Just Checking In.

I realize that I havent been the best blogger as of late.

Waaaah. Let’s be serious I’m the worst.

But between the heat, reading ( A Friday Night Lights Companion no less, a review will be up soon. And Lynn passed over the ‘Percy Jackson series…so I’m constantly reading that), working a bunch to make sure everything goes smoothly when BossMan goes on vaca for most of August, planning parties, going on Booze Cruises (tough life really)….I havent had a chance to sit sit down and put my words on paper. Or type them in this case.

But tomorrow is my 27th birthday. And this year will be different.

Expect some more posts this weekend, just to catch up.

Love you all. And I hope you keep reading!

Boozeday Tuesday; Unnamed Summer Drink

Okay. I decided I had to go back to Boozeday Tuesday, so I could get off the posts about tv shows and various life things. I mean, this is supposed to be a blog about BOOZE RIGHT?

Jesus Krystle. Get back on track.

Summer’s at my bar are fairly dismal. The college kids disappear and we tend to run out of things. A lot. So finding a drink to make today was fairly hard, seeing as the ingredients we had we quite random. I went off the basic idea of a ‘Nude Beach’, a drink that I’ve been making for a few weeks containing nothing more than Bacardi Gold, a little orange juice and a little cranberry juice. But in true BTDT fashion, I had to amp mine up a little bit and make it pretty.

Stuff You Need to Make Deliciousness:

-1oz Bacardi Gold Rum

-1oz Brinley’s Mango Vodka

-less than an oz of Fee Brothers Golden Passion Fruit Syrup

-Tropicana Orange Pineapple Juice

- little bit of sugar

-orange and cantaloupe sugar (if ya wanna make it pretty)

The recipe is simple. Just mix the Bacardi, Brinleys, PassionFruit Syrup and a pinch of sugar in a shaker. Prepare your glass (I' like mine cold); rum the rim with a slice of orange, then dip in the sugar. Add some ice into the glass, then pour in the booze. Top off with a little Orange Pineapple juice…and DRINK. (and drink I did…even though I’m at work. oops).

Holy Yummy. I highly suggest making this drink by the gallon and drinking it like that, because you sure as hell wont get enough.

And extra drink porn? Mini Watermelon Margaritas I made with the recipe from the We Are Not Martha ladies. Lordy – I wish it was summer year round.

Remember Me As A Time Of Day…

"Give all of us gathered here tonight the strength to remember that life is so very fragile. We are all vulnerable and we will all at some point in our lives fall; we will all fall. We must carry this in our hearts…that what we have is special. That it can be taken from us and that when it is taken from us we will be tested…we will be tested to our very souls. We will now all be tested. It is these times…it is this pain that allows us to look inside ourselves...." - Coach Eric Taylor

I never thought that I could be so attached to a tv show. It's silly, I know, but there's a serious pain that comes when I think about how 'Friday Night Lights' is ending this weekend. I've seen the finale, and its perfect. Everything gets wrapped up in a nice little bow, and I was insanely happy with the way everything everything worked out. But god, Jason Katims...did you have to make me ugly cry while you were doing it?

In the fall of 2006, I managed to catch a few promos for this new show that was premiering. Sure, it was about football (and I don't really like football all that much), but there was something that pulled me in. I couldn't tell you what it was now, but all do know that watching the Pilot episode of FNL changed my ever-loving tv addict life. This was a show that wasn't just about football, but about life and love and what happens when all those things intertwine. The combination of the cast, the way the whole thing is shot (scripted lines, but lots of improv. no blocking. things happening ORGANICALLY and not all structured) - it was a breathe of fresh air into the string of shows that premiered that fall.

I fell in love with the characters. Eric and Tami Taylor were the perfect parents in my eyes, and going against the typical tv parents, they weren't all lovey-dovey all the time. They bickered. They fought. They loved each other so insanely much that all that crap didn't matter. The chemistry between them was so inspiring. I wanted to keep little Matty Saracen and his yellow LIVEstrong bracelet in my pocket at all times. I wanted to be best friends with Lyla Garrity, I'm sure we would've had a great time going through each other's closets and baking cookies for football players. I wanted to be there for Jason Street after he got hurt, and he felt like his whole world was falling apart. And Tim Riggins. Good lord Tim Riggins. There's so much I could say about that character and how he progressed over the five seasons. Not to mention that he's easy on the eyes (GOOD LORD THAT MAN IS GORGEOUS). But I wanted to help save Rigs from himself, which I'm sure every good girl thinks that they could do. I thought the show was going to change when Street, Smash and Lyla left - but I grew to love the new people. Vince and Luke became my favorite in the last two seasons (I mean, after Riggs of course) and their growth was amazing.

I fell in love with love. Sounds silly right? But this show had the most real love stories to me. It wasn’t all flowers and unicorns and happy things. They went through it all – they made it work. I might be in the minority here, but I have been and always will be a Tim & Lyla girl. Sure they got together in a little bit of a messed up way, but something about them WORKED. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and you knew that that somehow they would stick together. It sure helped that they were both pretty has hell to look at, but the scenes between them were two adorable for words. The feeding of the waffles, the glances, him sneaking into her room, the visit the morning after she got drunk with Mindy (which was HILARIOUS by the way…a ‘No Riggins’ forcefield? come on, like that would EVER happen), him telling him that he loved her and should go away to the college of her dreams, him saving her when her dad was a douche, her helping him and pushing him to the be the man that she knew he could. UGH. My heart swells thinking about them, and even though it didn’t work out – in my head, they’re married and have lots of little Riggins babies running around.

I fell in love with Austin. I've never been to Texas, but watching FNL made me want to pack up shop and move right down there. The fact that the cast did extra videos about all their favorite places downtown, didn't help that all. Hula Hut. The Yoga place that Minka and Zach went to. Everything about that place just SCREAMED Krystle to me. I still want to go, just don't know if I would want to live there per se.

I fell in love with the music. FNL introduced me to the glory of 'Explosions In The Sky'. These guys? AMAZING. These guys don't even sing, its all instrumental. And is it weird that their song 'Remember Me As A Time of Day" is the only thing that calms me down when I'm taking off and landing in planes. Weird. It always re-introduced me to Tony Lucca; who’s cover of ‘ Devil Town ’ by Bright Eyes is so hauntingly beautiful.

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An Open Letter to the Cast, Crew, And Everyone Involved (past & present) with FNL,

There’s nothing else I can really say here but thank you. Thank you for filling my life for the past five years with good, quality tv. Its weird to say how I attached I got, but I did – and although I own every DVD set, and watch it when its on ABC Family and ESPN, there’s going to be a void in my tv watching schedule. I laughed when y’all laughed, I cried when y’all cried. Although that the show may have never gotten the numbers that the studios wanted, know about the difference that you made in people’s lives. The true fans that were there from episode one. The ones that helped with the ‘Don’t Let The Lights Go Out’ campaign. The ones that adored each and every second of that project you were working on (even when season two got a little wonky, but lets blame the writer’s strike for that one shall we?). Just short, sweet & simple - thank you.

Sincerely, A Fan.

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And for those of you have never seen this AMAZING show? Don’t worry – you still have your chance. ESPN is showing the pilot tonight at 8pm(eastern), and then continuing on ESPN Classic. Sometimes its on ABC family. And there’s always Netflix (first four seasons are all up). If you can’t tell, I highly recommend it.

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts.Can’t Lose.

Just another Manic Monday.

Although I had a GREAT weekend with my partners in crime, this morning was not really how I wanted to start the week. Any way I can just get a re-do? Mulligan? I'm gonna start bumping my fists together volleyball style till someone grants me my re-do.

There was a quote on the bathroom wall this morning when I came in to work (for those that don't know, the women's bathroom is covered in chalkboard paint. Usually it gets cleaned every night, but sometimes the cleaning people forget. Sometimes there's nice inspiring stuff, other times...not so much), that jumped out at me.

"just because someone isn't loving you the way you want, doesn't mean they arent loving you with all they've got."

Think about that. Let it marinate.

We'll chat tomorrow.

Saturday's Happy List.

Two posts in one day?! And especially so close to one another? WHO AM I?!

I'm HAPPY that I'm finally taking time out of my life to spend time with friends. The past few weeks have been so great, catching up with people and just having fun.
I'm HAPPY that I get to go home in two weeks. Sure, its only been a month - but this time when I get there its going to be packed with things. A Teen Idol Party, Hyannis Sound show (maybe...Gotta convince Lyndo, haha), Pirate Reunion, Big Nicks Motorcycle Ride, Ry & Elena's Wedding (actually, they already got married in Bulgaria a few weeks ago. This is just a party for us Americans) then my cousin Jenn's Annual Summer Bash! Booze, Bounce Houses and who knows what else!
I'm HAPPY that Kelly from Confessions of a Law School Dropout is back home! Even though I have yet to see her. Haha, SOMEDAY KELL.
I'm HAPPY that I'm kicking some people's asses in Words With Friends. #itsthelittlethings
I'm HAPPY that I get to celebrate one of my really good friends birthdays tonight. Lets party like we're freshmen in college again.
I'm HAPPY that its not raining so when I go to straighten my hair after I post this, it wont be ruined. But watch the rain clouds roll in when I finish the last piece. It always happens.
I'm HAPPY that the bagel that the Honey Dew girl messed up that I ordered this morning was salvaged by throwing it in my toaster, then topping it with cream cheese, a little honey peanut butter & bannana nut granola. This girl sucks though - I swear, how hard is it to fully toast a bagel? Mine today was only slightly warmed up.
And thats it for today. Now to clean a little, get ready, go to work, then PAHTY TIME.

Jack Rogers? YES PLEASE.

Now I’m not big on winning giveaways and shnazz like that, but when Carly (aka The College Prepster) said she was giving away a pair of Jack Roger’s Sandals? FREAKING SOLD. I have been lusting after a pair for what seems like forever, and although I could’ve just bought the Target knockoffs – pink isn’t my color.

I mean, lets be serious here – how freaking cute are those. Must. Have. Now.

So I did everything she asked to do (seeing as I’m a social media addict and can do stuff like that. Thank the lord she didn’t say anything about posting on Google+. I’m bitter that I haven’t gotten on it yet, but that’s a story for another time). So go visit Carly, and enter if you wanna (but if you win and I don’t, I swear…our friendship is over).

….but I do drink vodka.

Night Two of our free booze expedition came about rather quickly. Not a second after plans had been finalized for the Jim Beam night – Lyndo told me to also take Wednesday off because we were going to Boston. Again. So I got Wednesdays shift covered and off we went. After a little bit of traffic and not having ANY idea as to where we were going, we finally made our way to the Fan Pier in Boston. Now this place is gorgeous, and right on the water. I absolutely loved it. There was a lot going on at the Pier that day, but yay – we got right into the Grey Goose Event!

Apparently there was a mixup, and the team didn’t get our email rsvping…but that was no problem. We just added our names to the list, and got our free drinks. I went with the “Frenchy” a mix of Grey Goose Pear, Pineapple Juice & Cranberry Juice while Lyndo went straight for the “Mogul”; Grey Goose Orange, Pineapple Juice and Cranberry Juice (we’re SUPER Original, I promise.

Upon sitting down, we were greeted with four little shot glasses all in a row, and some bread. Apparently we were here for a little presentation on Grey Goose and how it was made, plus a little taste test ;]

After an hour of drinking, learning and lusting over Francois Thibeault and his amazing job, we grabbed our swag bags (which were amazing by the way) made plans to meet up with the couple that was sitting next to us at the “class” and were on our way.

One problem. We really had no idea where we were going. Lets just say that there were a lot of illegal Uturns made. Oops. Sorry Boston. Finally, we find our way to the House of Blues Boston (after an hour of driving around completely aimlessly).

Little did we know how UNDERDRESSED we were for the event. Damn you liquor guy. Over dressed for Jim Beam, super underdressed for Grey Goose. Wait, you don’t show up at the HOB for a magazine cover party featuring Steven Tyler wearing jeans, a tank top (cute tank tops though) and flip flops? Only us? Dammit.

We didn’t care though. We were there to drink. And dance. And apparently steal a bajillion bags of Terra Blue potato chips from Jet Blue. And for the rest of the post, you’re really just gonna get pictures. Deal.

Thank you Lyndo, Liquor Guy, Boston, Houses of Blues, Fan Pier, Boston Common Magazine, Jim Beam and the Baseball Tavern for two days of absolute FUN!

Happy 4th of July!

 

My country,' tis of thee, 
sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; 
land where my fathers died, 
land of the pilgrims' pride, 
from every mountainside let freedom ring! 

Happy 4th Everyone! Its been a weekend of fireworks, booze, fun, rum soaked fruit, waterballoon fights and friends – only to continue tonight! Hope everyone is having fun & being safe!

I don’t drink bourbon.

Lets just say that my liquor guy has totally redeemed himself in my eyes. We went from no events to being invited to two amazing events just a day apart. Two days of free booze and free food? I’ll take it. Sign me up. I don’t even care what they’re giving me to drink…

Tuesday was the First Annual Jim Beam Barbeque on the Baseball Tavern Roofdeck. I have never been to the Baseball Tavern (and let’s be serious, the first time I even went to Fenway was just last year), but this place and the view of the stadium was just amazing. Lyndo and I arrived, a little too dressed up for our liking, but the liquor guys were in suits – we just rocked sundresses in heels and promptly went to the bar to get drinks. My drink of choice? A Jim Beam Red Stag & Diet Coke. Lyndo opted for what she described as a “Half and Half” which I’m pretty sure had just Jim Beam, some Ice Tea and a squirt of Sour Mix. Both were insanely tasty.

I’ve never been that big of a bourbon girl, but this stuff was NOM INDUCING. It may have even changed my views on bourbon. Like, I might actually make this for a shift drink.

And then, we met Bernie. I forget what he was talking about, but all I know is we got shots of the new Jim Beam’s Devil Cut while he was chatting it up. Now this guy, he was a character. From his sparkly belt, to his special ordered Knob Creek cowboy boots. He told us all about how the Devils Cut was made, but I forgot. The booze had already gone to my head.

We got some bomb food, and if I was a better food and booze blogger, I would’ve remembered what it all was. All I remember is that it was all marinated in Jim Beam. NOM. The chicken, meat, shrimp, pineapple….all of it. That marinade all on the chicken? Ended up all over my plate and sopped up with that awesome chunk of bread. There was a little bit of mingling, and then we grabbed our swag (an awesome Devil’s Cut shirt) then made our merry way back to Bwater to have a night of beauty rest for the day that would come ahead.

Part Two…TOMORROW. GREY GOOSE. BE HERE.