destined to be a failure

As a newlywed the whole world is filled with champagne and roses. Ok, not really. But I have nothing really to complain about. The sun is shining (finally) and it's Friday (whoo hoo!).

So I thought why not see where I fall on the Marital Rating Scale. Little did I know that I am a "very poor (failure)" wife.

I should have seen that coming. I knew my aversion to children would come back to bite me in the ass. And, excuse me, but what else is a husband for if not to warm your cold feet in bed?

Although, to be honest, I'm not sure how you can possibly reach a "very superior" score - where the heck does the 76 points come from? Maybe there was once several pages of these?

via swissmiss

I was so excited to be included in Anne's bridesmaid challenge! Especially since the other bridesmaid designs are beyond gorgeous - gotta love Vane's pink!

When you have floors like we do (even calling them "floors" is a bit of a misnomer) you need to have comfortable shoes to wear at all times. We wouldn't want to risk tetanus now, would we?

These could be a cute option for wearing around the house - or for venturing beyond the house too. Plus they would make me feel warm and squishy inside each time I wore them since for every pair you purchase they give a pair to a child in need.

via swissmiss

my heroes

TEAL (typo eradication advancement league) are taking a roadtrip "to stamp out as many typos as we can find, in public signage and other venues where innocent eyes may be befouled by vile stains on the delicate fabric of our language."



via swissmiss

bizarre doesn't even begin to cover it

via Reclaiming Miss Havisham

I guess it's a step in the right direction. And if Phil and Zack need a chauffeur to Canada - I'm so there!

sure there was that girl that had the cake made to look like her

Now if I had only know that this existed before we went to Mexico...

via swissmiss

another entry in the "why-am-i-so-boring" category

GPS art - so friggin' cool.

via NotCot

cook all the way

That's right people! I realize that most people I know couldn't care less about the outcome of the most recent American Idol showdown. And, frankly, I never really have before. (Unless you count the curly-haired wonder of season one. I don't - that was ages ago.)

I do love me some David Cook.

Incidentally, if you are interested in trashy gossip Jarett's blog is one of the best.

starting our own little jury

Emily doesn't post often to her blog (what's up with that?!) but when she does it's always quality.

Last night as I came up to bed I spotted this on the bed next to Jasper. I almost peed myself. It took me a second to realize it was rubber and just a toy that Jasper had pulled out of the bottom of his toy box.

Yes, he has a toy box.

Karen's right. This girl is seriously awesome.

That's my man.

the cat's away

Thom is away on business this week and you know what that means - I consume massive quantities of extraordinarily trashy television. Sure, Thom'll sit through a Hills here and a Brothers & Sisters there. But now I can watch solid hours of total crap. And I love it.

Especially because of my latest fascination:



Isn't he adorable? I mean, how could you not be when you're named after a tennis ball company.

This is an old pic but I do love the long hair.

Which doesn't always work...


This latest fixation only really compares to my previous obsession with this one:


Poor Tammy had to suffer through me forcing her into watching episodes of The Black Donnellys. Admittedly not quality.

What can I say? I love a good jawline.

it's a zoo

Thom, Matt and Justin all snacked on animal cookies the other night.

not quite adventure island

One of the best things about having friends visit is doing things that we might not do normally. And going to Inspa definitely falls in that category. But Jon had mentioned it a couple of times on previous visits and it looked intriguing.

The rooftop pool with all kinds of jets was pretty awesome...


Jon enjoyed the gold suana.
I wish we could have spent more time there and enjoyed the swim up dining. Almost made me want an adopted Korean girl...
And we're thinking of putting one of these in the backyard...
Please note that I stole all these pics off their website. Due to the rampant nudity they don't allow pictures... And, come to think of it, that wouldn't have been pretty.

[I grew up near Adventure Island which, compared to Inspa, is a den of heathens and filth.]

happy birthday jackie

Ok, it's a bit tardy but we've been having computer issues...

On May 2nd we celebrated Jackie's birthday with a yummy dinner at The Smith.



And then some bowling at The Gutter.

Where Omar grossed everyone out with some X-rated images.




Happy Birthday, Jackie!

Jon and Laura stopped by for a too-short visit this weekend. It was great to have them (and any excuse to visit Zenkichi again). We're looking forward to having them as neighbors soon.

still not summer?

Last weekend, although it was still a bit chilly, we went on a long stroll into Park Slope.

Urkel nearly joined us (I had to tear Thom away from picking him up on our way).

Once everything turns green I remember that I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.



And Jasper agrees as he begs for some vegan cupcake from 'Snice while we hang out at the Gate.

Today we're having a few people over for some grilling and beer. Although we might not get so lucky with the weather...

a bit of may gray

On the heels of the shoot in San Francisco we were out in San Diego for a shoot with the client's own employees.

After we set up all the equipment we had a bitof time to head down to the water.







And sample some of the local fare.




When we returned we joined the rest of the team for a night out...
Of course, Thom joined us.
And took a fancy to Justin's glasses.
Looks tough, no?

In honor of Mariah Carey's recent nuptials and because my man is so going to win!

When New Yorkers see a stranger, they don't think, "I don't know you." They think, "I know you. I know your problems—they're the same as mine—and furthermore we have the same handbag."

So true.

Thanks Justin.

innocence ruined

Karen has just has just alerted me to the latest encroachment of uncool to our beloved borough. Seriously?

I Love My Wife

While Jesse is off in San Diego I get the luxury of holding down the fort here. It's been quite an adventure. Poor Jasper was sick on Monday and besides that I've been running around like a maniac between a crazy work week and all of my man-dates with Tung.

It just so happens I was lucky enough to stumble upon some fellow Armstrongs to help me while Jesse is away. I met them at a great local Brooklyn bar called Soda. You can totally see the resemblance.


They were even nice enough to sign this book that I happened to have on me.


Quick anecdote: Dooce totally thought I was lying when I told her that I was there on behalf of my wife. Apparently a lot of guys were using that line. Once they found out my last name was Armstrong, Dooce's husband Jon immediately started screaming the Armstrong Scottish victory battle cry "Invictus Maneo!" (I remain unvanquished). They then asked me how I could be married when I'm only 21 years old. Sheesh. Needless to say it was a fun 5 minutes and I was glad to be a proxy-stalker for Jesse in lieu of her absence. I have to say Dooce was beautiful in real life and approximately 7 or 8 feet tall.

The things we do for the ones we love.

I've never met Frank's boy, Jax, but all you need to do is look in those eyes to know him.

a moment in time

You know, if I hadn't already found the man who I love with all my heart, I might have to confess my undying love for Whitney and Jesse - two of the most creative, interesting and wonderful people I've ever met. Sometimes you run across one of those gems. But to find two of them - together. They're special. Not in a short bus kind of way but in a way that makes you lose your breath for a moment. Makes you want to move to Georgia to stalk them. Ok, now I'm sounding unhealthy - moving on.

These two took a moment that meant the world to us and enabled us to relive it in perfect clarity for the rest of our lives. We owe them our first born. Or maybe a home-cooked dinner which I'd be happy to deliver any minute they showed up in New York. Hell, I'd go down to Atlanta to deliver it if they want. All you have to do is ask guys.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(click on "view images and order prints" to see the full set)

photo thanks to tung

the calm before the storm

We hit the ground running when we arrived in San Miguel de Allende. My parents, Thom, Tung and I spent the first evening putting together the guest bags. We set out early the next morning to deliver them...


We also had to pick up all the liquor for the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. As we found out, it's no small task getting all the specific items we wanted in Mexico.


Thankfully Haverly brought the biggest bottle of Jack Daniels she could carry. A saint, that one.

With the two big tasks taken care of we were able to relax a bit with friends as they arrived in SMA. That's Andy with the "baby" margarita. It's actually a normal size drink - just looks tiny in proportion.





The next day we had organized a day trip for everyone that was in town... There was something vaguely camp-like about being on a bus with all your friends and family. Not that I ever went to camp but I imagine it was like that.

Pottery in Dolores Hidalgo

Thom and his huge sunglasses. Thank goodness he sat on those. If he hadn't - I would've done it myself.





Helado in a million flavors. Avocado was my favorite.




After a long day of trooping around we all got cleaned up for "welcome cocktails" at Gallo Restaurant.
After cocktails we went to Planta Baja for more cocktails and a little food.




Omar's superfine hat made the rounds all weekend...



I'm not sure what is happening in this picture but Omar sure is good at making faces.

See?





And wherever we go we bring the dancing.


many of these pictures thanks to omar