It's called BrittCon, SUCK IT! (Day 1)

OK, well maybe you haven't been waiting for it, as Britt, Karl, Becky, Robin and Dawg have all given BrittCon recaps. I know it's over a week late, and you all are tired of hearing about it. But just for posterity, and since I promised to do it...here we go....

Thursday - 6/26/08

I drove to New Haven that evening to park my car (for free) at Tink's house. We hung out, smoked cigarettes and drank the bottle of wine I brought. My friend Elizabeth, The Queen of Etiquette told me once, that Emily Post (the Empress of Etiquette) wrote something to the effect of : "A good guest ALWAYS brings a gift for the host(ess). You can't go wrong with Flowers or a good bottle of wine." So I always bring wine when I am a guest at someone's home!

So about 11 PM I crashed on the couch. The End

Friday - 6/27/08

at 5:30 AM I was woken to my LOUD ASS cell phone ringing. Bleary-eyed and half blind (glasses were on the table) I look to see it is Becky calling. She informs me that her flight as cancelled and she won't be getting in to NYC until about the time Britt and Karl are. Lunch plans with Becky are now null and void, but I get over it pretty quickly. OK, I go back to sleep for an hour and a half.

Waking back up, I dress, have coffee and a bagel at Tink's and we head out to Union Station. I took the train to NYC, happily listening to my iPod. My only issue? I am sitting in the opposite way as the train is traveling. Slight headache from motion sickness ensues, but lots of water helps me get over it. I arrive to Grand Central Station, and luckily, Lexington Avenue is one of the exits. I hoof the 5 blocks to my hotel partially uphill, and drop off luggage, call Misk to let him know I got to the City alright and haven't been mugged yet.

I decided to take a little stroll around the area to see how far away B,B, & K are from me. I get about 1/2 way there, realize I'll have to walk back to my hotel eventually to get their gifts and decide to grab food, since I haven't eaten since 7 am and it's now about 12:30PM. Still listening away to my iPod, like a Real New Yorker, I grab Micky D's, becaus eI don't want to eat a REAL New York meal without my friends! I hoof it back to the hotel, eat, and wait....and wait...and check the watch about 100 times, smoke about 5 cigarettes and FINALLY get a hold of BB&K -- they are in the taxi and on their way to the hotel.

I get myself a subway all day metro card (saves time and money, really) and head over. I get about 5 calls from BB&K trying to figure out where I am. Eventually I get to their hotel, and there they are! WOOOT!

Rich, who is from NY, meets up with us soon after, and then after checking into their hotel and stuff, we head off to be tourists. Now, this is not my first trip to NYC, and although I do take some pictures, I have to admit, that watching BB&K "ohhh" and "ahhh" and snap pictures of just about every building and sign made me laugh a lot. me and Rich thoroughly enjoyed seeing BB&K get all excited about it all.

We entered Grand Central, and more pictures were taken. We then decided to grab some food, and went down to the food court. I had Chili. it was damn good. We talked and talked, and then walked around some more, as we headed out. Rich had to leave us and head home while we were still in the food court. We stopped in the market place, which stank of fish, and was crowded as all hell. But BB&K loved it, and more pictures were taken and I think Becky bought something. Then it was on to Lexington Avenue, to my hotel where I needed to actually check-in, freshen up and change, as I had pretty much sweat to death all day, I felt nasty. We headed out once more and back through the streets taking more pictures. Britt had decided that her feet were killing her, so we went to Payless, near GST, and she found wicked cute flip flop sandals. They were hot pink and had sparklies. Very cute. It is then that the infamous phrase was uttered by (I believe) Britt:

"It's called BrittCon, not KarlCon, bitch! There will be shopping! SUCK IT!"

We then headed toward where the Bus Tour place was, back over to the west side of town, stopping at Ben & Jerry's for some delicious smoothies. We got our 48 hour tickets, and met up with Dawg. After having walked all day, my feet were killing me and I wanted to sit. So did Karl, so we crossed 8th Avenue to Starbucks, clamored for chairs, and chatted to Dawg. And of course, twittered like the Dickens about just about everything.

I am amazed at the stories Dawg told us about 9/11. It was everything I could do not to cry several times during the telling of his viewpoint of the day. It was so sad to hear about his EMT partner, who was the only one from his company not to survive. Seriously, thinking about it now? almost 2 weeks later, I still get a pit in my stomach. My phone rang and I excused myself, my girls wanted to say good night, and that they missed me. Sheesh, not even 24 hours and they were already calling! No, really, I didn't mind. They were so sweet, of course.

Back in to Starbucks for some lighter chat, and of course, more twattering. More pictures were taken, and we went outside to "make out". That's code for a Smoke Break. Finally we decided we better high-tail it to the Tour Bus Night Tour Pick-up. We said goodbye to Dawg, since he would be meeting Poppy who drove in that night from France. Then we got to the tour. Well the line, anyway. We waited for about 20 minutes and finally got on the bus, the lights of times Square lit the place so much, you can barely tell it was night. Lots more pictures were taken, and I realized my batteries were dying. I needed to remember to buy some the next morning.

At first the tour guide was alright. Then, he just got boring, and noted random facts that really, I don't think anyone cared about. I was sitting next to Becky, and the people behind us were bitching about her hair flying in their face. Whatever. She had a slight headache, i think, and that's why she didn't tie it back. They were German, and they muttered about it to each other the whole night. It kinda ruined the tour a bit, but I got over it.

I didn't realize it, but we were going to be going over the Manhattan Bridge. I am not a fan of bridges, and we were in an open top bus. I was freaking out. My fear is crippling, actually. When driving over the Gold Star bridge here in CT to get to New London, I grip my steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white, and that's when I am in charge of the driving. I threw Becky my camera, asked her to take some pictures, and put my head down, holding the back of Karl's seat for dear life. I also silently prayed to the Goddess that I would not die. I didn't, so I guess it worked. After I calmed down we got to see some nice views of Brooklyn and stuff. more pictures. Then the damn boring ass tour guide decided to talk about CUNY - City University of New York. I dunno what the hell he was saying, but almost everything in Brooklyn has some friggin' connection to CUNY, I swear.

Back over the Manhattan Bridge, where I once again cling to the seat in front of me for dear life and put my head down. I am sure BB&K thought I was some sort of freak, but oh well. It's a fear, and that's how I handle it. I could have cried or something, but, nah, clinging in fear is more my style. We headed through Greenwich Village, and stuff, learned about the cast iron buildings, and how they helped to make NYC grow so quickly, and soon were coming up on a stop about 3 blocks from my hotel. I decided to get off the bus there, so I would have less to walk that night. It was a good idea. I said goodnight to BB&K, and got off (TWKS).

After the buss pulled away, I got out my trusty pink iPod, popped the headset in my ears, turned the volume down, in case I was being followed (hey, I do have some other fears, being mugged in NYC is one of them), and started to walk. got to the hotel, showered, listened to the iPod until 1 am, since I couldn't sleep, and finally went to sleep....sort of....

at 2:30 AM, my "roommate" who had just checked in, apparently, banged her way into the room and turned down the A/C. This did not please me, but I pretended to still be asleep, because I knew I was getting up at 7, and was in for a long day. I faked waking up after she banged back in from a trip to the restroom, semi-introduced myself, fund out the chick's name was CeeCee (heh, CeeCee and Cissa, coincidence?) and went back to sleep......sweating like a pig, because the A/C was no longer on full blast, like I like it.....and that, was Day 1!

Tomorrow? BrittCon Day 2...

~Cissa

BrittCon is over....and I am taking a vacation!

I promised you a detailed report of BrittCon today...but I realized that in order to do that, I would delay my trip to my dad and Mum's in Martha's Vineyard! I am taking a vacation with the kids for about 5 days, and going to do as little as possible since I did so much this last weekend...

But, I bringing my laptop to The Vineyard, so tonight, after all the house is asleep, I plan on doing an update. For now, as I am lazy and short on time, I will post my Flickr Account Page, so you can stop there and peruse a few of the 180 pictures I took....it's just highlights of things, but still, about 30 pictures to get an idea of things....

(Don' rush me, I'm perusing the merchandise, Mistah Weasel!)

I had a blast at BrittCon. It was so great to meet everyone that I did and make new friends.

But man, am I tired and in pain from walking so much!

At least I lost some weight -- that is confirmed, I lost 5 lbs this weekend from walking and sweating so much! WOOT!!

According to the Bible, even God took a day off...

....and who am I to argue with the Christians? Hey, I don't want to get put on a stake!

so today, as I spend my last day in New York City at BrittCon, I am leaving today mostly without a post...

Expect a detailed report on Monday!

~Cissa

Oh Happy Day! Oh Happy Day!

As this post will be posted at midnight, that means it's Friday. And as it is Friday, that means it is BRITCON 2008!

I am in New Haven as you all read this. My bags are packed, and I am probably sleeping on my friend Tink's couch dreaming of all the fun I am about to have.

I actually downloaded "Carrying the Banner" from the Newsies soundtrack onto my iPod so that I can play it as we approach the city. I arrive at about 10:30 am, and will be meeting Hellohahnarf soon after, I believe, at Grand Central Station. We'll probably do lunch and do a little wandering, killing time until it's time to meet Britt and Karl. We'll be meeting Britt and Karl about 4 at the hotel, and then the adventure begins!

I hope Britt, Karl, Hellohahanarf, Poppy and Dawg are not too scared when I begin to burst into song at random points around the City.

I also will randomly spurt out movie lines. I can't help it. Sometimes I don't even realize I am doing it until I notice the funny looks. I really have seen some movies waaaay too many times....

Oh yeah, it's gonna be a GREAT weekend!

~Cissa

HNT: Naturally, there's no time to do it all...

And so, though I had planned on another HNT original, I am gonna have to dig into my files and post an old pic....


This is my scorpion tattoo, representing Misk, who is a Scorpio. I got it over my heart, because that's where Misk is - my heart (awwww, sickeningly sweet, eh?).

I leave tomorrow for NYC but am heading to New Haven tonight so I don't have to get up as early as I anticipated...

YAY!! BRITTCON IS TOMORROW!!!

I’ve got better things to do, Than my todo list anyway, Hide under the covers, And waste away the day...

Cissa's To-Do List for Wednesday

1. Shower & dress

2. Get kids dressed

3. get to 10 am free brake inspection on Misk's piece of shit truck

4. get brakes fixed (maybe)

5. lunch

6. Children's Museum w/kids

7. haircut so I don't look to scraggly for another 6 weeks

8. eyebrows waxed so I don't look like a crazy woman

9. dye hair at home so I don't look like white trash with roots

10. laundry

11. dinner

12. start to pack for BrittCon

13. listen to Jester's Radio show at 10 PM

14. slip in an episode of The Tudors somewhere because I love Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

15. somehow fit in a blog post or two for the weekend since I won't be at home and debating bringing the laptop

I hope I get it all done today! It's my first full day of summer vacation, and I am already super busy. At least I will get to go to the beach tomorrow -- I hope!

~Cissa

Edited to Add: Welll I've gotten some things accomplished, thank the Lord and Lady! As of 11:45 am, however, I am still waiting to hear back from the brake inspection, and this makes me nervous....I am thinking the worst...mega bucks to get the brakes done....*le sigh*

Yet another Edit: More accomplished today - YAY! Unfortunately the brake thing didn't work out because they wanted $525 just for the front end pads and rotors! I made some calls and have to take the truck in to another place tomorrow morning. Wish me luck.....

I cannot come up with a song lyric today....wow.

You people are not going to believe this: I think I might have bronchitis...AGAIN!

Seriously, I have been hacking up a lung for the last few days, sucking down generic menthol eucalyptus drops like they are going out of style, and generally feeling miserable, including a stuffy nose and my nodes are swollen all nice and stuff. (TWKS)

I am sick, but I don't have the time to be.

Today and tomorrow are my last 2 days of scheduled work for my waitressing job. I doubt I will make much money, only for the simple fact that I have to share the shift with another waitress, my replacement, as she trains to fill my position (TWKS...damn I'm on a roll!).

This kinda sucks, because I am willing to bet that my tips would help a lot with my financial situation in trying to make it to BrittCon. but now that they are halved, maybe not. I don't' feel too bad because the girl who is taking my weekend shifts is a nice girl, and I actually am kinda sad I won't get to work with her. But still, lots of money would be nice too.

After being done with work, I have the following to do next week:

• get mom finalized and all packed up (non-furniture stuff)
  
• be a chaperone on a field trip for The Bug
• attend a "end of year" class picnic for The Bug (must remember paper plates)
• read up on Litha (Midsummer) rituals, which is this week and ritual is Sunday
• get the U-haul (reservation made)
• pack the U-haul, with just me and Mom to do it (Misk will conveniently be at work)
• get the U-haul with mom's stuff to RI and then unpack it.
• get back to CT not too late so Misk doesn't bitch more about having to drive somewhere after a "long week" of sitting on his ass in an air conditioned office until Friday when he actually does his work.
  
• move my furniture that was in the garage for the last year back into my living room where it belongs...then vacuum and deodorize it....
• Clean my house with lots of hot water, bleach, ammonia, anti-bacterial Mr. Clean, etc. on my knees scrubbing and throwing out a LOT of crap that mom will have left for me "to sell at a yard sale"
• FINALLY set up a permanent altar in the living room, like I have been wanting to do for months.
  
• get together with my friends for an "adult toy party" stay up late and drink, etc.
• go to Litha Ritual on Sunday.
  
• constantly remind Misk that I am not going to BrittCon because his piece of shit truck needed brakes And also remind him he isn't getting the lovin' from me.
• check the mailbox with fervor everyday at 4 pm for that fucking stimulus check.
• Revel in the fact that my Mother is going to be out of my house and after she is gone, enjoy my home once more!
  

Misk is still holding out hope for the stimulus check. He really wants to get laid. Yesterday's post still holds true. I refuse to have sex with him if I don't get to go to BrittCon and he gets his brakes on his piece of shit car.

But anyway. So as much as going to work thrills me, and I'm being ironical here, folks, I don't want to go because I feel like total crap. When I go in, I am willing to bet my boss (for 2 more days) will try to say I am faking it, make some disparaging/insulting comments about my home life/sex life/marriage/friends and I will be even more ticked off.

I totally will not miss his comments.

I hope I make it through today without too much crap from anyone. Maybe it's just PMS or something, but I will crack some skulls if I have to this week.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

~Cissa

You dropped a bomb on me, baby, you dropped a bomb on me...

And my own personal drama continues to rear its ugly head.....mix this with lack of sleep and I am in the foulest mood I have been in this week. And that's saying something!

Last night as Misk and I were laying in bed attempting to go to sleep, we were talking about costs of moving mom (which u-haul do we want and for how much), as today is Military Payday, and we would be doing our usual money stuff....our "out-loud budget" if you will...consider it saving a tree so we don't write it down. Then in the middle of this Misk drops a bomb:

Misk: "I need to get new brakes for my truck, I'd like to do that this weekend."

Me: ".................(long silence)............"

Misk: "Are you still awake?"

Me: *sniffle* (almost whisper) "yes.............(another long silence)........well I guess this means that unless we get that fucking stimulus check I am definitely not going to New York. (insert voice volume getting louder) I guess the little spark of hope I had to go is all but gone now. And to think I was actually getting excited that it was possible (just about a holler) and when exactly were you going to let me know? Before or AFTER I STARTED PACKING????"

Misk: "That's why I am telling you now. Sorry."

Me: (inject snarky sarcastic tone) "Oh gee thanks so much for apologizing now. Because yesterday when I told you about Mom and RI you couldn't have interjected then at all, huh? (change tone to hurt and slightly whiny) Especially when you knew I was so happy because this meant I could still go to New York!"

Misk:........(long pause)......"Sorry Baby." *cue him reaching out to touch me in comfort*

Me: (in the most angry yet disgusted tone I can possibly muster) *through my tears as I move as far away on the bed as possible* "Fuck off and don't even think about getting laid for at least a month. UNLESS I go to New York. Otherwise don't even look at me, douche bag."

So.....things aren't so peachy keen after-all....and now I am angry and hurt, deceived, and rather bitter about him asking me to quit my job, when I could have financed my trip to BrittCon single-handedly on my checks. I didn't have to quit, much as I wanted to, until the summer was over.

Now, see, I realize that was my decision. I know it's not his fault. But I am angry and more than irritated that he waited so long to clue me into the fact that he needs new brakes for a car he drives MAYBE 5 miles a day in. Like his peice of shit truck couldn't go another 2 weeks for brakes? Whatever. Fuck him. He's gonna get his fucking brakes all right.

I hope it's worth it to him. I know I can do fine without marital relations. Not having sex isn't such a big issue to me. I've forcibly abstained for 6-month deployments, a few weeks is a drop in the bucket to me....Afterall, that's what vibrators are for, right?

Pissed off, yet still looking forward to tonight because it is FRIDAY and Girls Night Out,
~Cissa

Money don't get everything it's true, What it don't get, I can't use ...

What a crappy morning I have had so far. That's a fabulous way to start a blog entry, eh?

Things are not so good in Fireheart House. Misk has finally lost all patience and directed me to tell my mother she needs to leave, post haste. He's said we will buy her a bus ticket to Maine if we have to. Ok, so I go to tell my mom and...apparently, her boyfriend in Maine has not been keeping in contact with her, and it seems that...well, he's lost interest.

I knew this would happen, I just knew it.....I saw it coming, and I should have acted sooner to get her back there. Damn it all to Miami.....*sigh*Right, back to my story...

After having an in-depth talk with her and explaining that Misk has expressed his desire for her to leave now, that things, as great as I make them out to be, have been strained with us due to the lack of comfort and privacy in our home. She has pronounced, that hell or high water, she will be out in 2 weeks time.

Well, whether she goes to Maine or not, one thing is for sure:

I will not be able to make it to BrittCon, unless a miracle occurs, and I come into some money. We had depended on that lovely little Economic Stimulus check to arrive so I could go to New York, have a blast, and not worry about the finances, but it never did. Misk seems to think it still might, but I am not holding my breath. Just like we though my mom would only be staying with us for a few months (which turned into a YEAR), that's just not how it happened.

I am rather disappointed at the fact that I won't be able to tool around NYC with my Blogging Friends and Idols. And as much as it would be somewhat feasible for me to afford my train tickets and room at the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marine's Club, it would not be as feasible for me to survive in the food department. Unless by food, you mean $1 hot dogs from corner carts. While they are tasty, it would not be healthy or a good idea for 3 days straight. i could also live on fruit from Bodegas and bottle water, but again, probably not such a great idea...

So, that's it....my little sheltered existence has imploded into one big disappointment. Yeah I'm being dramatical about it, but I was so very much looking forward to it.

I am still holding a birthday-sized candle of hope that the stimulus check shows up, but if it doesn't by the 22nd, I am canceling my reservation in NYC.

And, somehow, getting my mother out of this house.

I hope the rest of you are having a better week,
~Cissa

I want to be a part of it, New York, New York.....

The following images are for Miss Britt, who I am going to have the opportunity to meet next month!!

I am SUPER PSYCHED!!

The first is a huge graphic, but I am not as cool as Dave from Blogography or Avitable or any of you other cool graphic people out there...it's ghetto, but oh, fun to make....

I shoulda been a graphics designer, eh? LMAO

and then a smaller one....still ghetto, but again, I had fun....


Hope you enjoy Miss Britt! I can't wait to meet you and the others who will be meeting at BrittCon!! :)

~Cissa