Pirateologists UNITE

I really did not major in journalism in college. Nor did I actually receive my Masters in Business Administration. No, I am a pirateology major (not to be confused with Pyrotology, the study of fire), with an advanced degree in The Golden Age of Piracy. I am a Pirateologist. I travel around the world with my friend and colleague Amy to ensure that the ancient piracy stories are not overlooked by the recent Somalian pirate drama. My thesis was on the ancient languages and I strive to return them to modern day usage.

This was the delightfully twisted story that Amy and I concocted while drunk on mango juice and minibar bottles of vodka over breakfast in the Manila Peninsula hotel. We had just left work and were operating on about 3 hours of sleep (for about the 10th day in a row) and trying to avoid a weird client. We were unsuccessful with the avoidance, but did manage to entertain the hell out of our waitstaff. Two tall blonde girls drunk and deliriously talking about pirates. That may have cemented our notoriety with the Pen.

Since then Amy and I seem to attract pirates wherever we go. The funniest was on a trip to Hong Kong where there was a huge pirate display in the lobby of our hotel. We still have no idea what the purpose was, and no one was able to explain it. It was just damn funny.

So imagine my glee when the NC Museum of History announced the "Knights of the Black Flag" exhibit exploring the legacy of pirates. It goes on now through January 2010. I expect that I will be there several times over the next year. Alone, with Amy, with Elizabeth, and with anyone else that wants to learn about my true pirateology talents.

Timing is everything

Everyone that knows my sister Elizabeth has the worst timing. Her intentions are good and it doesn't seem to matter if she properly plans or just jumps in; she will always be one step too early or two steps too late. With that said, she remains one of the funniest and fabulous people I know, and manages to deal with all the situations life hands her. Sometimes a little alcohol helps.

Case in point. Last Thursday she was supposed to land in Raleigh for a long weekend. Snow in Appleton kept that from happening, so her flight was delayed until Friday night. It was 70 degrees here on Friday. On Saturday it rained here and progressively got colder. That didn't stop us from a great lunch downtown and about 4 drinks each between Rockford and the Hibernian.

Then the sugar need hit and we toppled into the Cupcake Shoppe and somehow stumbled out with 18 cupcakes. Yes, 18. For the three of us. Michael, Elizabeth and I spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying cupcakes, coffee, wine and water. Float away outside, so float away in.



On Sunday morning the weather went from bad to worse. It was torrentially raining and barely above freezing. So like any good Wisconsinite, Michael and Elizabeth demanded bloody marys for breakfast. Although I have never acquired a taste, my inner hostess kicked in and I ventured out to the nearby Peace Street Market for mix, olives and a Sunday paper. We then spent the day playing Scrabble, watching movies, drinking, reading and clipping coupons. I have to say that it was delightful. Judging by Elizabeth's expression, I think she agrees.

Sunday night it snowed. Yes, again it snowed. In Raleigh. The SOUTH. That made for some interesting travel for Elizabeth again. She only flies about 2-4 times a year and is delayed EVERY TIME.

The weather did inhibit our ability to go on long walks and truly explore the neighborhood. It also kept me from my not-so-secret quest of finding Elizabeth a house to rent and a local job. I guess I will have to wait until May to accomplish that. In the meantime, we will enjoy the fact that it is going to be almost 80 degrees here this weekend. Elizabeth, we were off by only a weekend. Just one. Doesn't that sound familiar?

Sweet dreams

Elizabeth was here this weekend, which means that we survived our first sleepover! It actually worked pretty well considering that we chopped our House down to a one-bedroom. It also helped that I was so damn happy to see her that it didn't matter if things were out of place or a little crowded. I loved every minute of it.

Our bedroom is one room that really didn't need a whole lot done to it. Other than repairing that big hole in the ceiling, that is. We had a non-active leak so a big chunk of the plaster had to be pulled out until it could dry. That was a bit challenging as the roof was also being replaced and it insisted on raining. Great combination.

Other than the ceiling, the room was undamaged and just dull. New lighting, fabulous paint and the most amazing curtains did wonders. And of course the entrance of our KICK-ASS-BED. God I have missed this thing. It is so gigantic and worth all the space it consumes.

The one thing this room lacks is a closet! I think we've made due, but Michael is going to have to stay neat or he will have a hostile wife. This alone will make me desperate for the addition and my master closet. Oh the love.

Eventually this room will be the library and the master bedroom will be at the back of the House. In the meantime it must act as office/bedroom/closet/my place to watch TV. Just a room with a schizo attitude, and one hell of a good bed.