Since U Been Gone

Mom and Dad left for Italy approximately A MILLION YEARS AGO.

...Okay fine, it's been two weeks BUT STILL.

They have clearly missed out on a number of awesome happenings in the life of their middle child.

Like:

1. I got a new iPhone case! The silvery sparkle one has been good to me, but it was time for a less glittery one that left fewer jewels everywhere. The solution?

Texas Forever. (Sidenote: I miss you, Coach Taylor!)

2. Good? Tacos from "Fresh." Better? Tacos from "Fresh" with Lori and Emily. Best? Tacos from "Fresh" with Lori and Emily followed by "The Proposal" with Lori and Emily and Lacey and Chili's chips and salsa and ranch and also peanut butter m&m's and cherry coke zeroes. WE? Know how to party.

3. The first two times my air conditioner went out? Hilarious. The third time? NOT SO MUCH. Thankfully two of the nights of heat I got to spend in Lori's guest room, and the final fix resulted in my old-timey thermostat being replaced with this:

The 21st century feels good, y'all.

Good and cool.

4. What's better than celebrating Cinco de Mayo once? Celebrating Cinco de Mayo DOS times! That's right: not only did I get to attend a rockin' party at Andrea's on May 5, complete with fajitas AND piñatas, I also got to attend the CUTEST little bilingual Cinco de Mayo music performance you have EVER seen on Cinco de Uno thanks to Emily, aka the best music teacher ever, and her adorable first graders. Top THAT performance off with some Tex Mex at Posados? Done and DONE.

5. Remember that time at work when we surprised a camper AT HER HOUSE? Yeah. There's a video of that awesomesauce:



6. Maybe I saw "The Avengers" one times, and MAYBE I saw "The Avengers" two times. All I know is: it was awesome and I couldn't stop laughing or having to fight the urge to high five the screen.

7. Oh, a Rangers game? Yeah, that happened. In honor of sweet Jacey's birthday, we loaded up and headed to Dallas to watch our boys put the hurt on Tampa. And when Jacey asked me what happened because she accidentally missed a play, I replied very knowledgeably, OF COURSE: "Umm, he hit it and then that guy threw it to that guy. And now he's out."

Baseball! I know things!

8. Point of Grace had a... less than stellar album release day, poor gals. I mean, they are FINALLY back with some new music, and they get bumped from the #1 album spot in the Christian/Gospel Music section on iTunes by a CAMP?

Because oh y'all:

YEAH.

And I know I can't speak TERRIBLY objectively here, but I must note that the "Summer Lights" album is actually really great, and I think you should probably check it out. No really: go.

9. I saw one of my TOP 5 FAVORITE MOVIES OF ALL THE TIMES on the big screen. It's true: I got to go see "A League of Their Own" at the downtown theater with Emily and Jacey. And it. Was. Awesome.

10. Oh look! I finished my Galveston trip video! Boom shaka laka:



11. John and Lori hosted a "Cutie Cute Dance Party," (my name for the event that John made known he did NOT approve of) that was completely sparkly and delightful and wonderful. I mean, sure there was way less dancing than some of the ladies were hoping for, aka none for those of us not in a couple or related to one of the dudes. (IF WE'RE BEING HONEST HERE, AND I ALWAYS AM MOSTLY.)

But there were also s'mores, sparklers, great music, amazing pulled pork (high five, Lori!), laughter, a rainbow, TWINKLE LIGHTS, and time with fun friends.

So yeah, it was fabulous.

Well, that's all for now. Still on the horizon: a return trip to Dallas for a friend's documentary screening and a certain EPIC Pre-Summer Bash that I basically cannot wait for.

Good night all, and ciao to the world travelers! Miss you and can't wait for you to come back.

The time I went camping and left the pink sparkle watch at home.

Aside from one ill-fated campout in '95 or '96, when my cousin Hilary was scared off for good thanks to a certain notorious thunderstorm, I have been the only girl to regularly attend the Morby campouts with my dad, brother, cousins, and uncles.

I don't know why my sister or other cousins have never had any interest in joining us, or why the one night Kathy spent out there this most recent campotu was, as she put it, "my first and last campout."

What's not to love? Campfires, fishing, hiking, guns, fireworks, food
straight off the grill or camp stove, reading by the lake... These are a few of my favorite things!

Of course, there's no running water, a few bugs and snakes, and sleeping on the ground... But no, even then: what's not to love?

One thing that I noticed several times was the interesting dichotomy and warring halves of my girly and tomboy camping sides. For instance:

Yes, I did manage to wash my hair over the weekend. BUT I washed it in the lake. With some Old Spice body wash, because that's what was
there.

Okay, so I brought back some honeysuckle from the woods to put on one of the picnic tables. BUT in my other hand? I was carrying a snake skin.

Yes, I brought my comforter out to the campsite in a Nordstrom shopping bag. BUT I carried it into a tent that I OWN and set up myself, with some help from Dad, before we also set up my brother's tent. So.

Fine, I brought back more wildflowers from the field out by the power easement. I'll give you that one. BUT I hacked off the ends with a machete so they would fit in a cup of water.

BOOM.

Sound like too much fun to be had? IT WAS. Want to feel like you were there? Click play!
Previously: 2010 Morbypalooza Campout Video

Oh. THAT HAPPENED.

You know, I could use this space to talk about the overwhelming response I received from my last blog post. (I will say: y'all are awesome and I am still BLOWN AWAY by... everything. Thank you.)

Or I could talk about how Ginger has been in Israel for what seems like SO LOOOOONG and how glad I am to have her finally back in gchat and cell phone range.

I could talk about how EXCITED I AM FOR SPRING: warm weather, flip flops, softball games, fun trips, sunshine, and just... everything. I'm excited.



BUT. Let's talk about what's really important here.

People: I SAW JIMMY FALLON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, Jimmy Fallon, y'all. My FAVORITE celebrity-type person. He was HERE. In TEXAS. And I saw him. If you know me? You know this is pretty HUGE.

Basically: I was in Austin for SXSW Interactive (the far nerdier/geekier sister of SXSW Film or Music) last week. And I found out on Sunday that THE Jimmy Fallon would be moderating a panel. That very day.

My reaction: say "WHAT" about 20 times (no exaggeration) and then do everything in my power to get to said panel.




And I was. IN THE FOURTH ROW. Where I grinned and giggled my way through the presentation, and took (again, no exaggeration) 56 pictures and videos.

I mean, I was basically the Zeppelin kid from "Almost Famous."

They're here. Zeppelin are here. They are here.

Sigh. Jimmy FALLON was here.

And I saw him.

A "Vow" I Would Break

You know, I honestly don't know that I can possibly convey to you how bad I thought "The Vow" was, or exactly why. This really might not work. But that's not going to keep me from trying...

This insipid movie is an insult to mindless romantic movies. It's astonishing in its dullness, infuriating in its lack of a compelling plot, and absolutely astounding in its utter unbelievability.

The people in this film act like no one else I've ever seen or heard of. Seriously: NOBODY BEHAVES LIKE THAT!!! They looked like humans and they vaguely SOUNDED like humans, insofar as they used, like, words to communicate with each other. But the resemblances stopped there. Everything they did was either terribly contrived ("We go swimming in a lake once a month because... we do!") or a result of inexplicable plot contrivances. At the end of nearly every scene, I was left asking WHY??? Explain to me why you are even doing this. And WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT ANY OF THESE VAPID PEOPLE? You have given me NO reason.

However, the BIGGEST and most glaring problem, is due to just one thing:

Channing Tatum.

Y'all, I'm going to be completely honest with you: I DON'T GET CHANNING TATUM.

I don't! What do people see when they look at him??? Because I see, like, a walking chest with vacant squinty eyes and almost comically over-sized biceps. And the acting talent of a wooden post.

Channing Tatum brings the phrase "zero acting ability" to new heights (depths?), and one must wonder what kind of deal he made with Satan to get to star opposite an actress as effervescent at the lovely Rachel McAdams.

Really-- WHO KEEPS CASTING HIM IN THINGS?!?

I just didn't believe a single thing he did or said. At all. Instead of yelling, "I'm trying to help you!" he might has well have just yelled "I! Am SHOUTING right now! Because it says so in the script!" And what I can't seem to get across to people is exactly how much Channing Tatum's lack of believability and complete woodeness hurt the movie.

So I decided to re-make the poster with what I felt like would be a more accurate representation of C-Tates in this film.



BAM.

In conclusion: I DON'T UNDERSTAND CHANNING TATUM!!!!!!!!! And also don't go see "The Vow."

Double Juggle

I am so sorry to break it to you, but all of your previous parties have been missing one very important element.

What's that? Unicorns flying over rainbows and high-fiving as the song from "Space Jam" plays?

Yes. That, AND:

Two-person juggling!

(I'll wait for your BLOWN MIND to reassemble itself.)

Well. I think it must be your lucky day, because my own two-person-juggling-lesson-while-partying was caught on (a very short) video.

(Unicorns not included.)



You're welcome. And yes, I'm awful slash still learning--but that was fun.

Everyday I'm jugglin', y'all.

Rimshot? Maybe? No?

Well, this is awkward...

And Then She Got Married

This past weekend I had the honor, the privelege, and the delight of attending my cousin Hilary's wedding in Houston.

It was SO much fun, full of laughter, cousin time, and then also some more laughter.

Hilary is the closest relative in age to me (even closer than my sister), and I can recall many special memories of just the two of us, including times spent singing "Barbara Ann" at the top of our lungs in the shower at Grandma's house!

It was also SO wonderful to spend time with Grant, who is still recovering but basically kicking this whole medical speed bump in the rear.

I'm so glad everyone was able to go, and that the entire weekend went so smoothly and so fun-ly. Hurray and Huzzah!

Congratulations, Hilary!!!

Once Upon A Time In New York

I'm nothing if not timely. (Ha.)

My parents took Clay and I to New York back in April. It was amazing. It was... video-worthy.

Oh, would you look at that! There's a video of the trip right here! Gosh, how did THAT get there?

Well, as long as it's just sitting here, why not take a break from your day to enjoy a few virtual minutes in the city with us? No flights required, all you have to do is press play:



Thanks for watching! It means a lot to me.

Just Another Day At The Office

I work at a camp.

Naturally, this is a busy time of year for us, seeing as how campers show up in LESS THAN ONE WEEK.

To help us run camp during the summer, about 1,200 summer staff are hired every year. And for two days, all of them (and all of us full-time staff) are packed into a giant auditorium for worship, training, and vision-casting for the summer. It's one of my most favorite times of the year.

The atmosphere in that room is extremely difficult to describe, but it's definitely energizing to say the least. I hope you can make it to my town one of these Mays to come experience it with me. It's amazing.

Here's a little taste of the staff getting revved up between sessions:


A big part of why we are all gathered in this auditorium is to go through our in-house training manual, lovingly known as The Way. As in, our "way" of doing things. (Hip hip, THE WAY!)

To kick off this training time, and to get the new folks excited about what was to come, something truly awesome needed to happen. Watch and see:


And if you think I would pass up the chance to participate in ANYTHING "Newsies"-inspired, well, you are sorely mistaken, friend. Look again, and you might notice a certain blonde in a freakishly bright yellow t-shirt paired with her camp-regulation khaki shorts.

It's a fine life!

...So how was YOUR day at work?

Gotta See the Whole Town

New York was... wonderful. Truly an amazing experience.

We were blessed with safe and easy travel, no major hiccups, and a really fun trip. More and more I am realizing how special and unique it is to seriously ENJOY spending time with my siblings and my parents, and this vacation was no exception. Dad, Mom, Clay and I all laughed a lot, had plenty to talk and joke about, and really just enjoyed being around each other!

I loved that there was SO MUCH to do there, and I really tried to pack every day full to the brim with as much sight-seeing as possible. If I weren't limited by sore feet from so much WALKING or the need for, you know, SLEEP, I really don't think I ever would have stopped!

I loved seeing the top of Rockefeller Center with my mom, and am so glad she and I got that time together. Afterwards we warmed up (yes, it was COLD there most days!) in a French cafe with pastries and hot, sweet drinks. I got to see filming locations for things like "You've Got Mail," "Friends," and "Newsies" (kinda). I also really enjoyed going to see the Statue of Liberty and visiting the museum there (I know, I just said I enjoyed a MUSEUM, but it's true!). And then of course there was BROADWAY! "Billy Elliot" was a wonnnnderful production that we all enjoyed far more than I think any of us thought we would. It really does have a great great story, good music, and of course amazing dancing.

One of my favorite parts was walking the entire length of Central Park (about two and a half miles!) with my family and stopping only to enjoy some honey roasted cashews (DE.LIC.IOUS.) and the view at the reservoir. Another favorite was arriving back in Midtown after the Yankees/Rangers game up in the Bronx. We were FREEZING and all I could think about was GETTING WARM. We ended up in a little diner that was so warm and cozy and only got better with the arrival of Manhattan clam chowder and a grilled mozzerella cheese sandwich. I just remember removing jackets and scarves one by one as we finally thawed out and practically melted into our booth. (Or maybe that was just me... ;))

I think the standout portion of the trip has to be our last night in the city. Somehow we ended up at Sardi's (SARDI'S!) for dinner, and I spent the entire evening spotting different favorite celebrities on the wall in caricature form. After a ridiculously delicious meal (swordfish!) we headed down the street to the Al Hirschfeld Theater to see HIM:



















In this:



(Seriously, if you like musicals at ALL, you will do yourself a favor and PRESS PLAY.)

So that gives you just a taste of the FUN we all had at the theater that night. Daniel Radcliffe was amazing (he started the show hanging over the orchestra pit on a rope as a window washer). He had a remarkable singing voice, was ridiculously funny, and surprised us all with his athleticism and fantastic dancing! I watched the entire show just grinning and laughing my way through, and when it was over I exited the theater basically walking on air.

New York, New York, a wonderful town.
The Bronx is up, and the Battery's down.
The people ride in a hole in the ground.
New York, New York, it's a wonderful town!!

Don't You Love

Don’t you love it when you get done with work and errands and all to-do list items, and you don’t have to do anything else but lie on the couch and watch parts of “Hercules” and the first half of "Can't Hardly Wait" from underneath a down comforter? Now I’m not saying that’s what happened this evening*, but it’s pretty great when it does.

Don’t you love it when you eat a granola bar at your desk at work, and then you leave and come back and see granola crumbs ALL OVER your office chair making it look like a gremlin was just there eating with his feet? (No, I haven’t actually seen “Gremlins,” why do you ask?)

Don’t you love it when you find a shirt you forgot you have in the back of your closet, and you can bust it out like you just got some new clothes, walking around like John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever” with your new/old clothes attitude? (No, haven’t seen “Saturday Night Fever”- is that not what he was happy about?)

Don’t you love it when you’re at the grocery store and you spot something like THIS on the shelves of the dairy section? I love this country.

God bless America.

Don’t you love it when you come home to find that big red envelope in your mailbox? Netflix has arrived! And it contains “Pushing Daisies,” which is fun, but why on earth are there only THREE episodes to a disc?! Three? Really?

*Yes I am.

Valentine Preview

Today I'm guest blogging over at Wide Open Spaces. Jordan issued the challenge and I determined to give it my girl scout best. Follow the link to discover my list of my Top Ten Date Ideas.

(Sarcasm may or may not be included.)

And while you're there, check out some of Jordan's thoughtful writing. We are kindred Texas spirits who have both discovered how to love the desert.

Happy Reading, Happy Loving.

-G

Snow Walk

After church today I sat on my couch enjoying my lunch of soup and crackers and nectarines while staring out the window. Everyone few minutes I would stand and go over and peer out to check that YES- it is still snowing.

Finally it wasn't enough to simply gaze out the window. I thought, "Why am I not out there? I love next door TO A PARK." So I bundled up in my coat, hat and scarf, grabbed my camera, and hit the sidewalk.

I was gone for an hour and a half.

Most of the time the only sound I heard was the crunch of the snow under my own feet. It was glorious, and fun, and peaceful, and magical, and everything you would hope a snow walk would be.

Come walk with me!

Such a fun afternoon. I can't wait to do it again next time!

Give Joy

Quick post to alert you to some absolutely free giveaways! One of my dear friends is hosting a blog drawing for three separate Christmas goodies this week. Head to her blog, check out the details, leave a comment and win yourself some Holiday cheer!

Casablanca en Mexico

My parents and sister and I were in Mexico a year ago this month. And I was just thinking/remembering/dreaming about this most magical moment, when I found "Casablanca" being projected onto the side of a building. I couldn't hear the dialogue from street level, but the most unlikely music serenaded the moment, and it just... fit! Who would have thought that the faint strains of mariachi music would be the perfect and unexpected soundtrack?

I happened upon the entire scene quite by accident, and stood transfixed for far too long.

An old movie playing outside? On a building? In Mexico? Accompanied by mariachi music? I am just not aware that life gets much better than that.

Sometimes its just nice to stop and remember the unexpected fun/magical/perfect moments we are blessed with.

Using My Daily Allotment of Exclamation Points All in One Place

By this time tomorrow, I will be IN PHOENIX.

ARIZONA.

For GINGER’S WEDDING.

And I am SO EXCITED!!1!!!!1eleven

I am unbelievably happy that the trip is finally here! And I am so ecstatic for GINGER! GAH! MARRIAGE!!! WEDDING! FAMILY!! FRIENDS!!!

This is going to be. So much fun.

The wedding and trip have been taking up more and more of my brain power the closer it has gotten. At work it’s all—internety stuff! weddingweddingwedding Meetings! weddingweddingwedding Big emails! weddingweddingwedding WEDDING!!!!

I’ve been on the phone with the bride nearly every day, and with my mom SEVERAL times a day. I’ve been in constant communication with other bridesmaids and friends flying in. Joey even helped me Facebook-stalk the best man so I could send him a message! ZING!

Even as you read this blog entry, I am on the first leg of the trip,* driving to Houston and staying the night with my parents, so that in the morning the three of us can hit the airport and actually get to Phoenix!!!!

*(Thank you, blog scheduling gnomes, for making this blog possible.)

Ginger's getting married.

**Squeal!**

WEDDINGWEDDINGWEDDINGWEDDINGWEDDING!

Sigh.

See you on the other side….

The Lawn Party

Last weekend a few friends and I turned a hankering for croquet into an entire themed party. Because... that's how I roll! Invitees were asked to come enjoy dinner and croquet dressed in their "Gatsby Casual" best. Here's a look at some of the fun:

The Lost Birthday

We (okay, mostly I) like to do birthdays big at our office, and Stacy's birthday this year was no exception. With the end of one of our favorite shows fast approaching, and also at the prospect of turning her office into its own private island, I leaped at the chance to Lost-ify our marketing suite! Here are a few pictures from the day:

Hehehe... One of my favorite touches:

The inside of her office:


Celebrating that afternoon:

Such a fun day! Can't wait for the next office birthday...