Macy's shopping with Mom ...

I could really care less that Marshall Field's is changing its name to Macy's ... but when mom and I were shopping at Southdale today, we stumbled upon one great result of the change. It looks like Field's is clearing out tons of their designer brands ...

*** Today's purchases ***
$80 pair of Buffalo jeans (clearance price: $14.97)
$178 Calvin Klein blazer (clearance price: $17.80)
$88 Lucky Brand zipup: (clearance price: $17.57)
$88 Lucky Brand zipup: (didn't get charged for one of them! suckers!)
$74 Buffalo zipup (clearance price: $29.57)
$30 Lucky Brand Tshirt (clearance price: $5.97)
$29.50 Blue Marlin Tshirt (clearance price: $5.87)

Total cost: $91.73 (total savings: $475.77 WOWZERS!!)

Mom, like myself being a sucker for bargins, pulled out her Field's charge card, picking up the ENTIRE tab because she saw how great of a deal everything was!

LOVE YOU MOM!!

Another 'win' for Mr. Lee :-)

I worked with The Weather Channel this week to setup four locations (Rose Garden, Lake Calhoun windsurfing, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, IDS/Skyways) for a handful of Minneapolis weather segments that will air nationally in a few weeks. I think we surprised the Atlanta-based crew with hot weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, hopefully busting a few myths/misperceptions in the rest of the country once the segments air.

Our friends over at KARE 11 tagged along today with The Weather Channel crew, airing a piece locally on tonight's 5pm news about their visit. Watch the clip or read the story

In the news ...

Lance Bass is gay ... http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/26/people.lancebass.ap/index.html

Andrea Yates is not guilty ...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/07/26/yates.trial.ap/index.html

anyone else have anything else they'd like to share?

Chomp! Chomp!

Well, I survived the dentist today ...

I got 2 cracked fillings replaced with the fancy tooth colored composite. It cost me my first born son! (a check they'll never be able to cash! lol)


Now that I've gotten THAT taken care of, I can save up for some teeth bleaching (anyone ever had that done?) and maybe adult braces in a few years ... who knows?

The Doctor is "IN" ...

Some days, I wish I could just go back to being a kid, a time when I didn't have a worry in the world. Have you ever gotten up on a Monday and already felt stressed out? Not a good way to start the week, and usually once I'm in a slump like that it carries into the week.

I think I'm done with summer and ready for fall to begin .. it just means we're one month closer to winter, and (for some odd reason), it's one of my favorite times of year. There's just something so comforting about snuggling up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and watching the snow fall outside. Too bad my new place doesn't have a fireplace ... geez I miss my old apartment and my old roommate Kristina, who's off tromping around London without me ...

The first snow of the season is on its way ... I can feel it ...

Oh ... and I think I failed to mention that I have to go to the dentist tomorrow to get two fillings replaced. Abso-fucking-lutely wonderful! So much for turning over a new leaf for Tuesday!

HOLY SHIT!

Alright, who pissed the gods off?!


I'm glad I was inside tonight when the clouds opened up and it poured outside! Did anyone get caught in the nasty hail? OMG! It was so loud bouncing off our office windows that I thought they were going to bust. Some of the hail was golf ball sized ... no joke!

Meet Minneapolis ...

Here's some recent handy work by me, my fabulous co-workers, and local arts colleagues. A+ everyone!!

Travel + Leisure (Aug. 2006)
"ARTBEAT: High Drama"
The Guthrie, Minneapolis' vanguard of American theater, moves into its new home on the Mississippi River, showcasing a bold design by maverick French architect

Great Lakes Boating Magazine (Aug. 2006)
"The Twin Cities of Lakes"
Nestled in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Twin Cities, with their gleaming cityscape, lure millions of yearly visitors looking for a blend of entertainment, culture and recreation.

Capitol Times (July 15, 2006)
"Breakfast at Hell's Kitchen heavenly"
Fine wines and places to dine are not in scarce supply in downtown Minneapolis, but I’ve decided that the first meal of the day is the best.

Capitol Times (July 8, 2006)
"Marquee Minneapolis"
Lovers of the fine arts and architecture have gigantic new reasons to visit downtown Minneapolis this summer. About $500 million in expansions have cemented this city’s reputation as a leader in the visual and performing arts scene.

USA Today (July 7, 2006)
"Minneapolis gets the 'starchitect' treatment"
Minneapolis' skyline-altering cultural building boom continues with the opening June 25 of the Guthrie Theater, a curvaceous blue-steel beauty on the banks of the Mississippi River

Financial Times (June 26, 2006)
"Beauty on the Banks of the Mississippi"
Jean Nouvel's new Guthrie Theatre fits its industrial Minneapolis setting perfectly, writes Edwin Heathcote

Chef (June 2006)
"Profits Beyond the Bank"
Brenda Langton nourishes her community with more than just food.

Right on Target!!

I'm definitely skipping the 4th of July fireworks next year ... there's really no point in going to them after you've seen the Target-sponsored Minneapolis Aquatennial Firewoks Spectacular! Frickin' amazing!

I've seriously never seen so many unique fireworks ... besides the obvious Target shaped ones, there were hearts, butterfly shaped ones and a gazillion other really unique ones. Plus, they shot a bunch off from the 3rd Avenue bridge too!! The show was almost 20 minutes long and I think it was also set to music, but we didn't sit by the main viewing area, so I'm not sure ... anyhow it was A M A Z I N G!! Yeah Target!

Thanks!!

Thanks to everyone that came over for Happy Hour yesterday!! I hope you had as much fun as I did, and enjoyed those Pop Rocks martinis :)

After the crowds dispersed at Mill City Museum, Eric, Ryan, Alla, my bro and his girlfriend wandered over to the Guthrie Theater. Ryan and Alla sampled the bottles at each of the buildings 11 bars, while us sober folks enjoyed the SPECTAULAR views from the endless bridge. Following our tour of BIG BLUE we went back to my place and dined on some scrumptious Pizza Luce offerings.

Once everyone left (I think Ryan and Alla had a water fight in my hallway - yikes!), Eric and I enjoyed a nice relaxing evening together ... *deep breath* *sigh* *big smile* Lee is happy :)

I think I'm dating Johnny Weir ...

... and I'm definitely not complaining ;-)

Shit, I'd better go sharpen my skates!

:::kisses::: sweetie

Go Team!

The House today rejected a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, ending for another year a congressional debate that supporters of the ban hope will still reverberate in this fall's election.

Read the complete story at:
http://www.startribune.com/587/story/559566.html

What a funny bitch!

Kathy Griffin on ...

Britney Spears:
regarding Britney's interview with Matt Lauer on “The Today Show, Kathy says, “There’s Britney with her extensions all fucked up and wearing cutoffs. It looked like Kevin Federline gave it to her the night before and was pulling her hair.”

Star Jones:
Kathy points out how Star Jones claims to be a Democrat, but is against gay marriage. “According to Star, ‘the Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman.’ Or between a woman and a gay man,” Griffin added, referencing the rumors about Jones’ husband, Al Reynolds . “Oh, please. Al is so gay, when he walks by you can hear the snapping.” Griffin reminds her audiences how, in October, Reynolds was arrested at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday night for driving with a suspended license after making an improper lane change.“Busted at 2:30 a.m.? Where was Al coming from?” Griffin asked. “He was at Clay Aiken’s house.”

Ann Coulter:
"She’s like the conservatives’ idea of porn. You can see Cheney beating off to her”

Scientology:
Kathy is fearless when she calls Scientology “that fucked-up cult.” That’s because, “I am lawyered up. I have a coterie of attorneys,” she said. Apparently her free speech attorney is Alan Isaacman, the lawyer who, in 1988, successfully defended Larry Flynt before the United States Supreme Court in a case about a satire of Jerry Falwell.

Clay Aiken:
“Clay is 24. He’s touring, and he loves cock. I say, ‘Have at it.’ That’s what your 20s are for.” Griffin recounts the recent “American Idol” finale, where “Gayken” surprised geeky look-alike Michael Sendecki as they sang a duet of “Don’t Let Your Son Go Down on Me,” Griffin said. “The!” she clarified. “’The Sun Go Down on Me.’ What better way to assert your sexuality than sing the George Michael, Elton John song?”


Seriously ... this bitch cracks me up!

I predicted the 'Svenomenon' ...

Way back when, I called it like I saw it ... Sven was gonna be the talk of the town and I knew it! C.J. thought I was crazy (she's since written 2 pieces on him) and the other local yokels in the news didn't so much as utter a peep on the new femi-forecaster ...

As luck would have it, the 'Svenomenon' continues in today's issue of the Star Tribune, with what I believe is now their 3rd piece on the Elroy Jetson-wanna-be ...

Read the article:
http://www.startribune.com/217/story/553077.html

And Sven, maybe the reason you're 150% single is because you have a pet goat!

Home Run!

I got some free Twins tickets at this crappy work conference last week (the only positive thing about having wasted a bunch of time standing in a dumb convention booth), so I took Eric and his brother (Darren) for a little outing tonight ...

Our seats were decent (again FREE!), we got free meal/drink tickets, the dome was air conditioned, and the Twins won ... plus I got to spend some QT with Eric and his bro. You can't beat a Saturday night like that!! Eric has such a great family!

Now that I'm back home, I'm just trying to stay cool ... the fricking A/C in my place is on the fritz! Fuck!

Trying to beat the heat!

Fuck! It's hot out today!

Stop or he'll shoot!

My friend's episode of RENO 911 will be airing this SUNDAY JULY 16TH on Comedy Central. Check your local listings for the time, but on the West Coast it airs at 7:30pm. (I think it's 9:30pm CST)

Kurt shot this a LONG while ago but as you can imagine is VERY exited about the episode finally airing! He play one of three brothers that come to visit Junior (one of the shows stars). Look for him in a white trash outfit (jean jacket, aviator sunglasses, mesh baseball hat, and mustache) throughout the episode.

The pic is a shot of them during the filming.

YEAH KURT!!

(hahaha ... with a sick mind, the title of this blog can be read a few different ways)

the A to Zs of Mr. Lee

A - Available: Nope :)
A - Annoyance: MN drivers, bad customer service and fake people

B - Best Friend(s): Brent, Ryan, Sarah, Andrew, Joe and LauraM
B - Beer: not my thing at all
B - Birthday: May 2

C - Crush: yup, on my sweetie
C - Car: sold my Jetta back, so now whatever Alamo's got
C - Candy: Gummy Raspberries

D - Day or night: Nights sitting outside & looking at the city lights
D - Dream Car: haven't given it much thought lately
D - Dog or Cat: neither really, but if i HAD to it would prolly be a dog

E - Easiest person to talk to: Brent
E - Eggs: Scrambled or Sunny Side up
E - Email: shoot me an email and I'll give it to ya ;) LOL

F - Favorite Month: September/October, I love the fall colors
F - Favorite Color: Green
F - Favorite Memory: just being a kid, when I didn't have a worry in the world

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: love the worms
G - Giver or taker: Definitely a giver, sometimes too much
G - Gum: Watermellon Bubble Yubble SMACK!

H - Hair Color: Brown w/ blond highlights
H - Height: 5'11"
H - Happy: Usually

I - Ice Cream: Raspberry Chocolate Chip from Sebastian Joe's
I - Instrument: I'm really rusty, but I can play the piano
I - Idol: i have a few, and you can't have 'em ... they're mine :)

J - Jewelry: just the occassional necklace or braclet
J - Job: Media Relations Specialist
J - Jail: just one time on a class trip to city hall

K - Kickboxing or karate: Kickboxing ... though i like the "HIII YAAAA" of karate
K - Kids: prolly someday
K - Kindergarden: got an A+ in playing house

L - Longest Car Ride: MN to PA with my grandparents
L - Longest relationship: 3 1/2 years (it's an equally long story too!)
L - Last text message: "Are you still awake?"

M - Milk flavor: 2%, but if I'm in a pinch I can do 1% ... never Skim though! Yuck! You might as well spash some water on your Raisin Bran!!
M - Most missed person(s): Kristina
M - Movie Last watched: Pirates

N - Number of Siblings: 1 + 4 steps
N - Number of Tattoos: zero
N - Number of Piercings: zero
N - Name: Lee

O - One Wish: World Peace
O - One Phobia: Snakes
O - One Regret: I try not to regret anything ...

P - Pet Peeves: (see 'annoyances' above)
P - Part of your appearance you like best: besides my cute clothes? lol prolly my smile
P - Personality: loving, caring, giving ... but I can be a bitch if you catch me on the wrong day

R - Reason to smile: Family and friends
R - Reality tv show: Kathy Griffin "My Life on the D-List"
R - Reasons to cry: being really sad, really happy or when watching Oprah

S - Song Last Heard: something from Moulin Rouge
S - Shoe: my black Born sandals

T - Time you woke up: 7:15a
T - Time Now: 8:45p
T - Time for bed: usually somewhere between 11:30-Midnight

U - U love someone: yes
U - Unpredictable: I have my moments

V - Vegetable you hate: whole tomatoes
V - Vegetable you love: broccoli
V - Vacation spot: London, NYC, Chicago

W- Worst Habits: making snap judgements
W- Weather right now: slightly overcast

X - X-Rays: last year when Kristen dislocated my shoulder, and today at the dentist ;)

Y - Year it is now: 2006
Y - Yellow: definitely depends on the shade

Z - Zoo Animal: kinda wanna see a panda

Shopping in stiches!

So tonight I went grocery shopping with Ryan at Trader Joe's ... Since I didn't need to get much, I just put my few items in the little pull out / child seating area portion of Ryan's cart, and he put his pile of purchases in the cart's base ...

Once we're both satisfied with our purchases, we pull up to the cashier. The young man greets us and we both say hello. Then, Ryan points to me and says to the cashier: "He's the Top, I'm the Bottom."

I shoot Ryan a look, not knowing whether I should be horrified or laughing ... then i saw it 'click' with Ryan, finally aware of how that sounded ... thankfully I don't think the cashier got it.

It was SOOO funny!! I laughed so hard that my tummy hurt!!

Fireworks and the fam

So I met Eric's parents this weekend ... which was a good thing, since I know they were probably a bit apprehensive that their 20-year-old is dating someone 7 years his senior. We went and watched the fireworks along the Mississippi River and had some great quality conversation ... I got some one-on-one time with Eric's mom when he and his dad went off in search of a bathroom. Got all the childhood dirt on Eric ... I know all is weaknesses ... and even a few things that I'm not suppose to let him know that I know ....

(HAHAHA j/k sweetie!)

Following the booms, bangs, ooooooss and ahhhhs, we all went back to my place for a little dessert from the YUMMY YUMMY TRADER JOES!!! More quality conversation ensued, which I definitely think it made the rents both feel more comfortable about the age difference (which in person probably doesn't seem like much given my youthful 24 year old appearance HAHA!)

So yes, things in the relationship department are going VERY well!!

(Julie, you'll enjoy the fact that Eric's AOL screen name is hotsoup --- how funny!!)

Unexpected blessings

Isn't it's funny how sometimes the most amazing people stagger, stumble and fall into our lives? You never know where or when it will happen ... new friends, coworkers, or that special someone who slowly finds their way into your heart ...

About a month ago, I had an unexpected introduction to someone who, at the time, seemed like just another great guy ... Eric has turned out to be much more than that. It's that thing we all try so hard to put our fingers on ... that magic x, that indescribable thing that makes things click ... We've spent the past few weeks getting to know each another, and I'm definitely in big-time 'like' with him.

Friends, you've gotta meet him!