I Don't Believe It

THIS is the Michael Jackson that I have always loved.
I've been a fan forever - although, I did lose track of him as he became more eccentric.
Still, I had a fondness for the musician I adored as a kid.
One of my first tapes EVER was Thriller. I still have that tape...almost 30 years later!

Thriller wowed me! I loved every song and that impeccable album followed me throughout my life.

In my adolesence, I would dream up dance moves, sing along, and imagine MJ as my boyfriend.
My sister, years later, would have a similar obsession with him...singing to songs on her walkman - her eyes closed earnest as if she'd written the songs herself.
I remembered the feeling that Michael Jackson inspired in me.

These days, if I'm with my Dog Dick ladies, a room full of strangers, or at a patio bar having a summer cocktail...when MJ comes on...everyone's dance moves come out.
Missoula dance parties weren't a REAL party until we danced to 'PYT'!

I'm saddened beyond my ability to express. I guess, honestly, I never really gave any thought to people that I admired as a kid dying off.
It's the natural flow of things, of course, but I'm surprised by my reaction.
Surprised that my references to him, now, will be in the past tense.

RIP MJ!
I haven't moonwalked in ages, but I think I'll try it in the kitchen again...for old time's sake...
Just like I did when I was seven!

You're So Great And I Love You

I'm a lucky person.
I don't win a lot of things, but what I am rich in is people.

June 23rd, I celebrated my birthday. I have to admit...I've been sort of gloomed out and not interested in anything beyond laying on my bed evening after evening re-watching the confrontation scenes from the finale episode of 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey'.
HOWEVER, your birthday comes whether you want it to or not...and hopefully, when it comes, you're able to have really quality people around you like I have.

I'm a lucky person.

So, after a night of hard drinking... and by hard drinking, I mean box wine...at Baker Neighb Porch Drinkin'...Maura and Baby S came for me.
I'd taken the day off to really wallow in my dreary birthday funk, but Spencer and Maura rescued me and dragged me to Snooze!

None of us had been there before so we were pretty excited to soak up some of that Chillable Red...

Maura brought me a card that had ladies with big boobs on it.
It said bosom buddies...because that's what we are!

Maura may or may not have had a few war wounds from the night before...

And all of us were a little worn out!

Lookin' super fresh in my Ferd shirt! That shirt is a staple. You wish you had one!

Snooze brought me a blueberry streusal pancake with cinnamon butter and a candle...on the house!
That's what happens when it's your birthday!

While we waited for our brekkie...Spencer looked up the etymological story behind the expression, "to boot".
Yes, we are all English nerds.

I had the benedict...and it was glorious.

Spencer did the corned beef hash and Maura went with the breakfast burrito!

The decor in Snooze is amazing! You should go there and have the pancake flight.
Yes, they have those.

They also have the chairs that make you look like you have a big butt.
I wouldn't have taken the pic, but Maura insisted.
It was for science.

Breakfast made us all tired...so, we all went our separate ways.
Spencer had errands, Maura had errands, and I had to do my laundry.

The laundry situation at my house was becoming critical.
I'm sure you understand, but if you saw it...your opinion of me might change.

Later, Maura came and hung out at my house and we watched a movie and the male edition of Oprah hosted by Dr. Oz. I never really get to watch daytime TV...and we learned a great deal about the prostate, testicular cancer, and why Derek Jeter can't sleep at night.
It was a thrilling episode.

I managed to get all gussied up for the dinner that was planned later in the evening at La Sandia.

I sweet talked Maura into heading over to Don's Mixed Drinks first for red beers.

They make a mean red beer over there...

Spencer picked us up...and picked Miriam up...and we all headed to Northfield to meet the rest of the birthday crew.

Chris and Steph are my birthday party posse!
Do you recognize that monkey hat from Chris' birthday?

Miriam was on my left and bless her heart!
She's the best...I'm so excited for our trip to Missoula together!

Meg and Michelle came too!
And that waiter, we ran his ass ragged.
We're what you might call a "problem table"...but rarely can any waitstaff resist our pluck and charm!

La Sandia makes the BEST guacamole ever...and the Guavapolitans are to die for!
No jokes.

This is how I looked for most of the night.
Just stuffing chip after chip, drenched in salsa and guacamole, into my face.
Michelle doesn't judge...I even dropped a chip in my purse on accident and she smiled and nodded like she understood.

These are some heavy hanging broads! My girls Miriam and Meg!

Chris and Maura...
I promise, I won't make any lei jokes.

Some serious besties right here!
Notice how Spencer is smiling...he never smiles when I take pictures of him.
He hates my camera.

Two Michelles in one night. How did I get so lucky?

Chicken enchiladas with mole!
I know it looks delicious...go there and try it for yourself!

So...usually, I don't post A LOT of pictures of myself on my blog. But people at the table took my camera and snapped away.
And from the looks of this picture, you might begin to understand why I DON'T post pics of myself.
I'm a nutcase.

Meg was trying to teach me some sound America's Top Model type posing methods.
The arm out, the chin up...and the tongue pressed to the roof of your mouth.

Chris was dying laughing at me.
I look like a maniac.

Miriam helped me with my cupcake...it had a Munny zipper pull baked right into it!
I keep Miriam around for precisely this kind of friendly assistance. Also, she is a fucking riot and cracks my ass up.

So, yeah...I had a birthday.
I got older.
17 years ago...I was 17 years old.
So weird. I don't even remember anything about that birthday.
Your brain starts to betray you...




What I will remember though...are these wonderful people!
These friends who make me laugh and cheer me continually with their support, earnest interest in my life, and their willingness to endure my insanity and actually appreciate it!

Like I said, I'm lucky as hell.
Thanks guys...I love you!

That's The Way We Get By

Porch Drinkin' was a really success this time around!
I was only there for a short while, when Maura pulled the space bag from the wine box and started passing it around.
SUMMERTIME!

We had some new friends...and awesome old schoolers!

The gentlemen:
Pablo, Symm, and Keith

Don't forget Baby S in a very dashing shirt!

There was a Riesling...

And the Chillable Red.
Proper porch drinkin' fare.

Christi is our new pal!
She made sure to remind me that her name was spelled "Christ with an i".

She was into porch drinkin'...she offered to make us some proper shirts.
I'm still partial to our handmade ones, but Christi is an artist lady and I trust her skills completely!

So, clearly, this is where the night went.

We drank about 7 liters of wine all told.

I'd call it messy.
Things got messy...but in the very best way.
Thank GOD no comedians came out on this night!

Miriam was minding her P's and Q's.
Doesn't her hair look lovely!?

THE PORCH!
I'll give you the address if you really have it in you...but don't come and then bag out like a baby.

As usual, hilarity was objective #1!

The boys were awesome! All handsome and all geniuses!

Keith got everyone on track with the shotgunning.
He's profesh.

You can't step to that.

Now, these guys...Amateurs.
But isn't it awesome sometimes to watch amateurs?!


Everyone was covered in beer!

But there was a lot of friendship and love going down!

Told ya!

Your's truly avoided shotgunning beers.
The next day was my birthday and I had laundry to do.

I'm sure you know this and I don't need to remind you, but after you shotgun a beer...you should always do some Indian leg wrestling.

Maura started with Keith...

Pretty sure this picture means he kicked her ass.

Pablo was next...


Um, yeah.

Who knew Christi was well versed in the art of leg wrestlin'?
She said to Maura, "My thighs are golden!"...and she was right.

She taught everyone a lesson or two!

But it was all in good fun!


She schooled Symm a little too!

Maura was coaching...


Christi is the champion...if you want to challenge her then come next Monday!

It was a time, my friends...
There were tacos, laughter, and discussion of a myriad of wonderful things.


It's a treat, I promise!
Come 'round and have a hang with us!
Every Monday - Baker Neighb Porch Drinkin'!