Cherry wine?

Yanni and friends

Have I told you about my neighbors? I don't think I have. Gather around and bring some snacks (wine coolers and nutter butters will do just fine, thanks).

I love where I live. Really, I do. My neighborhood kicks rump. My apartment is cute (albeit wee and a bit dark) - but it's large enough to host the Housewhores gatherings (and that's all that matters, right?). I have no complaints about where I live. Except for...the neighbors...

I would like to introduce you to the cast of characters:

1. "Young Fox" lives diagonally across the courtyard and is in his early to mid-20s.

• when we spoke in passing last week he said "Oh, you're the one who always has groups of women over, right?"
  
• when I came home around 11 PM on Tuesday night I saw him walk out of his apartment in his boxer shorts (sans shirt) and head to the laundry room
• IAH says: he's a douchebag

2. "Old Lady" lives across the courtyard and is in her late 70s or early 80s.

• chats me up every chance she gets
• always notices when I've changed my hair (even when I really haven't)
• knows everything that's going on in the complex
  
• IAH says: she's a very sweet lady, I like her (but she's clearly lonely)
  

3. "Yanni" lives above me and is in his 30s or early 40s.

• The Gooch of the complex
• has had yelled at both Old Lady and Young Fox
• is the loudest yawner EVER (hence his nickname)
  
• not only yawns loudly but in quick succession - and it kills me
• IAH says: he's a boozehound douchebag (a lethal combo)
  

Mas sangria, por favor

The never-ending (and always tasty) quest to find the best sangria in town.  It's hard (fruity, boozy) work but somebody has to do it.  And that somebody is IAH.

Last night Michael and I had dinner at Esperpento.  The tapas were delish (except for the potato and onion number - that was less than premium).  I extra loved the spicy potatoes and the asparagus.  Michael wanted to marry the plate of ham sandwiches (or at least spoon with them).

But let's get down to what really matters:  sangria.  Consensus was that the sangria at Limon is still tops.  And this sangria had cubed oranges (with peel).  I accidentally chewed a piece and it wasn't pleasant :(

Delirium Tremens

Had beers last night at Cafe Bierre with Jemmy and Elsie.  Super fun!  

I thought the night couldn't get any better after Michael Jackson's "PYT" came on the radio (and you know how I like my Michael Jackson...).  But when Jemmy confessed she once cried because she came to the realization that she'd never be able to marry Michael Jackson, I almost lost it.

He doesn't know it...

...but he's my next boyfriend.

Big fun in Big Sur (again!)

Had such a great weekend - whew!  Where do I start?

Ah, I know.  Let's start with Friday morning.  Paul and I took Matt out to brunch (it was his 36th birthday, after all).  Eggs, bacon and bloody marys were a great kick-off to the weekend (though I did hit the road a bit later than I had planned...).

Drove down to meet up with Tim at his house (aka the Ewok Village).  He lives in a wee cabin in the most beautiful forest of redwood trees.  Kind of like driving through Canyon (for those of you who grew up where I did) but without the creepy serial killer vibe.  Then we were off to meet friends at Ody's:  the "dive bar of Carmel".  I don't think I'd call it a dive bar but it's probably as low as Carmel goes.  Then to Mundaka for yummy tapas and wine.  Then to Brophy's for shots of Maker's Mark (what what?).  Then back to Mundaka and then Ody's again.  Until we got kicked out when they closed and went to a friend's house in Monterey.  Very late night...

The next morning got off to a slow start.  Breakfast at Belle before hitting the road to go wine tasting in Salinas.  The highlight of this wine tasting was a precious older man dressed up in his country wear best while wearing a belt buckle that said "dick".  I'm quite serious.  I suspect his name is Dick and it was just a personalized belt buckle but it made me laugh nonetheless.  I tried some Googlation to find something similar to show you and this is the best I can do.  Not even close but, well, it'll give you an idea.  

I need to do some more Googlation to find a place that will customize belt buckles.  I will make one for myself that reads:  'gina.

Saturday afternoon was about cheese and wine at Tim's while watching Trailer Park Boys (I must get this on Netflix!) and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.  Followed by a long (and well-deserved) nap.  We wrapped up the evening with drinks at Nepenthe and got to bed much earlier than the night before.  

Oh - and the "831.ASS.TAXI" photo above?  I spotted that gem at a gas station in Carmel Valley.  Imagine - an ass taxi!  I see a whole fleet of this type of transportation (e.g., rump rickshaw or breast bike).  It's the future of transportation, people!

Housewhores, mac 'n' cheese and cackles

Last night's viewing of the Real Housewhores was classic.  CLASSIC!

It started with a delish dinner of homemade mac 'n' cheese (thanks, Elsie!) and salad (thanks, Tami!).  This was all topped off by a cupcake tasting in preparation for Elsie's nuptials.  The peanut butter cupcake was far away the crowd favorite (and I'm still daydreaming about it now...).

The Housewhores were totally cackle-worthy.  And swoon-worthy (did you see Bethenny's hot Frenchie?!).  

But even better was our viewing of Daisy of Love afterward.  We all had to choose "boyfriends" (tough considering the pool of tards/ applicants).  My favorite line from the night came when Elsie said "he looks like he rode the short bus to the cemetary".

No, wait.  My favorite line was when Elsie yelled "you're all doofed up on hupcakes" (I think she meant to say "hopped up on cupcakes" but I'm not entirely sure.  I'm not fluent in Elsie-ese.