What Not to Wear...to Work!

4) College Fraternity/Sorority t-shirt
There is a dude in my office - one of my favorite dudes in the office - who comes in all sloppy on Friday, Thursdays if he's really over it. Nasty flip flops, jeans or shorts from off the floor, hair all messy, literally looks like he rolled out of bed! Nothing quite completes the look though like his t-shirts. They are all from college and they either reference his frat or his frat's semi-formal or formal function with a sorority. Shit makes me laugh. He's younger than me, but regardless...we're all out of school. Wear that shit to bed. Not to the office. I've never seen a girl do this, but I wouldn't put it past one. Especially this one girl in my sorority that quadruple lettered - shirt, bag, lavalier and pants! or socks! or hair clip! AWFUL!

hmmm

Death and debauchery seem to be the running theme these days.
Farah Fawcett DEAD
Michael Jackson DEAD
Billy Mays DEAD!

Now the collapse of (parts) of my old parking garage, connected to the RBC building in midtown Atlanta. I still have friends over at my old agency, so I'm hoping when its time to fish the cars out, theirs are all in tact.
Thinking of you guys!

birthday thanks

Saturday night at the W was INSANE! I don't think I've ever had that much fun on my birthday! Thanks to:

Pookie & Cray-Z: Thanks so much for supplying the mini-bar. You guys are the awesomest! x Thanks also to Pookie for being lazy poolside with me both days!
Sasha: A party isn't a party until Sasha arrives. MMMMKAY?!
Mama: Thanks for coming downtown to celebrate with your Bear. I miss you!
1201am: Originally, 1201am were going to fly to NYC to see a show for my birthday, but we both came up with the hotel party idea. Thanks for always being there for me! And again for the beautiful necklace.
Yones: Yones, I love you! I will forever remember the photo shoot in my hotel room that I was not present for.
Griffin: You grabbed my ass. I know it was you.
King: You probably grabbed my ass too. Thanks for coming to dinner and providing the profanity for the evening :)
J-Frenchie: Thanks for not throwing me into the pool.
Schmena: Thanks for coming out to party with this old lady
Rach: Found the dental device in my room the next morning and laughed my ass off!

Sir Paul & MJ

I'm not the biggest fan of "The Girl is Mine", but I really like this song.
PS Sir Paul will be here this summer playing the Piedmont Park Green Concert.
Tickets are $80 general admission or $400 VIP (if they're still available).

AMEN BROTHER!

One of my favorites! Workin' Day and Night!

I'm 31 and I'm tired.

I'll be 31 tomorrow

but last night I felt young again!

I took a Summer Friday and spent the morning eating Alon's and having my eye brows did. I leisurely packed, watched Ellen, played on the internets. It was really nice, especially after the week I've had. Need a bit of a break from my clients.

I checked in at noonish and took a 30 minute shower in the cheeky see-through shower in the middle of the room. Then I made a mani + pedi appointment upstairs at Bliss. Checked out Sweat (really nice gym) and Wet (the pool, yes these names are stupid). Pookes came to lay out with me around 3:30/4 until 7:00 when we cleaned off from sweating our asses off upstairs and went down to The Living Room to drink some REALLY NICE margaritas and people watch. Cray-Z joined us around 8, we drank another drink and then I stumbled, they walked over to Mellow Mushroom for some food, as I hadn't eaten basically all day (all I had from Alon's was a croissant. Birthdays are not gluten free).

Mellow Mushroom was a disaster. We had the worst waitress in the history of waitresses.

First, we didn't get the pizza we ordered, then when she came out with the right one, she basically threw it at us. She never checked our drinks and she was sour the entire time. Just awful. It was a lot worse than I can convey. Needless to say, it was the first time I'd ever tipped 10%. My standard is 20%. Even better, we decided to leave her a note. "Cheer Up!!! Lemons Make Lemonade!" Looks like I won't be eating at Mellow Mushroom downtown EVER again. I don't feel bad about it. She deserved what she got.

So the three of us walked back over to the W and went up to the pool to see 1201 and her husband and our DJ friend tD. Best people watching of the day. Drank more. Came back up to my fab room and passed out. Only reason I am up right now is because I had to pay for my parking spot again. I'd rather do this and pay $5 than pay $30 a night through valeting my car at the W. Ridiculous!

Stating the Obvious

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson

He'd become such a disaster, but in the 80s, MJ was the shit. His music was the soundtrack to my childhood and I associate many of his songs with such good memories. Such a loss to pop culture.

We'll always remember the good, MJ. RIP.

What Not to Wear...to Work!

3) Non-Compliance Skirts:
Since I'm from the land of Proper, let me enlighten you on the Skirt Rule. I'm not sure why every woman doesn't know the Skirt Rule - but there is one. If you've ever interned on The Hill (that's Capitol Hill), you know that you can't show up to work in a skirt above where your arms fall at your sides. It has to be longer. Preferably by an inch or more. That's the rule. You think a skirt that shows everyone your nalgas when you bend over is work appropriate?
Now I'm not saying don't wear your hoochie skirt on the weekend. Girl you rock that mini up in the club on a Saturday! But you shouldn't be rocking ANYONE at work. Got it?

What Not to Wear...to Work!

2) Jean Capris or jeans cuffed to look like capris.
I may have been guilty of this in the past. Not the jean capri, but the cuffed jean (but only because I'm short and too poor...or lazy... to get my jeans properly hemmed. excuses!). Jeans are okay if it's casual Friday or you can wear jeans to work, but jean capris make me think of flip-flops and I've just decreed flip-flops unacceptable work attire. Jean capris are for crossing the stream in your parent's backyard. For picnics. For playing outside. Therefore, NOT for work. Don't do it. Not even in your fancy gold lame sandals!

What Not to Wear...to Work!

1) Flip-flops:
I made a rule this year. NO FLIP-FLOPS AT WORK!
I'll admit I've done it in the past. What? I've been lucky enough to work for companies with very youthful cultures. I realized, though, no matter how nice the pedicure, no matter how nice the flip-flops (or how much they don't look like flip-flops), they shouldn't be worn at work. Save them for the weekend. Flats or nice sandals are an easy and inexpensive compromise.

nighmares

i woke up this morning crying. first time in awhile.

i had a nightmare that my mother's cancer had reached the terminal stage and that she was in the hospital waiting to die.

despite my mother's situation, i've never really thought about dying. death doesn't freak me out as much as it did years ago - but thats mostly because i don't choose to think about it.

maybe because its father's day soon (my mom was always both to me), my subconscious decided to go there - but man is it scary to think about the day when Mango is no longer around.

i might get annoyed every now and then when she calls me and i'm too tired to answer the phone - but i do talk to her everyday. she's my home. no matter what happens during my day, she is my five minutes of calm. she doesn't have to be near me for me to feel safe. i'm trying to find the words to express how much she means to me and i can't. suffice it to say i love her more than i'll ever be able to express.

this nighmare i had, it persisted. i woke up crying and i laid there crying for a minute before i went back to sleep where the nightmare continued. i woke up crying again. this time i called my mom. she didn't pick up, but the fact that i was able to call and know she's still "there" was enough. but i think i'll call again.

Happy Father's Day, Mango.

I love you

x

Currently Hiring Male Disco Dancer

QUE VIVA LA RAZA!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Someone give me a prize!

I was here at 5:30am changing out URLs. Sasha, who does similar work, said I should just schedule some of my work so that it updates automatically and I don't have to be at work at insane o'clock. But where's the fun in that?
Just kidding.
I'm tired.

Ra-WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWR!

Last night I had dinner somewhere new with expectant parents, Texas and Mrs. Texas. Texas and I were originally going to have chicken and waffles at Gladys Knight's, but since I'm trying to be gluten-free again I needed somewhere with less bread. Ra Sushi, a Scottsdale, AZ chain, just opened up in the new 1010 building on Peachtree, so I suggested it and they agreed.

All the write-ups I've read on this place are dead on. It's Club Sushi - not like Rusan's where diva house thumps and they yell at you as you come in, but "cool" club sushi... remixed versions of top 40 pop and rap play, the wait staff are all very pretty and the decor is modern and "edgy". I wouldn't recommend it as somewhere to take your parents when they are in town, but I would recommend it for just about anything else - a girl's night, a dude's night, night out, bachelorette, etc.

Get there early for AWESOME happy hour deals on just about everything on the menu. Since we all got there at 6:30pm we had half an hour to order from the half price happy hour menu. We ordered a TON of food. All good - crispy spicy tuna, spicy tuna, California rolls, edamame, Tootsy roll, shrimp tempura, and more. I really liked the $3 mango martinis! :)

Lola gives this place 3.5 stars!*

*I would give it a 4 but 4 and 5 stars are reserved for truly great restaurants...mmmk...

Making a deposit to Good Karma Bank

happy taco tuesday everyone! 

it was supposed to be a predictable day - then again... have I ever had a predictable day?

Work was busy as usual. One of my clients is being very needy and I haven't been able to pay attention to the rest of them and its stressing me out. I just wanted to come home and have some Taco Tuesday. Well, I had asked Yones to pick up lettuce for the occasion. Not far from my house, Yones remembers he forgot the lettuce and is on his way to the Ponce Publix when his car breaks down. When I get home I take him to the gas station to get a gas can and a gallon of gas because he thinks it might be a broken gas gauge. Well it isn't because the car isn't any better after its filled with gas. We decide to go to Publix while he thinks of next steps. 

After dropping off the groceries I bought at Publix, Yones calls his insurance, the repair shop, etc. to get the car towed to his mechanic. Around 7pm we start eating, at 8pm the tow truck says they are on their way. Around 8:15pm they say they are 10-15 minutes out. 9:00pm rolls around and we've been sitting in my car for almost an hour waiting. 9:15 and the truck finally comes but then I have to drive to the mechanic because the tow truck doesn't have a reliable map. After dropping off the car, I take Yones home. At this point is 10:30pm.

I don't want you to think I mind doing things like this, especially for very good friends - but it IS exhausting. I'm going to bed. 

Your hero, 

Lola

p.s. Sasha called me a hero yesterday after she saw my bruises from saving one of the girls on the rafting trip (twice). It's not easy being a hero.

 

Man-Tongs

I couldn't not blog about a very cute boy I met this weekend. 

This one's for you, Man-Tongs...

Humble Pie

This weekend I probably had a pie and a half of the most delicious pizza in the ENTIRE WORLD.
Back to gluten-free...once I'm done eating the last piece. I told Cray-Z Humble Pie needs t-shirts.
Seriously. I'd buy one and wear it everyday.

Z

Bored with myself, I left work early today and went to get my brows and my bikini line waxed by my friend/aesthetician, Satin (no that is not her name - you should know that by now). I love Satin - not only does she do a great job, she reminds me of myself in a lot of ways. I like talking to her. Never a dull moment. I don't even mind that she's seen my vagina. Girlfriend does my Brazilians.

Afterwards I went to REI to waste time. I ended up buying a super cute Patagonia t-shirt and a headband. I may return the tee - it was $30. I don't even pay that much for my American Apparel tees and those are SO overpriced.

Then I went to Dick's Sporting Goods where I browsed and chatted with my little sister, Pepe. Pepe a) finally acknowledged she was "with" my nephew's dad on the DL b) told me she broke up with him (AWESOME NEWS! LOSER!) and c) told me she has been seeing my nephew's karate instructor. SO CUTE! She's calling me tomorrow to tell me how it went. I am really happy for her!!! Oh, I bought a hat and two pairs of shorts.

Then I went to Wal-Mart because I was hungry and needed to make dinner on the cheap... you know... pick up TACO SUPPLIES. And I did. YUM. Don't hate. I also bought what I thought was The Mask of Zorro (Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones) for $5 but it ended up being The Legend of Zorro, i.e. the sequel. Stupid. Both that I bought it and didn't realize and the movie itself. Stupid. Eh.

I would go to bed but the WHITE TRASH at Diesel are keeping me up.

Sweet.

absolutely. no. regrets.

This weekend is the annual Virginia-Highland Summerfest (don't say Virginia Highlands because its not PLURAL!!!). As many of you know, I'm pretty wary of summer festivals and I have my loser ex-boyfriend, Steven, to thank for that. Thanks, Steven. He made me cry at every one we went to. VaHi Summerfest was no different. Unfortunately, I also met Steven Summerfest weekend.

Four or five years ago (I don't really care to be exact), I met him out at Dark Horse Tavern - just down the street from where he used to and I currently live. He was wearing this god awful blue and white Hawaiian shirt and I said something bitchy about it behind his back. Or so I thought - because he turned around and smiled at me. Don't we all remember the beginning of the end this well? Anyway... that night we ate a lovely late night meal at the Majestic (gross.) and he lured me to his apartment (where I currently live, same building, other side of the hall) with promises of watching The Incredibles. We never watched the movie. 

The next day, Cokehead, our friend Jay, and I went to Summerfest where we ran into him wearing his kilt. Drunk. Always drunk. I remember it like it was yesterday. Wasn't it? Ugh.... 

It's been years since that day. I really need to push this shit out of my head! So my point in writing this post is that I don't regret meeting Steven. I wouldn't take anything I've ever done back. It happened so I'd learn how to spot bad men. While I've forced myself since him to go to the Atlanta summer neighborhood festivals I've never really learned to let go of the bad memories... and there are plenty. I actually try to avoid them. This year is no different. 

So instead, my friends and I are camping out this weekend and going down the river! Lola is officially on mountain time. 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

x

Lola

Mark Your Calendars

WHO: LOLA

WHAT: 31st BIRTHDAY

WHEN: FRIDAY, JUNE 26 & SATURDAY, JUNE 27

WHERE: THE W HOTEL, DOWNTOWN ATLANTA

WHY? BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME. YES. YOU DO!

On June 28th at 5:45pm, I become a 30 SOMETHING. I wasn't sure what this meant until now. 

It means I'm getting old and I need booze to help me deal with it. And you guys! I need you guys! And booze.

I'm taking Friday, June 26th off and booking a room at the W Downtown. Come have drinks with me by the pool on Friday.

Or don't and come to Drink Shop that night.

Or don't and come to the pool with me again on Saturday. Or don't and throw down with me AGAIN at Drink Shop on Saturday. Come on! So many opportunities to have fun with yours truly... surely you can make one of them! 

Adventures of the Taco Whore

I had Taco night with Yones on Tuesday (Taco Tuesday!) and Pookie called me a Taco Whore. 

It was pretty hilarious. 

I am just starting to feel right after DOT. Yes that was Sunday and today is Thursday. I had a headache for days. Sluggish...well, more than usual. I've been coming home and taking naps that turn into bedtime. I haven't really worked out. Okay, I haven't worked out. I psych myself up for it and then my stupid laziness gets in the way. 

It doesn't help that this week at work has been especially heinous. I'm really looking forward to camping with my friends this weekend. Seriously looking forward to it. I feel like all I've been doing is working. I don't mind it, but damn! It's exhausting!

I've also been feeling a bit lonely (okay REALLY lonely). 

I am laying in bed, listening to the rain and my new Andrew Bird cds (thanks E) and I'm wishing I had someone to lay beside me. I said before I need to get laid, but I really just want someone to hold me at night (and let go soon thereafter because I am not a snuggler). To kiss me goodnight. I miss kissing. I've been having this one amazing, thankfully recurring dream. It's hot. 

Dude, I am totally horny. I mean... thats really all this is.

I just realized something

I will be a thirty-something in 27 days.

That is all.

I need to get laid.

preferably by these dudes.

I love my job

I was here at fucking 5:30 this morning.
Is it possible to still feel like shit 36ish hours after binge drinking?
Kill me.
Nevertheless, I had a GREAT time at DOT 9.
Thanks to:
yellow plastic cups filled with Bud Light
tall friends to lean on when you can barely stand up
cell phones
Virginia friends who put up with late night non-booty calls
Johnny on the Spot
Twisted Taco
J, A, Pookie and everyone else I met but who's names I've already forgotten
and hell, why not... your mom too