There's a problem in my house. The problem is we only have one Gameboy and two adults who are extremely addicted to Tetris. Yes, I'm talking the old school, big, fat, block like Gameboy and the Tetris, the block game where you have to make lines that came with said Gameboy. I have this knack for keeping things forever. And keeping them in excellent condition (I inherited the pack-rat from Gramma). I have no idea when Gameboy came out, but I remember taking it to camp with me when I was 10 (back in 1993). I only had Tetris and Yoshi for it (Yoshi is a dumb, not fun game, but Yoshi is cute so I think that's why I wanted it). So I've had this Gameboy for AT LEAST 15 years.
Anyway, something made me think about it the other day (2 weeks ago) so I went and got it out of hiding. At first it was just something we did when spending a "longer than normal" amount of time on the toilet (Tetris was made for entertaining while pooing). But then it found it's way out of the bathroom and on to the coffee table. Now we fight over it. Yes, two well adjusted, seemingly normal adults are fighting over a video game. We both grab for it and yell next game when the other gets it. We're to the point of watching each other play to make sure that no one is starting a new game and not telling the other person. My highest score is 143 lines. I think Jamie can do like 50 (he obviously hasn't been playing this game for the past 15 years like yours truly). It's sick. We probably need help, but I keep telling myself we're not playing Pac Man or anything like that, we're actually using our brains to fit those awkward shapes into a line and minimizing the least amount of "wasted space." So I think there are some benefits in there somewhere (brain exercise!).
Now the Gameboy has found it's way into the bedroom. While most couples read or watch TV, we play Tetris and fight over who gets it first. We sleep with it on one of the bedside tables. I'm seeing falling blocks and things falling from the sky in my dreams.
If my radio gig doesn't work out, I'm sure I'd be great at building buildings and stuff...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
I have sold my soul...
Yep, that's right. I have sold my soul. I'm not sure to whom, but it's sold. You see today I ordered a BlackBerry. No, not the delicious fruit in pie form, but the little device that not only received phone calls, but also emails. And it can send them too. And you can play all sorts of games on it (and therefore feed my Tetris addiction - see that in a later post). After seeing the BB take over my co-workers lives, watching them become so dependant on this device that if left in the car, at home, or on a desk they suffer from major panic meltdowns I swore I would never drink the Kool-Aid and get one. But then something happened, I started to change my mind. It might've been when I saw a commercial for BlackBerry's and this cute baby pink one showed up on my TV screen. That could've started it. After weeks (yes, weeks) I've been thinking and thinking about it. Then I found out my Mom has one, she only uses hers for emails, but still. Then in passing conversation I happened to mention I was considering one but I was also going to wait until it was time for a new phone (I get a new one every two years per our contract with Verizon) when my Mom pulled a letter out of her purse from Verizon saying she was qualified for a free BlackBerry (meaning we had a $100 credit). So that was the final sign from above that my soul was about to be sold. After an hour at the Verizon store on Saturday I went online and ordered my pink BlackBerry today. It should be here by Wednesday. My soul might've been sold, but I'm going to look so damn cute carrying that pink BlackBerry.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Cranky
I don't feel good today. I have cramps and it's making me crazy and hurt. And now I'm cranky. And I wanted all of you to know that.
Monday, August 18, 2008
I'm not sure I belong in the Zoo
I went to the Zoo yesterday. I haven't been to the Zoo in years. And I think I know why.
First of all, kudos to Zoo Atlanta for letting residents of Fulton County and the City of Atlanta in for free this weekend. That was much appreciated. For having a free weekend, the Zoo was not nearly as packed as I had anticipated. Of course it was busy, but I don't think it was any more crowded than a normal weekend (but how should I know as I haven't been to the Zoo in years).
Not a lot has changed since I was kid spending my summers at Zoo Camp for a week every summer, and going on field trips and family outings. It still stinks when you walk in (thanks to the flamingos) but you get used to it really quickly.
The elephants are still the same, living in what I think is too small and too desolate a habitat. We were lucky enough to approach the elephants right after feeding time. Watching these giant beasts eat bamboo (?) was very cool. But I couldn't help but feel bad for them in their tiny area.
We moved on to the warthogs (how ugly! Disney definitely glorified the warthog in the Lion King, I would want Pumbaa as a pet) and they were all sleeping. Next was the Meerkats, all but one was sleeping. And thank God. Because the one that was awake was doing his best to entertain the crowd by climbing on a log and posing and being adorable. I would totally adopt a Meerkat if it was (a) legal and (b) I knew how to take care of one. We continued along to the zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and rhinos. The rhinos were sleeping. The gazelle was so far away we needed binoculars to see him (at least this habitat has room for the animals to be so far away), and the zebras and giraffes must be so jaded at this point that they all kept their backs to us. We saw the lion cubs, which looked cute, but they were piled on top of each other sleeping. Watching an animal sleep is like watching paint dry.
The highlight was for sure the gorillas. I remember Willie B in his awful little box with his television, I also remember when he got upgraded to the seemingly vast gorilla habitat. I think the gorillas are used to being the stars (thanks Wille B) and enjoy showing off for the hundreds of visitors that stare at them every day. The Silverback sat facing us eating something. We watched a momma and her baby (What are baby gorillas called? Cubs?) walk around. It was very human like the way the momma took care of her baby, very human like, in fact we watched her scold him (her?) when he did something momma didn't like. Then there were my favorites, three young ones I called Larry, Moe, and Curly (because that was the only trio I could think of at the time and Manny, Moe, and Jack didn't seem to cut it). They were playful, adorable, and hysterical. We watched them chase each other, wrestle, climb all over each other and then take part in one my favorite childhood activities, running up a hill and then rolling down it. I would've watched Larry, Moe, and Curly play together all day, but everyone else was getting bored.
We saw Ivan (the eldest Silverback) in his habitat (he's separated from the rest for reasons I can only assume have something to do with territorial issues). I felt sad that he seemed to be isolated. Pretty much every other animal we saw was sleeping. The lion cubs, the organutangs, the pandas (more on that in a sec), the birds (owls and toucans), something called a bongo, the lemurs, and a few others.
We spent a lot of time in the reptile house because it was dark and cool (temperature wise). I don't like snakes, and I really don't like being near them. I know the glass or whatever their tanks are made out of is strong and will prevent them from breaking through and killing me, but it's still an uneasy feeling. I will say the alligator snapping turtle is super cool (and probably deadly). We saw some other kind of turtle (I don't remember what it was called) that blew my mind. He totally looked like a dinosaur. He might've been my second favorite (after Larry, Moe, and Curly).
We had to wait in line to see the pandas. I don't like waiting in lines, but I had no choice since everyone else wanted to see the pandas (I did too). Only the male and the baby were on display since the female is on birthwatch. The male and the baby were each in separate boxes and it reminded me of Willie B's old habitat. A box with not much in it. It made me sad and the fact that they were just sleeping made me feel like they were depressed.
All that being said, we did have a great time at the Zoo.
I would like to leave you with this. A while back Jamie and I went camping and a few people were camping with us that we didn't know (they were friends of someone else that was with us). One of the guys had been a lion tamer (or something) and had worked with animals and the planet his whole life. Jamie asked him about the inhumane and cruelty factor that is usually associated with zoos and circuses. He made a good point. He said to us that while these animals are captured from the wild and put in captivity a lot of them may not survive in the wild. Some are born in captivity and never know the difference. But animals in zoos and circuses (the humane ones) are so well taken care of, they spend almost 24 hours a day with their trainers and handlers. He equated it to having a dog. No one can spend all their time with their dog, but the more time you can spend with your dog the happier the dog is. And knowing that makes me feel that much better about the zoo.
However, I will NEVER go to the circus. Clowns scare the crap out of me.
First of all, kudos to Zoo Atlanta for letting residents of Fulton County and the City of Atlanta in for free this weekend. That was much appreciated. For having a free weekend, the Zoo was not nearly as packed as I had anticipated. Of course it was busy, but I don't think it was any more crowded than a normal weekend (but how should I know as I haven't been to the Zoo in years).
Not a lot has changed since I was kid spending my summers at Zoo Camp for a week every summer, and going on field trips and family outings. It still stinks when you walk in (thanks to the flamingos) but you get used to it really quickly.
The elephants are still the same, living in what I think is too small and too desolate a habitat. We were lucky enough to approach the elephants right after feeding time. Watching these giant beasts eat bamboo (?) was very cool. But I couldn't help but feel bad for them in their tiny area.
We moved on to the warthogs (how ugly! Disney definitely glorified the warthog in the Lion King, I would want Pumbaa as a pet) and they were all sleeping. Next was the Meerkats, all but one was sleeping. And thank God. Because the one that was awake was doing his best to entertain the crowd by climbing on a log and posing and being adorable. I would totally adopt a Meerkat if it was (a) legal and (b) I knew how to take care of one. We continued along to the zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and rhinos. The rhinos were sleeping. The gazelle was so far away we needed binoculars to see him (at least this habitat has room for the animals to be so far away), and the zebras and giraffes must be so jaded at this point that they all kept their backs to us. We saw the lion cubs, which looked cute, but they were piled on top of each other sleeping. Watching an animal sleep is like watching paint dry.
The highlight was for sure the gorillas. I remember Willie B in his awful little box with his television, I also remember when he got upgraded to the seemingly vast gorilla habitat. I think the gorillas are used to being the stars (thanks Wille B) and enjoy showing off for the hundreds of visitors that stare at them every day. The Silverback sat facing us eating something. We watched a momma and her baby (What are baby gorillas called? Cubs?) walk around. It was very human like the way the momma took care of her baby, very human like, in fact we watched her scold him (her?) when he did something momma didn't like. Then there were my favorites, three young ones I called Larry, Moe, and Curly (because that was the only trio I could think of at the time and Manny, Moe, and Jack didn't seem to cut it). They were playful, adorable, and hysterical. We watched them chase each other, wrestle, climb all over each other and then take part in one my favorite childhood activities, running up a hill and then rolling down it. I would've watched Larry, Moe, and Curly play together all day, but everyone else was getting bored.
We saw Ivan (the eldest Silverback) in his habitat (he's separated from the rest for reasons I can only assume have something to do with territorial issues). I felt sad that he seemed to be isolated. Pretty much every other animal we saw was sleeping. The lion cubs, the organutangs, the pandas (more on that in a sec), the birds (owls and toucans), something called a bongo, the lemurs, and a few others.
We spent a lot of time in the reptile house because it was dark and cool (temperature wise). I don't like snakes, and I really don't like being near them. I know the glass or whatever their tanks are made out of is strong and will prevent them from breaking through and killing me, but it's still an uneasy feeling. I will say the alligator snapping turtle is super cool (and probably deadly). We saw some other kind of turtle (I don't remember what it was called) that blew my mind. He totally looked like a dinosaur. He might've been my second favorite (after Larry, Moe, and Curly).
We had to wait in line to see the pandas. I don't like waiting in lines, but I had no choice since everyone else wanted to see the pandas (I did too). Only the male and the baby were on display since the female is on birthwatch. The male and the baby were each in separate boxes and it reminded me of Willie B's old habitat. A box with not much in it. It made me sad and the fact that they were just sleeping made me feel like they were depressed.
All that being said, we did have a great time at the Zoo.
I would like to leave you with this. A while back Jamie and I went camping and a few people were camping with us that we didn't know (they were friends of someone else that was with us). One of the guys had been a lion tamer (or something) and had worked with animals and the planet his whole life. Jamie asked him about the inhumane and cruelty factor that is usually associated with zoos and circuses. He made a good point. He said to us that while these animals are captured from the wild and put in captivity a lot of them may not survive in the wild. Some are born in captivity and never know the difference. But animals in zoos and circuses (the humane ones) are so well taken care of, they spend almost 24 hours a day with their trainers and handlers. He equated it to having a dog. No one can spend all their time with their dog, but the more time you can spend with your dog the happier the dog is. And knowing that makes me feel that much better about the zoo.
However, I will NEVER go to the circus. Clowns scare the crap out of me.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
We'll always love you, Fuzzy's, but now we get to party with Zuffy's
I got some really fantastic news today. But first, let me tell you the whole story. A while back a favorite bar of mine (and most cool people in Atlanta) closed down. The owner died, the brother took over, yada, yada, yada, they went out of business. This left a huge hole not only in my heart, but also in my social life. I loved going to Fuzzy's Place. I loved the live music, I loved the history, I loved the food, I loved everything about it. For lack of a better term, you could call it a dive bar, except it was anything but. It was a place you go and get a drink, eat dinner, bitch about life, dance your ass off, laugh like there's no tomorrow, get hit on, not piss off the drunk guy when you tell him you're not interested, be with friends, make new friends, and not remember a single second of any of it when you woke up the next morning. But you woke up smiling and knowing that through the fog in your brain you had one of the best nights of your life.
When Fuzzy's closed a piece of Atlanta went away. But then, it was saved. Some of the former Fuzzy's employees got together and set out on a mission to not let this Atlanta tradition die. I don't really know what was involved but I know it took a lot of hard work, lots of money (I'm assuming), and even more time and patience. And that says something about the employees and the people that made Fuzzy's a part of their life. I think it says a lot.
So, people, Zuffy's Place (cute name? not sure.) will be opening on Monday, August 18. The email I received (thanks Jen) mentioned Joe Dale's kitchen will be open (with some additions! yum!), Java Monkey will performing, and all again will be right with the world.
Who knew I would come to love that corner on Buford Hwy next to the Pink Pony in the old Denny's building. But I do, and I can't wait.
When Fuzzy's closed a piece of Atlanta went away. But then, it was saved. Some of the former Fuzzy's employees got together and set out on a mission to not let this Atlanta tradition die. I don't really know what was involved but I know it took a lot of hard work, lots of money (I'm assuming), and even more time and patience. And that says something about the employees and the people that made Fuzzy's a part of their life. I think it says a lot.
So, people, Zuffy's Place (cute name? not sure.) will be opening on Monday, August 18. The email I received (thanks Jen) mentioned Joe Dale's kitchen will be open (with some additions! yum!), Java Monkey will performing, and all again will be right with the world.
Who knew I would come to love that corner on Buford Hwy next to the Pink Pony in the old Denny's building. But I do, and I can't wait.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I won't be going to G.A. anytime soon...
I just got back from the Golden Moon Hotel & Casino in Philadelphia, Mississippi. I have $5 more in my pocket than I did when I left, and I could not be happier to be home. The Golden Moon (part of the Pearl River Resort) is nice. The rooms were pleasant and comfortable, the staff everywhere we went (except for that one DB server at dinner on Friday night) was totally accommodating, and the dealers were nice (except for Jesse who didn't know the rules of roulette - oh poor Jesse). But I have learned that gambling is not for me. I had a blast at the slots for about an hour. The roulette table was so much fun (I put a $20 on the table and then walked away with $101) for a little bit. The video black jack sucked, but I was too intimidated to sit at a table. The damn video black jack took my $101 I had just won and then some. It's nice that they bring you free (but not very strong) drinks, but I don't want to play your stupid games anymore. Just give me a cocktail. Short of leaving the casino floor and going to a restaurant you can't get a drink unless you're feeding your hard earned money into the damn machines (or tables). Well, you know what? I'm bored of playing your games. I just want to drink and hang out with my friends, but no, you are forcing me to keep spending money if I want to stay and hang out and drink. And I'm not talking about $1 here, $3 there, I'm talking like the $101 I just won and then some. It's quite a little scammy-scam you casino places have going. But I've learned my lesson. Sure I might visit Vegas one day, I might even go back to the Golden Moon, but I will be bringing my book and my own booze. I'll be damned if I'm forced to feed money to glorified ATM machines only to get served cranberry juice with a splash of vodka. Hi, my name is Melissa, and I do not have a gambling problem. In fact, just the opposite, I have a casino problem. My problem? I don't like casinos.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Happy Monday
Hello Internet. It's been over a week since I've been here. Not for any reason in particular. I've just been busy not being online. Last week I went to 3 concerts, 1 baseball game, and 1 trivia night. So I'll recap all of my experiences for you here.
Monday, July 28 - Turner Field. Jamie and I go to the game with Sully, Renee, and Matt Ross (who doesn't work where I work anymore, who knew?). We're playing the Cardinals. Charlie Morton is pitching. And we get our butts beat. We ended the series 1-3 against the Cards. Unfortunately we only won one game and unfortunately it was not the game I was at.
Tuesday, July 29 - Chastain Park. Jamie and I ate the most delicious HoneyBaked Turkey (I don't do ham, it's not a Jew thing, it's an I don't like ham thing) sandwiches while taking in the very grown up sounds of Mark Knopfler. We enjoyed some wine (I did) and beer (he did) and a beautiful rendition of Romeo & Juliet, which I was thinking was such a romantic song until I thought about the famous story (Shakespeare) and the lyrics to the song. Pretty song, pretty sad story.
Wednesday, July 30 - My Parents' House. I did some laundry. We ate some yummy food (chicken, mac & cheese, green beans). Played some Jeopardy. Then I went home to watch Project Runway.
Thursday, July 31 - Little 5 Points Corner Tavern. Jamie and I met some peeps to play trivia. Last week we ended up there on a Thursday just to hang and didn't know it was trivia night. When I found out, of course I had to play and by "I had to play" I mean the whole table had to play, because really trivia is more fun when I can tell other people how stupid they are for not listening to me. Oh, and it's adult trivia which means the questions can be anything from music to STD's. And the trivia dude says cuss words on the microphone, and who doesn't get a kick out of that. Anyway, we came in second place last week, and third place this week. Which is good because either way we won house cash.
Friday, August 1 - Chastain Park. It's time for another show. This time it's Hootie & the Blowfish (don't laugh). We had to get there early-ish as I had to run a meet & greet with the band. Yes, I met them. I didn't really greet them. But I did take pictures of them with about 16 attendees. We stayed for most of the show. They are a great party band. Fun rock music and a great stage presence. I get why they are still doing this after 22 years. The crowd was fun too. They were there to party, just ask the old guys behind me passing the Jager bottle.
Saturday, August 2 - Chastain Park. Yep, back again. After the city of Atlanta almost got washed away and I was just about to pull the Ark out of storage the clouds cleared and we were ready for Crosby, Stills & Nash. No Young on this tour. For being a combined age of 72,000 years old, these guys totally rocked. Their voices still sound great and they appeared to be having a blast on stage (or maybe it was the drugs they did backstage, but either way). The only thing they didn't do (or at least that I heard them not do) was Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, which was all I wanted them to do. But they did Our House, Teach Your Children was the encore, a fun version of Love The One You're With, even For What It's Worth (which always makes me think of the Sesame Street bit - if you haven't seen it, YouTube it, it's one of my fondest childhood memories and introduced me to great rock music - so thanks Sesame Street!). After that and some wine, it was time to go home.
Sunday, August 3 - 14th Street Playhouse. For some reason we're still going... I'm not sure how. Yesterday we ventured to the 14th Street Playhouse to check out Jewtopia. Which is a play. And it was actually very funny. I noticed the poster one day at Starbucks (I not being a coffee drinker was there waiting for someone, probably Margot, and thus was entertaining myself by reading the community bulletin board). It's about this dude that wants to marry a Jewish girl so he never has to make another decision again and enlists his Jewish friend to help him become a Jew. Meanwhile Mr. Non-Jew has to help Mr. Jew find a girlfriend. As my grandpa said last night "That sounds funny already." And it does. And it was, and the people in the play (a small seven person ensemble) was incredibly talented. And I'm a tough critic since I did drama for YEARS and therefore that makes me the know all on this subject.
Before I leave you today, I would like to take a moment of silence. We lost a legend yesterday. Skip Caray, this is for you.
Monday, July 28 - Turner Field. Jamie and I go to the game with Sully, Renee, and Matt Ross (who doesn't work where I work anymore, who knew?). We're playing the Cardinals. Charlie Morton is pitching. And we get our butts beat. We ended the series 1-3 against the Cards. Unfortunately we only won one game and unfortunately it was not the game I was at.
Tuesday, July 29 - Chastain Park. Jamie and I ate the most delicious HoneyBaked Turkey (I don't do ham, it's not a Jew thing, it's an I don't like ham thing) sandwiches while taking in the very grown up sounds of Mark Knopfler. We enjoyed some wine (I did) and beer (he did) and a beautiful rendition of Romeo & Juliet, which I was thinking was such a romantic song until I thought about the famous story (Shakespeare) and the lyrics to the song. Pretty song, pretty sad story.
Wednesday, July 30 - My Parents' House. I did some laundry. We ate some yummy food (chicken, mac & cheese, green beans). Played some Jeopardy. Then I went home to watch Project Runway.
Thursday, July 31 - Little 5 Points Corner Tavern. Jamie and I met some peeps to play trivia. Last week we ended up there on a Thursday just to hang and didn't know it was trivia night. When I found out, of course I had to play and by "I had to play" I mean the whole table had to play, because really trivia is more fun when I can tell other people how stupid they are for not listening to me. Oh, and it's adult trivia which means the questions can be anything from music to STD's. And the trivia dude says cuss words on the microphone, and who doesn't get a kick out of that. Anyway, we came in second place last week, and third place this week. Which is good because either way we won house cash.
Friday, August 1 - Chastain Park. It's time for another show. This time it's Hootie & the Blowfish (don't laugh). We had to get there early-ish as I had to run a meet & greet with the band. Yes, I met them. I didn't really greet them. But I did take pictures of them with about 16 attendees. We stayed for most of the show. They are a great party band. Fun rock music and a great stage presence. I get why they are still doing this after 22 years. The crowd was fun too. They were there to party, just ask the old guys behind me passing the Jager bottle.
Saturday, August 2 - Chastain Park. Yep, back again. After the city of Atlanta almost got washed away and I was just about to pull the Ark out of storage the clouds cleared and we were ready for Crosby, Stills & Nash. No Young on this tour. For being a combined age of 72,000 years old, these guys totally rocked. Their voices still sound great and they appeared to be having a blast on stage (or maybe it was the drugs they did backstage, but either way). The only thing they didn't do (or at least that I heard them not do) was Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, which was all I wanted them to do. But they did Our House, Teach Your Children was the encore, a fun version of Love The One You're With, even For What It's Worth (which always makes me think of the Sesame Street bit - if you haven't seen it, YouTube it, it's one of my fondest childhood memories and introduced me to great rock music - so thanks Sesame Street!). After that and some wine, it was time to go home.
Sunday, August 3 - 14th Street Playhouse. For some reason we're still going... I'm not sure how. Yesterday we ventured to the 14th Street Playhouse to check out Jewtopia. Which is a play. And it was actually very funny. I noticed the poster one day at Starbucks (I not being a coffee drinker was there waiting for someone, probably Margot, and thus was entertaining myself by reading the community bulletin board). It's about this dude that wants to marry a Jewish girl so he never has to make another decision again and enlists his Jewish friend to help him become a Jew. Meanwhile Mr. Non-Jew has to help Mr. Jew find a girlfriend. As my grandpa said last night "That sounds funny already." And it does. And it was, and the people in the play (a small seven person ensemble) was incredibly talented. And I'm a tough critic since I did drama for YEARS and therefore that makes me the know all on this subject.
Before I leave you today, I would like to take a moment of silence. We lost a legend yesterday. Skip Caray, this is for you.
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