EZ D.C.

"Ernie D. reporting live, from D.C.!"

Looks like we've got a strong gust of unchange in the air. A stale cloud casts over D.C., leaving the people, sites, and citylife overdue for a makeover.

Translation:
I've been up here for half a day, and it is the same tired ole' drama, different year.

Mega Smegma

What a rip! I totally just bought some Mega M&M's today. I have one word: whataripoff. They're practically the same size as regular M&M's except the colors make me feel queasy.

Scratch those things off my list.

Sorry Paul, But I've Fallen In Love With...

someone else, a store. It's called Rugby Ralph Lauren (not to be confused with Polo Ralph Lauren.)

There's only four of them in the entire world. There's one in Boston, NYU, Chapel Hill N.C., and one in Charlottesville!

I couldn't believe my eyes. Now the person who hates to shop may think the store is no big deal, but I adore it.

It's targeted towards college and grad school students, young professionals, and of course, fashion ho's. It's like Abercrombie and Fitch, but a little less trendy. They have two logos, one a person playing rugby (instead of polo. duh.) The other logo is a skull and crossbones. They sell everything from fisherman hats to shoes, oxfords to boxer shorts, to ties and messenger bags. Their rugby shirts are fitted, tailored, and detailed just like real rugby shirts for pros.

I talked to the manager about the store. Many of the clothes are the kind that Ralph Lauren originally created, adding more history and personality to them. Ralph Lauren has always wanted a branch like this to open, where the pieces are timeless with a playful twist. The skull and crossbones represent the secret societies that are still present in some universities today.

Charlottesville should feel so privileged! This little town is now a part of fashion history!

Cement 8K

Ahh, the beautiful city people call Charlottesville. It has changed so much in the nine months while I was away. To celebrate my return and to survey the additions to this lovely place, I decided to go for a long healthy run.

At one point during my jog, I noticed the sidewalk ahead appeared wet, so I slowed down. As I stepped into that area, my foot went into the sidewalk- it was wet cement.

There were no signs, no barricades, just a running shoe completely immersed in concrete. I hopped out, and ran as fast as I could to get home before I had a brick foot.

My total time was quite impressive.

Mex And The City

I'm still in L.A.- man, they have tex mex restaurants everywhere! And that's what I missed in Sydney: those cheesey gooey quesadillas, 10 pound burritos, and mucho macho nachos.

Did I go to a tex mex place today? Huh no. Instead it was:
*Wolfgang Pucks Cafe
*Jamba Juice

and the all-knowing, all-powerful

*Cheesecake Factory.

No wonder Americans are happy. Obese, but happy.

I Love L.A.!

I've been here for only six hours, and I've already been to:
*Sprinkles Bakery (bought 5 cupcakes, all gone)
*Baja Fresh
*Paul Frank
*Fred Segal's
*Von Dutch
*California Pizza Kitchen
*Pink's Hot Dog Stand

Tonight, what am I going to do next?

"I'm going to Disneyland!"

I Got Outed.

Well, thanks to the birthday party, my worlds collided. I've come out of the closet at church.

I invited three of my Step class teachers except one named Cecily, who was aware that I worked in a ministry at Hillsong Church. But through the cardio grapevine, Cecily found out about the party, found out that I had a boyfriend, and found out that I didn't invite her.

I went up to her after class today and apologized that I didn't invite her. She appeared okay.

Cecily has a big class, but I hope she doesn't have a big mouth.

The Nature Run

I continued celebrating birthday month by going over to my sister's place last night. She threw a birthday dinner and made fajitas. They were so good, plus I laced them with sour cream AND cheese! Yum. Afterwards, I blew out the candle on the birthday cake, which was a "banoffee" pie (bananas and caramel). I dogged it and ate nearly half.

To be pardoned for my gluttony, I went on a banoffee run this morning. 49 minutes of hardcore penance. While my feet were running, so was my nose. But I was clean out of Kleenex. So I nature-blowed. About 10 times. Ew, gross, but ahh yes!

Atari Flashback

My one friend in Australia, Jonathan, got me this for my birthday. It was something I had on my wish list! I finally opened it up today, and it truly flashes back- while playing Adventure and Haunted House, I reminisced playing these with Steve Pleasants after school in his basement for hours.

Desperate For A House, Wife

Because of *the* event of the year, the house has been in complete disarray (from my perfectionist point of view) for almost a week (I ain't hatin'- Paul did a stupendous job cleaning most of it). And with me, as sick as a dog who ate a cat that was sick, I've done a little bit every day. Here are the before pics of the kitchen.

Party On, Ern

Saturday was *the* event of the year: Paul threw me a birthday party. Nearly one hundred people showed up to show how much they care (free cocktails). The music was loud, and the outfits were louder. All in all, it was fun. Here are my favorite pictures: