. Better than being sick.

Today I suddenly got the urge to clean and went to town. The bathroom is done and part of the entryway. I had to take a break to shower and go food shopping. Now I'm getting ready to head over to Fi's to watch Game of Thrones so the cleaning will continue tomorrow (hopefully). I'm bringing brie and fig jam. If you haven't had that combo before do yourself a favor and try it. You can thank me later.

I found this pillow cover on Amazon that looks exactly like Bosco. I'm thinking about getting it.

Good one

I left my credit card at the bar last night. I'm pretty miffed at myself. Not looking forward to taking a trip back today to get it. I'm having mac and cheese for breakfast/lunch to console myself.

It's only 65 out but holy hell is it humid. I wish I was at a lake right now.

I think I'm going to set up a separate photo blog for all my random photos.

Sweet Spot

From our wedding photographer

I'm not good at math but this adds up to a lot of money

Today I dropped off a bridesmaids dress to be altered and it's going to cost me $120.00. The dress cost me $90.00 and I bought two of them for a total of $180.00. This is what happens when you have to order a dress from China that you can't try on. I was told to order my regular size so I did and it was too small. There are no returns so I ordered the next size up and I swear to you it is the same size as the other dress. NO RETURNS. I told the tailor that I have plenty of extra material to work with because I have an entire extra dress that is too small that I can't return. I don't think they care but I needed them to know what happened. I might have to go as a bridesmaid for Halloween and wear this to every formal event for the next five years.

I love my friend who is getting married so I won't tell her how much I'm spending on this dress. She would feel terrible and there's no need for that. I will look fly in my altered Chinese dress and so will my future daughter when I make her wear it to her prom.

The Sinner

This show is good but will also mess you up. Who hasn't been pissed off by a couple making out on the beach and blasting music? We've all been there. This is why I stick to junk food at the beach instead of fruit. You won't get angry when you've got a bag of Cheetos in your hand.

Also, this show has Bill Pullman. THE END.

Pastachusetts

What do we have here?

Pasta in the shape of Massachusetts!

"Featuring local MA Flour"

I was tempted to buy some but Pastachusetts isn't cheap.

Check out my muscles

*flexes*

Look! Look!

I see! Thank you for the information.

Mystery

Why did I take a photo of rose petals on the floor?

Why did I not find this photo in my phone until now?

I'm having a day

My commute was total shit today. Here's a flash flood warning for ya right as you're leaving the office. Oh and the Red Sox game is somehow not cancelled yet despite this non stop rain so enjoying walking to Kenmore so you can get on a train. Good thing you wore flip flops so you could flip all that nasty street crud water all up onto the back of your legs. Let's not forget that the B line is still doing shuttle buses after tearing up the tracks on the BU bridge so you take the C line which means more walking in the rain. Make it to Whole Foods and decide to buy yourself a cupcake. Notice the cupcake is 450 calories. Buy it anyways and feel gross. Get home and find a hairball from the cat on the kitchen floor.

Fuck it. I'm ordering steak and cheese for dinner.

The usual places

Yesterday the in-laws were in the city for an appointment so we took them out to Wagamama for dinner. If you're a regular blog reader you know that Derek and I are Wagamama regulars. I'm sure our photos will be up on the wall any day now. My mother-in-law has a dairy allergy and it seemed like a safe bet and luckily I was right. We caught them up on Aruba and married life in general. After the in-laws made their way back to the train we decided to pop into our usual after Wagamama spot - the hotel bar at the Westin. Hotel bars are the best. 

View of the Boston Public Library from the Westin.

We probably should have gone straight home after the hotel bar but we were having fun. We decided to stop off at Washington Square Taven on the way home. We usually know the bartender working but there was a new one tonight. He was very nice and gave us a free round of drinks (very nice indeed). He regaled us with awkward Tavern first date stories which of course I was loving. I texted my best Florida friend to let her know I was at the Tavern. We had some great times there in our 20s and she pretty much expects a memory lane text if I end up there.

We stayed at the Tavern longer than we should have but it was worth it. Now it's time to put myself to bed.