Operation Tubetop

Because I am a giver, and I want my readers to have a fabulous Halloween, I have put together a list of last minute Vienna themed Halloween costume ideas because I am awesome! So come along and try not groan at my terrible terrible yet kind of awesome costume ideas! 3rd man: This one is easy. Wear what you normally wear, tape a large number “3” on your chest. When people ask you what you are, say “The Third Man.” Or, to be even more subversive, wear a nametag that says “Harry” and carry a lime. What you’ll need: The number “3” and/or a nametag and a lime Beamter: We’ve all met one. We have all stood in those awesome lines. We’ve all needed to sell our soul to make sure we have the right paperwork. This time you are the boss. Get yourself a stamp and be prepared to walk around with a scowl on your face. What you’ll need: A large stamp (the larger, the better) and simmering rage. Concert seller: To see an example, head to Stephansdom or the Opera. Sure, you m

Well hello there Friday evening. I am liking you very much. A week ago today I was surrounded by awesome people in awesome costumes and having a ball. Today I am surrounded by my laptop and wearing flannel pj's and wearing fluffy slippers and well, that's awesome too. It has been a good week: quiet save for Wednesday night when I turned into Tara Reid on a night out. It definitely made the list for awesomeness paired with some embarrassing moments. The Kid has also been incredibly awesome since Saturday. The Husband and I keep shaking our heads in amazement at how happy he has been. And last night he kicked around a balloon for an hour which was amazing for us to see. For the past couple of years, he hasn't shown much interest in "playing" but last night he was on fire! He even brought it to bed with him. I kept waiting for the "pop" and then the screams of terror. We also have not had any freak outs or temper tantrums and it is like he's tapped

Oh God guys, I out Bridgeted Bridget Jones last night. I went for gold, I got platinum. And today I am paying for that. This morning the Husband told me the plumber would be coming between 11 and 1 and I did the selfless thing and offered to stay home for the morning. He took the Kid to kindergarten and I stayed on the sofa, smacking my forehead repeatedly when memories of the night before kept hurtling back in my mind. Ugh. Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually get blotto very often. Sure, I like my wine but there would be no way I can do the stuff I do if I actually drank to the extreme. It wouldn't be functioning alcoholism, it would be over-achieving alcoholism. I could sell tickets to my seminars on how to get so much done while drinking. Besides my full time job and taking care of the Kid, I also write this blog, write once in a while for Vienna Würstelstand, help out at the House of Canada and just started the Autism in Vienna page. Yeah, I don't have time

Whattup Tuesday night? I am on the sofa, in my pj's and enjoying a small glass of wine. I am in a pretty awesome mood for a few reasons and while this won't be a super long post, I have some dis and dats. This morning I got to work super super early so that I could bounce from work at exactly 3:30. I was able to get a last minute hair appointment and the greys were coming in and I had to go and get it done stat. I hate having my hair done. I love my hair dresser and I love the end result. But two hours of pampering? Kill me now. He even gave me a glass of champs and lectured me for working while the dye set. He is great! But because my time is so limited, 2 hours seems like a long long time to dedicate to myself. Why yes, I am insane. If somebody could create a spa that comes to your house while you sleep, I would totally invest in that. WHY ARE THERE ONLY 24 HOURS IN THE DAY?!?! WHY?! Anyway, tomorrow I am going to a book launch! Hey-o! I was invited (I bartered for it

Happy Austria Day! 60 years of neutrality and they celebrate with a military parade! Yaay! Besides the Halloween party, the Autism Symposium and the afternoon at the Ritz Carlton, it has been a pretty chilled long weekend. On Saturday we cleaned and napped a little and then in the evening the Husband picked up the Kid. Immediately we noticed something very different about him. Don't worry, all limbs were attached. The Husband said "Doesn't he seem a lot happier?" and I looked at him as he ran around and I agreed. On Sunday it was the same thing. I took him to the park for a bike ride and he was easy going and happy. And let us talk about some of the playgrounds in this city. WHY MUST THEY BE SO HIGH!?!? The Kid was giving me heart palpitations the whole time he climbed up the insanely high apparatus. I think the other parents were bemused at the crazy lady yelling "Raphael! Focus! What are you doing?! Not head first down the slide! NOT HEAD FIRST!"

Guys, I can't move. I might need shoes with wheels to get me anywhere. Or a hoverboard ( Back to the Future , I'm not talking to you. You know why). I just got back from the Ritz Carlton and I think I might end up passing out. I ate so much and I might actually eat salad voluntarily tomorrow and not because I am being polite and eating it because someone went to the effort to make a salad. No, I might actually order a salad. That's how sugared up I am right now. 10 year old me after an Ottawa Halloween has nothing on my blood sugar stats right now. But you know what? WORTH IT! Last week a couple of friends pm'd me and asked if I wanted to join them for high tea at the Ritz Carlton one weekend afternoon. I think I needed a second before I wrote "Capital idea! Sounds like a smashing plan!" in reality I probably wrote something like "Hell, yes, Imma have myself some fancy food." Now, I haven't been to high tea since I was about 12. My mom used t

Wow! That was an epic Halloween party! So many people, so many awesome costumes and just an awesome time! I decided to do a head count the next morning and we had an epic 43 people. Love our apartment and love that we can fit so many people into it. I remember 2 years ago, in our old place, we had 35 guests and it was a tight fit. like, take out a few books to fit another person in. I remember saying to myself "This is the last time we will be having a Halloween party in this apartment." A few months later we ended up looking at a new apartment and I remember one of the first things I thought was "imagine the epic Halloween parties here!" That did not impress the Husband but I am persuasive. The morning of the party started out a little rocky. I woke feeling congested and achey and I was PISSED! There was no way I was going to be sick for this party. Actually, had I been sick, I would have still thrown it. I am nothing if not determined. I remember battling bro