Congratulations and mazel tovs are in order! To Julie and her family on their new home purchase, and to my cousin and her husband on the birth of their daughter Sabrina, who is so damn cute.
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Last night was date number three with Martini Guy. He brought over a bottle of wine and we ate, drank, watched the Top Chef finale, and hung out. We bet on the winner and I won, although I’m not exactly sure what the prize is or when I’m collecting. And yes, it was a fun night and I do hope to see him again.
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My Little corrected me the other day when I asked her how her oral presentation on Gandhi was coming along. Well, apparently it’s no longer an ORAL presentation, it’s a POWERPOINT presentation. When did I get old?
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An only in LA moment: My building manager left me a message saying he had a favor to ask me. When I finally got ahold of him, he said he was looking “to borrow a star of david.” Um, why? For a movie he’s working on of course.
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Yesterday was another tonsillectomy follow-up appointment. It’s been six weeks and my doctor says the “tonsil site” looks perfect. Good news!

Martini Guy and I won’t be going out again. I’m not going to get into specifics of what happened, but suffice it to say we have very differing opinions on something very important. And he wasn’t honest with me when he explained it.

Save the “he’s not the right guy for you,” “there are other men out there,” “when the time is right you will meet him,” “he doesn’t deserve you,” and all those words. It was only three dates. I’m not heartbroken.

However, I am very hopebroken.

Thursday (apparently now part of the weekend)
Although slightly hopebroken, I enjoyed dinner and drinks at the newly opened and quite fabulous Village Idiot (which by the way has an amazing pinot noir) with a just as fabulous group of LA blogging women. Of course, I already know Randi and Nicole, but I finally got to meet Lori and Amy. It was quite the fun night! And, we had a quasi-celebrity sighting–Norman from the first season of the Real World. Yes, I’m old enough to have watched the first season. And apparently something else enough to remember his name.

Friday
Thanks to the crane incident closing the 405, my five mile surface street commute home took about an hour due to everyone driving toward the canyons to avoid the freeway. Yeah, it sucked, but at least I didn’t have to go to the Valley. Anyway, that night I caught up on about three hours of Tivod stuff, considered purchasing a voodoo doll, then went to bed.

Saturday
For the first time in way too long, I actually slept in until 10:30; it was so nice. Then I did laundry, cleaned my apartment, ran errands, and lounged around like a total bum.

That night, Jen and I had dinner at Ford’s Filling Station, Harrison Ford’s son’s restaurant, (yummy–we shared the chocolate creme brulee for dessert–so good, and I don’t even like creme brulee), then made our way over to Bottle Rock (super cute wine bar with a really cute server) for more wine, then saw Because I Said So (Diane Keaton’s character was just way too ridiculous and sort of ruined the movie for me) across the street. It was a very fun night, and I am so glad I got to see Jen!

Sunday
After sleeping in again, I hit the market then ventured to Loehman’s and the Beverly Center. (I got a dress and pants I’ll be returning as well a wallet I’m keeping.) Following an unsuccessful shoe shopping trip, I came home, met up with my sister, and tried on four potential outfits for my cousin’s upcoming wedding. We decided on my $30 (!) H&M dress and headed out to two discount shoe stores in search of cute shoes. (Super Bowl? Who cares about the Super Bowl?) I am happy to say I now have a complete outfit to wear to the wedding. And, the dress and shoes together cost less than the other dresses I will returning. I’m stoked.

Now I’m going to straighten up a bit, clean out my purse, and swap out my new wallet. Then I’m going to make some dinner and plant myself on the couch. I love Sundays.
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In other news: Tuesday evening I’m meeting my Speeddating match for coffee. Wednesday evening my Little, her mom, and our caseworker are celebrating our three year anniversary as a match (amazing, I know!). Thursday night is girls’ night with Jen, Ann-Marie, and Marisa. Next weekend I’m chopping about five inches from my hair (if I don’t chicken out first). And finally, a week from Thursday I’m going to New York for my cousin’s wedding. I can’t wait to get out of town and to see snow for the first time in like ten years.

Top ten reasons tonight’s date was not good:

1. Said date calls in the middle of the day to confirm the time and place for the second time in six days and you think, “How annoying,” rather than, “How sweet.”
2. While at work, you have conversations with coworkers that include sentences such as “What kind of baked goods do I need to bribe you with to slash my tire ever so slightly?” and “It wouldn’t be so bad to get a flat tire tonight, given it does not cause injury to anyone but manages to ruin my plans.”
3. He sees you sitting down in front of the agreed upon meeting place, smiles, says hi, then walks right past you.
4. Once he acknowledges you at the location he suggested–in front of the Coffee Bean at the Grove–he says, “I was thinking we could have dinner or see a movie.” What happened to coffee like we talked about on the phone? Twice.
5. He doesn’t even offer to pay for your $2.20 hot chocolate.
6. He asks you not once, but twice, if he was your only speeddating match.
7. He asks you not once, but twice, if you date a lot.
8. You’re sitting next to him thinking, “I missed To Catch A Predator for this?”
9. He asks what you do for fun with your friends and you say you go to a lot of theater, to dinner, and for drinks and he responds with “like cocktails?”.
10. After barely forty-five minutes of coffee drinking and talking, you yawn and declare it time to go home.

So much for speeddating. Back to Jdate perhaps?

After eating the delicious chocolate creme brulee at Ford’s Filling Station, I have decided I want a torch. It just looks like so much fun.
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Monday it was 87. Today it’s supposed to be 70. A week from today I’ll be in NY freezing my ass off. But it’ll be worth it, because I’m so excited for my cousin’s wedding!
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Last night my Little and I celebrated three years as a match. I still can’t believe it’s been that long; it seems like just yesterday we had our first outing. Damn, she’s growing up so fast.
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Tonight is dinner with Ann-Marie, Jen, and Marisa. I am so looking forward to it, I need some major girl time.
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Congratulations to Jenn–she has a line of cards being sold at Target now. How cool is that?
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Have you been reading Paul’s blog? Because you really should be. Go visit. Now.
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In TV news, I’m having Top Chef withdrawal. And I’m pissed Cee Cee is one of the finalists on Beauty and the Geek. That girl just bugs.
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In let’s see what else we can find wrong with Hilary’s heath news: My doctor (himself, not his nurse) called me Monday night to tell me my pap came back abnormal again. (TMI? We’re close now, aren’t we?) Usually when this happens, he has me come back the following month for another pap. This time however, I get to go back for a different test, a colposcopy, (as a precaution) where he’ll check out my cervix with a microscope. (But don’t worry! he said. Hah. Me not worry? I learned from my mom.) Seriously. Enough already. Six years ago I had a lump removed from my breast, two-and-a-half-years ago I had surgery on my bum, and two months ago I had a tonsillectomy. I’m not due for anything else for at least a year.

This weekend, I:

• Went to Target.
• Watched Ugly Betty then fell asleep ten minutes into Law & Order.
• Slept in!
• Returned one dress to Loehman’s and one dress to Macys. Also bought two new tops.
• Went to the market.
• Straightened up my apartment so I can come back from New York to a clean place.
• Got four inches cut off my hair, and I love it!
• Spent Saturday night on the phone with Julie, watching Tivo’d stuff, and sleeping. (My friend and I were supposed to go to UCB but she’s sick and I didn’t want to chance catching anything before my trip.)
• Did laundry.
• Failed miserably at making this frosting and gave up.
• Made red velvet cupcakes.

I know, pretty boring. But I really needed a chill weekend for a change.

To Whom It May Concern:

Even if I did have a valentine this year, I wouldn’t want a stupid heart shaped diamond pendant. Enough with the ads already!

Sincerely,

Me

p.s. Every kiss begins with Kay? Gag.

Monday afternoon, my mom called me at work to say, “It’s supposed to snow in New York. Make sure you bring food with you on the plane in case you get diverted. Also, don’t forget to bring your winter coat.” Thanks mom. (Don’t you wish you had a Jewish mother too?)
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Speaking of New York, I’m leaving Thursday morning and am currently dealing with a little crisis. You see, I wished for snow and apparently, there will be snow! However, I didn’t take into consideration the whole snow is wet thing, and I have only California clothing. My boots have high heels and no treads. My gym shoes are cute, but not meant to get wet. Layered in LA means a t-shirt and a hoodie; maybe a jacket if it’s cold. Yes, I’m screwed. Although, I do have one pair of gloves, one scarf, and one hat. Did I mention I’m leaving this to go to this?
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And, while in New York, I plan to: Eat many soft pretzels (I love pretzels); meet the pretty much bi-coastal Kvetch, the Kate to my Ali, and the Baked French Toast Girl (as she is known in my family) for dinner and drinks; go with the family to meet my sister’s New York Jewish mother who works for the network and watch ABC world news being taped; attend my cousin’s rehearsal dinner, wedding, and see lots of family; eat lots of good food; and freeze my ass off.
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In TV news, is Marjorie off What About Brian again? And how freaking awesome was How I Met Your Mother? I am dying to know who Ted marries. Is anyone else going to watch the all-star version of The Amazing Race? What else are you watching?
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In other news, I’m still getting used to my shorter hair. It was a trip washing it using way less shampoo and conditioner. I haven’t worn it [naturally] curly yet, but I’m anxious to see what it looks like that way.
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I did my taxes online, and I am so happy to discover that my return will cover my girls’ spa weekend (and more)! Have I mentioned how excited I am to go away with my friends? It’s sort of a last hurrah for the four of us as one is moving to Orange County to star in The Real Housewives of Orange County (okay, not really, but she is moving to OC), and another is having a baby in a few months. Exciting stuff!
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And finally, for those of you looking for the red velvet cupcake recipe, here it is.

This is how my trip to New York began, as described in sentence fragments:

Flight delayed an hour. Seated next to a very large man with whom I shared my seat and no armrest because he couldn’t fit with it down. Start to land. Go into holding pattern. Told only one runway is open. Start to land. Back into holding pattern. Start to land again. Back into holding pattern. Land. Told it is icy and need to wait for someone to “guide” the plane to the gate. Finally get guided. Sit at gate for 15 minutes while an agent is located to get us off the damn plane. Go to baggage claim to retrieve luggage. Told to go to carousel one. Told to go to carousel three. No luggage. Told to go to carousel two. No luggage. One hour passes. No one from my plane can find their luggage. Told to go to carousel one. Wait. Repeat. Wait with the rest of the plane for luggage. Walk in circles. Listen to American Airlines employee announce over loud speaker if anyone “says a bad word” to her she will call 911. (Yes, seriously.) Another hour passes. Repeat for a total of three hours. Hear clapping! Our plane’s luggage is here! It was sitting in a bin next to the plane at the gate for three hours. Huh?

Needless to say, that night was a bust. However, the rest of the trip was a lot of fun filled with tons of family time and lots of eating. Highlights:

• It was cold. Eighteen degrees. Crazy.
• I am so glad I bought boots; they were a lifesaver–the streets were slushy.
• Had lunch at Serafina. The gnocchi was sooo good.
• My cousins and aunt and uncle were sans luggage for three days.
• Had dinner at Cinema (similar to Cinespace) with Ari and Deb. It was a lot of fun!
• My dad didn’t bring a hat, so he wore my Guster ski cap the whole time. It was awesome.
• Attended the rehearsal dinner (and havdalah) at Blossom, a vegan restaurant. The flavors were really good, but I’m just not a fan of the texture of seitan.
• Walked to Buttercup Bake Shop for cupcakes. They were eh.
• The wedding was beautiful. My cousin and his bride both looked amazing and everyone had a blast. It was at The Foundry which is a really cool venue.
• My cousin didn’t want a wedding band so he asked his favorite band, Kid Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds, to play at the wedding (the pianist was really cute by the way). They obliged, and even did the hora with the groom’s brother playing trumpet. Best. Hora. Ever.
• The wedding cake was being delivered in a van that got hit by a cab. It was smashed.
• Went to MoMA and especially enjoyed the photography exhibits. Also ate at the cafeteria there.
• Had a delicious dinner at Ferro’s with lots of family.
• Noticed that when ordering a dirty martini in New York, “straight up or on the rocks” is always asked. Do people really drink dirty martinis on the rocks?
• Also noticed that when ordering a “regular coffee,” you get coffee with cream and sugar.
• Did I mention it was cold?

It was a wonderful trip, and so great to spend time with cousins and aunts and uncles. We really don’t see each other enough. I see more visits in the near future!

Lots of pictures here, but you have to be a Flickr friend or family to view the ones with people. Email me if you want access.

As much as I loved spending time in New York, I am glad to be home. Even if it’s supposed to be 61 degrees and rainy today.
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Since it took me a whole 2.4 seconds to get through security at the airport, I had plenty of time to watch TV at the gate. They had CNN on, and were airing the Anna Nicole trial live–did anyone else catch any of it? The judge is, um…crazy? Loud? Talkative?
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If you’re looking for a place to park at LAX, I have to recommend QuikPark. I didn’t have to wait for a shuttle, they have a $15 off coupon on their website, and they drove me in a golf cart to my car and put my suitcase in my trunk for me. They are awesome.
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My baking blog received a very nice mention on the Epicurious blog today. I’m so flattered.
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Two weeks until my girls’ spa weekend. I’m so excited!

Speaking of girl stuff, any of my friends want to see Music and Lyrics with me?
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I have about 15 hours of stuff on my Tivo right now…sucks! Of course, I have already watched Grey’s and The Hills (Heidi is an idiot!), and last night’s Beauty and the Geek reunion special which was kinda boring and I’m still dying to know if Jennylee and Nate are together. Did anyone watch the all-star Amazing Race? Is it worth watching?
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I’m in the market for a new pair of headphones for my Dell DJ. Any suggestions? And please don’t tell me to get an iPod. I’ve had the Dell for a few years, it cost me less than $200, and it’s got 15 gigs of music on it.
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Finally, what is up with Hollywood Blvd. being closed already? The Oscars aren’t until Sunday, and in past years, they closed the street just the day before. Trying to get to the post office at Sunset and Cherokee sucked big time yesterday.

This weekend, I:

• Saw my sister briefly…she left for six weeks in New York to work on another pilot. This time she’s staying in Chelsea, not far from a cupcake bakery so she’s happy.
• Did laundry.
• Did bills.
• Cleaned.
• Went to the market.
• Slept.
• Ordered business cards for my baking business!
• Caught up on a lot of Tivod stuff.
• Decided to walk outside instead of go to the gym since the weather was so nice. (And it felt so good to exercise again!)*
• Ran into Randi on the street while walking home. Chatted with her and Michael for a bit.
• Opted to stay in my pajamas and watch three hours of Law & Order rather than go to a party.
• Baked oatmeal scotchies. Blech.
• Went to Target.
• Cleaned out closets and drawers, and donated tons of stuff.

Talk about a relaxing and productive weekend. I totally needed this. Now if the helicopters over the Kodak Theater would just go away, I’ll be an even happier person.

*While walking with my headphones on, I was stopped by two tourists–one asked me if I thought she would get a ticket because she parked slightly in the red, and the other asked if I would take a picture of her in front of the red carpet. There were five million other people around, yet both of these women stopped me, while I’m walking, with headphones. What the hell?

Things that sucketh:

• Pinkberry opening in Century City.
• Marjorie disappearing again on What About Brian.
• Little lines that are suddenly showing up next to my mouth.
• Almost-daily bloody nose.
• Upcoming colposcopy.
• Jdate boys who are good on paper. Only on paper.

Things that rocketh:

• Cadbury milk chocolate mini eggs.
• Being selected as the organization’s first ever Big Sister of the Year (!!!)
• Quaker chocolate chip breakfast cookies.
• Meebo.
• Choosing a facial and Swedish massage from the spa menu for my upcoming girls’ spa weekend. We’re staying here.
• Coupon for ten dollars off any purchase of ten dollars or more at Sur La Table.

Feel free to add your own to the list.