It will make you black out!

Long ago, there were yearly family pilgrimages made to Kings Dominion. This is their latest offering. As my eyes tear and my tongue swells in fear just looking at the video, all I can manage to say is "There is NOTHING that could get me on that thing!" I used to anxiously await the time when I would meet the height requirement for a new roller coaster (as did my parents who would sincerely hope I hadn't grown quite enough that year) and now I can't imagine anything more terrifying. When did that happen? Not cool! I can't be the parent who instills fear in their kid by not riding the damn roller coaster! So now I'm wondering if any offer could get me on it... I can't think of a single one. But then, I have managed to get through this one...

SO maybe you just never know...

But somebody's got to do it

3 things of joy for the day

My new heroine.


If I could invite people alive or dead to a dinner party, Freddie Mercury would absolutely be one of them but this version is still pretty awesome. And I may or may not have once stopped one of these two on the street on the pretext I thought his dog was cute. Yes, pretext. Sh-k-boom!

Stay tuned for a revamped photo blog as pictures say so much more than words I seem not to have the desire to write

I did not purchase this rat. 

Cousin Roddy, LaGuardia & Bleeker.
About 23 minutes before he came THISCLOSE to falling over a dead body on Bleeker St.
You're right. No one else has that happen to them.

That first look she's giving me is that "What the HELL are you doing NOW?" look...

She couldn't be more perfect for me :)

It's time for iPhone updates!

Everyone worships something.

Finding idea's for Coll's wedding.



Feathers and cocktails, a perfect combination.



The first person I know with their own Wikipedia entry.
Yes, that is a wine bottle.

The perfection of roasted Brussels sprouts.

See that bridge?

I walked over that bastard at 7am on an August morning in 2002 because I had a tooth infection and needed some Advil. For the record, it is a damn long bridge.

A little pink for your Valentine's Day

An oldie but a goodie!

I think I just figured out the crux of relationship issues!

I liked 'The Notebook'. Here's why I shouldn't:

'The Notebook': Hazardous to relationships?

"The Notebook" may be considered one of the most romantic movies ever made, but its star, Ryan Gosling, claims the film actually caused one couple to call it quits.

"One guy told me that he was engaged and [his fiancée] broke up with him after that movie, because she said to him, 'You wouldn't build a house for me, would you?'" the 30-year-old actor says in an interview with IFC, referring to a scene in "The Notebook."

"He was like, 'Well, no, but I don't know how,'" Gosling continued. "She said, 'But if you knew how?' He said, 'No, I wouldn't. But it doesn't mean I don't love you.' She said, 'Yeah, it does.' And she called it off."

Gosling, currently starring opposite Michelle Williams as one half of a couple in the midst of a breakup in "Blue Valentine," says he drew inspiration for his latest role from his fighting friends.

"Before I did the film, I went and talked to my friends who were married with kids, and I said to them, tell me your biggest problem with him and then you tell me your biggest problem with her," he says. "She was like, 'Well, he f-ing never washes the sponge. And every time I go to grab the sponge, it's cold and full of food, and I'm just going to kill him. And then he always parks as far away as he can and he never gets the spot that I want him...' and she had a whole list.

"And then I said to him, 'What's your problem with her?' And he was like, 'Pretty much that she's got those problems with me.'"

Lesson learned!

I forgot to believe in redemption, and then I remembered.

Still just as beautiful. Maybe even more so.

From whence we came

I cannot get enough of this royal engagement! Is there a book to buy? A Dateline episode to watch? I want it all!! One of my favorite articles (other than those discussing The Ring) is this one, detailing Kate Middleton's ancestry. I especially like the contrast between her great great grandfather, a coal miner and William's (K George V). Who could imagine that fortunes change so rapidly. It reminds me of Sarum, a book I enjoy specifically because you get to see all the connections your ancestors have to you. It was not so very long ago that George and Alda (short for Alexandrina - they didn't want to call her Alex because it sounded like a boy) left England and Scotland respectively - granted I have not (yet) risen to royalty. But I think they would be pleased as punch nonetheless :)

I love you Granny and Papa George - and I wish more than ever you were here for just 5 minutes to laugh about the royals with me.

April 9, 1944
Shortly before their 16th wedding anniversary and a bit less than 3 years before my mom was born.

xo
Your Alison

For Granny

Look at the energy those flashbulbs put out at them!
My Scottish born and bred Granny would be very excited today if she were here - when I was a little girl she used to teach me to 'wave like Lady Di' out the window as if my adoring public were waiting. In her memory, I plan on finding some piece of commemorative china to purchase just as she did with Charles and Di all those years ago. I'm waving Granny!

XO

Ahahahahahaha!

I do not like football. That being said, this is a riot! "Play smarter, not harder" indeed!

A lesson in love from Harold and Dorie

Harold and Dorie are Britain's longest married couple. I'm not even done with the article and I've learned some lessons:

‘We didn’t think about it, really,’ says Dorie. ‘Folks don’t put up with things these days. The least little problem and they’re up and off, aren’t they? I never wanted to leave, I must say, but I think ­people give up too easily these days.’

I bite my lip, recalling a recent threat to exit my marriage after a ferocious altercation over a pot of yogurt. I ask Dorie if people these days simply expect too much.

‘I think so,’ she says. ‘We never really had much, but we were happy enough.’

Being not entirely unfamiliar with ferocious yogurt altercations in the past, I shall be attempting to mend my ways henceforth.

I made a really good omelet and the dog is ridiculously cute

All Hallow's Eve x2

Round 1:

Round 2:


I seriously don't think I can survive a double Halloween again.
I am just too old. (Thank God!)

Halloween makeup color test

Odd lighting but those are greens. (Along with my new favorite nail polish color which looks kind of black but in real life is sort of grayish brown)

Indeed!