The Herald Hunt Holiday: A Bizarre Bazar

It's the Most Fun Way to Kick Off the Holidays!

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

12 Noon

Downtown Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center

www.heraldhunt.com

Dave Barry and Tom Shroder have made their list, and checked it twice - and they're designing Herald Hunt 2009 to be....fantastic!

Sunday, November 29, the Herald Hunt returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center because, come on....can anything top the Flying Sheep? (Answer yes...just wait till this year.) You could win a 7 Day Costa Caribbean Cruise for 4..... which is way better than any Shopportunity you'll find at the mall. So, get your friends out of the stores....and onto your team. Kick off your Holiday Season with us. Mark your calendar, get your shopping done early - and be a part of the zany fun that is The Herald Hunt.

THE HUNT IS ON!

FIRST PRIZE:Experience “Italy in the Tropics” on a 7-night Caribbean cruise for four departing from Ft. Lauderdale with Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. Beautiful tropical destinations close to home combined with Costa’s unique and authentic onboard flair brings Italy to you without having to cross the Atlantic. “Cruising Italian Style…That’s Amore!”

**Subject to availability and blackout dates. Prize is cruise-only. Winner is responsible for other fees including, taxes, onboard purchases, ground transportation, etc.

Getting ready for "season"...

Twist is doing a quick spruce up before the holidays. Mr. S and I took down the crystal chandelier from the lobby and cleaned it last week. You have to take it down one strand at a time, and clean it by hand. There are many pieces to it, so the strands are placed in individual, numbered bags so we know how to put it back together. Oh ... and all of it is in the middle of Mr. S's living room...

I will be going in and out doing some quick touch up patching and painting. It all needs to be done by Wednesday. They will be decorating for the White Party people that will be coming in to town and the After party Twist will be having.

All this and it is almost Thanksgiving...

I have already purchased the major things we need for Thanksgiving Lunch ... the 15lb turkey is in the fridge (I'm making one and the O'neill's another), the Honey Baked ham will be delivered on Wednesday, cleaning is mostly done ... so far we have 22 people feasting with us ... I'm sure something will come up before then. We still have to pick a film to see on Thanksgiving day.

The holiday parties have started!

Tonight, I am going with my Mom, sis, Nilda and Nick, old family friends (Carmen Velez, The Vargas, The Veras) and my Dad's cousins (in town today before they go to Santo Domingo to holiday for Thanksgiving) to the first Holiday Party ....

We are going to "Parran-dena" (a combination of the words "Parranda" and "Puertorriquena"). Simplified it is going to be a big party full of Puertorican food, traditional music, dancing,etc. Mr. S is being spared because he will be with me and my family for Thanksgiving this week and then Christmas soon after .... I can only subject him to so much.

I'm sure it will be a good evening.

Have a good Saturday!

Fetish the 13th - update

It is adequate to say that all had a great evening and Saturday was used as a day of recovery.

I can say that I had to quickly go home and change because some infidel cut the leather stap that holds the chaps together inthe back.....

Though, saturday I was able to take Bill to the airport, go to Burger King, Pollo Tropical, Einstin Brothers and CVS ....

Holiday Countdown

The holiday countdown and preparations have begun at my mom's house. This week we have already been shopping for family,friends and church family gifts, table cloths, candles, wreaths, etc. Thinking about dumping the old outdoor light display and buy everything new. We thought it was going to be a small Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, but the wind seems to be blowing another way.

My cousin and his wife will be coming from Puerto Rico to visit with his two daughters and grandchildren in Tampa for Thanksgiving. One of the daughters will be having her second child in January, so my cuz will be in the area until the birth. The logical idea in their minds, of course, is "Let's go to Titi Irma's! (My mom). Let's see how that goes. I have put the idea in their heads to have Thanksgiving up there and to come visit during the week when classes are out and we can sit and visit with them.

We thought we were going to have the holidays at Nilda and Nicholas's new home, but they still have unpacked boxes. They are also stressed out between 5th grade power point projects and homework and regular work. I think it will be better at mom's for now ... we have the system down ... Luis cleans and preps, sets up the night before and my sis and cousin come in later and ....blah, blah, blah....

The Thanksgiving menu and shopping list is done. We just have to figure out how many turkeys we will need this year. Mr. S and I were planning on making a deep fried turkey and we will have one traditional turkey ... plus a honey ham. MMM! The guest list always changes and it may sound like I might be bitching and moaning a bit, but I do love that everyone feels comfortable and everyone is always welcome.

Have a good weekend. I hope I survive the "Fetish the 13th" Party. Mr. S is promising the masses that I will be wearing (or not wearing) certain items and I don't think I want those pics spread around..... We'll compromise ... It will be fun...

Insert your own title here

So, last weekend was Scotty's birthday and the Sleepless Night event. My first bad omen was that I left my camera at my Mom's house and therefore have no photographic evidence from the weekend. (At least not taken by me). I think this is a good thing.

Our friend, Raul, made a great buffet ... Grilled Chicken Skewers with peanut sauce, Churrasco steak with chimichurri on French bread tips, pasta salad with balsamic vinaigrette, Jalapeno stuffed with bacon and cheese, beef sliders with a mayo/basil sauce and a thick chocolate bundt cake .... all made with the assisting and serving hands of Mr. S, Larry and myself. I also helped Mr. S blow up many, many green and white balloons to fill the ceiling of the bar.

First. I love my friends and I am always offering to help, but I was "reeled" in this time. I did have a great night with Scotty, but ended up missing all the Sleepless Night events I had marked on my schedule to attend. (Note: I closed Twist at Yves bar at 7:30 AM and spent all day Sunday indoors with the shades drawn.)

Now to Monday:

Mr. S. worked and I cleaned the apartment and ran errands in the morning and early afternoon. I then met him at Twist before we went home. Scotty came in and asked Mr. S if I could help him and he said "yes". (Note: always find out what you are agreeing to before answering for someone else.)

SOOOOOO. I was to help Scotty move all his stuff out of one apartment and move to another (not that many things). We enlisted Raul to help for the main part of loading the car and off we went.

Upon arriving at the new apartment. Scott told me his roommate had I cat. I asked "What kind is it?". He said "I think its a black one". We looked and did not see it. When we were bringing up the second load, I saw a cat by the side of the building ... thought nothing of it for a bit. (We still did not see the cat inside the apartment.) After bringing in the last load into the apartment, we again searched for the missing pussy ... did not locate. We must find the cat!!! Outside by the steps was the pretty smokey black cat. It was caught and we took it in and let it loose and closed the doors.

I went home and about an hour later I get a call from Scott saying he had just picked up his roommate and told him the story. The roommate said "I don't have a black cat, I have a calico!"

(The calico was hiding in the apartment and the smokey black one ran out and all of us had a good laugh.)

Next up this week: Fetish the 13th Party at Twist. (I have already lent some gear out to Yves and Mr S and I will choose what we will wear during the week .... and this time there will be photographic evidence!)

Sleepless Night 2009

After a year absence, Sleepless Night is back. It begins Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6 PM and ends Sunday, Nov. 8 at 6 AM. Mr. S and I will attempt to gather a group to go to some of the events. There are more offerings this year. We are also celebrating Scotty's 40th birthday. It is a night of cultural events that is free and open to the public.

I will be attempting to enter the photo contest they are sponsoring this year. It will depend on what the group is doing and how long a nap I take in the afternoon.

More info at: http://www.sleeplessnight.org/

Hope you have a good weekend.

WARNING: Friday, November 13, 2009. "Fetish the 13th" Party at Twist.

Halloween 2009 - Picture update.

Halloween was fun. Mr. S, Trish and I were in Western Gear (bandit, Annie Oakley, Sheriff), Mr and Mrs Astor reprised their ER costumes with a twist. There were many cocktailed people out and about and by the time we left Twist, the line was down the sidewalk to the corner of the museum. The party was a weekend affair and I think there are still some Latin boys hidden away in a closet somewhere (with smiles on their faces) ..... Enjoy