See Ya Later, 2013
This year brought some of the highest highs and lowest lows of my life: My beautiful niece was born, I experienced my first full year living in NYC, and my dad’s death summoned more emotions and inner monologue than I thought possible.
Despite everything that’s happened, I haven’t dedicated near as much time to this blog as I’d have liked — but I still have a little year-end treat for you!
The WordPress stats monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report, which was muuuch easier than me having to actually put anything together.
Here’s a preview:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 11,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Cheers to 2013, which can officially kiss my glass. See ya next year!
Remembering September 11
10 years ago, our lives were changed forever. Whether you knew someone working in The Twin Towers or Pentagon, or you had no idea what Al-Qaeda was, the fact remains that this date holds a different weight to it than it did more than a decade ago.
Everyone who was alive at the time remembers exactly where they were when they heard the news. For my generation, it’s comparable to our parents remembering where they were during the JFK assassination. We bonded together during our nation’s most historic moment, and we found solace in one another when our biggest questions couldn’t be answered.
Those born after that date in infamy have learned about it in school. Some children are told of their heroic mothers and fathers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the midst of national tragedy. Others proudly watch their parents leave for battle and pray that they will be reunited again someday.
Plenty of milestones have come and gone in the 10 years since The Towers fell, and many more are sure to come as time passes. The wounds are no longer fresh, but they are still healing. Scars tell the stories today of where we were yesterday, and September 11 will always remain a painful piece in our country’s history.
Sending many prayers and thanks to the thousands of men and women who’ve served our country and given their lives in this now decade-long saga. Most importantly, we must all remember that life — no matter how tragic or unexpected — will continue to go on.
Murphy’s Law Monday
We already know that I’m not graceful, nor am I skilled at transporting food from plate to mouth without a pit stop onto my clothes. But, today’s Case of the Mondays was truly dreadful. I’m surprised I’ve even managed to type this without somehow screwing it up.
The day started with my best frenemy, the snooze button, winning (again). I woke up 23 minutes before I was supposed to be at work, giving me 13 minutes to get ready and out the door. I was down, but not out.
That is, until I dropped my intended shirt for work INTO. THE. TOILET. You heard right. I was pulling jeans off my shower-curtain rod, and I inadvertently dragged the shirt off as well — allowing it a perfect flight into the porcelain bowl.
I found a backup blouse and put the other into the sink to be dealt with later. Rushing out to my car, I cursed myself for not packing a lunch last night. I’d have to spend my lunch hour fighting the crowds, instead of running errands like I planned …
… After finagling a parking spot and ordering my food, I reached into my purse for my wallet. With it nowhere to be found, I stammered like an idiot and fumbled for cash — but I knew full well I didn’t have enough on me to pay. Luckily, my angel Rachel was with me, and she covered me so we could get the H outta there.
The rest of the day hasn’t proven as miserable, but I’m no fool. I’m waiting patiently (for once in my life), for the next disaster to take place. And, considering it was one of my many nicknames in college, “Murphy’s Law” and I appear to be biffles. Joy.
Lessons from an Early-Morning Gym Sesh
I switched to a later work schedule this week, and — knowing full well that I’d never work out in the late evening — I’ve started hitting the gym before the office. I’ve already learned so much …
- We have a lot of elderly members. South Tampa is notorious for yuppie, Ed Hardy–wearing douchebags, so it’s completely foreign to see so many grannies sweatin’ to the oldies.
- I need a new playlist. Until today, my “Gymmy Gym Gym” mix has kept me going. But Nelly, Katy, Florence and The Lonely Island just weren’t doing it for me in the 8 o’clock hour.
- Don’t believe the “shampoo, conditioner and body wash provided” promise. I luckily didn’t need to wash my hairs, but the so-called “body wash” was just pathetic. I’ll be bringing my own from now on, thankyouverymuch.
- Most women don’t wash their hands. In the 15 minutes I spent primping, I witnessed four women use the restroom without washing their hands afterward. Gross with a capital GAH.
- Taking a two-lane road to work is too stressful. My first time taking this particular street to the office was a freaking nightmare. As if traffic isn’t bad enough, there’s no way to get around the idiots you’re stuck behind.
I’m planning to get in 30 minutes earlier tomorrow and Friday, provided my affinity for the snooze button doesn’t win again. And, I’m now accepting suggestions for the playlist — just no trance music, please.
He just wants to see you SWEAT!
Summer Sips
Memorial Day kicks off the start of sandals, swimsuits and surf (for the rest of the country … let’s be honest, that started four months ago in Florida). So, here are some of my favorite cocktail recipes to beat the heat with — little drink umbrella required.
“Cosmopolitan” Trendy Summer Drink
This was recently served at a friend’s going-away barbecue, and I couldn’t get enough. So light and refreshing!
Ingredients
- Orange, lemon or lime, cut into wheels
- Ice
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1 cup light beer
Preparation
- Add citrus wheels to a pitcher, then fill a third of it with ice.
- Add vodka, lemonade and ginger ale.
- Top with the beer.
Cherry Lemon Drop
My drink of choice this past weekend, this one will have you going back for seconds — and fifths!
Ingredients
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 bottle cherry vodka
- 1 bottle lemonade
- Superfine sugar, on a small plate
Preparation
- Rub lemon wedge around the rim around each glass. Put wedge aside.
- Roll rim of the glass in superfine sugar.
- Shake off excess sugar over sink or trash can.
- Mix 1 part cherry vodka, two parts lemonade in glass. Top drink with lemon wedge.
Super-Easy Sangria
Your summer just isn’t complete without the Spanish-inspired flavors of sangria. Delicioso!
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 bottle of chilled red wine
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 orange, cut into wedges
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 shot brandy
- 2 cups ginger ale or club soda
Preparation:
- Add ice to the pitcher first, and then pour wine into it.
- Squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon and orange into the wine.
- Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar and brandy.
- Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.
Welcome to My World
This is the world of laughing for no reason, of loving all of the wrong people, of living in the moment.
This is the world of creating chaos every day, of correcting grammar relentlessly, of comedic timing … or something like it.
This is the world of reconnecting with the past, of responding to the present reality, of realizing dreams for the future.
This is the world of Wittyburg.
Wittyburg.com 