The Jersey Shore (no, not like the show)

This past weekend I visited Andy & Tim at the Jersey Shore. Long Beach, to be precise.

I had reservations about going, the greatest being that I hadn't been in a bathing suit since my senior year of high school. So, what's a girl to do, but buy a new one. $10 total at H&M, which is having a totally rad sale right now. It was a little different shopping for bathing suits now, because of the weight loss. IBS will do that.

People think I'm crazy for not having gone swimming in four years. The beach has sand and the pool has chlorine and both places have people that are a good bit more attractive than I am. In the shower, however, I can sing with no one watching or (hopefully) hearing. So, why would I ever need the beach?

I did go though, figuring the Vitamin D would be good for my body. In case you didn't know, I'm practically a ghost. My brother makes it a point to remind me of my albino-like qualities every chance his tanned, buff, football player body gets. *Insert a Megan Hall sigh here.* But, with Neutrogena 100+ Waterproof by my side, I'm all good.

Not to mention the fact that I got to see my boyfriend. Have you heard me say that word yet? It still feels a little strange. Manfriend? Boyfriend? Manscout? But I digress...

Tim picked me up in Philly and we arrived late at night to the Shore. I met Brian (Andy's brother, not Tim's brother. They both have a brother named Brian. And both Brians are lovely for their own reasons.) I was almost as excited to see Brian as I was Andy & Tim. We had Skyped via Andy and he reminds me so much of Jack. I feel like he is this killer underdog who could just save the world someday. Maybe not the world, but someday he'll change peoples lives. He doesn't know I think that. In fact, he would probably be totally creeped out if he did. So don't tell him.

On Saturday, we went to Atlantic City, where my friend from school, Anastasia is working. I love this girl. She is in my 'soulmate' category. With all due respect, I say screw the word 'soulmate' as related to significant others. My girls are my soulmates. Anastasia is definitely one of them.

We caught up over salads via the Ruby Tuesday salad bar, and were so chatty that the boys were making fun of us throughout dinner. The whole I'm-going-to-say-something-embarrassing-about-them-to-catch-their-attention game. We pretended like we had no idea that they were making fun of us. Nice try A&T, but we were just to interested in each other to pay attention to your games. :P

Anastasia looked beautiful, as always. She's so tan and fit and... Greek. I don't know how else to describe her. Unique. Cosmopolitan. Real. Soulmate. That's all I have at the moment.

The next day and a half are kind of like a big blur of beach, naps, paddle ball, frisbee, waves, Mahi Mahi, and trying to keep my tits from falling out of my bathing suit. *Ladies can I get an "Amen"*

It was excruciatingly hot. In fact, NJ hit a record high of 108 that weekend. That wasn't the index either, but the real-deal-no-shit temperature. Needless to say, the chilly water and ocean breezes were a lifesaver.

I am going to try and explain paddle ball. There are paddles. Like Hagrid-size ping-pong paddle paddles. There is a ball. A little blue bouncy ball that is like the inside layer of a tennis ball and the size of a golf ball. You hit it back and forth and try and get to the highest number you can without dropping it. Kind of like what Jack and I always used to do with balloons. Keep in mind. We were in the sand, which equates to diving and jumping. I don't typically dive or jump. Definitely not jumping. I got no ups.

But, do you know who has got mad downs? Tim Sugrue. He had me on my ass laughing. If there was any chance he was going to get that ball, he went for it. It was amazing. And then sometimes there were just trips in a sand pit. But the best blunder was when he was in the water looking at the beach... didn't see a wave... first went the knees... then the rest of his body. And I saw his face the entire time. Priceless.

We also made Mahi Mahi. I forgot how lovely it was to cook with Tim. He is so handy to have around. Kerry O, you are a lucky lady.

We made the Mahi with a lovely Nectarine-Blueberry Salsa over top, and it certainly expanded Andy Huber's palette, or at least I would like to think so. Tim and I are on a mission to expand his tastebuds to more peculiar foods, as is he.

Perhaps the highlight was seeing the sunrise. It was then I realized why I needed the beach.

listening to: http://8tracks.com/courter08/songs-to-relax-the-mind

I know, I know.

I haven't blogged in a month. I suck. But lemme break it down for you.

I started feeling sick a few months back, like I did when I had gastroparesis in '08. I kept getting more and more nauseous. My symptoms matched that of Celiac disease. So I left DC around the 18th to get tested.

June 23rd: The celiac test was negative and I was diagnosed with IBS. (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Pretty name, huh? Now we're at 4 pills a day.

June 25th: Kerry O's party, which you may have seen in the previous post.

June 27th: Back in DC.

June 29th: Rushed to Patient First because my throat was literally killing me. *Strep* Now we're at 7 pills a day.

July 4th: *Strep* was better, I felt okay, and spent a few lovely days batting my eyelashes.

July 8th: IUP for Mini Camp

ew stick heights.

July 9th: Woke up with the *Strep* again & went to the Walk-in Clinic on Oakland. Got more antibiotics and steroids. Now we're at 6 pills a day. Side note: Never go to the Walk-in Clinic. The doctor is a creep.

July 10th: Body reacts to the new antibiotic poorly. Combined with stress. Not good.

On the upside, I was at work last week. On the downside, I missed the entire Folklife Festival. I don't want to talk about it. Everyone else at work does. Which is understandable.

So, where am I now?

Home again. Had to go to... yep, you guessed it. doctors appointments.

Right now, I am doubting whether I have gluten intolerance. I may, so I've been gluten free for about 3 weeks. It's rough. And I have to go dairy-free for the IBS. Luckily, I was already vegetarian. So I'm now a vegan who eats egg whites.

This may be the new blog I start writing next year... Gluten-free, Dairy-free, and a College Student.

I will do a blog on what it means to have IBS later, with a disclaimer of course. 

New York City

About a month ago, I traveled to Newtown, PA to visit the Manscout pair: Tim Sugrue and Andy Huber. It was an impromptu visit, that spurned from my desire to go to New York City. They live about an hour away by train.

So, we planned it on Wednesday. I was there Saturday. This is my kind of trip, people. Tim's home is lovely, just like the rest of his family. I quite enjoyed sitting on his deck with his mom discussing antiques and real estate and his dad discussing marching band stories and crossword puzzles.

Sometimes I forget there are real people. Real people who are nice. People like them make me remember.

Saturday

The city was beautiful and crazy. Manhattan is such a different world than DC. So much fashion, whereas DC is so much business. I have to say, I prefer DC. But NYC is great for a weekend. We spent almost the entire day in Central Park. People watching, Musician watching, even Wedding Watching.

Then we went to dinner at a local joint (so local it didn't even have a sign saying it's name).

It was like stepping back into Italy. We had no idea really what to expect, but the owner was outside giving wait times. We got 15 minutes. Almost exactly 15 minutes later, true to his word, we were sitting in the restaurant, a tiny place packed with mismatched tables and chairs. We were bumping elbows with the people at the table next to us, literally. The owner shouts something in Italian to the our waiter, who hurries over but clearly couldn't really care less about us, he just wanted to know what we wanted and now. Over his shoulder I caught a peek at the brick oven. It was easy to order a cappuccino and a margherita pizza.  We took a few moments to take it all in. Beautiful Italian language surrounded us as they tried to shove people out the door as quickly as possible. The diverse clientele was clearly local, as if they've been here a million times. It was the type of ambiance that just makes you talk with your hands, even if you aren't in the habit of doing so generally. I feel like I was probably outrageous in my storytelling, but who cares? I felt like I was back in Venice, but with two lovely gentlemen instead of four lovely ladies. And then came the food. Beautiful pizza. I mean, so so so authentic. It was one of those where you relish every bite in Giada-like ecstasy. You savor every flavor as your tastebuds just scream. At least for me. I feel like simple dishes are the best in that way.

We made our way home on the train, quite sleepy, but we made it.

Sunday.

I found two halves of a rocky heart. And skipped them along the water. 

Party like a rockstar.

Kero's grad party was everything I expected and more ;)

Living in DC, as lovely as it is, is kind of jarring. Being constantly surrounded by the skinniest, most professional, harsh-looking women around is kind of scary. I forget that real people exist, so I surround myself with pictures of people that I love. Among them are the people who are technically my friends, but are really more like family.

If we had a portrait, it would be this.

Jimmy is photobombing in the most fantastic of ways. Tim Sugrue is ???

I was marvelously reunited with my soulmate, the one, the only Megan Elizabeth Hall. We sang our ukulele tune which was written for Sarah, Kerry, and Ashlee (even though she was sickly and absent *tear* ). We sang it twice actually. Once for college peeps, and the edited version for the 'seniors'.

We laughed until our stomachs hurt from the band stories and boob comments of Bean. I mean, really, it was like an ab workout.

Cameron is just the sweetest, most adorable person I have ever met. I swear, if Bean hadn't gotten to him first... but then again Shreve probs would have... but I would totally get in line. He told us of his new musical director opportunity, and I could not be more thrilled.

Carly told us of her adventures of teaching children this summer. Apparently the signs of "Thank you" and "F*ck you" are not that different... and some kid got them mixed up. Whoops! She is such a peach that Carly.

Sarah Hann came in on a 7 hour journey. We got our Earth Day Earrings picture, finally. :) She is so creative and special and I just love her.

Andy, Tim's BFF from home, made a long trip out also. It was nice to connect dots. Tim and Kerry talk about all of us to him and vice versa. So names and faces all matched and it was glorious.

Brian and Jimmy, the certified little brothers, were there playing some form of baseball-ish. Megan Hall played in heels. I was impressed.

Jake also made a cameo. Looking all tan and studly.

Tim & Kerry are the cappuccinos of coffee. I don't know if that makes sense to any of you, but it does to me. I wanna be like them when I grow up. Even if they are some sort of 'line of communication' in my life right now.

We ended the night with hundreds (literally) of sparklers which I picked up at Phantom Fireworks. Colored ones. Gold ones. Silver ones. It was quite magical. In Disney style.

All in all, I felt complete. You are all my people. Now until eternity.

Sending crazy love, Rajita.

Ill... but not in the good way.

I apologize for the cleave, peeps. Didn't realize until I was watching the video back, and I wasn't about to re-do this one. It is what it is. I know Bean will appreciate it.

Mad love, rajy.

Publish Post

Show your pride.

Sunday started out really bad. I mean really bad.

I went out to Tater, and he had two pink tickets on his dashboard. (Yes, my car's name is Tater). One was for parking too close to a stop sign. Apparently you have to park at least 25 feet behind a stop sign. Who knew? No one. Because fucking everyone does it. But, no, I get the ticket. The other was because they noticed by car parked on an unzoned street for a while, and want to know why I don't have a permit.

This is me... not happy.

Ok. So, I get in the car with my tickets, huffing and puffing. And, then I realize the battery is dead.

Lovely. Let's wait outside in the blistering sun for Geico to come. The gecko is kind of amazing though, they always come through for me in a pinch.

Finally, $50 and 1 hour later, I'm on my way.

I heard about a Free "Yard Sale" that a playhouse was putting on in Arlington. All the stuff they have accumulated for various productions was up for grabs. If I had a house to put some of this stuff, I would have taken it. But I don't, so I didn't. Enjoy these shots. My fave is at the end.

 Enough couches to fill 5 frat houses.

 Megan Hall. OMG shoes.

 Creepy old, out of tune, yet glorious piano.

 Chairs and statues and scaffolding, Oh my.

 The black box.

Cute. Almost Parisian.

Seriously though, it was cool to hunt around this dark basement, just full of random treasures.

Then it was off to the.... CAPITAL PRIDE FESTIVAL. My dad said the only specification is that I come home still straight. Because he need's grandchildren.

 These two were named the top Latino Drag Royalty.

 I couldn't get a good shot of this fierce lady, cause it was in the 21+ section. She had this one move, she would do a high kick, spin on her heel, and land in a split. All to the tune of "Girls" by Beyonce. She was fabulous.

 This was the Gay Men of DC Choir, complete with Color Guard.

 Right in front of the Capitol. Suck on that, Feds.

Got lube? See this dude. Yellow shorts. He is well covered compared to many of the men I saw. It was almost annoying. SUCH a tease. "I am going to look hot and amazing on this scorching DC day, and wear less than a speedo. But, oh wait, I'm gay." Bummer.


So, while the gay guys were all about the speedos, the lesbians were all about the pasties. I don't even know if that's how you spell pasties. But you get the picture. They took the stickers everyone was passing out and used them. My only question was, "Wouldn't it hurt when you take them off?"

Anyway. It's great to see a community so supportive of LGBT. There were as many straight people as there were LGBT, and as many families as young singles. Sponsors included tons of churches, govt groups, police teams, etc. Everyone was just... happy. Everyone was accepted. It truly was amazing. But it made it even more heartbreaking to see that these people, my friends, are discriminated against every day in so many ways.

I am glad people are starting to get it though, if only little by little.

For instance, LUSH is teaming up with Freedom to Marry.
http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/lush?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=FTM&utm_campaign=20111306LushCampaign&source=20111306LushCampaign

And celebrities like Dianna Agron are starting to really speak out.
http://felldowntherabbithole.tumblr.com/post/6453072763

And then the little people, like me, try to help out as best they can.

love is love.

Omani!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, I had a lovely day with Dan, a buddy from work. It was actually his 21st birthday, so I was honored he chose to spend it with me at the Omani Festival at the Sultan Quaboos Cultural Center!

Don't know where Oman is? That's ok. Neither did I.

We get cultural event invites all the time through work, and this one looked promising. The other interns decided to be lame and not go, even though free food was involved. It was in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, and if you read by blog, you will know this is one of my favorite neighborhoods. We found the place easily, and headed straight to the henna demonstration.

The lady demonstrating is on the left. She was seriously one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. It was crazy. And the henna was awesome! They apparently only use plant life as drawings, as part of the religion and culture. She taught us how to make our own henna, or where to buy it. Party game, Kerry?

We then went out to the backyard, where frankincense was burning. I love that smell.

It was neat to see the inside & backyard of one of the houses I have been fawning over in Dupont Circle for a month. The food was set up in the back. I had falafel, tabouli salad, spinach pie-like-yummyness, hummus&pita, and Omani coffee. It was delicious. And free! Omgoodness. Totes made by day. There was also entertainment in the garden on Omani instruments. It was great. They used Western tuning. I can't remember any of their names, but here are some pics....

 

The lady on the left in the first pic actually works with us in Participant Housing, so it was nice to make connections. The lady in both pictures gave a research presentation on her trips to Omani after  she performed. I learned quite a bit about their culture and leadership, Sultan Quaboos.

I kept reading Sultan as soo-tahn... wonder why? :P

We took a quick look at the exhibit, and having some dates, a huge export for the country, before peacing out to Dupont. 

We stopped at a Photograph Shop, and I recognized streets that I have been on around the world. Paris, Venice, London. And felt quite cosmopolitan.

We also stopped at a used book store. I picked up a few travel writing books for cheap.

We ended the day with Dupont Park. It was getting geared up for the Capital Pride parade for the LGBT community later that day, and quite fun. We also had an intense session watching the chess-men. They always have one foot up on their seat. I don't get it.

It was Krispy Kreme time before we hit the Metro again. Dulce de Leche is quite the peculiar donut. Butterscotch, Tapioca, Vanilla Pudding like. Strange. But quite delish.