Just before Christmas, the Handsomest Man Alive and I discovered a new money pit. It's called Teavana and it's a wonderful little store where they sell very expensive teas, tea makers and tea pots. One sales guy actually attempted to sell the HMA on the merits of owning a $500 pot. Seriously. As if. Since we've been dieting for so long and always in search of treats that won't add calories to our daily intake, we had reached the point where $4 for a cup of coffee didn't seem at all unreasonable. In fact, woozy from a lack of food, we were happy to pay it. For Christmas, I got the tea and all the fixin's -- beautiful tins of delicious teas, a special measuring tea spoon, special rock sugar imported from Germany (Who knew Germany was the rock sugar capital of the world?), a tea maker and the tea cup. I make a pot of tea almost every night. In fact, I can even talk myself out of a dessert by telling myself that I can have a cup of tea instead. But I gotta say, as the royal wedding approaches and my excitement builds, I just might have to figure out a way to get my hands on these Royal Tea Bags. Hmmm...
I'm off to get me Shamrock Shake at the fine McRestaurant McDonalds. Enjoy the results of this 'write a letter to St. Patrick' contest in the Irish Times. Best wishes for a very happy St. Patrick's Day. May there be a pot o' gold at the end of every rainbow.
I've been completely focused on the catastrophe in Japan for over a week now. The news is so bleak. There are so few bright spots that I've almost become immune to the many faces I've seen whose lives will never be the same again. When I saw this video on the news last night, it hit home...and it hit hard. I can't imagine an animal lover who wouldn't be moved by the sight of these two precious animals, shivering, sick and disoriented, but completely loyal to each other. And judging by the huge name plate under their chin, beloved by their humans. CNN and Telegraph UK are both reporting that these dogs have since been rescued, but this video is a reminder that there will likely be thousands of pets orphaned or involuntarily abandoned due to the catastrophe in Japan. FIND OUT how you can help.
I'm counting the days until the Royal Wedding. It's been over twenty years since I visited Westminster Abbey. Sarah Ferguson got married and Princess Diana's funeral was held there since my last visit. I feel strongly that a return to London is at the top of my personal bucket list, so it's probably not a shock to anyone that I can hardly wait for the Pomp & Circumstance of William & Kate's wedding. Most recently, I've been caught up in the drama surrounding the possibility that it was Sarah Burton (good name!) who had been chosen to sew the royal wedding gown. I secretly hope that it's someone else. I don't want to know before the wedding day. I want to be surprised. Over the weekend I became enthralled by the details of the royal 'hen party.' In the States we call it a 'bachelorette party' and we head off to Vegas to spend a drunken weekend going to shows like the -- Thunder Down Under which features male strippers -- despite pleas for no male strippers during the weekend getaway. They always turn up. Think Kate's sister Pippa (even better name!) is getting her a stripper? I hope so. I hope he gives Camilla a lap dance. But I digress. The real focus of this rant...er...post is that I want to use a vacation day to stay home and watch the royal wedding and all the surrounding events. From the glass carriage rides through London town to the royal wave from the balcony -- I gotta see it. It's important. Originally, I wanted to be in London for the wedding, but my bank account said no. If I lived in London, I'd have the day off. It's a national holiday. But I feel that I'm being discriminated against because I live across 'The Pond'. My heart is in London...so doesn't that count? I watch 'Masterpiece Thea-AH-ter every Sunday. I'm an honorary citizen, I'm sure. But those to whom I've presented my plan have called me crazy and poo-poo'ed my idea. I can see his (why be coy? It was the HMA.) point. But still I am not completely deterred. I'm certain that near the end of April I will develop a debilitating case of swine flu. I can feel it coming on already...who else is in? I'm buying snacks.
