Birthday Fortnight

Dagnabbit if I'm not falling behind already! It's been two weeks since my last post. As usual, a lot has happened. Fortuitously, I've been keeping good mental notes so here goes a data dump update of m' last two weeks:

Travels:

• *Oklahoma City to visit CS - weekend of Jan. 8

Guests:

• #LJ up from Austin - weekend of Jan. 15

Culture (pronounce "cult-chuh"):

• *OKC Natl Memorial (hauntingly beautiful)
• *strolled around OU campus (goooooooooooo Sooners!)
• #Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Sporting events:

• *OKC Barons (hockey - brrrrr)
• *Chief's game @ Hooters (at least the fried pickles were good cuz the Chief's sure weren't)

Theatre (pronounced "the-uh-tuh"):

• Shrek: The Musical (talented folks, so-so show, & crappy sound @ The Music Hall. Thank-God-for-1/2-price-tix!)
• Another American: Asking and Telling @ KC Rep (accidentally showed up a week early - excellent performance, though a little longish and loosely connected monologues are not my thang.)

Work/Meetings/Projects:

• ULibs mobile website releases/ads
• African American Read In releases/ads
• Robot's in the Social Landscape / Dean's Gallery opening (covered by 2 media outlets!)
• Friends of the Library board meeting
• legislative update w/ Senator Justus
• Provost's 20/20 Task Force
• Vice Chancellor of Communications and Marketing Search Committee mtg

Music:

• *"Gospel" Brunch @ The Boom (campy fun)
• #Mama Ray's Blues Jam @ BB's Lawnside BBQ (always a good time!)
• #Her HRC Battle of the Bands @ Crosstown Station (Go Animals with Armour!)

Games:

• #Wii Jeopardy & Wheel

Movies:

• *Country Strong (country GONG! - actually not that bad for a made-for-Lifetime movie)
• Rabbit Hole (all around excellent, nuanced performances)

Restaurants:

• Blanc Burgers & Bottles (consistently inconsistent. previously delicious lentil burger was overcooked and greezy)
• Po's Dumplings x2 (curry chicken is on the money! wonton soup was good but doesn't hold up to Blue Koi's. )
• *Beverly's Pancake Corner (home of "Chicken in the rough" - whatever that means. sassy service and amazing chicken fried steak!)
• *Tarahumara Mexican Restaurant (quite possibly the best TexMex I've ever eaten! holla for the swirly margaritas & complimentary queso!)
• #Gates BBQ ("HI MAY I HELP YOU?!" barbeque-saucilicious-perfection!)
• #Bristol Seafood @ Power & Light District (Sunday brunch was my best Bristol experience. almost died for the seafood enchiladas!)
• #Cafe Trio (six words: pork chops, gnocchi, OH-MY-GAWD!)
• Margarita's (typical Taco Tuesday)
• Westport Bar & Cafe (yummo curry carrot soup & perfecto mussels w/ tomato & fennel)
• Sahara Mediterranean (counter service, which is not my fave, but tasty fo' shizzle).

Bars:

• Hamburger Mary's (Bad Music Sunday w/ m' boyz)
• Finish Line (smokin' but not in a good way - coughcough)

TV:

• OWN
• True Blood season one - eps3-7 (Bill sucky on Sookie)
• The Fashion Show (Calvin in the finals? Oh HELLL to the no!)
• Real Housewives of...
• Atlanta (simmer down Nene - BAM! knock 'em dead Karaoke Kim!)
• Beverly Hills (can't believe I'm saying it, but feel sorry for Camille - f.u. Fraser!)
• Watch What Happens LIVE (have another one Jackeeeee)

(m' 4freakin'1st) Birthday:

• gifts ($$ for m' iPad - now if they'd just announce the release)
• greetings/well-wishes (4 cards, 6 calls, 11 texts, approx 300 fb posts! shazaam!)
• inches of snow (4-7)

Also this week...

food:

• made, shared, polished off my annual Hanukkah/holiday matzo ball soup (delish).
• bad food & bad services @Thirsty's. (don't go there).
• wonton soup @Po's (good, but not as good as Blue Koi).

tv/movies:

• True Blood season1, eps1&2 (interesting enough. quirky. bloody. BAD acting. didn't love it. that said, i recognize the need for exposition so looking forward to more).
• Joaquin (mo'fo'n CRAAAA-ZEEEE) Phoenix's "I'm Still Here."
• The Closer last 3 eps o' the season. (total old person show, easy watchin', i heart Kyra/Brenda).
• Top Chef All Stars (chicken feet, Casey. really? really?)

games:

• Wheel of Fortune on Wii! (fun!)
• Price is Right on Wii (less fun, but funny)
• Jeopardy on Wii (bought it but haven't played it yet).
• Scrabble on Facebook (keepin' on, keepin' on.)

meetings:

• Dean's Advisory Team
• Consensus board mtg.
• Kansas Citians United for Educational Achievement community mtg (well-intentioned cluster f-)

new music:

• Katy Perry's Teenage Dream CD ("B" some really fun songs and some duds. should have cherrypicked and not bought entire album)
• Willow Smith's Whip My Hair single ("B+" fun fun fun)
• Glee Volume 4 ("A" every songs a winner)

misc:

• on pins & needles waiting for news from AB-McD
• put cleaning service on notice. (be. on. time. send. same. person.)