Woops.

I can’t believe I haven’t posted in two months!  Life has been pretty crazy and amazing…starting with a whirlwind vacation from December 30-January 2, and then I started a new job as Director of Development at the Baltimore Humane Society on January 3, and that has kept me pretty busy since day one.

Here’s a quick recap of the four-day whirlwind (also, here are all the photos!):

December 30 – Early morning flight to Erie, PA to go to my pal Ben’s 40th Bday extravaganza/benefit show at the Crooked I.  The trip included a layover in Philly and then boarding a propeller plane to go the rest of the way.  Arrived in beautiful downtown Erie around 11:30, then tooled around town picking up raffle prizes for the benefit show with Ben, and got lunch at an Erie landmark greasy spoon, Dominick’s.  Picked up Ben’s wife, Ellie, then went to his mom’s place and met his kids for the first time (super cute.)  We went to check into the hotel where we had rooms for the night.  Attempted a nap, failed.  Then it was off to the show, where I took pics and helped run the raffles with Ellie.  Got back to the hotel around 2:30am and passed out.

December 31 – At check out time, got a ride to the Greyhound station from Ben and Ellie, to head on to the next checkpoint, Pittsburgh, for the WINTER CLASSIC!!  I had a couple hours to kill, so I walked around outside and took pics of a really awesome Deadliest Catch-esque boat in icy waters, among other things.  The bus ride took forever…four hours…and I forgot to bring headphones.  When I finally got there, I met up with Goldberg, Dee and Kate at our hotel.  We got dinner at Fuel and Fuddle, and headed back to the room.  GT and Anna, who were also in town for the game, also stopped by the hotel to say hi.  I forgot to mention that during this entire trip I was pretty sick, with cough/cold ick, so I stayed in for New Year’s Eve, while the rest went out.  Goldberg came back early, Dee and Kate got back around 4am or so, thanks to Pittsburgh’s serious lack of cabs.

January 1 – Winter Classic Day!  We loaded up, prepared for bitter cold and rain (even though it ended up being relatively warm and dry for most of the day/night) and headed out.  Kate’s parents were also in town, so we headed to a bar called Mullen’s Irish Pub & Grill, where her dad’s friend (a DJ for the local sports radio) was broadcasting live.  On the walk over the bridge, someone yelled “Crosby sucks” and then I hear footsteps running up behind us, and I turn around and it was Anna!  Somehow in this sea of humanity, GT and Anna spotted us, so they joined us at the bar too.  Then we were off to the game! Dee and I sat together in the next to last row at the top, and Goldberg, Kate and her parents sat a few sections over, further down.  The game was awesome, and I took a TON of pics.  Of course, the Caps won, so that was a huge bonus.  Oh, and Goldberg and Dee being Pens fans made it all the more fun, since we were all hanging out together.  I didn’t see ANY other “fan mixing” going on the entire time.  On the way out of the stadium, Dee and I ran into Craig Loughlin!  The one dark spot during the game was a near brawl between two guys sitting next to me, with a guy sitting in front of them.  To make a long story short, the dude sitting next to me pulled out a pocket knife on the down low, and was flipping it open and closed and wouldn’t put it away.  It was very unsettling, so I ended up ratting him out via the text system.  I ended up having to fess up since he denied having the knife when security came, and the guard asked “who saw the knife.”  Oh well.  I felt like a pigeon, but who brings a freaking knife to the Winter Classic?  And who actually takes it out!?  Anyway, Kate got a ride back to the hotel with her folks, and Goldberg, Dee and I (realizing we were sort of stranded…and it was starting to rain) found the closest bar, Olive or Twist, to duck into.  We waited it out until closing time, then grabbed a couple slices from the pizza place across the street, and very quickly managed to find a minivan cab, and headed back to the hotel with two Caps fans…one of which was REALLY drunk.  What a fun night.

January 2 – Road trip back to Bmore.  I slept off and on the whole way.  That’s about it.

The next day I started my new job at BHS…it’s been a bit of a roller coaster, but things are settling down now.  I’m pretty stoked for things to come!

So….all that said…here’s what’s on the horizon:

March 2 – 9th anniversary with Trent!  I don’t think we’re doing anything…it’s a weeknight so he’ll be working, and our weekends these days are all booked up with work and such.

March 5 – Big fundraiser for Charm City Animal Rescue at Parkside Pub in Canton.

March 12 – Dog Bowl bowl-a-thon at Mustang Alley’s.  This is my first event for BHS!

March 13 – I’ll be answering phones at the MPT pledge drive from 5-9pm with other volunteers from BHS.  Look for me on TV!

I also have an exhibit up right now at Common Ground coffeehouse in Hampden, which comes down at the end of February, so please check that out if you’re so inclined!

I promise to update more often!