If Billboard had a chart for this post, it would be This Week’s New Hits. I wanted to share five great things that I have stumbled upon the last few days:

1. Burgans Albariño Rias Baixas, Spain
I tasted this wine for the first time at Winestore because many of the people I work with have mentioned it is a new favorite amongst their guests. It really is fantastic. Not too heavy, not too light.

If you are in the Charlotte area, I also highly recommend Winestore. They have a great selection at reasonable prices (and up for the fancy folk).


2. This article from the Onion

This is so completely true. I don’t want to ruin it for you, so go ahead, read on.

3. This Blog: Pudding & the Paper Bag Princess

Please observe the J. Crew Math, especially the cake icing and bacon versions. Hysterical.

4. Red Box Movie Rentals

OK, so not so new of a thing, but I have used el rojo for the first time this week. For those who either don’t know about it or who have stuck by Blockbuster’s “back-to-late fees-you-call-it-love handles- but-I-call-it- fat” side, explore the power of the crimson carton here. $1 for a rental & they have a great mix of old/new. Plus, there is the convenient (usually in your grocery store) locations.

5. The Target Merona Trapunto Dress


This really is the perfect work dress. And at $24.99, fortunately, this theme of perfection extends to the price. It is comfy, flattering, and versatile. I have gotten a few compliments myself on the black version. Buy it here.
P.S. It has a thin sash, but it is hard to see in the photo.

I just finished reading one of my favorite blogs and the fabulous author reminded me how much I love the show Damages. When you consistently watch mindless t.v. like I do (read: the Hills) sometimes you just have to add an intelligent show to your list of must-sees to not seem like a complete...idiot. Damages is a fast-paced drama that the official website best describes:

"The series follows the turbulent lives of Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), the nation's most revered and reviled high-stakes litigator and her bright, ambitious young protégé Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne)." See the official website for the complete dets.

After season 1, rumors started circulating that they were going to cancel the show. I promptly wrote FX and laid out the numerous reasons they should keep the show on the air. I personally think Glenn Close owes me a thank you letter, especially in this economy (only sorta kidding). Does anyone know when the juicy plot line develops in season 3?

So, Damages viewers of the world, I ask you to celebrate good television, the television of intelligent humor, profound plot lines, and constant twists and turns. I ask you to raise your hand if you watch Damages.

I just stepped into a SNL skit, folks. I got to the airport about an hour ago. One of my law school buddies, let's call her "Samantha" (thanks D&Me), is flying out of the country. She does not live in Charlotte, so it is pretty funny that we are both leaving out of the same airport, 3 gates down, around the same time- she, flying to Sweden & me, flying to FL. Anyway, we planned to meet up at the airport bar, but unfortunately, I got here a few minutes to late.

It turns out that was not the most unfortunate thing in the world though because if we sat together talking at the bar, I wouldn't have gotten this complimentary front row seat to the freak show.

I roll up to the bar solo and grab a seat on the couch next to an outlet (so I can plug my computer in). There are at least 50 seats available in this joint. Well, a man in (I kid you not) PINK & YELLOW POLKA DOT pants and A MATCHING SHIRT sits in the seat that is practically on top of mine. When I say pink polka dots, I don't mean pink pants with a subtle pattern (which I still think is terrible). I mean in your face, quarter size polka dots. I have actually been exploring on Google for the past 10 minutes to see what terrible company actually manufactures this ensemble. Apparently, they don't want to admit it via the web.

If that is not enough, when I go to plug my computer in, the other man next to me, who is in a suit (not the polka dot kind) and on a computer, tells me that I cannot plug my computer in because he is using the outlet. There are two outlets, his computer taking up one. So, 30 min later, I sit here and stare at the empty outlet. Maybe his imaginary friend has plugged his imaginary computer in that plug. Ok, not that strange, but then:

I order a turkey sandwich. I eat my sandwich. No big deal. Then, 5 min after I finish, the server brings me over another one. I tell her thank you, and remind her that she already brought me mine which I thoroughly enjoyed. She looks at me like I have three eyes and says, "I am just going to keep it right here." What the hell does that mean?

Maybe in isolation none of this raises to the level of the Twilight Zone. But after this series of unusual events, I had to fight back the urge to stand up and say "Liiiiveeeeee from the Charlotte airport.....it's Thurssssssday night!!!"

Someone should pretty much proclaim Chat Tea a Nobel Peace Prize winning economist. I have just found the answer to the Recession: release me into the best malls in major cities. I am almost certain Charlotte erected a statue in my name when I left South Park Mall yesterday. South Park- the name suggests a stocky neckless cartoon world where there is no such thing as credit card debt. My friends, there is nothing fantasy about the damage I did yesterday. That being said, I am having a ball of a time in the Queen City. I love where I work, and I love where I live.

If you could see me right now, you would officially LOL. I am crouched down in the corner of my new room in a sitting up version of the fetal position in the one spot where I get limited Internet. I only hope it lasts long enough to post this ridiculous stream-of-consciousness. Mid 90's, I cursed the hellacious fax like sound of dial up Internet. Now, I would give my newly South Park purchased silver shoes for the familiar screeches of AOL. However, thank God I moved on from Chat Rooms to Chat Tea. I mean, posting information about your life on the WWW is much err...safer, right?

OK. True story: exciting things are happening this week. For example, I am moving into a new place & starting a new job. The not so exciting things? Well, I will be without my roommate, the internet, and cable for a week. BUMMER. I am completely aware that complaining about no internet and cable makes me sound like a bigger brat than Veruca Salt in her quest for a golden goose. However, I feel that I am neglecting my blog duties (huge sigh). I guess I will have to make a...wait for it...pen and paper list of the happenings of the week. I also guess that you can just call this post an obnoxious technidependency admission.

I must say that I am PUMPED to begin my temp (6 week) life in Charlotte. I am fortunate enough to have my weekends filled with visits from friends, family, and of course, Kyle.

So, I am asking you, dear friends, to please forgive my lack of internet this week. The useless Chat Tea Ness will continue from Charlotte once the cable company gets its act together.

After exams (are you sick of hearing about them yet...I am), I packed up my bags, met some friends for celebratory/flying anxiety glasses of wine, and hopped on a plane for home in Florida. I have been pretty M.I.A. because I have been traveling between various South Florida cities, then to Anna Maria Island, ending my Florida tour with a quick stop in Deland to pick up my brother's girlfriend from school. We made our way up to South Carolina last night via my bro's truck. Now, its a time to pack my bags again, this time to move to my temp home in Charlotte for the summer. I am sorry for the short post. Details and possibly photos later. I still have to figure out how to get the pictures off my phone. Just wanted to explain my absence. Have a great day!

This is one of my favorite days of the year. We were planning on going to Churchill Downs, but with my exams ending late yesterday, it seemed like a huge hassle to go to Louisville for just one day. Kyle and I just finished placing our bets, and we are headed to a Derby Party. I cannot wait to enjoy a mint julep (or two)!

Some photos from our 2007 trip:





My Mom made my hat



Just acting silly. I blame Maker's Mark.