Entries Tagged 'Current Affairs' ↓

I have absolutely nothing planned for Thanksgiving. It’s kinda awesome. I may go hiking with the dogs. Our options are endless as far as trails go.

Packing Day from brittney gilbert on Vimeo.

Stop calling me. We don’t want your truck. You could have been more helpful on your website, and I wouldn’t have abandoned the page. We chose Budget, thanks, because it was easy to reserve online and cheaper. This tactic of calling people later to negotiate a better price than what your online service initially showed is, frankly, bullshit. Give people the price they want up front. Don’t play this silly phone game with me.
And no, I’m not calling you back.

Budget Rulez, Penske Droolz,

Brittney

I decided to not dress up as the Log Lady for Halloween this year. Not because I didn’t want to, mind you, but I have no where to wear it and no time to make it happen. I’m up to my eyeballs in boxes. It’ll be all I can do to buy some candy for the trickin’ treaters.

First and foremost, I’m hungover and can no longer function on four and a half hours sleep like I once could in my twenties. I made a dire decision to mix a super caffeinated beverage with my vodka in order to keep the party going, and today I am suffering the consequences of my stupidity. I am rectifying the situation with a caffeinated beverage and water. Lots and lots of water.

I decided to reserve the back room at La Paz after a couple of reader recommendations regarding the size of the room and the service. I wanted to go to a place where people could mingle, eat from the menu if they wanted and get drinks in a reasonable amount of time. Perhaps La Paz is a place where all those things happen simultaneously, but it was not that place last night. I arrived right at 6, where Ivy and Jon were waiting, to learn they’d forgotten about our party. Oops! We had to wait a while for them to set it up, but once we were finally let into the room I was pleased to see it was set up nicely with tables formed into a U-shape that allowed for comfortable eating and drinking, but also conversation. I wasn’t pleased to learn we only had one server. For, like, 35 people.

I’m not really sure if our server knew he was going to be waiting on a party that large, alone, but I’m leaning toward “didn’t.” He was just so overwhelmed with the group that he pretty much gave up. He took people’s orders, but only some of them. Requests for drinks long went unfilled. I had to ask three times for a margarita. The Boyfriend went to the bar, where there were two bartenders and no customers, and ordered drinks for us. I hate that everyone had to spend time talking about the crappy service, but it was pretty bad. It wasn’t detrimental to the evening, but it was borderline.

It was especially stunning when it was time to settle up. He basically just yelled at the room to come tell him what they had so he could tell them much they owed. We ordered: two margaritas, 2 Dos Perros, queso for the table. My receipt read: 2 rocks, 1 margarita - $31.41. The server then tried to explain to me the disparity of charges. He told me, his mouth seemingly full of marbles (pretty sure brah was wasted), “I pretty much saved you $17. See, I went into the kitchen to get queso–and they would just give it to me…and I didn’t put it on there, I just didn’t. So, see I’m saving you about $14.” My transcription of the conversation is about 10 times more coherent that what actually came out of this guy’s mouth. He was mumbling, stammering and using incomplete sentences. I told him, “I have no idea what you are trying to say. I can barely understand you,” then signed the bill. See, there was a $25 fee for reserving that room, but I wasn’t about to pay it. Not since it was obvious that this guy was scamming me and probably the restaurant. I used to work in that field. I know the tricks. Dude was pocketing so much cash by presenting the same ticket to multiple people. All I wanted was out of that place by that time, and couldn’t care less what kind of thieving he was up to. He’ll get busted eventually.

I’d like to apologize to my kind and generous guests for any unpleasantness as a result of the party location. You all were so awesome to come out and bring your wonderful children (to whom I taught the Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet song). And you brought presents! Which was totally unexpected, but highly appreciated. They were so thoughtful and well-selected. Chris gave me a black and white photo of Broadway in downtown Nashville that he took himself in an amazing frame. Smiley gave me a Stuff To Do in San Francisco and Northern California book that is fat and dense, and I can’t wait to start at the beginning and get to exploring. Ivy asked people to pitch in, and they gave us a Target gift card that is going to come in so handy when we are starting over buying things like ketchup and mayo and shower curtains and maybe new linens. Thank you all so much; it is beyond awesome that you did that. Jon gave me a gorgeous Buddha statue that will get a prominent sitting place at the new house. I love it.

People who made time to stop by on a Sunday night:

• Linda & J.J.
• Neil & Heather & Carly
• Mike Sechrist
• Justin Bruce & his adorable News 2 producer companion
• my friend Kim
• Mrs. Jag
• Tabitha
• BusyMom
• Paul Chenoweth
• Slarti & family
• Roger Abramson
• Aunt B
• Ginger & daughter
• Ivy & children
• Jon
• Kate & Karsten
• Lesley
• Chris Wage
• Smiley
• Malia
• Jeffraham
• please say I didn’t forget anyone…

(There were a lot of people I wish could have made it, but none more than Carter.)

After La Paz, Kate, Karsten, Chris, The Boyfriend, Jon, Lesley and Mrs. Jag went to Beyond the Edge at 5 Points where I consumed said super caffeinated beverages mixed with vodka. The service there was far superior. We watched the Red Sox win the World Series and jammed out to super loud jukebox favorites like G ‘n’ R, Poison and the High School Musical soundtrack. Mrs. Jag and The Boyfriend fell in love over talk of their admiration for Grease 2, though she grew less enamored after he dissed her beloved CSI. They will reunite once again this Thursday where Mrs. Jag will impress him with her passion for “The Office.”

After some curly fries and one too many rounds, I lumbered home, where it was after midnight. It was no longer my birthday then. I was just 30. Which, it turns out ain’t so bad:

It doesn’t happen right away, but sometime very soon in your early thirties, you’re going to learn what it was like for boys to be in high school. Everyone seems plausibly fuckable and you’ll spend a great deal of time distracted by wondering how soon it will be until you can get laid again. You’ll wonder if it would be rude to go into the bathroom at work and masturbate. You’ll start looking around the grocery store like vegetarian isn’t just a food preference.

Oh, and just so you don’t think I somehow missed the niceties just below that pull quote, I am going to excerpt it here as well. Because it s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said:

The other thing I love about you, and it must have sucked, but I really appreciate your willingness to be human online–to be snarky when called for, to get pissed, to make mistakes, and to be willing to acknowledge them and live with the consequences. There’s a really ferocious bravery in that, especially as a woman, especially as a person others were constantly gunning for, and I find it truly inspiring.

I will miss you, but I’m so proud and honored that I know you and that I’ll get to see you do this thing and the next and the next.

I wish I could take Aunt B and all of the rest of you with me. I will miss you muchly, but there is a guest bedroom you are each welcome to inhabit for however long you see fit. Thanks for everything.

UPDATE: See photos from the event here and here. I failed utterly and completely at capturing any images of last night’s festivities.

UPDATE #2: Haha, BusyMom’s take on the Waiter Extraordinaire is much better than mine:

A good time was had by all, but, no one seemed to have as much fun as Jeff Spicoli, our waiter.

Because, well, you know, if you serve, oh, say 85% of the food orders, and one of the Diet Coke orders, that’s pretty good. It’s even a “B” in some places.

UPDATE: Decided on a place, but the date has changed to SUNDAY, the 28th. Invitations to follow shortly.

Okay, so I want to throw a party for myself. That’s right, on October 28th I’m going to be entering my third decade and soon after moving all the way across the country, and I want to celebrate both those things with friends. I’ve never reserved a private room at a restaurant for a party before, so I’m seeking suggestions.

I’d like to invite about 35 or so people (I think), assuming that 25 will show. I’d like it to be in a not-too-fancy place where everyone would feel comfortable, but not a dive either. The service must be top-notch, because nothing puts a damper on a party more quickly than lack of adult beverages. I’d like for people to be able to move around and mingle easily, but also allow for entree eating for those so inclined. I’m thinking of throwing the party on Saturday, October 27th, around 6 p.m.

Any suggestion on a good place to throw such a party? My house, by then packed up in boxes, is not gonna cut it.

Lee at Digital Nicotine says this about the S-CHIP issue:

Democrats have the emotional edge on the general issue. Republicans have the dry logic in this particular aspect of the debate.

Knowing that their edge is in emotion, Democrats use brain damaged children to read their copy. Nothing like a brain damaged child to stir the emotions. They even filmed a video of a toddler with a heart condition holding a drawing that says, “Don’t Veto Me.”

I’m guessing she didn’t write it herself.

And in a perfectly logical sense, if she was already eligible for S-CHIP, how could a Bush veto — veto her?

This is very reminiscent of when some in the GOP called anyone opposed to the Iraq invasion America-haters. They were on the emotionally “right” (see also: easy) side, so it was easy to paint detractors as traitors. (Pro-lifers do this as well–heck, they’ve almost perfected the art.) No matter who is doing it, it is a gross manipulation of the American people.

More on Flickr.

Should I vote in the Nashville mayoral election if I am moving to San Francisco before the end of this year? That is the question I face on this gray and rainy day. I prefer Karl Dean to Roberto Clemente, but is it fair to vote for either if I’m just going to be living in the Bay Area inside 3 months? I’m not sure that it is. I’d really like to see Megan Barry win a seat on the Council, though, so I’m going to cast my ballot anyway. I’ve always enjoyed the Barrys. Plus, I think she’d make a great progressive addition to the World’s Largest City Council. I’ve lived in Nashville for nearly 30 years of my life, so I think the city owes me one last say in the matter. Besides, I’ll be back to visit.

You see, I’ve taken a job with the local CBS affiliate in San Francisco, California, the land of godless liberals who have gay sex on the streets while shooting up. The kind folks at KPIX (whose website was voted best in the state by the Associated Press) recruited me to run a blog aggregator much like the one I used to run at WKRN here in Nashville. I took them up on their offer to fly out for two days to interview, and after some negotiating I agreed to take them up on a full-time position. I’ll be working from within the newsroom Monday through Friday combing through all the blogs updated daily in the Bay Area, highlighting posts I find funny or provocative or insightful or informative. There will also be an automatic aggregator. Many of you may be familiar with the concept.

If you are wondering why I said I wasn’t cut out for moderating a community blog site, only to take this job 8 weeks later, you likely aren’t the only one. I asked myself that question many times in determining whether to pack up The Boyfriend and the dogs and move 800+ miles to one of the most expensive places in the country. But, luckily, I learned from my very public mistakes made at NiT, and I’ve taken them to heart. This new venture will be less about me. I’m not that interesting anyway. What I mean to say, though, is that I will put less of myself “out there” and concentrate more on building a vibrant blogging community in what is already one of the most wired places on earth. Also, there were some behind-the-scenes issues going on at the old station that I never felt the need to air publicly that had a lot to do with my decision to leave. I denied it at the time, because the pain from The Situation was so overwhelming that that was easy to do. But it was a factor. Also, the area out there is just different. My “radical liberalism” that makes me, according to the locals, “as far left as you’ll find on the internet” would not raise an eyebrow where I’m going. Crusades by blogging GOP mouthpieces when I dare state that Gitmo detainees might not be guilty (of what they were never charged with) won’t set off a firestorm. I’ve always been a liberal in a Republican oasis, but now I’ll be more conservative than most just be virtue of my home state. I relish the thought.

But that site isn’t about politics. It’s about the people of the Bay Area. It’s about mothers and strippers and activists and students. It’s going to be what San Franciscans are talking about, so to speak. I’m thrilled at the idea of getting back into the newsroom. There is a hum in the newsroom, a sense of urgency and excitement that comes with daily turns and breaking news. This one happens to be filled with smart, engaging people who seem excited about the new media possibilities that await them. (Or, the ones I met at least.)

And I’m so excited about living in my favorite place on earth. The weather is phenomenal all year long, the people are diverse, the art scene is incredible (indie and foreign films in the theatre ’til my heart’s content!) and the opportunities are endless. There is a magic to that place, and I’m about to become a part of it. It hasn’t exactly been easy to absorb.

I’m going to miss my friends and family like crazy. I’ve lived here my entire life, so all my roots are here. But I’ve always wanted this. I used to drive down the long stretches of bending roads in Ashland City dreaming of taking the subway. The BART is close enough (and now I’m going to sell my car!). Long ago my “about page” on this blog said that I’d be moving to the Big City very soon. It was up there forever then I took it down one day, resigned that it would never happen. It’s back now and better than ever.

We haven’t decided yet on the timing, but I’m leaving no sooner than 6 weeks from now. I want to get together with many of you before I go for drinks and hugs. And mailing addresses. I’ll be 30 in October and everything I have ever known is here. I’m going to be homesick for a while I’m sure. But I can’t think of a place I’d rather be homesick in.

P.S. In the time since leaving WKRN I have been working as a copy writer at Magazines.com. I just want to take this space to thank the generous and jovial people who make up that great place. They took me on as one of the family–even if I was the black sheep–and made me feel very appreciated. And I learned so much in my time there. I’d recommend it as an awesome place to work for any copy writer in the area who wanted to earn a competitive salary while building what will be a world-class brand one day. It’s an exciting place to work, so if you are interested in doing that, please let me know.

In a previous episode I told you about Almost Home Pet Farm, where Tootie and Cooper lived while we were away. We called the house this morning from Denver to get directions once again to the rather remote doggie destination, when the assistant answered the phone. She kindly gave me directions, and told me that “Tootie is just a little snugglebunny.” They both slept next to her, one nearly atop the other.

When we got there she had all the other dogs in the house but ours. We pulled up the long gravel drive to see them both paws up, looking over the deck. The assistant quickly came out to greet us, along with one slick little escape artist named Seamus who bounded over the gate like a bunny. We ignored the ignore rule (as usual) and gave them lots of lovin’ right on the face. Tootie about busted my lip she kissed me so hard.

We hit the car to head back home, finally, and within minutes they were both dead asleep. They came home, and immediately hit the hay. Cooper has apparently had too much social interaction because he was all, “See ya later, I’m gonna nap where y’all aren’t.” Tootie managed to stir a bit ago, maybe for some water, after which she slowly wandered back where I was. I was sitting in the floor, so I called her over to me for a rub. Usually it can be a struggle to keep her from climbing all over me when I get down on her level like that (The assistant said, “Man, she is all elbows.”) Tonight she just walked over and pressed her head against my chest. She stood there, practically sleeping standing up. I pushed her into her crate, and we haven’t heard a peep from either of them since.

Mission accomplished with the kickass dog boarding place, but I’m a little bummed that they are out of commission. I missed them so much, I wouldn’t mind a little elbow right about now.