A classy night

And we're off to Asheville for Lindy Focus New Year's Eve Dance.

We have a very classy dinner. Pizza. From Papa John's. We're joined by Mike F, who incidentally, lives in Seattle, but has been in Asheville this whole week.

No sit down. No delivery. We go get it ourselves.

Then, to Walgreens for drinks. This night doesn't get any classier.

Well, it does. I actually wear a dress. I wear dresses in normal life all the time, but never for dancing. I can't dance in the dress so I wardrobe change into another dress. And then, later, pants.

Tobias tried to take a picture of me but I didn't like it so he deleted it. So, the only photographic evidence I have of being there is a teeny tiny one of me watching dancing. It's a cool shot though, so here you have it it. Happy New Year.

New Year's Day Brunch was celebrated in downtown Asheville - brunch outside.
I like 2009 already.

Se-attle

Friday 12.26

Play Settlers.

Learn that Adam and Teri have same size feet

Eat Perogi’s.

Go shopping.
See “Marley and Me” Jamie fails to cry.

Saturday 12.27

Play Settlers.
Go to Experimental Music Project.

Go to REI. Adam gets really cool belt.
Go to a bar where Teri and Nate know the bartender. Bartender tries to sneak a funny face into a picture, doesn't realize we're taking a video. This really cracks me up.

See “Slumdog Millionaire”
Go to a so-so improve show at Jet City Improv.

Sunday 12.28

Play Settlers.
Stop in highway for an hour during an avalanche check.


Overpriced sledding.

Wait to dance at Century
Go have a drink at lesbian bar
Go dancing at Century


Monday 12.29

Play Settlers.
Go shopping.
Watch at SUV shake laterally because it’s so windy.
Go to Starbucks and get served by a damn fine tranny barista.
Go to Seattle library.


Go to “Stupid Prices”

Watch “Stepbrothers”
Lounge
Wait a really long time for pizza.
Eat pizza.
Go to airport.
Red Eye. No upgrades. No sleep. No JERKS.

Ma-na-ma-na

You know how when you’re in coach class you walk past first class and you kind of hate those assholes? Well, turns out they hate you too.

Christmas Day.

We’re laid over in Dallas.

And our flight is delayed.

So, we find some outlets a few gates away from our gate and charge up the stuff. Finally, it looks like our flight is boarding. As we hand the gate agent our tickets they make an extra beep and the flight attendant looks at her machine quizzically. “Ah, shit” I’m thinking. Something has gone wrong. We’re doing this trip on miles and for some reason I feel like that makes it more likely that something will go wrong, since I didn’t have to fork over any dollars for this trip.

Wrong.

Turns out, we’ve been upgraded.

Cool.

You know how when you’re in coach class you walk past first class and you kind of hate those assholes? Well, turns out they hate you too.

We get on the plane and all of first class has been seated. We’re sitting on the right side of the plane and our overhead compartment is fairly full so it only accommodates my roller board. The overhead compartment across the way, however, is practically empty, so Adam proceeds to place his roller board there.

As he does, a cranky voice from the seat below booms “My purse goes there.” There’s plenty of room and Adam politely tells her so. She crows “There had better be room for my purse.” Once again, Adam politely ensures her that there is ample room for her purse.

Cranky lady is sitting by the window. Adam is standing. So, they never actually make eye contact during this whole exchange.

A moment later, cranky lady waddles out of her seat to put her purse (which is really more the size of a duffle bag) in the overhead compartment. Even though her “purse” is five times the average purse size there is still plenty of room for it. But, she’s short and she’s standing right where Adam’s roller board is so she can’t see any of the space.

She’s getting all wheezy and frustrated. She looks at Adam and complains to him about the overhead compartment perpetrator “What a ja-erk!”

She doesn’t realize that she’s complaining about Adam to Adam.

Adam says “Merry Christmas. Um, there’s plenty of space up there for your bag.”

She says “Not you, the guy who put his bag up there.” You can tell she is indignant because she thinks that someone from Cattle Class but their bag in a First Class overhead compartment. The audacity.

Adam says “That’s my bag up there.”

And yeah, the conversation pretty much ends there.

To us, this is hilarious. Especially the way she says “Jerk.”

So, since we’re in First, we proceed to drink a little too much and call each other “Jerk” repeatedly. “Do you have a pen?” “Here you go…Jerk.” “How much longer until we land?” “I don’t’ know. Jerk.”

It’s amazing we didn’t get kicked out of First. Nobody could really hear us with the jet noise and so forth but damn, did we have fun.

At the end of her flight, she goes to get her purse/duffel bag. She can’t reach it. And who does she ask for help. Yep, Adam. The Ja-erk! She says “I’m sorry about before. I’m having a bad day” (it’s Christmas, by the way).

Her unpleasantness has provided us with hours of amusement since she first uttered the word “Jerk.” As soon as well tell people the story calling one of them a jerk becomes the funniest thing you can say. In fact, we even called people “Jerk” who didn’t know the story, and they found it funny (Thanks Joelle for your good sense of humor. I think you already got the story).

Anyone else who has been called a jerk by Adam or Jamie lately, it’s a term of endearment, really.

JERKS.

Amourese

I'm in the process of transferring all my tapes to MP3. During that process, I've re-discovered the music of French artists Edith Piaf, Barbara, and Veronique Sanson, among others.

I almost fell off the couch when the following song echoed through my computer.

I don't even know what the words mean, but, to me, it's a deeply romantic song.



For anyone reading this via Facebook, check www.jamiedrama.blogspot.com for the recording.

Al & Leon's Shim Sham

Adam makes fun of Jamie

Jamie makes fun of Jamie

It might be time to work on a different skill.

Ho Ho Ho.

Christmas Tree provided by Mom.

Snooooooood

Enjoyed a performance of "Act a Lady" tonight at Manbites Dog Theater.

Another good thing about McKinney.

From: Melissa Shaheen
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 12:11 PM
To: Everyone at McKinney
Subject: Any one with a free hand?
Importance: High

We could REALLY use your help in loading up for Urban Ministries!

We're at the bleachers….and will be headed for the loading dock….

Thank you in advance for ALL of your generosity!
________

And within minutes employees appear like ants, and the bags are unloaded from the bleachers.

This sort of thing helps with the holiday spirit.

Lasts Loafers Lindy Night of 2008.

Adam & Sue work it out

Original Instructors

Lucky.

Thanks to a 40% friends and family discount, I bought some Lucky Brand Jeans last week. Ahhhhh, the feel of expensive, designer jeans. They made their debut today. They definitely make me cool.

Good things about working at McKinney.

From: Jamie Foehl
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:52 PM
To: Renee Jarvis
Subject:Wah.

I know in the grand scheme of things my Rice Krispy treat being stuck in the vending machine isn't exactly an emergency.

But, given the type of day I'm having, I would really love my snack.
If anyone can help, that's great. I've already tried banging on it.

-Jamie
________
Within minutes, I get a phone call to come to reception.
And learn there's a Rice Krispy treat waiting for me at reception.

And then this note back from Renee.
_________

From: Renee Jarvis
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:55 PM
To: Jamie Foehl
Subject:RE: Wah.

Surprise :)

These are the important things in life…when we're stressed out and we can't get our damn treat!

ENJOY! :)

Double Header in Raleigh

Double header in Raleigh today. First to the Pullen Park Theater for a performance of Santaland Diaries. I remember reading it and it's just as funny as a show.

Then, back to the Elks. Awwwwoooooo.


I can't really dance well to Holiday music. Or dance well at all, for that matter.

After Elks went to Blockbuster and rented "The Assasination of Jesse James" - I was hoping to see a scene is Northfield, MN. Instead, as predicted, I fell asleep about 30 minutes into the movie.

Goodnight.

Masque

McKinney celebrated the holidays on stage. Really. Our Holiday Party was on the stage of the brand new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). Here's a pre-party pic.

It was really cool to look out and see the rest of the theater. I imagined a full house and me singing Evita.
I barely made it into holiday pics. Can you spot me here?

Ok, too hard, how about here?

Twas a fun party. Even did a little swing dancing. Wheeeeeeee!

Playing Dress Up at Loafers

Another night at Loafers. The first hour of the dance was spent in the womens bathroom with a pal trying on each others dresses. We both have holiday parties to attend and while this isn't the year to go out and buy a new dress, it's certainly reasonable to borrow a dress. New to me, right?

I didn't study.

Attended Trivia tonight, as is becoming the Wednesday tradition. There's always a question about the Periodic Table so I planned on studying up on the elements but somehow the opportunity escaped me.

We still haven't placed proudly. Next week. Yes, next week.

Nine Ladies Dancing

Was the name of the dance I attended tonight at the Carolina Inn. Isn't that a great name for a dance?

Classy Clothing Swap

This is the look that you too can achieve if you attend a clothing swap.

You will be this happy. Guaranteed.

My New Armor.

I am always cold. I have no idea how I made it through six Minnesota winters. My time in the Southeast has made me soft. So, today, I got a full length down coat for those chilly North Carolina winter days.

On my way to a party tonight we had to stop and get the ice. I offered to carry the ice because I wouldn't even feel it through this coat. And I didn't. It's my new armor.

An Oscar winning Taboo scene.

At the suggestion of Sue & Katie, decided to check out Evos for Friday night dinner. Apparently, it's fast food, but it's healthy.

It was OK. Kind of pricey. The air fries were not so good but the interesting ketchups made up for that.

Went to Dirty South Improv for a Sketch-Off and then on a bit of a whim, decided to see a movie.

My favorite part was the Taboo scene. Duh.

It was funny, in a "already done something for Friday night let's go out and see a movie instead of just going home" kind of way. I sent a note to a pal the next day mentioning that I thought it was funny and somewhat apt. She went and saw it. And hated it. I didn't think she was going to just go see it. Oh well.

Epseciales.

My prized Adidas Especiales Italian sneakers. Cute, by not so good for dancing. I sounded like I should be shooting hoops - not doing the Lindy Hop.

Bob Saget.

Played trivia tonight. Our team is called Tourettes Shit Fuck Cock Balls Bob Saget. Or some such string of explicatives ending in Bob Saget. We came in second or third to last. Boo.

I like this channel.

Where else can you learn about, Jesus, Marijuana and Saddam?

Things I've done in bold.

1. Started your own blog - www.jamiedrama.blogspot.com

2. Slept under the stars - Waukeela Camp on the A-Field.

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower - Accomplished while I was doing #2.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland I was in Disneyland when I was in utero. And as a kid.

8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo - I was Annie, in Annie.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris - I don’t think CDG counts. Since it’s a romantic place, I’ve always thought I should go to Paris with a person I love.

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - School trips. Never while I actually lived in New York, though. I was far too cool for that.
18. Grown your own vegetables - Do herbs count?
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train - From Zurich to Florence.

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - Surfing.

24. Built a snow fort - Yep, with pound cake bands that looks like bricks.

25. Held a lamb - Um, a fake lamb during a Christmas pageant.

26. Gone skinny dipping -Waukeela Camp for Girls.

27. Walked a Marathon.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse - Total Eclipse of the heart. And something back in elementary school.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Who hasn’t done this? I mean, if you drive, and commute?
31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise - Sophomore Cruise?

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Italy, yes. Germany, no.
35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - Yep, from a train.

39. Gone rock climbing - Done it a few times. Once as a first date.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - Damn, I’m getting a lot of mileage out of my trips to Italy.

41. Sung karaoke – I feel the earth move under my feet.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - Yes, it was snowing but visible.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Haven’t done it, but I like this idea.

44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance - South Beach car crash.
47. Had your portrait painted - Not painted, but sketched in Central Park.
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater – And even made out with my boyfriend while I was there. Classic, right?

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class – I am going to try Krav Maga this December

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen - World Hunger Action Group, Greenwich High.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - Um, a top seller.
62. Gone whale watching - Went in Maine. I didn’t see any whales, though.
63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma - I donated blood. Almost passed out. Was asked not to return

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check - Totally a mistake, had the funds, just not in the right place.

68. Flown in a helicopter - Yes, Grand Canyon.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - My little Annie doll.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - How fast is speeding? Felt fast to me.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - And from a helicopter.

80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican - Been to Italy a few times, but never made it to Rome.

82. Bought a brand new used car - Huh?
83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox - And Shingles.

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone – Duh.
99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

101. Seen a ghost.

The Visitor.

Obama at my college back in 1999.

Barack Obama visited Carleton back in 1999.

In the intro I heard "The first African American President" and thought to myself "Huh? 1999?" And then I heard the rest of the sentence "The first African American President of the Harvard Law Review."

Cool.