The Getting Goosed Post

Last weekend Sarah and I went over to Leesburg to hang out at Ali and Bob’s and see Nana and Papa during their week stay with them. We also got to meet the newest member of the extended family ‘Goose’. Goose is Ali and Bob’s new dog, he’s four years old and full of energy. The special thing about Goose is that he is stone cold deaf. Trained to respond to hand commands and pulses from an electronic collar, he is one of the most trained dogs I’ve seen, and you honestly wouldn’t be able to tell that he had a disability from seeing him romp around the garden with his tongue and ears flapping behind him. He gets his name from the way he likes to great you. Getting ‘Goosed’ is the now trademarked act of him sneaking up behind you and pushing through your legs from behind. It’s quite funny when he catches people by surprise. Binti is having a bit of a hard time adjusting to having another dog running about the house, but I’m sure she’ll adjust. Getting to wear the Alpha-dog hat will surely help deal with the new whippersnapper.

The Il Fornaio Post

Nana and Papa are in visiting from Scotland this month. They spent last week with Ali and Bob out in Leesburg, this week with Lel right across the street in Reston, and plan on spending their third week over with Mum and Dad at the house. Last night we all met up in Reston Town Center at Il Fornaio, a really nice Italian restaurant in the Midtown area of the town center. I hadn’t been down that end of the block in a good while, and the new fountain area is really nice now that the majority of the construction is over and done with- I definitely want to make a point of wandering down there again once the weather gets consistently pleasant. The restaurant was really nice, very clean and open feeling. The food was fantastic and we all definitely ate more than our fill! Somehow we made it thought three courses and a fair few bottles of wine and left the restaurant after the sun set, rubbing our bulging bellies. It was a really pleasant evening. Sarah and I are having N&P over for dinner on Thursday so we will have time to work off the massive meal by then.

The Rock The Red Post

It’s a good time to be a Caps fan, and I am definitely taking advantage of their awesomeness. As of today I am 5 days into a Playoff-Beard which is getting on my nerves to be honest with you…. Yesterday I grabbed an Ovechkin jersey for the game, and I’ve been out to bars in the area to catch games with friends whenever possible. I am really looking forward to Game 7 tomorrow and have high hopes that the Ranger’s will head back to New York empty handed. Fingers crossed! Planning on heading down to the Chinatown area to catch the Verizon Center buzz from a neighboring bar with friends.

The Co-Op Content Post

Co-Op is coming soon. We are a few weeks away from opening the site officially, but the content Kelly and I have completed is looking good. I hope to finish the back-end stuff this coming week and then start promoting it though various community blogs and sites, hopefully we’ll get some buzz going in our favor and it will be a successful launch. Eric said he'd help program some advertisement rotation code for sponsors too, so all in all I think things are going well. More to come.

The Games Night Post

Last night Sarah and I hosted our first Couples Games Night. We had a few of our paired-off friends to come round and face off with each other over board games. Pictionary, Scategories and Balderdash where featured amongst others. We spent more time than we probably should the week prior picking up booby-prizes and adding polish to our grand prize: a spray painted Mr. Perfect action figure/trophy we dubbed Senoir Perfecto. It was a fun night and I think everyone there got into the spirit of the evening. Definitely something we’d like to try again, maybe have a theme and ask people to bring their own prize to add to the pool... Either way we need to have another chance to win back Senior Perfecto! Pictures are up on Sarah’s Facebook. If you aren’t friends with either of us on there then…well why aren’t you friends with us!?

The I Love You Man Post

I Love You Man is a terrific movie that I toughly enjoyed (Dare I say I loved it man?... Yes, I dareth). Peter is getting Married but doesn’t have any friends because he has always put all his efforts into his girlfriends. Now he’s stuck trying to wrangle up a friend to be his best man. During a humorously unsuccessful search he meets Sydney, a down-to-earth, honest-to-god ‘dude’ in every sense of the word, and hilarity ensues. Rudd and Segal are in top form and deliver heartfelt and lovable characters that the audience can’t help but instantly relate to. Their nonchalant back and forth dialogues are priceless and bear an Anchorman-eske quotability. "Totes m’goats" has completely replaced ‘totally’ in my vocabulary. I really hope this, along with last years ‘Sarah Marshall’ helps put Segal on the map; he’s a really funny guy that I’d love to see get the Seth Rogan treatment more often.

Supporting cast where perfect from JK Simmons and Andy Sandburg in Rudd’s hilarious family, to Jon Favreau and Thomas Lennon’s distasteful encounters with Peter throughout the movie. Everything fit so well. In fact the only weak link the chain is Rashida Jones who plays the to-be-wife. She’s just not likable enough for some reason. I kinda wanted Rudd and Segal to ditch her and go on their bro-mantic way. In fact the females don’t really pull their weight in this movie on the same level that the guys do. Considering the plot this isn’t necessarily unexpected, but with two characters so instantly likable and a supporting cast of hilarious male actors, it is very noticeable which team wins this movie’s battle of the sexes.

This movie had me laughing out loud and really enjoying it all the way through. There where a few too many awkward moments that where a bit rough to sit through, but squirming at the unfortunate circumstances always paid of with pure hilarity. I definitely see where this film will strike cords with people and be very reliably hilarious. Strongly recommend this one if you are looking for some good laughs.

The American Celebration Post

Last night we headed out to Georgetown to celebrate my citizenship. Putting the word out with FaceBook I tried to wrangle up as many of my fellow Americans in the area to come out for a beer at the Guards. I had a great night spending time with my good friends. It was a lot of fun and was great to see everyone. Erin and Tim sent on a bag of goodies than included an Uncle Sam hat amongst other very patriotic paraphernalia which made for some interesting photo ops with friends and strangers alike. (Pictures on Sarah’s FaceBook) I don’t think I had ever been to the Guards before but it’s definitely a place I’d head back to; nice bar environment with a lower deck for the more dancing-inclined patrons. It was a really nice ending to a day worth celebrating. Thanks to everyone who made it out, for all the well wishes and congratulatory texts, tweets and IMs. You guys are the best, thank you so much.

The Swearing In Post

Friday morning we got up bright and early to head into DC for my Naturalization Ceremony. Sarah and I where both really tired after a late night thanks to AirTran delaying and rerouting Sarah flight in from Texas, but we made it out to the Capitol Building for the 8:00 arrival time. After waiting in some long lines we were seated in the auditorium to wait for the ceremony to start. Skipping breakfast was a bad idea because the whole thing didn’t kick off until 10:00. Once it got going though I quickly forgot how loud my grumbling stomach was as I was caught up in a very moving lineup of speakers, video packages and singing of the Star Spangled Banner. The DC Police Color Guard brought the flags out for the Pledge of Allegiance and Michael Aytes- the Acting Deputy Director of the Immigration Services performed our oath. A few speakers where there to welcome us to the country and speak a little bit about what it means to become an American. Amongst the speakers where Representative Zoe Lofgen (CA), The Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Rand Beers and Representative Anh Cao (LA). All had very kind things to say and extended warm welcomes to us all.

There where 150 people swearing in at the ceremony hailing from 48 different countries. One by one they called out the names of the countries participating and everyone stood up when their country was called. There where lots of press and TV crews filming the whole thing as not only was it a special ceremony but it was the first time the new auditorium had been used, it was pretty cool to be among the first to be there. After all the speakers had welcomed us and the countries recognized, we where all called up one by one to the stage and handed our certificates of citizenship by Mr. Aytes, followed by a round of handshakes from all of the speakers. It was really genuine and very moving; I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear as I shook the lineup’s hands. Seeing some of the other fresh citizens’ faces light up with pride and happiness when they received their certificate was incredibly stirring. It was really a wonderful event and I am so happy and proud to get to take part in the proceedings. I can’t think of a better place to become an American than the Capitol Building and I am ridiculously proud and excited about getting to partake in the special ceremony. It’s a day I will always remember and a defining moment in my life.

The Birthday Fridge Post

Monday was my 25^th birthday. I am now officially a quarter of a century old…I don’t know how I feel about that to be honest. While I don’t feel old, I definitely am not as jazzed to be a year older this time around. Before now each birthday was a step in the climb towards adulthood. Now I appear to reached a point where getting older just doesn’t seem as appealing… That said I still had a great birthday so I definitely not complaining!

The weekend before Sarah and I went down to Ballston to hang out with Eric and Coy at Union Jacks, which is fast becoming my favorite bar in the area), and on Sunday I went bowling with Jake and Dad which is always a fun (if not humbling time). On the actual day Mum whipped up some crab cakes and bought a massive chocolate cake to celebrate on the day with the family, which was nice. We spent the evening around the table eating and making fart jokes (maybe I am not that old after all!). Ali and Bob came over too. Sarah is away this week on a businesses trip to Texas, so she unfortunately wasn’t able to be there, but she will be coming home early to attend my citizenship ceremony on Friday so I completely forgive her. Eric started a new tradition of me receiving present sin the refrigerator… how he came up with it I am not quite sure, but his delivery method inspired subsequent present deliveries so it looks like its hear to stay.

Eric: “Hey want a beer? Check the fridge”

Jamie: “Sure thanks,” *Opens Door*

Eric: “Present!!!!”
*Pointing excitedly to frozen Xbox game nestled amongst beer bottles*

It does save on wrapping paper I suppose. Though when Sarah copied it she wrapped her gift… Spread the word, gift-giving is going green! I just hope no one ever decides to give me a puppy.

The Mystery Goose Post

Across from my office building there is a multistory parking deck for a neighboring office building. It’s about 3 stories shorter than my window so I have a pretty clear view of the entire roof of the structure. It came to my attention last week that there is an unexpected inhabitant of the rooftop in the form of a lone Canadian Goose. Every morning around 10 the goose wanders to the corner of the roof closest to my building and stares out across the street, He’ll stay there for a good 2-3 hours barely moving. Occasionally he will leave by noon-ish depending on the day, and often reappear briefly later in the day. I find it comical how clockwork his activities are. I only noticed last week, but he has been there constantly every day since. I wonder how long he has laid claim to that rooftop? What is the fascination with that particular corner of the complex? Is he waiting for a V of geese to fly overhead and join up with them? I’ve seen him fly away, so it’s not like he’s stuck in a goose prison up there. My theory is he’s a trained spy-goose for the Canadian government. There are government offices around here and an unusual amount of helicopter traffic in the area….hrm.

The Going GaGa Post

Update: The show has been cancelled!?! DAMN IT. Pissed. (link)

I am knackered! After waiting in line for over 4 hours on a moderately miserable night I sit here with my ticket to the Lady Gaga show next month at 9:30 club! I know a 25 year-old guy should probably not be so excited about going and seeing such a poppy show...but damned if it isn’t catchy. (And between you and me she is far from unattractive) Jevan waited with me in line so it wasn’t too bad, though when people started dancing and singing in line I started to get a little fed up. When the doors opened and they actually went on sale the line moved pretty quickly so I can’t really complain. Flashbacks of waiting in line for HFS tickets where aplenty. Tickets weren’t cheap either but there where still some balcony spots left which we grabbed. Long wait, but it will all be worth it come show time!

Happy April Fool's Day!!!