Friday, September 18, 2009

Face-licking Palooza 2009 & Some Other Randoms

Last night I blogged for the first time in a long time.

After that, I took a look at the blogs I've written over the last few months (and there were very few) and realized that they were pretty lame.

SO, I decided that I would try to rectify that. I came to the conclusion that the best idea would be to start with my most recent facebook album and work backward, and write the stories that go along with the pictures.

Since I have 64 albums and counting, this could be quite the undertaking, although many of the albums have already been covered by other blogs when I wasn't being so lame.

Hopefully this is interesting to someone. If not, at least I have things saved for my "memoirs." Can they be called that if not all of the events are actually remembered?

Anyway, going on...

This goes back to yesterday's blog, but that student wrote me another email! Here it is:

Ms. M,
Sylvester broke into Ms. C's house, then stole her car keys, and drove off in her Lexus. And he also put her to sleep with a tranquilizer dart. You and Ms. C were asleep fo' 21 hours. Sylvester kidnapped Sammy (Ms. C's cat), and took him to his hideout.
P.S., Do you think Cena and the H's will get Ms. C's Lexus back?
-D-

I am writing back on Monday, any suggestions on things I should say or questions I should ask?

Moving on again, another thing that I want more of in this blog is my modeling/makeup artistry stuff. The reason for this is that my website is going to go live soon, and since it is about all of the aspects of my life, I suppose my blog should be, too. I kinda strayed away from including modeling stuff on here for the sole fact that I still feel weird about it. When I first started it about seven or eight years ago, I all but kept it a secret. I didn't want to come off full of myself or conceited. I didn't like the way it sounded to say something like, "Oh, by the way, I am a model."

I guess at this point, it is a pretty big part of my life, so talking about it is kinda unavoidable at times. And, I know that I am not conceited, so I guess I shouldn't worry as much about what others think.

I will save the makeup artistry for the next blog as this will already be pretty long, but I will include on here a few shots from one of my recent shoots. There have been two since this one - one for my "Mac Chick of The Month" feature (coming soon, once all the edits are done) and another for the Tia Lyn Lingerie catalogue (during which I snuck my Apple products into several shots for more "MCotM" pics), which I either don't have edits for yet (the latter) or won't share until they are on the MCotM site first!

Anyway, here are some shots of me from my shoot with David Birdsong, taken in Gary, Indiana. I did my own hair and makeup (which is why I look like I always do), and I was dressed by Eden Lake for the whole shoot.

The first several were taken in an incredible location - a crumbling church.

The first two were still shots taken during a ton of hair flipping, which was also caught on video.

I really like my smile in this first one, which is unique, because I am picky about smiling shots.



What I love about the second one is that even though I am engaging in crazy hair flippery, I feel like my face looks really serene. I don't know how Birdsong pulled that off, but I like it!



Next picture was taken on a dilapidated old stage in the church. I am not really fond of pictures where my mouth is closed, and this really isn't an exception, but Dave did a great job, so I am going to include it anyway! Good thing my mouth is rarely closed, so I don't have to worry much about shots I don't like!



Similar deal....



Before we went to the church, we took a couple beauty shots in a "studio" setting. I am not sure what I think of this first one. I am not used to my hair being pulled back like this, since I usually have it parted, rather than pulled straight back, but it is always good to try new things and have diversity, right?



This next one, I like quite a bit better, but I think it's mostly my eyes, I also love how high key and bright it is.



The next one is my favorite from the shoot that I have gotten so far. I am not sure what it is about it, but I like it!



One thing that I have been noticing in a lot of my pictures, both modeling and candid, is that I often look like I am up to something. I don't know what it is! I am such an innocent girl, so it's giving me a bad name! Anyway, the picture above is an example of that.

Since the shoot was in Gary, they kept talking about how Michael Jackson's childhood home was nearby, so I asked for directions. Instead of directions, they took me there, and Dave took some shots for me outside. Here they are.



It was really a crazy experience. Kinda emotional. Doesn't help that I was exhaused from the shoot.

(Ok, I went to bed after getting that far last night. Now it's halftime in a not very exciting Badger game during which the Badgers are destroying a team whose mascot is a terrier. Like a Yorkie? Wow.

Ok, moving on....

Of course by this time, most everyone has heard of the douchebaggery Kanye West engaged in at the VMAs. Well, I was pretty amused by the following parodies....





Haha, so clever.

So now here it goes. I am going to go through my last fb album, which included pictures from four nights - three of which were celebrations of my and my friend Spencer's 28th birthdays, and one of which was a fundraiser at Decibel to fight Diabetes.

Humorously enough, this first image wasn't even actually in my album, but was tagged of me by our future (i.e. starting tomorrow) roommate, who is moving into Maj's old room, and who came out on my first of three birthday celebrations. We call him "Randy Echoes."



You may recall that last year, just before my birthday was Spencer's birthday. His is 9-2 and mine 9-4. Well, last year, very randomly and drunkenly, Spence licked my face. This is especially funny, because Spence is one of those guys who is not particularly into physical contact. Anyway, it was captured on film, and repeated on subsequent birthday celebrations last year (you see, it happened after midnight once it was technically his actual birthday, then again at his official birthday party the next day, then once again at my birthday celebration). This year, we decided to make it official. We also named ourselves "Spandie" as a collective.

We decided that this year, we would have a three-day celebration. The first part would be Tuesday, and it would be focused on Spencer, as it would be his actual birthday, and I would have to take it very easy since I definitely had to teach the next day.

Anyway, I was very effective in my taking it easy. I, for the most part, only drank water (and the obligatory shots), aside from a couple drinks and a glass or two of champagne. Lots and lots of water, though, which helped me to not be hung over the next day.

Of course, we had to take the celebratory face-licking pictures. Here's the first!



I kinda look like a bodybuilder. What in hell?

I guess it needed to be taken vertically as well.



LOVE it! In fact, it was my profile picture for a day or so!

Obviously, I had to return the favor....



Look at how stoic Spence looks! Must be the Marine in him....

Then he decided to show some brotherly love. His girlfriend, Mia, apparently did too, as that is her hand on CL Seth's crotchal region.



Alllllllllright!



Look at that face!



Clearly, Spence could not resist licking it!



Nice facial expression, Seth!

The next picture is of two of my partners in crime. Lawd, these ladies are trouble.



That's Hurricane Maj on the left and Blonde Satan on the right!

Seth definitely had better nights....



But he rallied enough to take this picture with his brother and his roommates!



Legendary.

Next night was the "Down With Diabetes" fundraiser at Decibel.



You may remember the Mamalitia Fundraiser... Nate was one of the main organizers. Well, he did it again, and this time he did the walk, too.

He says that he is going to do the three-day with me this year, and that he's going to pose for the "Men of the 3Day" calendar as well.

Anyway, much like the Mamalitia Fundraiser, there were guest bartenders at the Down with Diabetes fundraiser.

Here's one of them, Alex, drinking through his glasses.




I got to see my BFF Demetri, who has been quite rude to me lately, too. This was the first time I had seen him in weeks!



He showed me a picture on his blackberry that he took in the Bahamas that apparently made him think of me. It was a picture of a pool with a bar in it. Why on earth would that remind him of me? I don't get it. Anyway, here we are with Jamie aka Blonde Satan.



I have lost my camera, or it has just randomly stopped working, a few times this year. Well, the next pic is of Maj in my living room, and it is the first picture I took with my new camera.



So, I turned 28 on a Thursday at midnight. Well, apparently, this is the same day that my friend Dan turned 27. Had to take a picture with my birthday twin just after the clock struck midnight!



The next day after school, I met my dad, stepmom, sister, and brothers out for dinner at a bizarre place called "Erv's Mug" in Oak Creek. Good times!

Here's my dad and I outside the restaurant!



And here we are with my sister and brothers!



They are all getting so big!

When I finally got home, my friend Jamie from Madison was over. She came to town to celebrate my birthday! After my nap, I opened my card from her and gag gift from Danielle. Here's the card, it's one of the coolest ever!



I absolutely love that picture of us - it's pretty much from the first night we met!

Next up was one of the best birthday surprises in the history of birthday surprises! The Prince has missed my birthday celebration for the last several years for various reasons, and Cari has made it. This year, the Prince told me he wasn't going to make it, and then Cari said she couldn't come either, because she wasn't feeling well. I was so sad! I had had a few crappy things already on my birthday, so it was a true struggle, and that news put me in a pretty down mood.

Just before Jen was coming to pick us up, Danielle was going down to put the club on her car, as it had gotten stolen earlier this Summer.

When she came upstairs, Cari and Matt were with her, and they had come bearing gifts!

They got me a bunch of princess stuff, including a pimp chalice and a skip-it!

I was so pumped!

Here we are with all of my gifts!



Here is Jamie and I with the awesome card!



Here's a part of the Friday night birthday crew at Db! Plus some random chick on the right... Don't know where she came from!



Next up, of course, is a pic of Carlington and I. Love him!



Alleged Marcus came out. Yay! I had to put his hat on, so that he could say "Hey, that's my haat, seriously...." As he did a long time ago when he was the drunkest person in the United States!



Of course, I had to take a picture with JJ!



And, had to take a picture of the newlyweds with their rings featured! Check out Danielle on the left. How funny is her face in this shot!?



Josh showed up... Yay!



Here he is with Jen and JJ... Perhaps he was a stand-in for Kyle?



Siblings, minus Kyle. How cute!



I don't really know what's going on with this one here... haha.



Big smiles! These two are such a cute couple!



For my birthday, of course I had to get a ring from my hubby! This one was something like 300 billion carats or something!




I am a very lucky lady.

The next picture is very hideous of me, but it is hilarious of Crispy, so I didn't delete it, and had to post it!



You can see him over my shoulder - how hilarious!

Not really sure of the reason for the next picture, but it really shows off my ring well!



The next morning, Maj was over and playing with Refugio, and was very impressed with him standing on his hind legs.



Then she took a dual self-portrait with him....



And an extreme closeup....



Then she asked me to take a picture of the two of them playing. Oh Maj, you are so ridiculous. I am really going to miss you. In fact, I do already!



Later that evening, a dinner crew was assembled to celebrate Spencer and my birthday finale. We ate at Jackalope because Nate (my hubby) and Jon were working there, and we wanted to watch the Badger game on the giant screen.



The chick I asked took two, so here's the second!



From left to right (for both pics): Spencer, Jon, Seth, Mia, TJ, Scott Sloan, JJ, Jen, Nate, Jamie, and me!

Remember my Princess Pimp Chalice that I got on Friday?

Well, apparently the idea that I need a giant chalice to drink out of is not an uncommon one, as Spencer got me a Rockstar one! He said it was between that and "Sexy Bitch." He didn't know which was more appropriate! Haha. Here I am with it!



That was at SoHo7, where we went to visit Michelle and do several shots.

Next up was 720. Here's Kayla and TJ being silly at our table.



Look at Seth - what a pimp! I'm so glad Erin came out, too! She looks gorgeous!



Here I am with Scott Sloan, who claims I am the female Scott Sloan. I think that might mean "drunkest person in the world."



Of course Erin and I had to take a picture together!



And since Spree was in the house, I had to take a picture with him! I used to think he was the biggest creepstar in the world, but now he just entertains me. He has stopped hitting on me, and is just a nice guy. I would never date him or anything, but he doesn't scare me anymore, which is good!



Here I am with Adam, Spencer's roommate. Love him!



Of course I had to take a picture with Favio, my "Sunday BFF!"



Here's some more brotherly love!



Had to take a picture with TJ... Love!



Clearly, drinking out of our second (or was it third) bottle of champagne was totally necessary for both of us, as we had not done enough shots or drank enough (psych!).



My turn!



If you thought that the Face-Licking Fest 2009 finale would go without face-licking, you're crazy!



Me first!



I look a little psychotic there, but whatever.

Needless to say, since we went through a couple bottles of Ketel and a couple/few bottles of champagne, AND we were doing gauntlets of shots (Tony kept ordering them nine at a time for the THREE of us, repeatedly), I do not remember all of the pictures taken. BUT, what I do know is...



SPANDIE FOR LIFE! Haha.



One thing I am very proud of and must note...

I obviously drank my face off. I lost my phone (had to get a new one, sucked, but LOVE the new one), did a little reverse eating (no recollection of this, but I am told it was handled very stealthily - thanks, guys!), lost my Rockstar Pimp Chalice (how I could lose an aquarium-sized drinking glass is beyond me), broke my shoe and was walking around the club barefoot (Ewww, I was that girl!) and left my camera in Tony's car (thank goodness I got that back!).

BUT, one thing I did not do was get ANYTHING on my all-white dress. I think it was a miracle. When I woke up (still wearing said dress), I was so amazed!

Anyway, that is the run-down for Spandie's Face-licking Palooza 2009. We've already started plans for 2010, so be ready! It is obviously something that shouldn't be missed!

I can't believe I've written two blogs in one week! We'll see if I can make up for my past laziness... I have resigned myself, however, not to blog again until after I've graded my big stack of papers which are in my school bag. So don't expect another one tonight, or anything!

xoxo,

Mandie

Sylvester the Cat is at it Again!

Damn, has it really been over a month since my last blog? I really need to get it together! Sorry, Mamalicious!

As usual, when I take so much time off from writing (I kinda miss it!), the blog is going to be a bit of a hodgepodge, so forgive me for that. Also, unfortunately, it's not going to be a lot of original Mandie-written material, so much as stuff other people have written that I like, but I digress.... It should still provide a reasonable amount of entertainment.

To kick this off, I want to steer you back to a couple of old blogs from last year. School has staretd, so it is time for some school-related bloggery.

In case you're new to the blog, or just need a reminder, there is a student at my school who randomly sends me very well-written emails about these crazy shenanigans that are happening in his imagination. The first batch he sent is documented here, and the second one here.

Well, this student now walks past me daily on his way to class, and always mentions these crazy happenings, so, of course, the emails have recommenced. Here's a transcript of the first three in our dialogue so far this year. I will try to keep it updated so you can follow the story. And maybe, just maybe, that will encourage me to keep writing more often... I just gotta feel like someone actually reads it and enjoys it, and I am not just doing it to entertain myself! Haha.

Here's the first email from him -

Ms. M,

Sylvester the cat broke into your house, while you and Refugio were watching Supernanny on TV, and then, you saw him with your own eyes. Sylvester put you to sleep with a tranquilizer dart, then he took yo' car keys, and he done drove off in yo' Acura. Your car was stolen, and the fact is that John Cena is married to Elizabeth Huberdeau. They have 5 children. You were asleep for 23 hours.

P.S., Do you think Cena and the H's can get yo' car back?

-D-

My response:

D,
I can't believe that I saw Sylvester with my own eyes, and he still managed to shoot me with a tranquilizer dart and steal Refugio and my car! What a jerk! What does he want with Refugio, anyway?! And why is he picking on me? I never knew this about John Cena and Elizabeth Huberdeau. Five children is a lot! I can't believe that I slept for 23 hours. I must have been very hungry when I woke up! I sure hope that the H's can get my car back!
Ms. M

His response:

Ms. M,

Sylvester told Refugio that he wanted to keep him at his hideout. Sylvester took Refugio, and ran off to Mayfair Mall, whilst Refugio was left behind, while Sylvester went to Boston Store, and robbed a few customers of their jewelry, their money, and their diamonds. You were sleepin' fo' 32 hours due to the fact that Sylvester shot you with a tranquilizer dart. The H's were on the hunt for Sylvester the cat. Sylvester escaped with the loot, and Refugio, as he evaded the cops. You were still asleep fo' 31 hours. Sylvester was in yo' Acura, with Refugio, and he drove off to Las Vegas, and he was playin' poker with Yosemite Sam. Plus, he stole yo' Tri City National Bank credit card. John Cena was in pursuit of Sylvester, then he captured Sylvester, and got yo' car back, but you were asleep fo' 30 hours.

P.S., Cena also rescued Refugio and took him to you safely.

-D-

How creative is this kid?! I shall respond to him tomorrow.

Ok, time for the hodgepodge of sites and thangs that I am enjoying immensely of late.

In old news, I am still loving GraphJam, and Awkward Family Photos, so if you're not familiar, you should really get familiar.

Onto my new shit.

This site really cracks me up. I mean, I am truly all about making fun of people. It's terrible, I know, but it is true. I excel at it, and it really brings me joy, so when I see things online that are other people who also excel at my craft. In the same vein, I was turned on to another such site - People of Walmart. Oh, man. I never really thought I would see such an impressive selection of mutants! Lawd.

Another incredible instance of mockery is one that hits very close to home. As a lover of music, I oft am quite amused by completely absurd lyrics, particularly in rap songs. Historically (though not rap), one that always comes to mind when I think about ridiculous lyrics, is the line "we can do it 'til we both wake up" from Color Me Badd's "I wanna sex you up." What in hell does that mean? Are they sleep-sexing? Creepy. And the whole "Making love until we drown" thing? Morbid, creepy, TMI.

Another creepy one I've pondered is from Diddy's "I need a girl," where he says "We was more than a friend, we was like brothers" and then goes on to talk about them play fighting under covers. What kind of creepy, incestuous thing is Diddy desiring here? In the same song, he claims to need a girl "who can stand me, tickle my fancy..." Who can STAND you? High standards, Diddy. I hope you're tolerable, so you can get your wishes!

More recently, lyrics by the possible cause of the demise of good music, Soulja Boy (or is it Boi?), claims that after he hops out of bed and turns his swag on, that he looks in the mirror and says what's up. Well, first of all, why in hell was his "swag" (Lawd, I despise that word) turned off? I don't call mine "swag," but whatever it is that I have, I don't turn it off! Secondly, if he has so much of this swag, why is he saying "What's up?" to the mirror? Does he not have at least one friend, or member of his posse or entourage that he could say what's up to, in place of saying it to himself? I mean, come on. How depressing! AND, he tells the world about it. When did practically rapping about an imaginary friend become B.A.?

This also reminds me of JT's "Sexy Back." Ever since that song came out, I claimed that mine never left (lame, I know), and I've always loved this comic by Cyanide and Happiness....


Oh, so good.

Anyway, all that babble (damn, I really went on a tangent there!) was really just a segue to this site, which I spent hours on, and kept me awake (shocking, since apparently I am a "nocturnal being"). Enjoy!

Going a completely different route, I was quite amused by these Creepy Vintage Ads. I also encourage you to follow the links underneath that suggest things you might like, as, well, I liked 'em! They were right, for the most part!

Yeah, I told you this would be a hodgepodge. And do you really expect anything other than random from me? At this time? Come on....

Moving on...

You had to know that there were going to be some Shaq references in herrrre. Well, here we go!

A while ago, Shaq and Ben Stein did some commercials together for Comcast.

Here are some outtakes. Hilarious! Oh, how I love that man's sense of humor! Shalom!

Of course, I am sure that you remember my delight in the Shaq Scrabble Commercial....

Well, quasi-recently, I was quite pleased to see that Shaq was on Jimmy Kimmel promoting his new(ish) show Shaq Vs., and the two of them played scrabble. I love his word modifications!

Watch here and then here!

Love it. It reminds me of the ghetto scrabble games I've played in my day....

One notable game took place in St. George Island in 2005, when I went on a road trip with a bunch of friends from college. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I am pretty sure that I was one of 3 girls and like 12 or 13 dudes. Ideal, as I get a long much better with most guys than most girls.

Anyway, if you are wondering what we did aside from lay on the beach, this shot of the interior of the fridge may be an indication. I swear there was food... I remember the Prince making me French Toast!

Oh, cheap college booze, how I don't really miss you but still look upon you nostaligiacally. There is no way that I spelled that word right, but I am just gonna go with it.

Coincidentally, this was also the trip during which I was named the Princess of Armania.

Anyway, here are a couple pictures from that game...


Yeah, that's me looking fly on the left with wet hair pulled back into a bun. I don't think any of us showered that whole week, haha. The gulf took care of us! Still kinda gross.... (Ok, we showered, just not as often as normal!).

Don't be concerned that it appears that the only letters I seem to have are two i's. The Prince kept stealing me letters, enabling us to make words like "whodatis" and "datsliljonisboi" and so on. Excellent, right?!

Other notable scrabble games took place with Al and with LL, but I am currently unable to find photos, which is a shame. I really need to break out the scrabble game board again soon. It has been far too long. Who's in?

This is backtracking (and I really should just scroll up and add it to the appropriate section, but I don't feel like it!), but here's a great song & slideshow that makes fun of people.... Enjoy!

Well, I think I am going to stop there and go to bed for the evening, which may be difficult, since I took a 6-hour "nap" when I got home from school today....

But I will leave you with this - what I was listening to and loving for no apparent reason last night. =)

Hopefully, I will be updating soon with actual content - tales of my adventures, and such. I will remind you, though, that your best bet is to follow me on twitter, as I update that MUCH more often than I do this thang!

XOXO,

Mandie

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

It's July 21st. Break out your party pants!

No, no, silly Sallies. It's not my birthday. It's Danny Glover Eve!

Every year around this time, when I start getting excited, as well as anytime someone new comes over to our apartment, people ask "Why are you celebrating Danny Glover's birthday?" or "Why do you have a gigantic poster of Danny Glover in your living room (old place)/at the top of your stairs (current place)?"

I think {and I think you'll think the same thing, after reading this entry (http://brutbrut.blogspot.com/2007/07/3-score-and-one-year-ago-today.html) and this entry (http://brutbrut.blogspot.com/2007/01/danny-glover-legend.html)} that you'll agree that the better question is: Why haven't you been celebrating this man's life anniversary?

As you can see, Danielle and I have been celebrating it for years... Since 2006, when this whole thing started!

Here we are paying homage for his 61st birthday, two years ago.






Unfortunately, if you recall, my camera got lost in New York like Home Alone 2, and with it went my pictures from Danny Glover Love Fest 2008, but I assure you that the pictures looked similar to these, especially since we lived in the same place at the time, and didn't really change a whole lot around.

An appropriate question may be, "How are you going to set this year apart from other years, Mandie?"

Well, one thing I hope to do is possibly catch his attention on Twitter.

Some of you may remember that a few months ago, Shaq responded to me on Twitter.

Just yesterday, his wife and I had a mini little conversation on Twitter...

Mandelicious can't wait to see this! http://bit.ly/10GShD Hahahahha, so ridiculous! I <3 href="http://twitter.com/THE_REAL_SHAQ">THE_REAL_SHAQ !
Shaunie_O:
@Mandelicious yeah u can watch it n ur Phx Suns bikini that u can't seem 2 find use 4.
Mandelicious:
@Shaunie_O I need to get rid of that thing! I want a @cavs one! P.S. I hope you know that my love for your husband is 100% platonic!
Mandelicious:
@Shaunie_O Read this.... http://bit.ly/4ixHu
Shaunie_O:
@Mandelicious LOL

For the record, that link is to a blog in which I explain my platonic love for Shaq.

Anyway, I don't know how or why I became one of the 158 people that Shaunie follows, but I think it's pretty cool, especially since she actually seems to read what I tweet and remember it. I like the fact that in the wake of her husband getting traded to another team, she remembers that I was lamenting over the fact that I have a useless Suns bikini and can't find a Cavs one.

So yeah, I plan to tweet at Danny Glover a bit and see if I can get his attention.

Hopefully I can also get a few people out tonight to drink shots to his honor.

Oh yeah... One more thing before I go back to sleep or try to get people to go to the beach with me....

I am in another voting-based modeling contest!


If you have time, I'd appreciate a vote. You can vote once per day per internet connection. If you want reminders, let me know and I'll email you, or you can follow me on Twitter, as I plan to remind people that way as well by just tossing the link at the end of shorter tweets made from home!

Vote here!

Thanks so much! I hope everyone has a great Danny Glover Eve!

Monday, July 6, 2009

"I taste like Tequila, bubblegum, and shame."

That's the text that I woke up to this morning, from the same friend whose conversation I blogged last time. Incredible.

He says he is going to hire me as a bartender in his club, and train him to be a female version of him. He admires John Stamos, and says that I will be the Punky Brewster to his John Stamos. Apparently, this is a huge compliment.

Anyway, let's talk about absurd.

Last night was completely ridiculous. Pictures will be up soon. Pretty much all the clubs in the city each had a table and bottles at 720. Things got quite out of line, and we a-barred until sometime between 7 and 9am.

My waking up was pretty uneventful, but when Maj walked out of my room, she said "Oh my God" and kept walking straight to her purse, pulled out a cheeseburger, and asked why there was a cheeseburger in her purse.

Really?! I just cracked up. Seriously?

Then we struggled to find random belongings around the house (which is the biggest mess ever) and re-hashed last night's events.

Let me just say that we were still drunk, and giggling like crazy, wearing the clothes we wore last night, which were covered in random stains.

It was then that I noticed that the tag from the store was still on Maj's outfit from last night, so we photographed that.

When I was looking at the pictures from last night, I was literally laughing so hard, I was crying.

Oh lawd. I love my life and friends!