There are days in my little life that go down forever in my personal shopping history (remember the $5 sale at that weird Off Fifth in Worcester, Stacy?) and Tuesday was definitely one of them. Odds Costume Rental is closing its doors, a sure tragedy in many respects, but the warehouse wide sale that accompanies the bad news is one of the most mind blowing and heart stopping experiences for fans of costume and vintage. I am indebted to Diane for the tip and am thrilled to pass it on to you.
From 1930's evening gowns, to layered embroidery gypsy skirts, from police uniforms to Carmen Miranda hats, the place will make your head spin with the possibilities. There are even racks and racks of men's stuff, though I didn't peruse them with any detail.
The prices are not dirt cheap, but extraordinarily reasonable for the exceptional quality and uniqueness of the garments. The only downside of the experience is that “insiders”, mostly performers and friends, seem to get slightly better deals than people like me that just wear this stuff on the stage of life. It was a little heart breaking to see one of the in crowd get lots more than me for the same price, but hey – $85 for a fully beaded flapper dress, $30 for the cutest, weirdest 80's poof dress this side of Betsy Johnson?I really can't complain can I?
There is a dressing room, in which you must be prepared to bare it all with a gaggle of other shoppers and it's only right that you put back the pieces you decide not to buy – I can't imagine the head ache abandoned dresses give the boisterous ladies who run it. Plus, they'll yell at you if you make their day more difficult.
The sale goes on until July 1st, and if I had infinite cash and time (and arm muscles – hauling this stuff still has me shakey) I could go back every day until then. But, fortunately, I do have some self control, and I'll just send everyone I know there every day instead.
Phew, I'm still buzzing from the thrill.
The 
Framing art is notoriously pricey, so much so that Jim and I have been squirreling away money to do it. We were lucky to find the little shop 
I can probably just address this post directly to Mike Birbiglia since I know that he'll get a Google alert soon enough, and Mike (whose last name, even with concentrated effort, I have difficulty pronouncing correctly) let me assure you that this brief recommendation will not include any insults of your physique. In the hipster comedic universe, where the relatively unskinny 
Our building recently planted trees along the sidewalk (full disclosure, my harder working neighbors are the ones to thank, I was away). Planting trees, which is the activity Arbor Day is centered around removes CO2 from the air, produces oxygen, beautifies the city, and helps to fight global warming.
I'm so very excited to see This American Life live on the 23rd and I want to give everyone who wasn't able to get tickets, or doesn't live here, plenty of heads up because even though the show's sold out. you can still see it live, kind of, at your local movie theatre. 
If you're like me and lots of people I talk to, work has just been wearing you down to the bone right theses past couple of months. I think if we can ever find the time, we could all just a cue from our cats and those countries smart enough to believe in Siestas and take an afternoon nap.
Everyone has a bachelor/ette story to tell. There was the time my sister disappeared from her own party leaving myself and friends in various states of unease as oiled men humped up. Stacy woke the next morning to find baby powder and grease ball sack stains on her Gucci skirt. Or my friend Laura who found a pack of dancers a bit too over zealous as they grabbed guests ankles over their heads and began going to town with their groins. A less stripper based story involves the groom vomiting all over the restaurant dinner table.
We have gorged on half chickens and rice and beans at the local