apparently...

You Belong in New York City

You're an energetic, ambitious woman. And only NYC is fast enough for you. Maybe you'll set yourself up with a killer career Or simply take in all the city has to offer.

since yesterday was blue monday, i thought i would provide some retail therapy or e-window shopping today to help bring everyone's spirits up...

***BEST DEAL!***
Valentine's Day Long-Stem Roses with Vase (3 Dozen Roses!!!) - $59.99 - costco.com - Shipping & Handling included. - Must order by February 9, 2007 before 3:00pm (PST)

Gift box Includes 36 stems of Red Roses, Glass Vase and hydrating bag to ensure freshness upon arrival.

All orders must be placed by 3 p.m. (PST) Friday, February 9, 2007 for delivery between Tuesday, February 13th and Wednesday, February 14th.

Note: All orders received will be processed for delivery February 13th & February 14th only. specific date may not be chosen.

Gift messaging is available during the checkout process.

1,200 thread count king size sheets - $59.99 plus free shipping. Expires: unknown

• Luxurious king sheet set with flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two king pillowcases
• Made of 100% cotton with 1,200-thread-count weave and glossy sateen finish
• Fitted sheet offers 16-inch pocket that fits mattresses up to 19 inches deep
• Solid sage green color; also available in ivory, parchment, blue, and lilac
• Machine-washable and dryer-safe; fits king-sized beds
  

***Best Deal***

Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.16GHz Notebook - originally $2499 - now $1589.99 After Rebate Expires: 1/31/2007

(The onsale.com website seems to be a little buggy when using direct links, so if you get an error, try starting at the homepage and clicking on "Mac" in the red bar at the top of the screen, than MacBookPro, then find the sale model towards the bottom of the page (it has the $1689 price).

This is a very good price if you don't care about getting the 'latest and greatest' model. Note that this is the original Mac Book Pro. The current version (2nd Gen.) uses the newer and faster Core 2 Duo chips (versus the Core Duo chips) and has several several other improvements, including 2GB RAM (instead of 1GB) and a 160GB hard drive (versus 120GB). this is still a GREAT deal...the same as what i paid for my "15 powerbook last year.

The on-sale model specs:

• Intel Core Duo 2.16GHz
• 17" TFT
• 1GB DDR2
• 120GB SATA
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600
• 8x SuperDrive
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T
• 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and iSight
• OS X v10.4 Tiger

The current model specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz
• 17" TFT, 2GB DDR2
• 160GB SATA
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600
• 8x Superdrive
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T
• 54-Mbps Airport Extreme
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and iSight
• OS X v10.4 Tiger

DeepDiscountDVD.com has up to 66% off select romantic comedies including: Expires: unknown

• Hitch
• 13 Going on 30
• Something's Gotta Give
• and more!

Motorola H605 Bluetooth Headset (Mfr# 89041J) » only $39.99 + Free In-Store PickUp @ CompUSA.com Expires: TODAY!

• 
  CompUSA.com is carrying this Bluetooth Headset for $59.99
• There is a $20 Exclusive Mail-In Rebate on it until 01/27/2007
• Your Final Price: $59.99 - $20 = $39.99
  

Kingston SDC/1GB 1GBKR MicroSD Flash Card (Mfr# SDC1GBKR) » only $17.98 Shipped - Newegg.com - Expires: unknown

• Newegg.com is carrying this 1GB MicroSD Flash Card for $12.99
• Shipping cost on this item is $4.99
• Your Final Price: $12.99 + $4.99 = $17.98 Shipped

3-Pack PNY P-SD1GX3-MP 1GB Secure Digital (SD) Card (Mfr# PSD1GX3MP) » only $39.98 - Staples.com - Expires: unknown (sorry if the link does not work. i can't put the direct link for some reason..i'll try again later.)

• Staples.com is carrying this 3-Pack 1GB SD Card for only $39.98!
• Please note that Staples.com offers Free Shipping on orders over $50!

*all deals are from DealCatcher.com, eDealInfo.com and costco.com. I personally have not purchased the items, used the coupon code or deal unless otherwise noted. i am not liable for purchases made or coupon codes not working. research carefully when purchasing...thank you :)

so as of late, austin has lost a few restaurants to fires.

first, there was the chili's in south austin that burned down 12/30/06...my usual meeting spot with my caterer for drinks and snacks...all chili's have $2.50 well drinks for HH (article).

then, Bert's BBQ by campus burned down 1/23/07. I'll admit, not a huge fan of the place, but still an austin institution...it's been there since 1969 (article).

now, the original Buffet Palace on lamar and hwy183 (article). good thing there is two other locations in austin, or b would be very sad and we would have no where to go on date nights.

plus many apt fires and houses too...weird.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/19/nyregion/19grand.html?ex=157680000&en=7c41495c7927b3d2&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
my heart goes out to the grandparents...but even more so to the grandchildren. doesn't this give the 9/11 attackers exactly what they want by having families in america tear itself apart, one family at a time? wasn't 9/11 enough pain?

aside from that, things looked very pretty driving out of the neighborhood. ice covered plants look neat :) here is photo of a plant in the front yard.

to see more photos see my flick page...now if i only brought my camera to work...

so i got my wish for another day off. first we got sleet, then within the hour we were getting snow. temp hasn't gotten above 30 all day...so much for a productive work week :)

too bad i'm already off of work today...possibly the weather will give me an extra day off tomorrow too.

What Does 200 Calories Look Like?

check it out...it may surprise you what 200 calories look like. (disclaimer: yes, calories is not the end of and be all of all things. just think this is an eye opener.)

thanks nfang :) (i stole it from his blog.)

with CES and MacWorld Expo both happening in the same week...CES in las vegas and MWE in san francisico...it is going to be a very exciting week for the tech savvy & gadget enthusiast crowd. i don't really fall into either category, but it does peak my interest some. besides i'm a huge apple fan. so it'll be interesting what comes of both.

the rumors of apple coming out with a cell phone has cause a couple (sony & verizon) to launch new products in the past 24 hrs. no doubt both of these will be a CES and no doubt there will be more. there are ALOT of rumors flying around...so great, so eh...but i'm waiting to hear the actual new. it'll be fun. also, there is an apple rumor (haha...that is gwyneth's and demi's daughters!) that they are coming out with an iTV. it allows you to transfer tv shows and movies to you computer wirelessly :)

if you don't have time to research and read all the news, here are a couple blogs of some enthusiast who are attending the two events.

• Thomas Hawk at CES
• Small Dog at MacWorld

well not really but...

"Health officials say dozens of dead birds discovered Monday along Congress Avenue in downtown Austin pose no health risk to the public.

Air quality tests conducted at the site where the 63 dead pigeons, grackles and sparrows were found have come back negative. As a precaution, the chief health official for the area, Adolfo Valadez, said some of the birds will be sent to the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, and Texas A&M University for further testing. Valadez said they want to rule out poisoning or viral infections as a possibility. Officials do not believe the deaths were caused by avian flu.

Police closed down the area Monday morning after a passerby found the dead birds at about 3 a.m. All businesses and offices stayed closed and people weren't allowed in to work. Traffic was also heavy because of the detour.

A Homeland Security spokesman said there is "no credible intelligence'' that suggests a threat against Austin."

By: News 8 Austin Staff

now you know that austin's really getting to be a city...first toll roads, now bird flu scares.
well at least b got a half day today...his office is right on congress ave :)

maybe i'm a little behind on this one, but i just was looking around for some shoes and came across piperlime.com. this is a GAP inc. company. i love the selection and they carry size 5!!! (they even offer size 4 in some shoes.) and best of all, free standard shipping and returns :)

really, did fox think that the o.c. would have chance faced up against grey's on thrusday night?!?! i am a little sad to see it go...b.mckenzie is pretty to look at. maybe he'll be spending more time in austin now...

First Night is something that started in Boston, back in 1976. Now, cities all over the world hold this annual massive public gathering to ring in the new year through "art, ritual, and festivity." Austin is one of two cities in Texas that participate and in it's second year all events were made free. Over 200 proposed project for First Night Austin were submitted and 60 were choosen by The Orginizers. This event is for the entire family - come one come all! I have to admit, this is pretty darn cool :) it is amazing to see how much talent this city has. b and i had made plans to go see some stuff, but with the NYE party at our place, it just turned out to be no possible. but we'll be there next year, no doubt. Aside from the below rave of a First Night Production, I think I would have liked ""I" of Texas" and the Blue Lapis Lights dancers. Here are a couple links to some photos and articles on the event.

• Austinist - Snapshot of First Night 2006
• First Night Austin Official Website
• Photos by Photography in Sight
• Austin Chronicle Article
• Photos by Steve Hopson Photography

Even though I did not get to actually go and participate...i was a teeny tiny part of the hoola.


"Jaclyn Pryor – “Pink” —In the weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve 2007, a fleet ofmessengers--costumed in pink and traveling by bicycle--will deliver a flood of love notes throughout the city of Austin. Those who receive love are encouraged to pass it on by contacting PINKor visiting PINK headquarters to schedule a subsequent delivery to those they love -- and on and on . . . becoming a city-wide experiment in saturation, communication, and contagion made manifest through mediated acts of love. All who send and receive(pink) love are invited to march with PINK in the First Night Austin Grand Processional down Congress Avenue, and participate in the whimsical post-processional Bicycle Carnival at Town Lake created in collaboration with Bikes Across Austin. PINK: WE (DELIVER)LOVE (FOR) YOU. (pass it on) http://www.get-pink.blogspot.com. Underwritten by the Still Water Foundation."



I was lucky enough to get some pink...someone in austin loves me! :) On Jan. 2, first day back at work, feeling tired and sick, i got a nice suprise...and it even suprised the receptionist downstairs. Something pink was taped to the main front door. it's amazing how a simple little note in cute bottle can make a person feel all warm and fuzzy. It think it is the effort behind it...the effort it took for someone to go in and write a note, the effort the volunteers put in to assemble the package and especially the effort of the delivery person. I have to say, I'm amazed they delivered it to my office. I am no where near downtown or their love factory. so kudos to the bike messenger who rode up MoPac to deliver my note...it made my day! I hope much love was spread in austin and that it continues. I only wish I got to send some love. maybe next year. I look forward to seeing what this amazing artist and visonary has up her sleeves next. Here is an interview from Austinist about the great endevour put on by Jaclyn Pryor. http://www.austinist.com/archives/2006/12/29/feel_the_love_at_pink.php#more (if you never visited Austinist and you live in austin, you should...great read!)


So next year, if you live in the great city of austin or happen to be passing through during the new year time frame, check out First Night Austin and participate in a little fun, funk, creativity, love, and celebration. spread the pink (love).