I accidentally fell asleep due to two consecutive no-sleep nights (which I don’t usually do consecutively in order to be functioning optimally for the kids) and woke up to a crying Joshua holding onto his pants.

He went to pee on his own, but couldn’t put on his pants again, so he cried.

So I helped him put them on, and gave him the biscuits he was asking for, and then (oops) I fell asleep again. Next thing I know, it was another hour later and my boy was bottom naked and crying in my room again.

This time, the pants are missing and he can’t find them after he peed. And he had a small wet pee patch – the size of a 50-cent coin – on his t-shirt, which irritates the hell out of him cos he’s a neat freak.

The bathroom REEKED when I went in to search for the missing pants. Not surprising, given that he still doesn’t “go potty” (let alone toilet) and does his “small business” on the bathroom floor instead.

Nonetheless, I am damn proud of my boy! At least he can take off his own pants and go pee on his own at 2 years, 5 months, 3 weeks and 5 days old (according to his birthday ticker). Next to conquer would be to learn how to put on his pants again, and maybe to pee in the correct place.

The pants are still missing.

For the FIRST TIME in my parenting “career”, my kids – yes, both of them! – went to bed before 8pm!

Joshua voluntarily stomped himself off to bed at 6.30pm after having a field day with his 姑姑, and told me to wake him up tomorrow when it’s time to go to church.

Keegan fell asleep during his 7.30pm feed, and didn’t wake up like he usually does once I unlatch him off my boob.

OMFG, THIS IS SO EXHILARATING!

Parents are such simple creatures. If the kids behave and go to bed early, it’s even better than striking 4D lor!

Now… what to do with my extra spare time?? I’m so used to being busy from 6-10pm everyday getting the boys ready for bed that now I don’t know what to do! Play Wii? Onz lah.

Agenda de Fim de Ano da Turma do Busão:

20/11/2009 – Sakaná - Araraquara
Estamos organizando um Happy hour (beeem happy, e com muitas Hours) no Sakaná em Araraquara. Para os que bebem todas e mais algumas, lembramos que o Doug mora lá. E se for preciso ele mostra onde fica o Hospital, a Rodoviária ou a Delegacia mais próxima.

21/11/2009 - Aniversário da Caroline e do Thiago Viveiros - Matão
Com Show dos Remelentos, e clima Havaiano, essa é uma das festas que promete abalar o fim de ano. É esperar ora ver e não perder o supershow e a animação da galera!

04/12/2009 – Formatura do Caju – Os Remelentos – Matão
No dia 04/12 acontece a formatura no Caju, e para embalar a festa: Os Remelentos  – OTM Cover!
Não percam! Vamos prestigiar esse trabalho incrível!

11/12/2009 – Encontro de Bandas – Matão – Hard Load
A HardLoad participará do Festival de bandas de Matão, que acontecerá no dia 11/12 na praça da Igreja Matriz no centro da cidade. Rock’n'Roll de qualidade!

13/12/2009 – Amigo Secreto TDB - Matão
UPDATE: O encontro de fim de ano da turma se dará numa chácara na Pedreira. O mapa será divulgado logo.
Sejam criativos nos presentes de amigo secreto e amigo da Onça!

E aguardem, em breve novidades sobre o Reveillon e o Carnaval!

So, after three days in a row of stepping out of the shower into a river of water (ok, a creek) leading from my bathroom into my bedroom, I finally realized that my shower liner was broken and that I needed to get a new one.  Why this took me three days of swimming out of my bathroom to figure out, I don’t know.  I guess I just kept thinking the shower liner wasn’t tucked into the tub well enough, because who ever heard of a shower liner being broken? Usually they just get all moldy and gross because I never bother washing them.  I spray them with extra-strength Tilex, although I don’t do that very often because the chemicals in Tilex are strong enough to smoke out a major city. 

Recently, though, my mom got me a really nice cloth shower liner – not shower curtain, mind you, a liner, a reusable, washable one that is supposed to line the shower and thereby keep shower water in the shower.  So, once it was all nasty and moldy, I washed it.  In my European apartment-friendly washer/dryer (Winifred Deirdre [Colly calls her Winnie-D]; I LOVE her [Winnie, but Colly, too]).  However, I detected, like Monk, that ever since I washed the shower liner, the darn thing leaks.  I mean, water seeps right through it.  WTF?!  Trust me, mopping up a shower creek behind your dresser with one bath towel while gripping another bath towel around your dripping nakedness in front of your gigantic 19th-century Philadelphia windows, with only thin lace curtains between you and your peeping neighbors, all the while nursing a fantastic hangover, while trying desperately to not be late to your new job, is not a good time. 

Ok, deep breath.  Right.  New job.  Back in the land of after-work happy hours and before-work hangovers.  Forget 8 a.m. bathroom cleanup duty.  Seeing the chaps again all lined up at the bar with big vodkas and even bigger beers was well worth every pounding of the head at 3 a.m.  AND I am proud to say that I made it home, 14 blocks away from the last bar, amid soggy-leaf-strewn pavements, in three-inch heels (NOT sturdy safe-to-walk-in-while-drunk go-go boots!), without falling, not even once! AND I made it to work on time. 

Other than ice skating to Top 40 Hits of the ‘70s and, well, getting it on to Nine Inch Nails, there’s nothing more fun than hitting the bar with old friends.  Yeah, it’s good to be home.  I mean, to be back at work.  Cheers.

On October 27, APPSolute Media and Lush Life Productions launched Happy Houred, the first free iPhone application designed to find your next drink and save you money. Happy Houred is one of those “now why didn’t I think of that” creations: a simple concept, executed well, that fills a need. Until Happy Houred came along, imbibers had to rely on their own savviness to find a happy hour near them. Now, users can easily search a nationwide database for deals by bar, type of drink, kind of bar, and distance from any location in the country.

Happy Houred differs from other bar search apps in that users are encouraged to add bars, photos, reviews and happy hours. “This ensures happy hours are as up-to-date and accurate as possible via a user created and monitored community,” said Alex Libkind, CEO of APPSolute Media, a publisher for next-generation web and mobile devices. To start the database, bar and happy hour information was added for major urban centers including: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, San Jose, Portland, and New Orleans.

“Happy Houred is an app for drinkers by drinkers,” said Lindsey Johnson, CEO of Lush Life Productions, the premiere social media and digital PR agency for the beverage industry. “While we’re constantly updating bar information, the app was built to encourage users to add happy hours, reviews, and pictures. We want to know what you’re drinking.”

What's Hot? Happy Houred, that's what.

This fostering of community seems to be working: soon after its launch, Happy Houred entered the “What’s Hot” section of iTunes, and has remained there since. From my own experience with Happy Houred, I’ve already noticed a jump in the number of L.A. bars listed. I know I’ll keep adding my own favorites to the list, how about you?

Happy Houred is available now for free at the iPhone App Store, or you can search for “Happy Houred” from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iTunes to download the free application.

Happy Houred for the iPhone

• Created by APPSolute Media and Lush Life Productions
• Sponsored by Don Q Rum and Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• Free download at the iPhone App Store
• happyhoured.com

To promote the launch, the Happy Houred team is embarking on a nationwide barnstorming tour. Stay tuned for details on West Coast launch events!

Update: On Wednesday, November 11, Happy Houred is hosting a launch party at Cantina in San Francisco. Details here: http://twtvite.com/jm0ood

I thought the two of them were settled in watching Playhouse Disney – J sucking on a mini Chupa Chup, while K sucked on his own fist (how yummy!) – so I decided to cavort with the breastpump.

The moment my letdown reflex kicked in and the milk started gushing into the funnel, K started wailing. J continued watching his cartoons, seemingly undisturbed by the noise. I couldn’t walked around while my boobs were attached to the pump, so I had to request a favour from J to rock the rocker (oh redundant redundancy) to pacify the little bub.

So there he was… leaning back against the couch with his eyes still affixed to the telly, his left hand still feeding himself that Chupa Chup, half bent over so he could rock the baby with his right hand. My son is a multi-tasker!! And he did it without a single complaint. The little one also responded well to his korkor’s rocking, and kept quiet so I could finish up.

A minute into it, K started fussing again. Somewhat exasperated with the rocking, J went into my room and retrieved didi’s beansprout pillow. He plonked it onto K’s lap, and said “Nah!” then he went back to watching his cartoons. But not without stroking the baby’s cheek first.

Oh boy, I’m a mighty proud mommy.

I would have video-ed it down if not for the fact that I had my hands full of plastic parts that were helping me suck the milk out of my boobies.

The moment my milk stopped, I picked up the small one and headed off to change his diaper. As expected, he pooped. He always kicks up a ruckus after he poops.

Halfway through the diaper-changing, J stumbled into the room looking kinda drunk. He plopped onto his own bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep immediately! But I had to disturb him just for a few more seconds while my hands were busy with the baby.

“Joshua? Where’s your lollipop stick? Did you throw it away?”

He forced his eyes open and nodded at me. Then promptly went back to sleep again.

K got mighty happy after his change, so he started gurgling and cooing pretty loudly. I told him: “Shhh… korkor’s sleeping.” So he turned his own volume down two notches.

As I walked past the dustbin on my way out of their room – and saw the empty lollipop stick in the bin – I couldn’t help but beam with maternal pride.

What on earth have I ever done to deserve these two boys who are so loving and sweet?

Thank you, God.

I decided to take a deeper dive into the whole social media thing and just started the Master of Communication in Digital Media program at the University of Washington. Last night my class heard from Jeff Khadavi, the founder of GoTime.com.

This past spring GoTime released a sweet Happy Hours iPhone app for Seattle that locates you using GPS and then gives you a list of the nearest bars currently hosting happy hour. Or use the shake function and the app will choose a bar for you. And best of all, it’s free to download!

The Stranger (needlessly?) created a similar app called Cocktail Compass. I heard that it’s a good app, but signs point to GoTime having the edge on better info–more happy hours listed and constant updates for accuracy.

GoTime recently produced a Happy Hours app for Portland, and now they’re getting ready to go national, providing happy hour information for 30 cities across the country.

As Khadavi gave his presentation to my class, I realized that my hard drinking days are far behind me, but I still do enjoy the food deals that happy hour offers. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite places to get some great budget bites.

1. Contour is right by my office so I have spent a lot of time here with my co-workers. It claims to have one of Seattle’s best happy hours, and I would have to agree. You get good food for a super low price. I especially enjoy the tomato honey basil soup ($1.95) and the provolone cheese burger ($2.95).

2. Oliver’s Twist offers $2 off its artful cocktails during its 5:00pm-7:00pm happy hour. I like the classic Presbyterian (bourbon, ginger ale, soda water) and the Miss Nancy (gin, rhubarb-tarragon syrup, lemon, blood orange bitters and bubbly). The roasted fingerling potatoes in duck fat make me swoon.

3. Matador in West Seattle restaurant is roomier than its Ballard sibling, which means you’re more likely to score a table and the great deals on Matador’s upscale Mexican food. With the exception of the Tex-Mex spring rolls (get rid of these already!), everything on the happy hour menu is delicious.

4. Stanford’s in Tukwila has a long and varied happy hour menu, and it offers discounted food and drink twice–from 3:00pm-6pm and 9:00pm-close. It serves chili cheese fries and other fattening favorites, but it’s also possible to put together a healthier meal. Try the Southwest chopped salad.

5. Umi Sake House offers many different sushi rolls and sashimi sets to choose from, but I also like the garlic short ribs. The 4:00pm-6:00pm happy hour stretches to 8:00pm in the front porch and bar. In addition, Umi has a late night happy hour from 11:00pm-1:00am Sunday-Thursday.

6. Ivar’s Acres of Clams on the Seattle waterfront has happy hour from 3:00pm to close! That alone makes it awesome. Additionally, as The Seattle Times reported back in February, Ivar’s extends happy hour beyond the bar and there’s an area where families can enjoy the discounts. So now I have a place where I can hang out with my single friends and my husband and son can come too.

Now that makes me happy.

Despite how some people say how the kids look more like me, or more like Daddy, I don’t really care. I think they’re cute and they always resemble Daddy more.

I love how Joshua shares (most things) very willingly. Just don’t touch his pillow, or he’ll bite.

Keegan’s face is an almost exact replica of Hubs. PHOTOCOPY CLONE!

And this is the precious expression that Hubs usually gives me when I ask if I can buy something (again):

HAHAHAHAHAH!

…without a good friend to everyone but himself, Billy; who appeared nightly on the boards of a thousand happy hours.

October 10, 1943 – August 26, 1983

…since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all.

- “The Parting Glass”, after the Clancy Brothers

Avoirdupois, Billy, may some celestial bartender forever pour you Elysian liquor, never collecting the tab.

2009 State Fair of Texas

• General Admission: $15

• Kids under 48″ tall: $11

• Seniors 60 and over: $11 
• Children 2 and under: Free 
• Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday (Oct. 1, Oct. 8 & Oct. 15) 
• Garden Getaway combo ticket: $18 Details

HOURS:

State Fair of Texas exhibit buildings open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closing at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). Midway opening times and closing times vary.

PARKING:

$10 per space used on official State Fair lots. Valet parking is $25.

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Autumn at the Aboretum

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Free – $9.50

The Great Pumpkin Festival – Everyday from 9am – 5pm

This fall festival, which runs September 19th through November 1st, boasts of more than 150,000 fall blooming flowers including chrysanthemums, salvia, coleus, ornamental grasses and impatiens. Always a favorite spot for the family photo, The Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch and the gardens are filled with over 25,000 decorative pumpkins and gourds. Also in the Pecan Grove is the walk-through 15′ pumpkin house constructed out of the finest pumpkins in the patch and a 10′ pumpkin topiary decorated with orange marigolds.

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Children’s Storytime

10am @ Borders (Preston/Royal) FREE

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CANstruction

Daily @ The Galleria until October 18th

Dozens of design and architecture teams in North Texas will be constructing designs out of canned food to benefit the North Texas Food Bank. The event is a regional qualifier for Canstruction, a national competition.

Canstruction design teams begin designing their creations on Saturday, October 3 at 6 a.m. Teams will work until 1 p.m., and will be judged on a variety of criteria that afternoon. The structures will remain up for public viewing and people’s choice voting until Sunday, October 18.

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Eastfield College Music Recital

The series will take place every Wednesday from September through December at 12:45 p.m. in Building F Room 117 (unless otherwise noted).

This week – Hispanic Week: Mariachis “San Louis Band” in Performance Hall

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Brad Williams

Wednesdays from 5-7pm @ The Library

This “jazz baby” specializes in piano music for The Library Bar. His versions of everything from Cole Porter to Gershwin to light jazz serve as a backdrop as the business meetings of the day are wrapped us and evening is ushered in. He holds a Masters in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, and he teaches jazz piano at Richland College. He has “jazzed it up” in venues all over world.

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Open House

5:30 @ Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture

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Wellness Wednesdays at the Westin

Wednesdays from 6-7pm @ the Westin Galleria

Join to transition mind, body, and spirit with inspirational yoga and pilates classes. Every Wednesday there will be a complimentary one hour all levels class, led by a rockstar instructor from TELOS Fitness Center. Class will take place at the Westin Hotel’s newly renovated poolside area, on the 4th floor. We can’t think of a better way to take a break mid week and relax and rejuvenate!

The class alternates weekly between yoga and Pilates. It is sponsored by lululemon athletica.

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Be the Match – Bone Marrow Donor Registration and Comedy Show

6pm @ Hyenas Comedy Club – $25

The bone marrow registration is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A comedy featuring Honor Shinke, D.D. Ingrum, Peter Barrera and Cesar Cervantes starts at 8:15 p.m. Call 214-709-7199.

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Erik Barnes

Wednesdays from 7-12am @ The Library Bar

Erik Barnes has been delighting patrons of the Library Bar for more than 15 years, including notables like Bobby Short, Alanis Morissette, Gregory Hines, John Mayer, the Electric Light Orchestra and back-up singers for Gladys Knight. Whether it’s romantic ballads “when love is in the air” or upbeat tunes for business types who need to decompress, Erik says “the room isn’t about me, it’s about the people who inhabit it.” Nevertheless, the Library Bar wouldn’t be the same without its main man. Erik holds degrees from Yale College (B.A.), Washington State University (M.A.), and he conducted doctoral studies at the University of North Texas. He has performed concerts in many of the major cities and played with four orchestras.

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Teas of Asia <Inside Asia : Art, Music, Culture>

Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm @ The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art

In the past 5000 years, tea has become an integral part of many cultural traditions. Its presence and tastes continue to expand, as do the rituals associated with its consumption. The Crow Collection and The Cultured Cup bring you a series of classes that explore these cultural traditions, bringing them to life with demonstrations and tastings. Each lecture will include a tasting of teas and handouts.

Reservations required. Free for Friends of the Crow Collection and students. $15 per session for non-members or $50 for the series. Call 214-979-6438 or visit www.crowcollection.org to register for a class. To register for the series, please call 214-979-6438.

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Free Poolside Movie – The Big Lebowski

7pm @ The Belmont Hotel

With blankets in tow, film buffs can watch their favorite movies under the stars on a giant movie screen at the Belmont Hotel pool with the Dallas skyline as the backdrop.

Free admission and open to the public. Weather permitting, doors open at 7 p.m. and movies will begin at sundown. Blankets allowed. No lawn chairs, coolers or outside food or beverage. Cash bar and food available for purchase. Ride a bike to the Belmont Hotel on poolside movie nights and receive $1 off beers the entire evening.

The Big Lebowski is presented in honor of National Sarcastic Awareness Month.

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Book Signing – Jeffrey Zaslow

7pm @ Barnes and Noble (Northpark)

Please join us for a discussion and signing with Wall Street Journal columnist Jeffrey Zaslow. He is also the author of The Girls from Ames and co-author of The Last Lecture.

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1st Wednesdays at Jorges

Jorge’s Tex Mex in One Square Plaza presents “Latino Lounge 1st Wednesdays” beginning Wednesday, October 7th with the DJ Mixes of The Global Cafe of (Social-List Latino Network)…100% sensual lounge, house, global musica live and mixed on the patio:::Time to escape every 1st Wednesday!

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All’s Well that Ends Well Screening

7pm @ Angelika Film Center and Cafe

The pilot season of NT Live, the new initiative by the UK’s National Theatre to broadcast live performances of plays onto cinema screens, comes to Dallas and Plano. The Angelika Film Centers in Dallas & Plano have been selected to present the remaining performances in the NT Live pilot season beginning with the highly acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, produced by Marianne Elliott. The play was filmed live at the National Theatre in London on Oct. 1 and will screen in high-definition at the Angelika Theaters.

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Night Sessions

7:30-9:30pm @ AMPM Lounge

AMPM welcomes the cool & exciting sounds of Kirby Brown. A night full of great music & great entrees.

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Cedar Springs Outdoor Movie – “Sordid Lives”

7:45 – 10pm @ TMC Patio (corner of Cedar Springs & Reagan Street)

Cedar Springs Outdoor Movie Series continues this weeK with “Sordid Lives”
It’s fall and the weather is perfect for an outdoor movie!!! It is also FIRST WEDNESDAY on The Strip wich means tons of merchant specials from 6p-9p. The Movie is FREE so grab your friends and come down
early to shop, dine, and sip a tasty cocktail before, during and after the show. Showtime is whenever it gets dark (this week approximately 7:45pm)  and remember, there are drawings for free gifts for movie goers!!

Don’t Miss “Sordid Lives” on the Outdoor Big Screen!!

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Open Mic

Wednesdays @ 8pm – Hyenas Comedy Club – FREE
Dallas Open Mic is every Wednesday night featuring the area’s most promising talent along with touring professionals. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m.

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My Sister in This House Pay-what-You-can Preview

8pm @ The Bath House Cultural Center

My Sister in This House, which often echoes Jean Genet’s The Maids, is based on an actual incident that took place in the French town of Le Mans, France in the early 1930s. It centers on the lives of Christine and Lea, two servant sisters attached to the Danzard household. The Danzards’, mother and daughter, are models of petit bourgeois idleness and severity. While suffocating under the weight of the Danzards’ authority and the rigid lines of class distinction, Christine and Lea have only each other to cling to. This pressure cooker atmosphere – part psychological study and part thriller – results in a haunting and stunning emotional explosion.

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Rocket Boys, Air Review, and Dignan

8pm @ Trees

The Rocketboys are an Austin, Texas band by way of Abilene and since their inception in 2005 they’ve gained national attention and played/toured with such bands as, Grizzly Bear, Eisley, Art Brut and St. Vincent.  Recently, the guys have recruited drummer Alex Bhore of the Dallas band, The New Frontiers to join them on the road. We feel this is a great match and you will agree when you see these guys perform.

Tonight we’re celebrating the release of their new album, “20,000 Ghosts” (Now Available on Itunes).  “20,000 Ghosts,” was engineered and produced by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA), mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective) and features artwork from “Dark Was The Night” artist, Ryan Feerer.

Mad Swirl and Swirve

(Open Mic and Spoken Word)

8pm @ Absinthe Lounge

Dallas-based mad swirl is, so they say, “a platform, a showcase, a stage” to highlight artists in “this mad, mad world.” Every first Wednesday of the month, they sponsor an open mic night. Tonight’s features Swirve, also from Dallas, whose members play the trumpet backwards, the drums upside-down, and sing “kinda sideways.” So they say.

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The Ish – Concert Afterparty with Jason Faries of Vega

8:30pm @ Ghost Bar

Dallas’ hottest weekly electro dance party — THE ISH — returns this Wednesday with the official unofficial KINGS OF LEON Afterparty. Sounds by Jason Faries of VEGA, DJ Flip Millionz of Three 6 Mafia and of course, WISHFM.

DJ FLIP MILLIONZ :: SUPRISE GUEST DJ :: WISHFM

$3 Heineken :: $4 Jacks :: $4 vodkas :: $4 margs

NO COVER :: NO PRETENSION :: NO BULL-ISH

Door by the lovely Sabrina Souter &  Photography/Photo Booth by Dustin Hollywood

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The OFFICIAL Album Release Listening Party for N’Dambi :: Pink Elephant

8:30pm @ The Prophet Bar

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Industry Night

1217 Main St. Downtown Dallas

Bringing back a true Wednesday night Party @ Skye Bar

Celebrity guest DJ BILLY THE KIDD of 106.1 KISS FM!!! With Bartenders MATT GENTRY & KYLE HENRICHSEN!

Join us this month at the A+ Bar and Grille at the Alden Hotel for a great opportunity to network, enjoy some good conversation, and a cold drink since you were going to grab one anyhow. The Alden is located at 1117 Prairie (cross street is San Jacinto). We’ll be there Thursday, October 8 from 5:30-9:30 pm. See you there!

Cupcakes for a Cause

8-4pm @ Bread Winners Cafe and Bakery

From September 21 – 27, 2009, Bread Winners Café & Bakery will team up with CancerCare for the sixth annualCupcakes for a Cause, supporting children affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Bread Winners Café & Bakery will sell specially decorated cupcakes at all three locations and donate a portion of the proceeds from their sale to CancerCare for Kids, a program that provides free, professional support services to children affected by cancer.

Autumn at the Arboretum

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Free – $9.50

The Great Pumpkin Festival – Everyday from 9am – 5pm

This fall festival, which runs September 19th through November 1st, boasts of more than 150,000 fall blooming flowers including chrysanthemums, salvia, coleus, ornamental grasses and impatiens. Always a favorite spot for the family photo, The Tom Thumb Pumpkin Patch and the gardens are filled with over 25,000 decorative pumpkins and gourds. Also in the Pecan Grove is the walk-through 15′ pumpkin house constructed out of the finest pumpkins in the patch and a 10′ pumpkin topiary decorated with orange marigolds.

2009 State Fair of Texas Opening Day Parade

11 – 1:30pm

The parade travels Main Street, from Lamar Street east to Good-Latimer Expressway. The parade travels Main Street, from Lamar Street east to Good-Latimer Expressway

2009 State Fair of Texas

• General Admission: $15

• Kids under 48″ tall: $11 
• Seniors 60 and over: $11 
• Children 2 and under: Free 
• Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday (Oct. 1, Oct. 8 & Oct. 15) 
• Garden Getaway combo ticket: $18 Details

HOURS:

State Fair of Texas exhibit buildings open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (closing at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays). Midway opening times and closing times vary.

PARKING:

$10 per space used on official State Fair lots. Valet parking is $25.

Preston Royal Purls Knitting Social

1-3pm @ Preston Royal Library

Come and knit for a while or come if you want to learn. Knitting needles and yarn provided for beginners.

Pat Peterson

5-8pm @ The Library Bar

Brighter Dallas Happy Hour

Come join Brighter Dallas and friends at Javier’s on Friday, September 25 from 5-7pm for happy hour. We are collecting clothing and canned food to donate to the Operation Hope Food Center in South Dallas. The first 100 people with donations will receive a complimentary margarita ticket. Javier’s will also be providing complimentary appetizers.

The Brighter Dallas team hopes to see you (and your donations) there!

DMS Happy Hour Benefitting Dallas Children Charities

5:30-9:30pm @ Bengal Coast

Let’s Party with a Purpose at Bengal Coast while raising money for Dallas Children’s Charities!!

Enjoy a Fashion Show presented by Status Design Studio and Music by DJ Dave from London

A recommended donation of $5 at the door gets you:

$3 domestic beers
$4 Hornitos Margaritas, Wells and House Wines
Appetizer Buffet

Remember, the Margarita Ball is November 21st. And, the best way to secure an invitation is to come out to our events and meet the Directors and Members.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Location is in the Centrum Plaza Bldg. at Welborn & Cedar Springs, one block south of Oak Lawn in Dallas

Thai Festival 2009

5-11pm @ The Radisson Hotel (Love Field Airport)

The Thai Festival 2009 presented by the Thai Commerce Association is a truly unique event showcasing the best of Thai Cuisine and Thai Culture in North Texas. Our featured performance is by Thai World Musiq, a world-class musical production from Thailand, which is making its first-ever stop in DFW. You can find more information on Thai World Musiq at www.himmapanworld.com They will be joined by guest performances from the local Thai and International Communities to give you an unforgettable cultural experience.

Also participating in the festival are top Thai restaurants, who will be vending some of the best Thai Cuisine available locally. You can also relax in the Poolside Beer Garden by Thai Singha Beer, and enjoy Thai Arts and Craft, Thai Traditional Massage, and many other attractions.

Best of all, admission to this event is free, so don’t miss out on this special event!

For more information please contact Annie 214-505-1415, Wannee 214-616-6115, Yujira 972-851-3431, Amy 214-649-1153, and Jenchai 972-849-8209

Ritz-Carlton Partners Card and Spa Happy Hour

6-10pm @ The Ritz Carlton

$2 Poolside Margaritas
• $2 Spa-Tinis
• Complimentary smoothie shots at the new Ritz-Carlton Spa Bar
• Poolside tastes from The Ritz-Carlton Guacamologist
• Happy Hour drink and hors d’oeuvre menu
• Complimentary spa mini treatments from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Spa:
One-minute manicure
Hair and scalp prescriptions
Chair massage
Sole Revival foot massage
Make-up refreshers
• 15% off spa treatments and spa retail during the event
• Gift with purchase of a 2009 Partners Card. Purchase a 2009 Partners Card while at the event and receive a $25 spa treatment savings certificate from The Ritz-Carlton Spa.

David Florentino / Ailand / The Meek The Mighty / The Great Interference / Kick Your Donkey

$10, 7pm @ The Door

Fashion Show and Silent Auction

The SMU Alpha Chi Omega chapter and area alumnae chapter will host its annual Alpha Chi Couture fashion show and silent auction, Friday, Sept. 25, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The event benefits the Genesis Women’s Shelter and the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and hopes to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence.

The event will kick off with a cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by a fashion show featuring the latest styles from West Village boutiques Assembly, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Epic and Glass Slipper. Jan Strimple, acclaimed international couture model, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.alphachicouture.com, as well as information about making a donation or underwriting any portion of the event. For further questions please contact info@alphachicouture.comor call 214.929.0666.

Aubree-Anna Performing

8-11pm @ Baileys

Bailey’s Prime Plus is a new upscale steakhouse concept crafted by prominent Dallas restaurateur Ed Bailey. The menu at Bailey’s Prime Plus offers a variety of prime steaks, seafood, and other delicious cuisine including desserts. Aubree-Anna will be singing your favorite covers & originals. Please call 214-750-8100 for reservations and let them know you are a guest of Aubree-Anna.

Erik Barnes

8-12am @ The Library Bar

It Dies Today / Arsonists Get All the Girls / The Destro / Jacknife / Negative 263

8pm @ The Trees

Right’d Revolter / Stealing Popularity / My Death Tomorrow

8pm @ The Door

Rollback to the 80’s Homecoming

8-2am @ Lotus

Symposium – Red carpet Gala

Fedora, one of the most “exclusive” venues of the city and best “after-dinner” party hot spots for those looking for something more sophisticated and more refined out of their lifestyle and night life. On friday, September 25th, Fashion HP returns to this gorgeous venue to bring one of the biggest Professional parties of 2009. So take a night off from your standard club experience and come enjoy a whole different world of class, sophistication and symposium. This Red Carpet Event will gives business professional an exciting experience through lounging, vibrant environment filled with music, cocktails, intellectual conversations, business networking, and interactive sponsor booths

guest star appearance by:

Actor Khalil Kain a.k.a Donell co. star on BET, T.V ONE, and CW hit TV. Series “Girl Friends.”  Comedian Shucky ducky host of BET T.V series Def Commedy Jam cowboy player Anthony Dickerson and many more.

Mark your calendars and join us on friday, September 25th as we continue to push the boundaries and set new standards for Dallas’ upscale bash.
Spread the word about this unique event and forward this invitation to other like-minded folks interested in supporting the Dallas’ fashion scene.
Sponsorship opportunities are available

For Ticket and more information visit
www.redcarpetsymposium.com or www.myfashionhp.com

Impending Bloom

9:30 @ Cosmic Cafe

World Music with an eclectic flavor– Cornell Kinderknecht, world flutes and Craig Shropshire, clay pot drums and percussion.

I love College

Scene Nightlife proudly presents Greek Fridays….

“I Love College” everyone with school ids gets in $5 at Myst Lounge
Age Restrictions: Everyone 18+ &&; 21+ to drink.
- Everyone with school ids gets in $5 before 11pm
- Everyone 21+ and Greeks $5 all night (weekly)

FIRST 100 LADIES IN FREE

*Guest list closes at exactly 12am, but i highly recommend you*Please do not wait last minute. You have from the beginning of the week till 5:30pm FRIDAY, the day of the event, to send names in.
Also to be there before 10:30pm.
For more info ask or visit http://www.scenenightlife.com

*Remember, there iz a strict dress code for guys…

Scion Party

Scion will be taking over Zubar on the 25th along with DJ’s Select//A1//& the Broken Teeth crew!

Black Fridays

10-2am  @ Fallout Lounge

Black Fridays at Fallout Lounge continues! One of Dallas’ only regular nights to hear Post Punk, 80’s, Goth, New/Cold/No/Darkwave, Punk, Industrial, Synth Pop, and Electro

We celebrate the legends from Siouxsie to The Smiths as well as new music from acts like The Horrors and A Place to Bury Strangers

“Unofficial” afterparty for The Horrors!
Guest DJ set from Anthony Stanford!

Miami’s Dj Irie takes over Wish

Sounds by the world renowned Dj Irie [Delano, Miami & Miami Heat's Official Dj

Join us this Friday as Wish Ultralounge, Ciroc Vodka and Perrier-Jouet bring you Dj Irie.

Dj Irie[Mansion & Delano, Miami & Miami Heat's Official Dj] is my personal favorite dj and has ROCKED THE ROOF off of Wish the few times he has spun here.

This event is the biggest event we have done yet at Wish…DO NOT MISS IT.

Grandmaster FLASH

An American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, becoming the first hip hop/rap artists to be so honored. Grandmaster Flash appears in the video game DJ HERO as a playable character along with original mixes created for the game. He also developed the technique initially called cutting. It has been said that “his pioneering mixing skills transformed the turntable into a true ‘instrument’, and his ability to get a crowd moving has made his DJ sets LEGENDARY.”
972-898-8000 for Table & Bottle Service (Text full names for guest list) or Reply YES to this event
*MUST BE ON THE GUEST LIST TO GET IN*
Full details @ MYSPACE/MATTJAHNEL & FACEBOOK/MATTJAHNEL

For The Love Of Fashion Friday

This Friday at Joyce we’re gonna bring you the fire! Resident DJ S.O.U.L.Jah + Special Guest DJ’s Every week!

Fridays are on fire right now @ Joyce! This past Friday for the Brittney afterparty, we clocked well over 500 through the door! Don’t miss another week!

Bikini Model Search

Drink Specials: $3 – Washington Apples $3 – Apple Reds $3 – Redheaded Sluts $3 – Kamikazes $3 – Royal F*cks

NEW – Kick back and smoke some Premium Hooka at the Hooka Lounge set up on the Balcony!
Ladies in FREE before 11 Guys – $10 Ladies – $5
Dress-Code Enforced:
- No baggy clothing - No Jerseys - No Sunglasses

Music Provided by:
Dj ATG

Beginning September 14, the Foundry on Melrose will expand its hours to Monday night with the launch of Lunes Latinos.

Lunes Latinos will feature Executive Chef / Owner Eric Greenspan’s spin on Latin cuisine. Menu offerings will include Greenspan’s Gorditas, three different gorditas priced at $3 each: Orange Glazed Chicken with Pinto Beans, Smokey Mole; Tamarind Garlic Steak with Cilantro Lime Sauce, Pico de Gallo;  Dr. Pepper Marinated Pork with Pickled Cabbage, Horchata/Cheese Sauce. Other menu items include Chorizo Smothered Tots and Mini Churro Bites. The Lunes Latinos menu items will be available in the lounge and restaurant along with the Foundry’s regular dinner and lounge menus.

As with the Foundry’s other weeknights, Monday features a happy hour in the lounge from 6-9pm. Monday Happy Hour will feature a Latin-inspired free cocktail flight: the Laranja (Leblon Cachaça, Blood Orange Bitters, orange juice), a Cilantro Mojito (Starr Rum, muddled lime, Tamarind Syrup) and the Explosivo (Bacardi Limon, Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, chili). These Latin libations are half-priced during happy hour. And finally, to add to the spicy mix of food and drink, the lounge will feature Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova, Samba and Latin Fling.

Greenspan's Gorditas

September 14 is also the launch of the Foundry’s Monday Industry Night. On Monday nights, restaurant workers will receive 25% off their check in the lounge or dining room. To receive the discount, a pay stub must be presented to Foundry staff.

Lunes Latinos
Mondays, beginning Sep. 14
The Foundry on Melrose
7465 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 651-0915
www.thefoundryonmelrose.com

And he never fails to get me something each year to commemorate this day.

First came the Philips digital alarm clock with radio and iPod dock…

Then came the Wiimote and Nunchuk…

He says now we can Wii together and spend some time as a couple, instead of just sitting at our respective computers every night.

::

[Note: This is a backdated post, thus the photos are dated later. Paiseh lah, I've been busy! ]

For the first time since Keegan came home with us, both the boys are sleeping at the same time during the night!

This is a monumental night for us as parents. We heaved a sigh of great relief and finally breathed easier for the first time in over 3 weeks.

While the timing of the boys have finally coincided – with Keegan actually sleeping at night instead of the “US timing” body clock that he had been on for the past weeks – their sleeping arrangements have kinda gone topsy-turvy.

Joshua is currently sleeping in our room on his own mattress that we placed on the floor, due to a sudden emergence of unknown – and unfounded – night-time fears. Since last week, he would wake 2-3 times each night screaming, crying and patting his own chest while saying “怕怕”. In a bid to comfort him, we’ve allowed him to bunk in with us on three occasions – Saturday, Monday and Wednesday night. He enjoys the aircon very much but his nose gets blocked by morning, so he tends to shift back to his own room the following night. Thus the alternate bunk-in nights.

He’s also been having a runny nose that has eventually turned into a bit of a phelgmy cough. The discomfort wakes him up at night as well, leading to many late night awakenings that’s been messing up with his formerly fantastic sleep routine.

As for Keegan, he’s sleeping in Joshua’s old cot in the boys’ room so that his high-pitched wailing wouldn’t wake Korkor up. The little one has an aversion towards air-conditioned rooms, and much prefers the stuffy heat despite already being tightly swaddled up. (Newborns are so weird.)

While both of them have no issues about sharing a room – with Joshua being ultra tolerant with the occasionally screaming baby – we still prefer to keep Keegan in our room to facilitate night feeds. Meanwhile, the boys nap together twice a day in the same room.

So far it’s been a wild ride dealing with a toddler and a newborn. Hubs and I have been rotating shifts from midnight onwards and have been catching ZZZ’s for only 2-3 hours each time. I try to catch as much sleep as I can in the day when the 2 boys nap, so I don’t inhibit the healing process of my recent surgery. There’s still much for us to learn about Keegan – his preferences, habits and personality – and much for him to learn about us as well. For example, my infamous lack of patience towards unreasonable fussiness.

But we’re all still having fun despite being sleep-deprived and twice as busy.