Once Could be a Fluke

But TWICE is destiny!!

So, you doubters may recall this personal Tweet from Donnie to me.

And, some of you said it was a fluke, a one-time deal...that Donnie was trying to appease me to stop my "incessant" and "annoying" tweets by tweeting me once so I would go away.

Well, suckas, feast your eyes on this.

NKOTB announced that they would be doing a Vegas show on May 8th. This prompted me to send this little Tweet to Donnie:


And, seconds later, he sends back the challenge of all challenges:


Oh, Donnie. You have no idea what you have done.

It's going to be me, and you, in Vegas May 8th. And I am so coming to get it.

20 years in the making--you will be mine.

PS...what do all you doubter says now??

PSS...in case you don't use Twitter (no judgement) this is the same as getting a personal email from someone. It's a personal message. HA!

PSSS...he totally loves me.

So Long Golden Handcuffs!

After 6 years with his old job--the perks of which included 7 weeks of vacation--Lance has moved on. Along the way, he collected the fancy new title of VP! He has worked so hard over the years for this, and I am so proud of him.

The 6 weeks of vacation has served us well over the years.

We got to see London...

France

Normandy and Brittany--this is me escaping the Nazi embankment. If you enlarge it, I think you would agree that my face was "fierce" and worth of honors in Tyra's Top Model competition. You should also notice that *both* feet are actually off of the ground.

Holland

Germany

Mexico--our friend *love* this picture, let me tell you.

Switzerland

and Italy!

I am now officially shacking up with a VP. Sa-weet! He even got his own fancy press release today, and he will be in the San Jose Mercury News on Sunday.

ThreatMetrix Adds Fraud Prevention Expert to Executive Team

Former F-Secure and Verifia Director Lance Jacobs to Lead Global Sales Efforts LOS ALTOS, CA–January 26, 2010–ThreatMetrix™, the fastest growing provider of device identification for preventing online fraud, today announced the appointment of Lance Jacobs to vice president of sales. Jacobs is tasked with accelerating ThreatMetrix adoption into the company’s rapidly expanding financial services markets as well as its broadly established customer base in retail, social networks, alternative payments, and casual gaming. He inherits a sales pipeline that has doubled quarter over quarter since ThreatMetrix began selling its SaaS-based solutions in the U.S. in January 2009.

“We’re very excited to add Lance to the team,” said Reed Taussig, president and CEO, ThreatMetrix. “He’s a highly skilled sales executive with extensive online security and fraud prevention expertise. Over the past six months sophisticated fraudsters, typically operating from outside of the United States, have specifically targeted the financial services industry. ThreatMetrix believes that 2010 will demonstrate double or even triple digit growth in the adoption of fraud management tools across all financial services sectors. Traffic to these sites is at an all-time high, but the threat of online fraud is worse than ever. Companies need new tools to combat fraudsters and ThreatMetrix technology is a key part of the solution.”

Jacobs’ career spans 15 years in management, business development, sales and marketing in the software industry. Prior to ThreatMetrix Jacobs was director of North American business development at F-Secure, the publicly held IT security and anti-virus software provider, where he built relationships with service providers such as Cox, Charter Communications, CenturyLink, Shaw Communications, Dish Network, DirecTV, WildBlue, and many others. Earlier in his career, Jacobs was director of business development at Verifia (since acquired by Quova), a pioneer in Internet IP geolocation technology. Jacobs is a graduate of Utah State University.

“ThreatMetrix is a remarkable company and the timing of this opportunity couldn’t be better,” said Jacobs. “There is incredible demand for solutions that deter cyber crime without disturbing the customer experience. Device identification solutions are widely viewed as having this ability. ThreatMetrix has been developing device identification technology for five years and thus is uniquely positioned to dominate the market – and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”

To celebrate, I cooked him up a fancy spaghetti dinner, and then gifted him with a bag of Teuscher chocolates. I only stole 3 of them, which is probably a record for me.

Congrats, VP! I am glad you have moved up and on, but I will miss our traveling life of leisure.

PCH

Okay--first things first. I finally got to meet the Blog-famous Brooke. It was like having dinner with Ashley's twinner. They look, talk, and laugh exactly the same.


Dinner with the Doublemint twins was great. We met up at Tamarine in Palo Alto. I threw out a few suggestions for the girls, listing options for good and even great food. Then I told them I had a restaurant that would blow them away, and they signed up. Tamarine it was. As always, the food was amazing.

I ordered the shrimp puffcakes and the shrimp spring rolls to start. My main dish was the tamarine prawns. It was all delicious. My favorite part is how they nestle the exotic rices in banana leaves.

On Friday, Lancer and I took off for Monterey. We got a great deal on a room at the Monterey Plaza Hotel on Cannery Row--it included a $50 room credit. Upon checking in, they "offered" us a room upgrade for a mere $50. So tricky, you guys. We passed, which ended up being the best option. Our room was more like a suite, and the bed was made of clouds. I want to go back. Lancer ducked out to take these nighttime pics while I snuggled up by the fire.


We dined in the on-site restaurant. First up--I ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and Lance got the creamy clam chowder. We also shared a crab stuffed artichoke with a garlic aioli dipping sauce.

For the main entree, Lancer went with the catch of the day, and I got the shrimp Thai salad. Thanks $50 credit! There apparently is such a thing as a free lunch, and it's delicious!


The next day, we explored Monterey. We started out in downtown Monterey, grabbing breakfast and checking out stores. Lancer picked up a few new argyle sweaters to make up for his 2 sweaters that mysteriously disappeared. I'm sure glad about this fact, because I (hopefully) no longer have to hear his theories on where they went.


In the afternoon, we mozied on down the coast to check out Big Sur. The weather was highly cooperative, and we got some great pics.

Lance fixed up this one of me--I love it!









After enjoying the breathtaking views, we headed back to Carmel. We popped into the shops, and Lancer surprised me with a cute new green purse. I love it! I'm ready for spring.

Thanks for another great weekend of great food and great views. Now I feel refreshed and ready to go back to work. That's not really true, but I will certainly feel better when I think back on the weekend 'o' fun.

Party Like A Rock Star

When we party, people end up in the ER. We take partying very seriously round these here parts.

Here's our beloved Birthday Boy, Joe. He rang in his 45th straight up Tommy Lee style!

We kicked off the weekend with 3 parties--ca-razy! I have to say--it was nice to finally be over my stupid, lingering cold. It was also nice to attend 3 parties which required NO effort on my part. I just showed up, showered people with gifts, and then scuttled back home. It was divine.

First, we had a surprise party for our favorite Wolverine, Joe. When we first met him, he cooked us a gourmet dinner even after we told him if he broke Jo-Jo's heart we would kick him in the nards. Clearly, that was an unnecessary threat. He's good people. Plus, he's a dance freak like me--could dance all night, every night if given the chance. Instead of working out in a gym pre-wedding, he went on a self-proclaimed dance diet. We might be dance soulmates.

We all met up at The Velvet Cantina--a hip little Mexican joint in the Mission.

Here's Jo-Jo walking in with a *very* surprised Joe! He had no idea what she had up her dainty little sleeve.

Jo-Jo looking hotter than ever with her cute new bob and Robert Palmer worthy dress. She looked amazing! Some might even say simply irresistible.

As always, the food was divine. These people know how to eat. I got the chicken tacos on corn tortillas with a pickled cabbage slaw that was seriously to die for. Here's the actual description: "Two soft corn tortilla, mildly spicy achiote chicken, pico de gallo, guacamole and chile pequin cream." Translation: mmmmm. Lancer sprung for the chicken avocado enchiladas. We were happy customers.

While eating, we got to catch up with the whole gang


I put this picture in for my other group of girls! His button says "The Smiths" and he is the DJ for the oft-alluded to "Smith-Morrissey Night" in San Francisco. Gee, I sure love the band Smith Morrissey. BTW--I told him that story, and he was amused. He is friends with the DJ who does Episco Disco. Religion+dancing+disco=I'm so there.

A birthday burrito--I love it!

After dinner, we poured into the street and wished Joe a happy and prosperous 45th.

Unfortunately, the night began in a Mexican dive and ended up in the ER. He is a-okay now, but apparently a little restless. Here's to Joe and a speedy recovery--we love you!

I also attended a birthday party for Little J. She is a doll--but check out this room. Kill. Me. Now. Those party animals put us to shame.

Then I was back up in SF to have fondue night with the ladies. I got to bust out my new and fancy Cuisinart fondue pot. That thing heats the ingredients in under a minute. I am in love--it was a much appreciated gift. Thanks, Santa!

We did dueling cheeses-a traditional Swiss one, and then a Wisconsin Cheddar one. They were both tasty. We finished off the night with a chocolate one.


Totally off the subject, but I had yet another great love disappear from my life without warning.

First, it was Snowball. I listen for her meowing, but she's a thing of the past.

Next, it was Gene and Fuel--making off like bandits in the night.

Last--but certainly not least--I think my housecleaner Carlos broke up with me as well. I even gave him a Christmas bonus! He was a no-show last week, and now his number is out of service.

Who's next? Please just tell me to my face--I can handle the truth.

Gone Too Soon

I know it's human nature to be upset when losing things or people before their time. It hardly seems fair.

Which is why I am so upset at having lost one of my great loves--Fuel Restaurant in San Jose. You know, the one where the owner Gene knew my name and order by heart. It was like my Cheers. I'm a cute, female, less fat version of Cliff.

And it closed right before Brooke was coming into town--we already had plans to dine there. On to plan B, which will NOT be at Chili's, Olive Garden, or that other crappy chain you tried to sell me on. Um, I'm allergic to all of the food at all of those places. I'm thinking Dish-Dash. That was my "go-to" before Fuel came into my life.

I have a few words to say about you, Fuel:

I had birthday parties with you.

I snuck off to lunch with you.

I snuck off to dinner with you.

I got takeout for my fun GNO's from you.

I dreamt about your generous portions of grilled pork salad rolls--4 for $8. I would have paid double.

You were my "go-to" restaurant when I was trying to look hip and fancy. Everyone was always impressed. They came out with full bellies, and smiling pocketbooks.

The worst part is I never got to say goodbye. You just up and left me. I feel so alone. I think I need a grief counselor.

PS--another Fuel devotee and I have been emailing each other tonight on Yelp. We're going to leave a note for Gene on the door and hope he gets it. Whoever hears from Gene first will email the other person. We want to know where he's going next, cause you know our crazy arses will be there day and night!

That's not weird, right?

PSS--Aren't you glad this wasn't another NKOTB post??

For the Love of all Things Holy...

Please, please, please vote for NKOTB to come to San Jose or San Francisco. You can vote once a day!!

Please help me realize my dream of meeting D-Dub in 2010!!! Please make all my dreams come true0--you know I'm still pissed I can't go on the cruise. Please help me heal my broken little heart.

For Eriika

Ch-ch-check out the ab-i-licious goodness from 3:14 to 3:20. Let's pretend the hands grabbing Dub's abs aren't connected to some dude, okay?? I will feel so much better.

PS..I can't wait until February 2nd!!!