In 2010 I ... attempted to meet Chelsea Handler

Unlike many young children, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. Never a teacher, nurse/doctor, meteorologist - none of that. After being beat over the head with the question, I finally settled on responding with "photojournalist," because it was a long word I could spell and no other kids were tossing it out.

And then came the Minnesota School of Bartending commercials. Mesmerized by the neon lights, flying bottles and catchy jingle, I came to a quick realization: I want to be a bartender when I grow up. I told my parents just that and, well, I wouldn't say it was warmly received. After that crushing experience, I danced between photojournalist and "I have no clue" when it came to telling people how I was eventually going to get it together as an adult.

Now nearly 5 years in to the marketing/PR game, I have determined what I want to be when I grow up: Chelsea Handler. Of Chelsea Lately fame, Handler hosts the nightly TV show, writes hilarious books and drinks vodka. Photojournalist + bartender = what I want to be, duh!

So I was shocked when my lovely friend Nikki surprised me with tickets to CH's show this past Saturday night at Northrop Auditorium! We'd originally made plans to wait in a crazy line at her book signing and then recover with an afternoon of shopping, but spontaneous Miss N ensured we'd be able to enjoy the hilarity that is Chelsea with the surprise tix.

Me & Nikki before the show

An indulgent splurge, but a really great time. (Thanks again, N!) Besides, Chelsea Handler wouldn't wait in line to meet Chelsea Handler, would she?

In 2010 I ... kicked off dinner club

Or, more formally, Food I Want to Eat Club, as aptly coined by Morgan, Carissa and Diana after a night of drooling over Gourmet and Bon Appetit in M's living room last year.

After putting our name in at Brasa, the night got rolling with sangria and deliciously light cheese curds on the patio at Red Stag. (Fingers crossed they didn't cause any cheese curd induced nightmares, like the kind D's been known to have after late-night curds at Bulldog.)


After patio time on an unseasonably warm 70+ degree March evening, we headed back to Brasa to continue the sangria streak, this time with an entire carafe. And while I failed to take my own photos, this shot straight from the website does a superb job of highlighting the deliciousness:


So good! This shot sneaks a peek of the fried plantains D enjoyed along with the melt-in-your-mouth yams and andouille I can never get enough of. Topped off with the honey butter soaked cornbread M kindly shared with us (had it been on my plate, I would have put the entire piece in my mouth in one bite) the 2010 launch of FIWtE Club is off to a scrumptious start.

Since we lost a Gaysian last year, and C couldn't make tonight's fest, there are certainly many more food updates - and possibly new FIWtE members - on the horizon. Yum.

In 2010 I ... made a gift for Violet

We've not seen the last of the vintage flashcards ... not by a long shot. In my digging around at Hunt & Gather I was lucky enough to find a perfect flashcard:


So obviously, it became a little project. With a bit of Martha Stewart for Michael's craft paper - coordinated to match the twins' room - and a light toned frame from Target I whipped this project together in less than 5 minutes for under $6. Budget crafting is where it's at, folks.

Hopefully V likes it as much as I do. And apologies for the favoritism, Silas, but I have a feeling the chances of finding a "Silas" flashcard are slim to none.

In 2010 I ... got my best bowling score EVER

That's right - best EVER. And for the skeptical, evidence:


Oh yeah, that is absolutely a 130 next to the "EF." Joy! (Don't look at the other, possibly higher scores. Those are irrelevant to this post.)

I'm really not sure what I can credit for this lovely game. Maybe the pre-bowling happy hour at Midori's Floating World? Maybe Eli's presence as a sub? It's tough to say, but I'll gladly take it.