Musings from Mandy

I got this beauty from Walmart. If I had an astrophysicist friend it may have been properly assembled. I did not and it may collapse at any moment but it looks nice and holds my stuff for now. My work of art and my mini space heater that loves to blow the fuses on the right side of the house. My favorites! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Had the pleasure to check out, "Stars with Guitars" last week featuring Dustin Lynch, Craig Campbell, Jerrod Neimann and Tim Nicholas. It was an interesting set up. All 4 came out at the beginning and they sat on 4 stools and sang / played along to each others songs. It was at the Sinclair. It's really cool venue in Harvard Square with exposed brick, pipes, etc. All 4 guys were a lot of fun and it was cute to see how shy (Dustin Lynch) some were and how not (Craig Campbell) the others were. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location: The Sinclair

Finally got around to printing some recent pictures (pirate time!) while keeping a few classics (Viva Las Vegas!). Next up is getting my new POS Wal-Mart desk organized. Getting it assembled was a task and despite a few hiccups it is in one piece and has an almost functional drawer. Really excited about the newest addition to my shelf: my "Will You be my bridesmaid?" wine bottle from Erin! Already sad that I'll probably drink it some night when we are out of wine and not a special occasion! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

1. July - No work, favorite holiday (4th of July). 2. August - No work, Outerbanks 3. June - Minimal work, summer begins. 4. May - Almost done with work, Memorial Day kicks off the summer. 5. April - April vacation.  Weather starts to suck less. 6. September - Nice weather, fresh start with a new class. 7. November - Favorite holiday - Thanksgiving. 8. February - A week off and usually some fun celebrating Erin and my birthday.  Also George and Abe's birthday. 9. March - longest school month of the year is offset slightly by the glory of St. Patrick's Day. 10. December - Good length vacation but you're usually busy and hungover throughout the month. 11. October - I don't like Halloween. 12. January - You start hungover and it's all down hill from there.

I don't like Richard Sherman, I don't like Pete Caroll, I don't like the whole 12th man schtick stolen from A & M.  That being said, I'm going to have to root for the Seahawks on Sunday.  I absolutely cannot have Peyton get a second Super Bowl ring and I cannot have Wes get one at all.  My dream scenario is for Wes to drop a huge pass. Since the two losses to the Giants, I've harbored some hard feelings towards Asante for dropping the pick and Wes for not getting the first down.  (I'm giving Rodney a pass on the Tyree catch because I my love for Rodney is complete and never ending).   I don't why I'm feeling such hatred towards Wes and those Baby Blues but as Adam Vinatari said the other day, "I hope they both lose".  I feel the same way but since that ain't happening, I guess,  "Go Seahawks!"  is the call.  (KP and I had a a big John Fox crush once upon a time).

I decided this morning that I am never letting another December, January, and February go by again without an escape to somewhere I can wear a bathing suit outside and drink a frozen drink from an umbrella (technically I can do both those things on my back deck in the hot tub but that is so not what I had in mind).  January is just too long of a month to have to spend it in Massachusetts.

Before the Bruins started the season, KP and I were discussing the team and the departure of our dearly beloved Andrew Ference.  Sadly, there just wasn't enough $$ to go around, not to mention a ton of young defenseman, and Ference packed up and headed northwest to Edmonton in the off season.  Ference was a solid defenseman for the Bruins but way more than that, he was an awesome Bostonian and leader on the B's.  Almost daily, you'd see something somewhere about a visit to a hospital or soup kitchen, it seemed.  He also was behind the infamous Army Ranger jacket in the 2013 playoff run (which he left in the deserving hands of Matt Brown).   Anyway, I love few things more than a great montage.  One of them is "Oh Canada!".  So, I told KP I have to see Andrew come back and cheer and cry and sing "Oh Canada!" and because she's a great friend she's taking me to the game to welcome back Andrew.  That is, if he's able to play.  He suffered...

So, I may have fallen back onto the bandwagon last year.  I used to be a huge Sox fan but kind of had a falling out when they got gross with Beckett and the likes of Carl Crawford (whom I coveted for YEARS and was so excited about.  I owned (now Goodwill does) a D-Rays and Sox Crawford shirt). I got a Sox Pax for $100 bucks with tickets to the Ranger, Reds, Yanks and Rays. Anyway, looking forward to seeing my old friends and hopefully finding a new Red Sox love like the great Scott Hatteberg.  Once upon a time, I loved him, Darren Bragg, and Jeff Frye.  Very few people can say that.

This is Brett Eldredge.  Not only is he that handsome, but he could sing you this song. Beat of the Music PS.  Brett, I fully intend on stalking you, but not until I'm done with Chase.

As previously discussed, I have a Groupon Goods addiction.  Here is one of the daily "goods": Pros:  Adorable! A deal at just $24.99 Jack will be comfortable outside. Cons: Jack already has a dog bed. Jack hates dog beds. My dad will trip on it on the deck and break his leg and we'll be living on the street. Verdict.  Holding out for now.

These two must have some serious hate.  This isn't your average, "Do you want to go?" fight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWU-AFV9D5E

"Quarterback  Tom Brady  was mysteriously absent from practice today during the media's 10-minute window for the workout. It's unclear why Brady was not present, but this morning, the Patriots switched his routine Wednesday news conference to Friday, so something is amiss. Brady's right shoulder has been listed on the injury report since Week 8, but he hasn't missed any practices until today. It's his first practice absence since last season's playoff bye week." http://bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/the_blitz/2014/01/tom_brady_absent_from_practice_aaron_dobson_returns Oh I'm sure it's nothing.  A little rest before Peyton; that's all.  Breathe, breathe, breathe...

So, I have a bit of an addiction to discuss today.  Mainly that I cannot turn down a good groupon good.  The problem is perhaps the definition of "good".  I can find no better way to kill 10 minutes by dropping $19.99 (then you get free shipping!) on some "great" deal.  My most recent purchases include: Tell me who doesn't need two knitted coozies?  Someone who bought two yesterday at Target in the dollar section?  Perhaps.  Sometimes it's not about need.   ROLL TIDE ROLL! Do I own three curling irons already?  Yes.  Do I curl my hair 12 times a year?  Yes.  Do I own a reverse wand curling iron?  No.  Need it obviously. Am I the kind of girl that will wear a cute Patriots headband?  Probably not.  But you never know. I don't know what these are.  I just know I bought them.  I'm not proud.   I don't hate this purchase.  I don't know when I'm going to g...

Had the pleasure to see "Once" on Sunday at the Boston Opera House.  Mom took the whole gang (somewhere begrudgingly).  I had never heard about it before but the music was written by Glen Hansard.  Hansard happens to be friends with Eddie Vedder.  The play takes place in Dublin, Ireland and is about...a boy and a girl that meet and fall in love.  I really enjoyed it and the music was awesome.  Here's a link to the most famous song "Falling Slowly" that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzQ9VrnNQLQ

GO PATRIOTS!!

So far, I have the following on the set list: 1. CHASE RICE  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vo5og1G3I8 2. Chris Cagle  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZGP2uWOHM4 3. Dustin Lynch  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESFq9iiSF-Q 4. Joe Nichols  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZwVvwp8i-M 5. Craig Campbell  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp7kK27l35g 6. Eric Pasley  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhQbhDjtreI I fully intend to attend both Lady A and Kings of Leon but do not currently have tickets so that's not making the list yet...

Okay, this is going to sound like a broken record but I swear this is the year I will finally host a "Wine to Water" event.  It's a great charity where you have a wine tasting, everyone throws in some money, and you put it towards building wells in Africa.  I saw it on CNN Heroes probably in 2008.  But I swear I am going to be a glue stick and get this freaking thing done this year.  And you better freaking all show up. Event #2 is a little closer to my heart.  My cousin Tysen was lucky enough to have his wish granted through the Make a Wish Foundation.  He's trying to raise $1,000,000 so that other children can have their wishes granted, too.  We are hoping to get a bowling or cornhole tournament in the works soon!  But wait, there's more!  You can donate now by going to:  http://www.missiontoamillion.ca

I've been to California once before for a whirlwind bachelorette party in San Francisco and Napa (Napa almost made me Oak Tree myself right out to the west coast) and I'm excited to head back with quite the crew for San Diego and Los Angeles.

So excited for the weddings of Erin & Justin and Katie & Joe and the birth of Babies Holbrook and Zayas! Not overly related but one of my favorite pictures of my life.  

Who?  This fine gentleman.  He entered my life in October in the form of a mix CD made by a friend.  I've been trying to find a way to see him since.  The closest he's coming around is to Silver Springs, Maryland, so, Silver Springs, Maryland is where I shall go (on my birthday none the less). You can check him out on instagram, twitter, and facebook and I suggest you do if you know what is good for you. Here he is playing, "Getting down in Pirate Town" with some friends.  He's the second singer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5CbUF_HDWQ Also he's a college football player, worked on a NASCAR pit crew, and was on Survivor and came in 2nd. In addition to above, he also has a song, "Buzz Back" which is going to be the title of my memoir. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm5swz6C7ws

I read once that a pilot, in preparing for a long voyage ate a ton of carrots because they are good for you eyes.  So many that the melanin in his skin turned orange.  I joked that I needed to eat so many carrots (and not other crap) that I turn into a carrot.  I'm bringing that goal back around and want a year filled with veggies, fruit, and lean protein and less of everything else. Goals: #1 - Only a cup of coffee a day.  A second is allowed, but not daily. #2 - NO Diet Coke.  Farewell Sweet Prince.  Aspartame is terrible for you and I miss my Diet Coke everyday.  #3 - Dunkin Donuts sparingly. #4 - Only drink on days that I worked out that morning.   #5 - Drink only at events, not because it's Tuesday and I'm bored. 

Goal #3 is to stick to things like a glue stick.  This came around when we wanted to harness the power of the Oak Tree and Oompa Loompa. I've had a few great bouts of motivation in my life.  Goal #3 is to stick to them when they come around and to stick to my goals.

This again, was one of our crazy New Year's Resolution.  When this first came around (I believe 2005 or 2006) New Year's Eve, I may have over done it by moving to North Carolina.  Here are a few of my branching out goals: 1.  Learn to paddle board and do it well.   2.  Branch my self out to freaking Nashville sometime this year even if I have to go alone.  It's a bucket list item that has freaking get crossed off.   3.  Take a random class.  The more random the more oak tree-ish it is.  This could also help me become more like an Oompa Loompa.  

Ommap loompa you might say?  This goes back at least 6 years.  My best friends and I were trying to come up with a yearly goal for each other that was always something ridiculous.  This goal was to be more well rounded.  At the time, we had pretty limited social interactions.  Our activities were limited to meeting at bars and occasionally going out to dinner before going out to a bar. At the Baseball Tavern circa 2007. We went to an art museum, saw a play, and that maybe was it.  But we tried. So my goal this year is again, to make a concerted effort to be more well rounded and to try a different things! What does this include? 1.  Try at least TWO winter sport activities.  Items that will qualify include skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, etc.  Sledding and snow angels do not count because I have accomplished those before. 2.  Go to TWO plays or other theatrical events.  (I'm cheating bec...

Well hello 2014 and so long 2013.  For me, 2013 had a good amount of ups and downs.  On the positive side, I spent more time with my family then most probably spend in a decade (that could be a negative too, but we're starting off positive around here).  I completed my Master's Degree coursework.  I went on a ton of fantastic vacations, saw some great shows, and spent a lot of time in the sun drinking with friends.  It wasn't a year without challenges either.  There were changes in ones I love's health, relationships, and in my job. But enough about 2013.  I hate odd numbers so I have big hopes for 2014.  My goal (I decided about 8 minutes ago) is to blog each day.  Since I'm already behind by 11 days, I'm devoting the next 10 posts to things that I'm looking forward to and goals for 2014. Personally, I've never been a huge fan of resolutions but I do know that when I set goals, I am a lot more likely to achieve them.   My hope...