Ricketts Glen

The amazing waterfalls I was hoping to see this weekend only happened inside our tent! It rained/misted/monsooned/thunderstormed the entire weekend we were camping in Ricketts Glen so I didn't see one waterfall!! The leaves were turning and it was beautiful from our campsite on Lake Jean. We almost left after the first night but we soldiered on. Ashley and Matt met us up there for the second night and I ended up sleeping in the Jeep after losing my mind with the Chinese water torture that occurring inside the tent. I'm really glad we went and I can't wait to go back on a drier weekend!!

BOYCOTT COSI - COSI KILLS CUSTOMERS!!

I will never consume one more thing at Cosi. Yesterday a jagged piece of plastic cut my tongue when I bit into a bagel. The piece was mixed up in the cream cheese. This is the 2nd time I've found something in a bagel, the first time being metal shards baked into the side of the bagel at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. This atrocity occurred at Boston South Station. The manager looked at me with a dumbfounded look and didn't say anything. Didn't apologize, didn't issue me a refund for the bagel I was too disgusted to eat, didn't ask if I was okay. I had to tell him to throw away the cream cheese so no one else gets hurts. The only thing he said was "what kind of cream cheese?"

Baltimore

Scott and I went to Baltimore on Saturday morning to see the Twins play the Orioles at Camden Yards. Dad and Tim Finnegan were supposed to meet us but those plans fell through. I fortunately was able to sell the tickets to an awkward couple from St. Louis Park. The previous night's game was rained out so we actually got a double header, which the Twins handily won both games!!



We met the awkward couple in front of the Baltimore aquarium. We got to walk around the Inner Harbor and marvel at the abundance of people making balloon animals. It was a bit creepy. Had very expensive beers and Surfers on Acids shots at ESPN zone and then headed to the game.



Unfortunately it was extremely hot, almost 90 degrees and 90% humidity. I had a cold so it didn't make me feel any better. We got to Camden Yards about the 7th inning of the first game and left in the middle of the 2nd game because I thought I was going to pass out. The seats were absolutely incredible and I'd definitely sit in section 43 again!!! Going to games is a whole lot more fun when you can actually see what is going on!!



Our hotel room at the Sheraton was really nice and you could see into the park from our room, almost as good as the Ballpark Hilton in St. Louis. Baltimore!!!



We got a late check out and headed to Fells Point, which was really nice. There were lots of great shops and restaurants. I came to the realization that I don't like crab cakes as much as I tried to get into them. We got to see most of the 2nd half of the Vikes/Indy game at Shuckers. We walked around in the heat and Scott took some great pictures. He let me borrow his camera to capture one of the most breathtaking sites in all of Baltimore...

Summer 2008 Wrap Up

The summer started out with a bang with a Memorial Day weekend camping trip to Godfrey's Bridge located in Wharton State Forest, part of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Kevin and Jess joined us for the first night. The next day Scott and I took a 5 mile canoe ride that flipped us a few times but we made it! Apparently lots of people bring their Jeeps and go wheelin' through the many trails.

JUNE:

-- Silver Beach with Kev & Jess. Ate amazing buffalo calamari, rode bikes to visit the Smith clan and saw Emily turn into a smurf.

-- Saw Jeff Ross at the Borgata. I lost my voice I laughed so hard. Third weekend in a row in New Jersey!

-- Went on the second annual dive bar pub crawl that ended at the Dolphin. The following night had a BBQ at Kevin and Becky's house in East Falls.

-- Sean & Kara's wedding in St. Louis. Saw the Arch, a very flooded Mississippi River, saw Kim Massie at Beale on Broadway, bought gin for a dishwasher at Chili Mac's, had a sketchy walk to get some terrible ribs, and that was all before the family even got to St. Louis! Had a great time overall, great dinner at Favazza's, very fun wedding at the City Museum, and saw the Anheiser Busch brewery while it was still under American control. East Coast, West Coast, Our Country. Steven A. Smith was on our very late flight home. Good times.

-- Scott's parents and nanny came to visit and we went to Tony Luke's and the Mexican Post.

-- Scott finally cut off this moustache!

JULY:

-- I FINALLY bought a new car - a pimpin' Civic!!! Scott and I spent 6 hours at the Honda dealership on the 4th of July.

-- Fourth of July night at Dave's new house. Watched the fireworks in the rain from his rooftop balcony. Scott took me to dinner at Las Cazuelas where the chef gave me the recipe for tres leche cake - I can't wait to make it!

-- Ann's housewarming party in Manayunk was a lot of fun. Then we saw Spearhead at the Xponential festival in Camden with the Liege and his roommate. Took the train over and the ferry back. An amazing show, I do believe I was waving my hands in the air like I just didn't care!

-- Kevin had a birthday party and Scott and the Liege were the last men standing. That Sunday we went to an ice cream party at Neil's. I brought vanilla vodka for the rootbeer floats!

-- The following Wednesday I took the Capitol Limited to Chicago and sat in Coach. Saw some focus groups and stayed at the Sofitel and had three baths in 24 hours. I LOVED that place!! Streched the trip out and stayed with Megan and Ray. Got to go to the zoo and see the one armed monkey. Finally met Marcia and went to her party in Oak Park. Had a pool party in the burbs and got my flight cancelled. Flew into BWI early on Monday and overall had a great but tiring trip.

AUGUST:

-- My first Wyndham Fest! Pirates of the Catskills!! What can I say about it? It was the most insane party I've ever been too! The property was gorgeous and the whole experience was surreal. I can't wait until next year!

-- The following weekend was pretty tame. I had happy hour with Jen and Geno. The following night Scott and I had our night on the town starting at Tangier for the best wings in the city! We went to Doobies and had a memorable beer, then saw Ruthie for a little bit.

-- Saw Dr. Dog in Rittenhouse with Jimmy and Michelle.

-- Saw James and Abby's new house in Roxborough.

-- My pimpin' new car gets sideswipped on Susquehanna St. I almost made it 2 months without major damage to it!!

-- Watched an Iggles game at Shire South. Attended the Fisk Avenue pre-launch party at Sapphire in Manayunk.

-- Scott won the Biggest Loser contest at work and took his winnings and bought me dinner at North 3rd. What a sweetie! I am VERY proud of him!!! Went to New Hope for the afternoon with Kev & Jess. Todd, Karen & Kayla met us for dinner. Drove to Lititz for a great BBQ with Scott's family for Labor Day.

It truly was a great summer! I'm so lucky I had the most fun person in the world to share it with!!!

Blah

I was taught if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your damned mouth shut.

Relaxing Weekend

This was a nice relaxing summer weekend. I was too tired to check out Creeping Weeds at Johnny Brenda's on Friday so I stayed in and watched the Olympics and a chick flick.

Saturday I got up early and drove to Glenside for a haircut at Ralph's. Maria did a great job as usual and it was worth the drive out there. I ran some errands and then Scott and I rode our bikes to tennis courts I thought were public. We biked down to Penn's Landing instead and watched the boats on the Delaware River for a little bit. It was very fun biking with Scott!! We then made a LOT of chicken with Hot BBQ and Spicy Garlic sauce from BW3. Along with some fresh grilled corn from Greensgrow and a tomato, basil, onion & goat cheese salad it was the perfect summer meal.

On Sunday I did laundry and other chores and Scott cleaned his house. We went over to James and Abby's new house in Roxborough for some food and games of Washers. Their new place is really nice and in a great neighborhood. They have a nice sized yard and a porch ripe for some rocking chairs.

We made it home just in time for Iron Chef America: Flay vs Garces and Garces won. It was a pretty fun battle. Apparently Flay hasn't lost a battle since May 2006! Afterwards the Bob Saget roast was on and it was pretty funny. Nothing spectacular but always enjoyable. I'd like to see Norm McDonald's set again. Hell, who am I kidding, I'll probably watch the whole thing a few more times just to watch Jeff Ross. I am sooooooooo excited for his special to air this Friday. I can't wait to see how they edited it and if the Tollbooth worker was a faker or not.

American Langseth

Congratulations to my cousin Ryan who auditioned for American Idol and passed the judges round. He's going to Hollywood!!! Break a leg Ry!

DOCTA DAWWWWWWWWWG!

Last night Mr. B and I saw a free Dr. Dog show in Rittenhouse Square. The weather was perfect and you could definitely tell that fall is right around the corner. I don't know too much about Dr. Dog but they have a new fan! We stood right at the stage in the back so we were only about 10 feet from the band. They seemed to be having a great time playing and the 1,500 people or so there were definitely enjoying it. Next time I'd like to picnic it out, Ravinia-style, with a blanket and some wine. Jim and Michelle met us there and then we headed to Tangier for a few beers. We got to try the chili - which was very good but pretty expensive for a bowl $7.50?!?



Sometimes living in the city ain't too bad...