Media-crity

I went to Stop and Shop tonight, being that it’s one of the only stores open after 9 on Sunday nights in this godforsaken Puritan state, and encountered the usual SnS sketchballs. I was walking out when two fine specimens of gentlemanly behavior (ahem) sauntered out behind me. “Heyyyyyy baby girl … where you goin’?” I sighed, tensed, and kept walking to my car. They were distracted by something shiny, or with larger breasts, and moved on. Ugh.

So my question is … what is the point? Am I a prude because I hate walking to my car after work and being honked at and called at? Does this behavior ever result in some girl chasing down the car, or turning to the guys behind her, and saying “Yes! Please! Take me away with you! You’re all I’ve ever wanted!”

Again, ugh.

A year ago today, seven brave souls embarked on a journey into the world of literature. That’s right, today is the one-year anniversary of the most exclusive club in Hartford– the BBCS! We’ve lost some members (a statisically improbably number, in fact, hmm …), we’ve gained some members, but through it all we’ve remained true to our roots: The book is optional.

That being said, in our year, some of us have read some really fabulous books (Anthony Rapp’s memoir Without You, Everyone Into the Pool, Dress Yourself in Corderoy and Denim by my new idol David Sedaris), and some of us have read some really REALLY not-so-fabulous books (Alice Hoffman, ahem).

Viva la Chili’s!!!! Presidentes for all!

Now click here for a message from our president …

Some things I learned this weekend …

1. It’s crazy to have the bridal party in formal dresses. I spent more time on more floors this weekend straightening crinolines and dresses, blotting stains, and putting on shoes. If only tracksuits and kneepads made for pretty pictures …

2. Getting a bride into a big, poofy dress is really like being an obstetrician at childbirth. “I see the head! Push! Ooh, watch the crown, though!”

3. A wedding really is all about love. Not just the romantic love of the couple, but the warm-and-fuzzy love of being surrounded by the energy of a huge group of people that are really pulling for you.

4. On that note … no matter what happens, if all of the guests can create that energy of love and enthusiasm, the wedding will be perfect.

5. Oh, yeah, and Shout wipes truly are a miracle product. They took a giant margarita stain down the front of a satin dress and, with the help of a hair dryer, got it to almost completely disappear. Saved the day!

A little travelling music for tomorrow …

1. Perfect Memory - Remy Zero
2. Holy Ghost - Jesse Malin
3. Now and Forever - Carole King
4. White Houses - Vanessa Carlton
5. Belladonna - Stevie Nicks
6. One More Big Time Rock and Roll Star - Stevie Nicks
7. Somebody’s Baby - Jackson Browne
8. Vacation - The Go-Go’s
9. Oh Very Young - Cat Stevens
10. Wild World - Cat Stevens
11. The Fuse - Bruce Springsteen
12. Jersey Girl - Bruce Springsteen
13. Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters
14. Story of a Life - Harry Chapin
15. Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
16. Everything - Lifehouse
17. You Make Me Remember - Leah Andreone
18. Saints and Sailors - Dashboard Confessional

Y’know, I’m actually looking forward to being on a bus for awhile. I do my best thinking in situations like that, and I have a poem I’m trying to get out.

98 White House spokesmen on the wall, 98 White House spokesmen, take one down, pass him around, 97 White House spokesmen on the wall! 97 White House spokesmen on the wall, 97 White House spokesmen, take one down, pass him around …

“I have given it my all …

Hey! Did iTunes do away with the section where you could request songs to be added?

If so, does anyone know where I can get my hands on “Black Pearl” by Sonny Charles and the Checkmates?

Hey everyone who reads this in syndicated form, I just realized that the feed hadn’t been working since I changed webhosts. It’s been fixed now. So if you’ve been relying on the RSS feed to let you know when I’ve updated, come back to Mediacrity to see what you’ve missed!

I’m back with another “why other brides drive me batty” rant.

Girls, there are really no original ideas left. Seriously. So quit posting like you’ve come up with the best idea since sliced bread. There are thousands of other brides out there that are either not wearing veils, not hiring a traditional DJ, having a dessert-only reception, not doing a bouquet toss, not having a parent dance, not having bridesmaids, having two maid of honors, or not getting married in a church. You’re not unique. You’re just like everyone else.

Eric posted about the little kerfuffle over who gets to use “Enter Sandman” when he comes into a game, Billy Wagner (eh, Mets) or Mariano Rivera (boo, yankees) and posed an interesting question: What would your entrance song be?

So tell me, what would your song be?

Oh, what’s mine? No question: California Love.

Well, a few hours and some outside time later and I’m back to myself. Thanks for the well-wishes, though, they really cheered me up.

It’s amazing how much sitting outside in the sun can really make everything seem better. Not much more substance than that, but I did want to update my nice readers.

Ever have one of those days where EVERYTHING annoys you? Even things you usually find funny or entertaining manage to greviously offend you somehow? That’s me today. I was idly doing some wedding research, checking out peoples ideas, reading peoples song lists for their first dances and slideshows, and I just want to shake them and say “CAN’T YOU DO BETTER THAN THAT!? Where’s your originality?” But really, who am I to judge their inane music choices? It’s not my wedding and the mere fact that Martina McBride has had the gall to produce songs that make me queasy should not be enough to fill me with rage.

Deep, cleansing breaths …

My guilty TV pleasure are shows on VH1 and E!– either those clip shows like “Best Week Ever” and “The Soup” or biographical shows like “True Hollywood Story” and “Behind the Music” or even countdown shows. I can– and have– spend hours just sitting in front of the TV. I have enough stress and things to think about right now that anytime I can just zone out, I’m happy. I can get into pretty much any subject on those shows, whether I’m familiar with them or not.

Tonight, however, I met my match: Tori Spelling. I tried to watch, I tried to be interested, I tried to like her, I tried to remember how much I loved 90210. Nothing could make me sit and watch her bubble brain spill vapidly from her gaping maw any longer. Jessica Simpson’s got nothing on the Notorious one.

So, I switched to another favorite genre and channel– Unwrapped on Food Network! I’ve already learned that the city where the Jack Daniels distillery is located is dry. Weird. Now I’m watching how glasses get made at the Anchor-Hocking plant. Fiery gobs of glass! Falling! From mechanical arms!

This show reminds me of my favorite segment of my favorite childhood show– when Mr. Rogers would take us to learn how things like kickballs and teddy bears and sneakers are made.

Sure, it may not be Masterpiece Theatre (said in a snooty accent), but I think most people would be curious about what goes into a $10k martini. Even just a little bit.

What are some of your pop culture guilty pleasures? I promise not to laugh at you. Even if it involves Tori Spelling.

I’ve got wedding fever. I’m the maid-of-honor for my “cousin”/best friend for over 20 years/damn-near-sister in 2 weeks and it’s all I can think about. So, two wedding topics.

1) Shoes
I’ve been looking for shoes for all sorts of different occasions, wedding and not. I’m really afraid, because in the countless shoestores I visited over the past week, there were so many of those strange Roman gladiator shoes– flat, with leather straps and multiple buckles. How is this popular? How is this the new “trend”? Who are these people that look good in this? I’m never consciously trendy– I just buy what catches my eye and if it’s “in” then so be it. I stick to a lot of “classic” pieces– plain cotton v-neck tshirts, basic blouses, khaki, denim, skirts, capris, low heels. Not togas. If you see me on the street in these monstrosities, feel free to trip me.

2) Bachelor parties
I’m just collecting opinions and views here, out of curiosity after some conversations. If you feel daring enough to answer and don’t want to share publicly, feel free to email me.
What do you consider a “normal” bachelor party?
Where does this view come from (TV, movies, stories from friends, actually attending one)?
What would you want for your bachelor party?

Hm. Wonder what kind of responses I’ll get …

Girls I need you! Nate has a guy friend over and they plan to drink beer and play video games all night!

It’s really not all that dire, I guess. I do like his friend, and I am exhausted after a day-long migraine, so I doubt I’ll be up much longer.

But really, I should have made plans tonight. I can guarantee there will be no talk of “lists” and there will be no pizza dip …

I’m glad I have you, blog. Let’s hang out.

Went to the Hartford Magazine cover party tonight at Black Eyed Sally’s and I just have to say: I gotta get out more! I’ve never been there for any length of time. It just reminded me that there’s a world out there outside Wood-n-Tap, Half Door, and Tisane. It’s so easy to get caught in the same rut when the question of “Where do we go?” comes up.

Hartford may not be New York or Boston, but it’s got a decent assortment of bars and restaurants, and there are more opening pretty regularly. I mean, I also went to Bin228 for lunch and it was fantastic. I love Trumbull Kitchen, especially for a happy hour situation. I had a great time when I went to Agave a couple of months ago.

The main complaint with the downtown bars– and there are some good ones: namely, Vaughan’s and BES– is the parking. Good god the parking. NYC and Boston have these problems, but they also have other options: public transportation. I know there IS parking in Hartford, but let’s face it … it’s expensive and kind of sketchy.

What Hartford could really use is cheap, plentiful parking somewhere close to, but outside, the city and a shuttle running between them. Sort of like a park and ride. This parking lot would need to be well-lit and well-staffed. There would also need to be a waiting room of sorts, also well-lit and well-staffed. The shuttle would really just be an extension of the star shuttle, which is already in operation. However, I’m not sure that it circulates much at night or on weekends.

Or, hey, a monorail would solve many problems.

Yeah … a girl can dream, can’t she?