Love my friend time

This weekend was excellent. Though busy. I wanted to spend all of Monday in bed recovering. Sadly, there was work. And meetings. And such.

Friday I ducked out early and went home to mow the lawn. Weeded, mowed, raked, pruned and yanked vines. Good times. Actually, it sucked. And the lawn needs some serious rain and lots more work. But it looks kinda good. So I showered and took an afternoon nap. Love those.

Then off to Frankie's with Muffy and Steph. It was before the nasty Katrina humidity set in so we wanted to eat outside and settled down with drinks for the long wait for a table. I now have a new favorite drink and it's the ginger martini. Sooooo good. It was a fun night. Caught up with Muffy and Steph after a way too long away from them, ate good food, drank wine, enjoyed the night, watched a little mouse run around, that kinda thing. Nights like that make me love living in my 'hood.

Saturday I got my ass up and dragged it to Muffy & Steph's at 10AM. On a Saturday. So we could brave train madness and get to the Guggenheim. For some reason last weekend, the F wasn't stopping at our 'hood, the 4 wasn't running to Borough Hall, I think something was up with the C and maybe the R. Madness. Whatever. After a little fussing, we got ourselves to the upper east side for brunch at Sarabeth's with Iolanthe. Lovey and the Musical Genius were supposed to join us but cancelled that morning. They claimed illness but I suspect at least part of that was due to a strong desire to sleep in past 11AM. Their loss as we had a great time. Sarabeth's makes a tasty bloody mary and good eggs.

And then off to the Guggenheim for some Mapplethorpe fun. I'm not a huge fan of the Guggenheim but the exhibit sounded cool. And it was a nice mix of folks I think. People who could appreciate the work but still giggle a little too. Which I learned right off the bat. First, as we're reading the intro explanation wall one woman turns to the guy she's with and asks, "Do you like art?". Weird question to begin with, and as Iolanthe pointed out, kinda late to be asking now. Of course, when I asked Iolanthe if she liked art, she said no. Then, we see the photograph of a marble statue from behind. And the way the light hit and the polish of the marble, this guy had a VERY shiny ass. It was a little distracting. Nothing else was so shiny. Just the ass. And Iolanthe came up and told me she could focus on nothing else in the photograph. My kinda girl.

I really liked a lot of the work and the comparison with a variety of classical engravings and such was interesting. Though some comparisons looked like someone was really trying to put an exhibition together rather than something more natural. And, as Muffy pointed out, the Guggenheim kinda sucked for a black and white photography exhibit. With the light coming through the glass ceiling and the spiral walkway creating white horizontal striped reflections on the glass fronts, it was hard to see some of the photographs. Annoying but still fun. And I got a nice postcard of Ah-nold for Lovey. To remind her of our conference planning of doom in January and to let her know the fun times she missed. She now has the photograph as her computer's wallpaper. I'm contemplating calling HR to report her. Beefcake should not be allowed in the workplace.

After that we sent Iolanthe off to a massage and a possible date and wandered down to Tiffany's for bling window shopping and to get wedding rings polished and resized. I could not find a single engagement ring I liked. But at least Muffy enjoyed the testosterone panic in the room and the pearl cowboy, fireman and monopoly guys. And I did see a few emerald and opal pieces to buy when I have my millions.

After that some errands, dinner at Hill Diner (VERY alcoholic Sangria!) and off to the Cobble Hill Cinema for The Aristocrats. I kinda like the big theater a little better. Better seats and screens, but I think mostly I prefer the sketchier crowd with all their comments and rowdiness. Cobble Hill gets a little pretentious for my tastes. But the movie was hysterical. I hadn't heard the joke and I'm kinda glad as it was a surprise of sorts for me. But it was so funny. All three of us had at least five or so moments when we just lost it. And I didn't even get too fazed by all the poo talk. Though George Carlin almost did me in at the start of the movie. I completely recommend it and would be willing to go again. After that was some down time in my back yard with a bottle of wine and discussions on life and the after life. And poo. You know how it goes.

Sunday I slept in, did a a few chores and then headed off to Jersey. Getting to Jersey from Brooklyn ain't easy. Especially when the MTA doesn't want to provide any trains for me to use to leave the 'hood. So, after much walking, a couple of trains and more walking I made it to the home of PimpDaddy and PimpMama and had a delightful night. PimpMama made a great dinner and we chatted and caught up and had a good time. And all that walking and train hopping was good for me. I think I must've sweated out a few pounds. So sick of this humidity.

Last night was a gathering of Muffy, Steph, Charlotte, Maggie, PimpMama and I at Pop to discuss Sesquisentenial plans for the ALS. I managed to dump a full glass of Merlot in my lap and we did have to discuss event planning and all, but it was fun. And I got another glass of wine so everything worked out for the best.

Today we have our Econ/Strat outing at the big boss's house. I skipped out last year but am going this year. Skipped the golf clinic though. Golf and I no longer mix. I think it's better this way. I really hope it rains soon and kills the humidity before we head to CT for drinks around the pool. As wet as it is in the New York Metro area right now we might as well have drinks IN the pool. HATE the wet. HATE.