Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Nice Cup of....Pffffffft!

So I just got off the phone with my Mother........

Oy.

I exasperate my Mother to no end (on account of my snarky, running commentary and my insistence that, Yes. I am. RIGHT!) and she literally drives me to drink.
(The reasons number many.......)

(And, that...... right there: You rolling your eyes at me.....that's one of them, Mother!)

So we are chatting about our week and just doing the general "checkin' in" shtick, when I mention I'm freezing and I'm thinking I'll make some coffee to warm myself up.

Mother: Whaaaaaaaaaat? Coffee at this hour? Noooooooooooooooooo. Have some tea.
Snarky Brunette: Mother.......I hate tea.
M: No you don't.
SB: Yes. I do.
M: You used to drink tea all the time.......what are you saying, you don't like tea.......?
SB: I drank tea for two days when I was a junior in college. I hate tea.
M: Oh, you do not! Don't drink coffee, you'll be up all night.
SB: Perhaps, but I bet my ass will be warm!

It's at this point that my Mother yells my given name into the phone and informs me I'm "being ridiculous". She then tells me to have "a nice cup of tea, decaf- if you have it", and we end our conversation in the usual manner.
Mother: Thanks for calling, hon......love ya!
Snarky Brunette: Love you too, Glor.

Tea.

Pfffffffffffffffffffffft. The only tea I will drink and enjoy is the tea they serve at my favorite Chinese restaurant. What's up with that tea and why is it so delicious?! And why the hell can't I find it on the shelf next to the other teas? I've looked, People. "Chinese Tea" ain't out there! Instead I'm always assaulted with teas baring stupid names like "Ginger Root Extract" or "Sleepy Time Baby". They ought to have names that are more descriptive as to how they are really going to taste. Names like "Tastes Like Wood Chips" or "My Dog Peed on the Grass I Brewed this Tea From."

With these thoughts festering in my head, I shuffle to the kitchen to make myself some coffee. A small pot; I fill the machine and grind the beans and as I'm pouring the grounds into the filter basket I can hear my Mother's voice, ala Fran Drescher, saying: You're going to be up allllllllll night.

Not willing to let my Mother have the last word, especially given the fact it's only in my head, I yell to Marky who is downstairs: I'm cold! Should I have some coffee?

The response is immediate and resounding: Only if you're a dumb ass.......!

Goddamnit! Why does everyone keep saying that to me?!

I hit the auto button on the coffee pot, setting it to brew in the morning, and then walk to the cupboard over the stove. I pull down the wooden box that holds the assortment of teas my mother insists on bringing when she comes to stay with us. Tea with Gigi is one of my Monsters' most favorite evening rituals.

I poke through the box until I find what I think I'm looking for: Green Tea, Decaf. That's gotta be better than "Pomegranate Raspberry" or "Peach Apricot"! I put the tea bag in my favorite mug (Wynnie the Pooh) and load the dishwasher while I wait for the water to heat (a watched pot never boils, People!).

As I pour the steaming water over the tea bag, I begin to smell something that seems familiar but I can't place it. Hmmmmmm? I let the tea steep just barely a minute; I hate strong tea, and then I take my spoon and wrap the tea bag string up and over, and around the bag to drain it ever so perfectly. The spoon and the tea bag go immediately onto the spoon rest (no drips-ies on the counter- Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!) and then I add a splash of cold water to my mug to ensure I don't burn the shit out of my mouth!

Warm mug feels good in my cold hands..........

What is that smell? I know I know it.......

I test the tea with my tongue......not too hot......take a sip........

Hmmmmmm...... I know that taste. That tastes alot like........

Chinese Tea.

Goddamnit.

Not only am I drinking tea. I'm liking it.

Mothers...........

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Free Bird

I was asked today if I'd be doing any "martini blogging"..........

Whaddaya think that person was trying to say?!

I'm totally pondering that question myself........

while I swirl my sparkling, black cherry & vodka over ice!

The sap is not flowing, People. The Snarky Brunette finds herself with alot of material tumbling within her noggin, but it's all fairly random. There is nothing up there that is worthy of a running dialogue.

Fine! You're right. I don't really "dialogue." That would require someone else's input and......Pfffffffft! Since when do I want the input of others?

So I have nothing worthy of a running commentary, which is usually in the form of a rant........

Crickets.......crickets........crickets........

Well, this is disturbing. I rant, therefore I am. How can there be nothing for me to rant about? Or find fault with? WHAT. THE. HELL?

Perhaps I'm just too relaxed after my drive home? It was a gorgeous day here in Orygun. The sun was all shine-y and bright, and so I decided I'd drive home via the back roads; through the countryside, with my top down and the soundtrack to 500 Days of Summer blaring through my iPod. It was pure bliss. All of the fields were green and you could smell the fresh, cut grass. The roads are full of long curves; perfect for my Bug (or "Boog", as Jack calls it) to hug and glide through. I was in the zone (, Sullivan! - You may award yourself 100 Snarky Points if you know what movie that comes from!).

Until I rounded a curve and found myself face to face with some idiot cyclist who was traveling in MY GODDAMN LANE, the wrong GODDAMN way!

Oh. Look at that........

Welcome to my rant!

Cyclists. With their spandex and killer hamstrings......traveling in herds and always jockeying for the lead position. They are more unpredictable than a herd of cats! And what's with the God Complex, Cycle People? How is it you feel entitled to the entire roadway? My Bug may look tiny, but I'm fairly confident I could take out 7 of you at one time; leaving 5 of your 7 with permanent disabilities! And I know you see me cuz you're wearing that fkn side mirror clipped to your helmet! And don't eye-ball me as I pass your ass, with my turn signal on while giving you the entire lane of travel- MY GODDAMN LANE OF TRAVEL! Cuz I'm just classy enough to fly the International Bird at your pedaling ass and punch my gas, so you'll be breathing in some serious catalytic converter fumes!

Seriously. Get your ass on a bike path. It's what we, the tax payers, paid millions of dollars for. To get your spandex-ed asses off our roads and out of our way!
(And, out of our sight.......because, frankly, some of your asses should not be clad in spandex..... word to the wise. The Snarky Brunette is on Fashion Patrol 24/7!)

Now.....if you'll excuse me, I've worked myself into quite a lather. I need to go pour myself a refreshing libation and perhaps engage in a little deep breathing as well. For a fleeting moment, I might consider the thought that said (asshole) Cycle People are promoting healthy lifestyles and helping the environment by "going Green"........ 1.....2.....3.....

Yup. Duly noted.

Now get the FK out of my way!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

O'Irish

1 corned beef & cabbage consumed - Check.
(Leftovers will be made into Monster lunches tomorrow. At their request!)

2 pints of green beer (and the third just poured) enjoyed - Check.

3 potatoes swimming in butter, sour cream, and salt & pepper -Check. Check. Check.

One amazing salad, garnished with cranberries and sunflower seeds; so gorgeous it could have been a picture; two helpings devoured by my 7 yr old who previously claimed he hated anything with the word salad in it - CHECK.

Celtic music playing in the background while we shared our Irish meal - sea!
(pronounced sha; meaning yeah! Read {with snarky, Irish attitiude}: Um, yeah....Dumb Ass!)

I come from two parents who were adopted. I know nothing of my heritage. But I've built a life on being Irish. I've got the last name; the green eyes and the strong will!

Does The Snarky Brunette drink beer? No.

Green beer? Oh hell no!

But The Snarky Brunette can swill vodka like no body's business......and vodka is made from potatoes.........and Ireland made potatoes famous..........and once again, we've come full circle.

The Snarky Brunette + vodka+ March 17 equals:

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I'm off to pour my third vodka........ Slainte!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Merry (Drunk) Maid

Guess what's more fun than cleaning my house?

Cleaning my house while drinking.

Totally wish I would have thought of this 2 floors ago!

I have a tri-level, 24oo square foot home. I clean it all myself. Sure, the Monsters have chores and they have to pick up their......shhhhhhhhh, stuff. And Marky is really good at moving furniture for vacuuming purposes. But the deep clean falls to me. Why? It's a two prong answer:

1. I'm too cheap to hire a cleaning lady, and
2. I know myself. I'd actually clean the house before the cleaning lady showed up to clean my house!

So. What's the point in hiring a cleaning lady!?

There is none.

Thank you, Type A (with a slight case of OCD) personality.

I'm off to scrub the second of three toilets. Only this time I'm armed with both Lysol Cling and a martini! Or two.......

I would whistle while I work, but given the martinis.....I'm pretty sure my whistle would sound more like a raspberry!!!!

Cheers!

Friday, March 12, 2010

This & That

Yeah, yeah........my silence is deafening.

(Use your best Monica Geller voice:)
I know!

But I have a really good reason for my lack of um......., blogosphere participation. I went back to work full time after having been part time for 7 1/2 years. Long story short: the timing was right and I was ready.

(Which is a smarter way of saying: Frankly, I was bored out of my gourd. I was spending far too much time surfing the net; emailing KB; texting KB and just generally pissing the day away and having nothing to show for it, except for my occasional post.)

The Monsters were not happy.
I bribed them with Ex-Wife Banana Bread. The only contribution to our family that was worth a damn from my brother's (EX) wife!

Lynda thought she was happy for me.....until my failure to promptly respond to her emails drove her to send me the following email at work: I'm with your kids. You working full time SUCKS! PAY ATTENTION TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

KB was super excited for me until my work began to immediately interfere with my blog. She's consoling herself with a trip to Phoenix. And Nordstrom's.

Tk is about the only one who was FIRED UP about my return to work. I believe her exact words were: Those whiners can SUCK IT! I get you 5 days a week, Baby!
(It's good to be loved.....)

So.

I have next to no spare time and an incredible amount of random thoughts swimming in my head. So rather than taking the 2-3 hrs it usually takes me to post something, I'm just going to wing it and hit you with my musings. Freestyle, yo.

Here's what I know:

1. The Snarky Brunette is tired.
Which, coincidentally, makes her not only snarky but cranky (read: bitchy!). In short, full time work is kicking my ass. I'm not complaining, mind you. I'm sharing. And in the spirit of sharing, let me share this: The next asshole that asks me "You regretting your decision to come back full time"? and then follows it up with " You look tired.", is gonna get haymakered. From way down low!

2. Mark & I have committed to coaching our Monsters' baseball team again. We had to fill out applications and a form consenting to a back ground check. The later form asked: What special skills and/or hobbies did I have.

Is it just me or does that type question scream STUPID? Without thinking I immediately typed: Pole Dancer- pending certification. I laughed myself into an asthma attack and then deleted it. But not before printing it and posting it on the bulletin board in my office.

3. I spent 3 hours in my rose garden this weekend. It was pure heaven. Tending to roses is a Type A's dream. The act of pruning is precise. Each snip made after careful thought and examination of each rose stem. It's methodical and when you've finished the task at hand, everything is neat and orderly.

Did I mention I scratch the shit out of my hands every single time I tend my roses? It's awful. Not only am I a bloody mess when I'm done, but I will inevitably have at least 3 thorns embedded in my hands. When I hauled myself inside and showed Mark my wounds, he sighed heavily and shook his head. I handed him the needle and disinfectant and he began his work as Thorn-y McSliver Master. The first one came out with ease; the second one- not so much. After about my third squeal at the needle's prick, Mark said: Sister, I don't know how you manage to do this every time you work with your roses......you need better gloves. To which I replied: I don't wear gloves. It interferes with my work...... it's very Zen, Marky....I have to feel my way.

Mark's response: Well.......you're kind of a dumb ass.

4. I have a friend at work......who shall remain nameless (LEAH!), who puts her mascara on at work every morning. I've yet to inquire why she doesn't perform this beauty ritual at home- mostly because I'm fascinated by the fact that she "warms" her mascara up prior to brushing it on her lashes. How does one "warm" their mascara, you ask? By placing it inside her bra, close to her under arm. And she's positively unabashed by her actions. The first time she whipped her mascara tube into her bra, I was utterly confused. And I believe I said: Leah? What the hell was that? But then she explained her reasoning: See, if you warm your mascara, it goes on easier and you have minimized the clumps. It's GENIUS, really. Cuz only a Ho has clump-y eyes!

I decided to try her theory out on my brand new liquid eyeliner that goes on in a less than satisfactory manner. It totally works! So now, every morning, as I am diffusing my Big Wig (I don't really wear a wig....it's just that since my son was born, my stick-straight hair went all wavy on my ass and after a year of fighting it I just gave up and layered the shit out of it and now I have a head full of massive curls. And because I have to nickname everything, my hair became known as my Big Wig. Seriously, the higher my hair, the more motivated I become!), I slip my eyeliner tube under my arm. By the time I'm ready to line my almond eyes, the liner glides on like butter.

Lo Lo, you are ahead of your time!

5. My Mother left me a voicemail tonight. In order to truly hear the following, please imagine the voice of Fran Drescher, peppered with uncontrollable giggles:

Hiiiiiiiiiiii! It's your Motherrrrrrrrrr (giggling)......I just wanted you to know that I'm on my way home. FROM THE LIQUOR STORE (giggling)! I have wine AND vodka (giggling) AND I found a Mudslide mixer (more {possibly insane} giggling!)!!!!!!! I don't even know where to begin! You should be here (more giggling)........love ya!

I returned her call once I got home. She answered her cell with: (giggling) Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii there!

My greeting: Hello, Drunk! Glad to know I raised you right!

6. My conversation with my Mother was followed by a text from KB. Before I tell you the text, let me set the scene. She's dining with Big Daddy (that's my nickname for her husband. On account of the fact that when I stand next to him I feel I am reduced to a midget. And he banks serious coin. And he's quite possibly the most generous soul I've ever met in my life. And he loves his wife. And spoils her (fkn) rotten. Big Daddy. He wears it well and is one of a kind.) at the swanky Gentleman's Club in BoHo. She took me there the last time I flew out for a visit. We all wore black & white. And so did everyone else. Swankity, swank swank.

KB: Wearing hot pink at The Club. I'm the only one not wearing black or white......did I mention my pink is full of gold zippers?

My reply: You can take the girl outta Trashville, but you can't take the trash outta the girl!

An hour later I received this: Wine is my poison tonight.....can't drive home. But I was fully complimented on my hot pink in the ladies room!

Poor dear....do I tell her that chick was most likely just as drunk as she was?

7. The Oscars were last Sunday. I love the Oscars. And I have a strict, "you're attending the Oscars, for Gods sake, you should know better than to wear that!" policy. I'm incredibly harsh on those that walk the Red Carpet and frankly, I should have my own show as my running commentary would be far more entertaining than the drivel we're forced to listen to courtesy of Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Ann Inaba & Joan "you should be dead by now" Rivers! A few thoughts:

(a) Kathy Ireland was a commentator this year for ABC. Let's hope it's her last. Sister may have been a #1 Sports Illustrated Model in her time....but her time is UP. She is positively gorgeous to look at, but the minute she opened her mouth I found myself shrieking at the TV: MAKE IT SHUT UP! And I believe I turned to Mark and said in disgust: She gives brunette's everywhere a bad name!

Remember Haley Joel Osment (before he lost himself in a bottle of booze and wrecked his Saturn station wagon on a California highway) in The Sixth Sense? The whispered phrase that made him famous: I see dead people.

That was me. Watching the Oscars and listening to Kathy Ireland. Only I was whispering: I see dumb people.

(b) Cameron Diaz won my vote for Most Improved. I'm not sure if she fired her stylist or started listening to her a stylist, but what a difference a year makes! She was positively gorgeous with her 40's inspired hair; perfect red lips and Oscar de la Renta gown.

(c) In a tie for "Sweet Jesus, that dress is hideous", the awards go to Rachel McAdams (who also loses big time for dying her brunette tresses blonde!) and Charlize Theron. Rachel showed up in a gown that looked like that hideous trend from the 80's- swirl-y painted wallpaper; while Charlize chose to (shamefully) walk the Red Carpet in a lavender dress that, by itself might have received a passing grade, but failed miserably with the Cinnabun numbers adorning her boobs. Fashion Citations would have been issued if I was there........

(d) I have one word for George Clooney: haircut.
(Get one!)

(e) Only Robert Downey, Jr. can take the stage wearing leather suede sneakers & a tux and LOOK GOOD.
(And by good, I mean Yummo!)

(f) And finally, my pick for Most Stunning Beauty of the evening goes to a blonde ( I know, right?! But seriously, she's brilliant. In beauty and grace, and intelligence. Simply put- I love her!): Kate Winslet.

Behold:





Tresses: Old School sophiscation. Can you say: Veronica Lake?

Make up: Perfection. It's barely there, and yet enhances all her beautiful features.

Skin: Flawless.
(I'd call her a Bitch if I didn't love her so much!)

Jewels: $2.5 milllion from Tiffany & Co.
(KB- you've got some catchin' up to do, Girlfriend!)

Gown: YSL. The champagne color whispers Demure. The fact that it's a two piece with a bustier- screams Naughty. Put the two together and I'm pretty sure any man with a brain would agree that's his Dream Girl.


Everyone else paled in comparison.
(Read: Suck it, Bitches!)


8. It's Friday. And after a week of eating sensibly, walking 30 minutes at lunch and depriving myself of vodka, I may have fallen off my Must Lose Weight, Fatty regime. You decide:
Taco Bell & 3 martinis.

Yeah, you're right. Definitely fallen off........like, way off. But don't judge. The two actually compliment one another nicely.

Or maybe that's just the vodka talking......?

9. St. Patrick's Day is next week. Remember how I said (read: screamed!) that Valentine's Day was the dumbest holiday ever? Well, St. Patrick's Day would be the best. First, because I'm Irish (when I'm not pretending to be British or Italian!)and second, because any holiday that promotes drinking, and requires the pinching of people (read: dumb asses) who don't conform to The Rule of wearing Traditional Irish Green; and is filled with loud mouthed, snarky folk who insist on singing songs no one knows the words to, to the tune of OFF KEY & TONE DEAF is a holiday The Snarky Brunette can get on board with!

Erin Go Bragh!

And finally, I end with this: I just checked my Blogger Profile. 120 Hits....... OMG!

Oh. My. Freakin. GOD!

AND. I just Googled myself. The Snarky Brunette holds the #1 & #2 position.
(Insert screaming here!)

I'm so excited!! Which, of course, means I'm doing the Katherine Heigl dance!! And because it's Friday and I simply cannot "do" a Friday without a cocktail in my hand (or three!), I just spilled my Cherry Kamikaze Martini everywhere!

I can hear three voices in my head: KB, Tk & Lo Lo and they are all saying to me in unison:
Bitch! Drink it. Don't spill it. You know we don't waste that shit!