Birthdays are still fun

I've officially entered my mid -late twenties. At least I welcomed this birthday with excitement, not frustration, panic and annoyance, such as my 25th bday.

First up - I was home 2 weeks ago and saw Mamma Mia with my mom and sister. Very fun, and very similar to the movie. Next - my parents came up to visit last weekend. We had dinner at Cantina Italiana in the North End, which was DEEEEEE LISH.
Saturday we saw Movin Out , then some irish music and drinks at the Black Rose. 

Thanks everyone for making turning 27 pretty fabulous.

Zoobooks and Acai Diet?? Not so much

Even though I have been mad in the past at Bank of America (which is actually Bank of Whatever state you opened your account in*), I must say I am happy with their attention to detail and fraud protection. I got an email telling me there was suspicious activity on my account. Sure enough, there are charges for 'Zoobooks', Acai diet, Columbia house video and Vista print that I did not put on my card. YIKES. I don't even know what Zoobooks or the Acai Diet are! And I haven't ordered from Vista Print in 2 years.
So – I call and after talking to 3 reps – one to tell the problem to and be transferred to the right dept, one to report the charges and get a new card, one to file a fraud claim – I will be paid back the $ incorrectly charged, and will get a new card.
Also – they told me about their program called shop safe:
So, if you are going to shop online, you go to ShopSafe and enter your desired spending limit and expiration date, and it gives you a 'dummy' credit card # and then your actual # is never out in the open. Smart. I will definitely do this from now on , bc I think online spending is the way this happened!

*About 2 yrs ago, something happened where my debit card number was cancelled and a new one had to be issued. I went to BOA to get a temporary ATM card, but was told I had to go to a CT location bc that was where I opened the account. Also - BOA can switch your account to a new state, but only by changing all your account numbers, etc.

I hate pastel but I hate snow more right now.

Happy Spring!! WHOO HOO Winter is OVER!

It's the first day of spring - and here are the reasons why this is a fabulous thing:

- Spring means it's time for fun birthdays (me and my sister)

- NO MORE SNOW STORMS - which means no more SHOVELING

- Lower heat bills

- Leaves back on trees

- Running outside / Biking, being outside in general

- MS Bike in May

- Grilling

- The hammock

- Summer is coming!

- The smell of fresh cut grass

- Sam Adams White Ale

let's not focus on why this is not ideal: (but let's mention it anyway)

- Pastel colors & Easter

- allergies

- too many rainy days

- not wearing warm enough clothes bc you want it to be warmer than it is, and then you are freezing.

Very Hungry Caterpillar

On Google today- their logo is of the Very Hungry Caterpillar illustrations of the book by Eric Carle. So of course, I click on it to learn more about why - is it his bday? the anniversary of the book being published? Nope, nothing crazy. Maybe a tie to the first day of spring. I used to love it when I was little, and am impressed that it sells one copy every 30 seconds in the world! Simple book, lots of profit!

Create Your Own Donut

Today begins Dunkin Donuts new donut campaign and create your own donut contest

In the cafe today, we were able to decorate our own donut.
Check out mine below. Now, who wants to eat it?

Friday night @ Copperfields

Thank you to everyone who came out Friday night to support our fundraiser!

My friend Holly and I had a joint fundraiser at Copperfield's in Boston. She was raising money for Alzheimer's which she is supporting in her 1/2 marathon run in May. I was raising money for MS - which I am supporting in the MS bike May 2.

If you are planning a fundraiser for a charity in Boston - the Down Under pub at Copperfield's is a fantastic venue. They have an entire downstairs for use, and since it is for charity - they donate the space as their contribution to the event. You have your own bar, space for bands, tables, etc.

Holly is a fundraiser/orgainizer pro! She got 3 bands to come play for us:
http://www.myspace.com/markmondello
http://www.myspace.com/thenewpossibilities
http://www.myspace.com/thebrooklynsband
They were all fun to listen to, and performed for free! We had raffle prizes - gift certificates, etc. that had been donated, and a silent auction for some larger donated items. Overall we raised a little over $1000. Next year, I will definitely do this again, with more lead time!

Pictures to come soon!

FRIDAY! If you live in, near or around Boston, I hope to see you here -

Joint Benefit for Alzheimer's & Multiple Sclerosis
Friday, Mar 6 8:00p
at Copperfield’s Bar and Down Under Pub, Boston, MA
Come to Copperfield's in Boston to benefit Alzheimer's & Multiple Sclerosis. Benefit Drawings, Refreshments & more.
Featuring Mark Mondello, The Brooklyns & The New Possibilities!
Come help raise funds for these two amazing causes.

What I learned today from spell checker

In an email today, I wrote 'let me know' but didn't leave a space between me and know, so spell check picked up 'meknow' and suggested 'Mekong'. Of course, I had to google it.

The Mekong River is one of the world’s major rivers. It is the 12th-longest river in the world, and 7th longest in Asia. (discharging 475 km3/114 cu mi of water annually).
Its estimated length is 4,350 km (2,703 mi), and it drains an area of 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi).[1] From the Tibetan Plateau it runs through China's Yunnan province, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
All except China and Burma belong to the Mekong River Commission. A South Asian regional association, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation is named after this river. The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls have made navigation extremely difficult.

You're welcome for your geography lesson.

this makes more sense

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

sort of funny, catchy and sort of scary!

found on : http://thefoodmonkey.com/?p=946

Dear Spring, come home soon.

@#$^&^$! shoveling. We probably got about 10 inches of snow, and yes it is starting again. Please please please stop now. So anyway - I went out around 1:30 to dig out my car... and now my wrist and elbow are killing me. Nevermind the fact that I am a klutz, accident prone, and probably used the shovel wrong. It's the snow's fault for accumulating and being heavy.

ick

Face Off is on TV right now. Of course I turned it on at the part where they are lasering off John Travolta's face. EW. This is the movie that made me really dislike Nicholas Cage - his voice, his demeanor, ugh I can't stand watching him.

** and, because I am home and it is snowy and there is nothing else on - I WATCHED IT. ah well.

snow day and bad daytime TV

MORE snow. I know - everyone in New England is sick of it. . hopefully this is the last storm. So - our office is closed today , which I'm happy about bc I didn't want to dig out my car at 8am and drive down there. But - I could have used the distraction of being in the office.
I'm flipping channels on TV - and on Maury, which I cannot stand - the title is "I was in a coma - I can't be your baby's father." This looks pretty ludicrous so I stopped on it. The woman says she has never been w/ anyone else so the guy has to be the dad, but she has no money and has to sell blood for money. Can you even do that?? And she said she does it twice a week. UM that is impossible lady! You have to wait 56 days to give blood again. Unfortunately, the bleeping of the swearing got to me in about 1 minute so I will never know the outcome, but that's not such a bad thing.