LOOK AT THOSE HOT BUNS!

Friday will mark the 30th Anniversary of the release of the film STAR WARS. Now, I am not a huge science fiction fan; I'm no Dungeons & Dragons player obsessed with fanart and role playing. I am, however, a child of the 80's. I grew up with the heroics of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. I was terrified by the evil of Darth Vader, and I swooned at the romantic ideals of the lovely Princess Leia.

The films are classic. They aren't the high tech schlock that Lucas has since produced. Rather then trying to woo audiences with the glitz of big budget special effects, these films are old school stories. They won us over because of their simplicity. At the heart of the STAR WARS legacy is the story of a battle. It is the battle of Good vs. Evil. It is the battle of Luke to find his true identity and discover his past. It is the battle of Han Solo to fight his womanizing ways and eventually win the heart of the lovely Princess Leia. And, it is the battle of Leia Organa to wow us with her top notch 'dos.

What child growing up didn't marvel at the engineering genius it must have taken to create the elaborate swirls of Leia's updo? What little girl (or gay boy) didn't don a towel on her head and try to twist it into those ubiquitous braids? Who didn't look into their mirror only to think "if only my hair were a bit more Leia-esque"?

Well, for those who ever wanted that intergalactic babe look, search no further! Just in time for the 3oth Anniversary Celebrations, you can create your very own Princess Leia Wig! That's right! Some crafty genius has devised a pattern to allow you to knit your very own Princess Leia Wig. With a few skeins of yarn, a couple of hours time, and an unhealthy passion for SciFi, you too can be the envy of the Rebel Alliance! And what, pray tell, does this wig look like? Here you go!

Now, I just need to find someone who knits. Let me know if you can make me one!

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

ATLANTA COTILLION

AID ATLANTA is the Southeast's largest AIDS service organization. They provide outreach, research, and support for those who are infected/affected by HIV & AIDS.

One of the largest fundraisers that AID ATLANTA has is the annual Atlanta Cotillion. This year, I have the honor of participating in Cotillion as one of the Debutantes. Below is a brief history of the Cotillion and it's efforts:

In 1997, J. D. Kellum and Jeff Paramore created the first Atlanta Cotillion Ball to provide a creative and unique opportunity to raise awareness as well as funds for the HIV/AIDS community. In 2002, led by John McGuirk and a dedicated group of community volunteers, the Atlanta Cotillion was reorganized to maximize the fundraising potential of this unique event. In 2004 John McGuirk passed the leadership responsibilities to Edward Holifield, Harrison Perry and Greg Whitmire.

Edward Holifield and Greg Whitmire currently Co-Chair Atlanta Cotillion. Their shared vision as Co-Chairs is to enhance and grow the event each year while remaining true to its founding traditions. Annually, 12 gentlemen from the Atlanta community are invited to participate as Debutantes in a fundraising competition to benefit HIV / AIDS charities. Since 2002, the Atlanta Cotillion has donated more than $250,000 to AID Atlanta, the largest AIDS service organization in the southeast. For more information on AID Atlanta, visit http://www.aidatlanta.org.

After months of creative individual Debutante fundraising efforts, the Atlanta Cotillion social season culminates in the lively and entertaining Atlanta Cotillion Ball. In keeping to tradition the Debutantes with their escort are presented to celebrate their fundraising successes. As the highlight of the evening, the Debutante who has raised the most funds is crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball. Past Atlanta Cotillion Ball Queens consist of Aric Castleberry 2002, Harrison Perry 2003, Steve Dondero 2004. In 2005 having raised a record $25,000 Jody Woodruff was crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball.

Each year, the Cotillion hovers just below the $100,000 mark in funds raised. Last year, $94,000 were raised - with ALL of that going directly to AID Atlanta. 100 % of the proceeds go directly to AID Atlanta and their efforts! This year, we plan to break the $100,000 mark.

How can you help me? Well, you can support my efforts at Cotillion. On May 1, the website - www.atlantacotillion.com, will be up and running. Simply go to my area (Steven Igarashi), and you can donate online. Additionally, I'm interested in any ideas you have for fundraising. Wanna throw a fundraiser for me? GREAT! Work for a large company that can sponsor me? EVEN BETTER! No idea is too small or too large!!!!

Let me hear from you! It's for a great cause, and I hope to see you at Cotillion on September 15, 2007.

Thanks!!

LOVE ME IF YOU DARE

Occasionally a piece of pop culture comes along and it stays with you. It has an impact that is undeniable.

I am not talking about fads like Cabbage Patch Kids or hip television shows. I am talking about art that uses pop culture as it's medium. Great works of cinema or music that linger long after you've been exposed to them; pieces that haunt you and plague your thoughts.

I was reminded last night of one such piece. A new friend and I were discussing our love of film, and foreign films specifically. I told him that I recalled seeing a film a few years back, and it had stayed with me all of these years. The plot was perhaps one of the most romantic ideas I'd ever encountered - or perhaps ever will. He immediately recalled the film - LOVE ME IF YOU DARE.

The film is a french film, Jeux d'enfants, which was released in 2003. It tells the story of childhood friends who develop a game. The game is built of off escalating dares. Eventually, the dares wreak havoc on the lives of the young boy and girl, isolating them from their family and friends. Over time the two grow apart - until there is an epiphany that they are the true loves of each other's lives.

I will not reveal the ending, but I'd encourage you to rent this film. I might just do the same....

Here's to new friends and old movies!

Friends, Romans, Countrymen - LENT me your ears!

So, we're in the midst of LENT right now.

For those of you who are heathens, LENT is the thirty days prior to Easter. It is the time from Ash Wednesday until Palm Sunday. Historically, this is a time of penance and reflection for the faithful. During this time, believers choose something near and dear to them to "give up" for Lent. This is a symbolic practice which is meant to remind us of the sacrifices Christ made on our behalf.

Traditional items that you might give up are indulgences like soda, chocolate, dessert, or television. Additionally, some people choose to give up temptations like cigarettes and alcohol. A brave devout few even dare to give up SEX! (Though, let's face it, they probably weren't getting much play to begin with.)

I saw this postcard on POST SECRET, which is one of my favorite sites. Additionally, I heard someone say that they were giving up MySpace for LENT. It got me to thinking...in this modern age we live in, where we have so much accessible, what is a true sacrifice? What is really going to hit home with us and make the meaning of Lent real?

Could you live without your cell phone/crackberry? Maybe you need to give up American Idol for Lent? Perhaps it's your daily dose of Perez Hilton? Hmmm...

Just curious, what are you giving up for LENT (if anything)? If not, what do you think would be a suitable modern sacrifice?

THOUGHTS???

You're so superficial!

Vain.

Conceited.

SUPERFICIAL.

Who says these have to be a bad thing? In fact, I think The Superficial, www.thesuperficial.com, is a great thing.

Everyday, when I am overwhelmed with my paperwork, Excel spreadsheets, and general office B.S., I take a moment and remember things aren't that bad.

I could be this girl....

And, suddenly, things are alright.

And for a moment, I'm not that innocent....

Chicken Soup for the Soul...

Valentine's Day has come and gone, and I hope that you all had a fantastic time with your loved ones. I wanted to share this cartoon with you - DKW shared it with me, and I thought it too funny not to pass along.

Ah, L'amour!

A heart full of....

Today is Valentine's Day, and we here at DRINKING@WORK are not without our sentimental sides. So, while you gorge yourselves on that box of chocolates, and drown your single sorrows in your bottle of Moet Chandon, let me offer you this tiny distraction.



Last year, I was fortunate enough to stumble across this amusing little site. Thanks to some geek, you can now make your own photo icons of that ubiquitous Valentine symbol, the Conversation Heart. Any combination you want can be created, as long as it's no more than two lines of text, four letters a piece.



Last night, I whipped up this ditty for my boo.

The site is a fun little diversion, and your honey might be impressed by your geek skills if you whip them up a little something to personalize their spot on the web.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Wuv, Twue Wuv....

Wednesday will be Valentine's Day - a day of hearts, candy, and the butterflies in the stomach feeling that only being in love can provide.

This Valentine's Day, I have a lot to be thankful for.

For starters, I'm in love.

He's a wonderful man and I couldn't be happier. He is smart and funny; he's cute. He makes me proud of him, and he makes me proud of me.

I entered a contest recently, with a local newspaper, and I was one of the winners. The essay contest asked simply, "What makes this Valentine's Day so Special?"

Well, I wrote:

As a 28-year-old man, this is the first year that I am
completely out. I am out to my friends and my family. I am out
publicly and professionally. I am eager to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with
my boyfriend. We’ve been together for 3 months, and I’m hoping for many
more. … For the first time in my life, I am comfortable enough with myself
to tell that to the world.
So this year, it’s not candy hearts and flowers
that have me excited. Nor is it the opportunity to share my life with a
great man (although I’ve got that too!). What I’m excited about this
Valentine’s Day is that I am a gay man, in a loving and healthy relationship,
and I can shout it from the rooftops.

So, this Valentine's Day I am thrilled to be able to say "I'm in love" -

Not just because I'm in love, but because I'm finally comfortable saying it.

A candle in the wind...

ANNA NICOLE SMITH - DEAD AT 39!

Former Guess Supermodel, Playboy Playmate, and TrimSpa spokesmodel Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her Miami hotel room.

No stranger to controversy, Smith recently lost her 20 year old son amidst a swirl of rumors. Additionally, Smith was embroiled in a custody battle with her one time boyfriend. Smith, who recently wed her longtime attorney Howard K. Stern, was also a litigant in a suit against TrimSpa - her former employer, and the supposed key to her dramatic weightloss.

At once an icon and a joke, Smith will undoubtedly be missed. Smith was most noted for her scandalous and unapologetic lifestyle. Embroiled in a longterm battle for the estate of her late husband J.Howard Marsh, Smith was also an actress who had appeared in films like THE NAKED GUN and in her own reality TV series.

I don't know why I am both shocked and saddened by this.

Because I Said So!

This weekend, I had a chance to see the new Diane Keaton/Mandy Moore film, BECAUSE I SAID SO.

I really enjoyed this. I'm a huge Diane Keaton fan - I love all of her work. I'm also a big Mandy Moore fan. I think she's a very talented songstress, and a pretty hilarious actress. I love that she pokes fun at her own "goody-goody" image. She was absolutely genius in SAVED, which is one of my favorite films.

I found this movie to be charming. It was funny, it was sweet; it's everything that a romantic comedy should be. I also liked the supporting cast. Lauren Graham and Piper Perabo were very relatable as Mandy Moore's long suffering sisters. They have some of the more fun scenes in the film.

The film centers around the relationship between Mandy Moore, who is a carefree independent spirited modern woman, and her mother Diane Keaton, who is meddlesome and neurotic. Things heat up as Diane Keaton places a secret want ad to find true love for Moore.

Grab a date and head to the movies! I thought this was a fantastic one to see. It made me laugh, and it's characters are real and relatable.

Here's to Friday....Now back to your CUBE!

It's Friday.

If your week's been like mine, I hope you can relate.

There she is...

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!

Tonight is the Miss America Pageant. The pageant will air at 8 p.m. tonight on CMT. You can visit their website for all kinds of great behind-the-scenes info. The website features bio videos for each contestant. You can also access cool things like the Miss America ringtone (which is currently on my phone - no joke!).

I will of course be rooting for Georgia's own Amanda Kozak. Amanda wins my support, not only because she is the local winner, but because of her platform. Amanda's platform is child mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. BBBS is my former employer, and I am also a Big Brother! Amanda's talent is tap, and she's a strong contender across the boards. Look for her to make a good showing!

For more pagenat 411, and some very entertaining video footage, check out my friend's blog here. He has wonderful background info on the contestants, as well as pics from the preliminary competitions last week. It is sick just how much information he has! He is a field director for the Miss Georgia Organization. Additionally, he happens to be a very witty and clever writer - check him out and favorite his site! It's a great thing to do instead of work!

Rainy Days and Mondays...

It has been famously said that music has powers to soothe the savage beast. I, however, believe that the true power of music lies in the lyrics - the power of words. A good lyric reaches you, and you can instantly feel connected. Such is the case of "Rainy Days and Mondays," the famed Carpenter's song. In the song, Karen richly croons that "rainy days and Mondays always get me down." In listening to it, she gives voice to the melancholy we've all felt - that we all feel.

Each morning I wake is a struggle to get out of bed. Each Monday is infinitely worse. Today, struggling with the fact that my weekend was over, that it was 19 degrees outside, and that it was that damn Monday again, I felt I'd had enough. Then, like a ray of comic sunshine, I found this little gem in my inbox....

Thanks DW! You get me, and suddenly Monday doesn't seem so wonky.

Give a little bit....

While we at Drinking @ Work are all about the laughs, we're also not without a heart. I am a huge advocate of philanthropy and volunteerism. I was interested to see this post on a friend's blog that led me to SixDegrees.Org. Who out there hasn't played "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon"? We all understand that in today's society we live with an increasingly interconnectivity. We are all part of a global family - our actions impact not only our lives but the lives of those around us.

Building on that idea, Six Degrees takes the idea that it "takes a village" and puts it to work. Here, you will find celebrities and their causes. Even better, however, you can develop your own badge which can be used to link to causes you support.

I hope you'll take time to view this, and maybe even make your own badge. I'd also encourage you to read about my cause and maybe make a donation.

Thanks.

I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts....

Continuing with today's love fest, I'd like to share with you something else that I've recently fallen in love with. It's petite and curvy, and satisfies me in a way that few things can....Minds out of the gutters perverts, I'm talking about The Republic of Tea's new line of White Iced Teas. In particular, I'm enamored with the Vanilla Coconut.

Considering that it's currently January, and that there's rumors we might have snow where I live this weekend, I'm longing for the delights of summer. What could be more summer than a refreshing sip of Coconut? Why, it's practically a tropical vacation in a bottle! Okay, that's a stretch, but it's pretty good for a beverage. Alright, it's damn good for a bottled tea. It's like a sippable vacation!

So, step away from your cubicle - push back that tired bottle of Diet Coke, and go and pick yourself up a few bottles of this stuff. I found mine at the grocery store, but I've also seen it in gas station convenience stores. The bottled tea also comes in a variety of other tasty flavors, including Peach and Pomegranate varieties. Try them all!

I feel like CHICKEN tonight....

Part of the basis for me starting this website was to give other people an outlet for slacking. When you're at work, it can be daunting to actually have to, er, work.

With that in mind, I have compiled an extensive list of "diversions" which help me on a daily basis. I will begin posting some of my favorites from this list on the site. As an act of charity here at DRINKING @ WORK, I would like to share with you one of my favorite things. WOW! I feel just like Julie Andrews....

One of my favorite sites is Doug Savage's, SAVAGE CHICKENS. We at DRINKING @ WORK, feel that Mr. Savage is pure genius; of course, we are drinking at work so take that for what it's worth. At any rate, Dan is a hilarious cartoonist. His site tells the story of the chicken's evolution stating:

Like some sort of haunting supernatural force, the
chickens bubbled up from the ol' subconscious mind. In a trance-like state, I drew them on office whiteboards. I drew them in notebooks. I drew them on anything that sat still long enough. People started asking, "Who's drawing those damn chicken cartoons everywhere?

The chickens were unstoppable.

To retain my sanity, all I could do was grab a stack of sticky notes, and release the Savage Chickens.

And release them he did! Each day Savage posts a new Chicken Cartoon. They are all drawn by hand, and they are all done on the ubiquitous yellow Post-It (which we know was invented by Romi & Michelle).

These Chickens have become a highlight of my day! I eagerly anticipate each day's arrival, and I freely forward them out in emails to friends - all while I could be working. I hope that you'll find SAVAGE CHICKENS to be a suitable diversion for you too! Feel free to list some of your favorite distractions in the comments, and you may find them featured in a future entry!

Why Drinking At Work?

Welcome to the wonderful world of Drinking@Work!

Why "Drinking At Work" you might ask?

Well, for starters...I think it's more polite than "HOMICIDE In the Office." Secondly, what problem can't be cured by a good stiff drink? And lastly, who among us doesn't come into work and ask "wtf has he/she been drinking?"

For all of these reasons, and the multitudes more, I give you Drinking@Work - the working stiff's escape! So, add us to your favorites and check us often for diversions from work. Don't feel guilty - at least you're not Drinking At Work!