Engaging in Sushi

Tonight most of the engaged couples we know ventured out to Ichiban for all you can eat sushi. The group included: Newly engaged Adam and Dena, Deb and Ter, Adam and the spirit of Heather, and Tom and me.
This was much fun - the chefs put all the sushi out on boats that float in a moat (take that Dr. Seuss!) and go around in front of you. We all sampled tons of sushi and had fabulous cucumber salad. Adam K and I figured out that we met 10 years ago, before either of us had met my lovely fiance. I recounted the first time I met Dena (months after she and Adam V started dating), and Tom recalled that Dena once marinated a pork chop for Adam. Interesting what some people remember....it must be wishful thinking because the chances of me marinating a pork chop for Tom are about as good as the chances of me drinking a glass of scotch. Not gonna happen.

The group then decided to wander down Nicollet Mall in search of a good stiff drink - and ended up on the upstairs patio at Brits watching lawn bowling. Much discussion of weddings and honeymoons and proposals ensued as the sun began to set.

We walked back to the parking garage and parted from our friends. Tom and I went back to his new hybrid Highlander (picked up today!) and proceeded to be spanked by the navigation system in the car. Although it was very insistent, I decided home was not in Kansas. I guess we'll need to read the manual! *Love* the car though - very nifty and absolutely silent when idling.

I was dropped off at my car and wandered home to play with the birds before bed. Ah.... bed.

Sushi Boats! 

The Sushi Squad 

Shared Wisdom

When using a staple gun, be sure that you have lined up the "staple exit" end of the gun with your hand. What? What's that? You say it HURTS to staple your hand?

Brilliant! I apparently was not feeling as bright today as I attempted to fix landscape fabric to the inside of a planter.

Fortunately I remained rather calm and gritted my teeth as I dashed to the house. My lovely finance tried very hard not to snicker as I removed the staple from my thumb. And then he brought the H2O2 and a band-aid.

I asked him later if he knew something was wrong when I called him from outside. He said, "I had a feeling you had stapled yourself." Um, what? Am I really that accident prone? Note to self: do not stand close to the edge of a steep incline or run with scissors. Seriously - I've injured myself in the dumbest ways during my life.

I guess I should be more careful!

Date Night

Last night I took Tom out on a date. We went to Morton's for dinner, followed by a trip to the Uptown theater for opening night of "Howl's Moving Castle."

Morton's was OK for me, given that I don't eat steak. The waiter does a little show that lets you know what's on the menu. I was made very sad by the fact that he had a live lobster on the food cart. :(

I soldiered on through the meal and then dessert arrived: a very warm and scrumptious chocolate cake. Quite nummy...

Howl's Moving Castle was lovely - as usual a visually stunning Miyazaki film with fantastic creatures and machines.

A couple of minor gripes:
I think I had forgotten, but I really dislike the Uptown theater. The seats are uncomfortable, and there was no air conditioning last night. Sticky, humid, and stink are bad attributes for a theater.
Second, the story line was a bit thin in places, but I don't really go to Miyazaki films for the story lines. Sure I'd LIKE a good story line, but we have to put the needs before the wants and in this case a good story line is a want :)

So what did I like about it? About ten minutes in I noticed myself gasping and giggling like a kid at a movie. There is something about films like this that transport you to another time and place. I like being able to suspend my disbelief (not usually an easy thing for me) and live for a couple of hours in a world where castles walk and wizards fly about.

Its really a charming movie and I suggest you brave the Uptown theater to see it.

After the movie, date night came to a close by me dropping off Tom at his truck. As he got out of my car, he smooched me on the cheek and asked if he could take me out sometime. Geez, you agree to marry a guy and he thinks you'll go anywhere with him!! :)

Meetings

"If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be: 'meetings' "

Thank you for a pearl of wisdom, Dave Barry.

I'm getting married!

In case you don't know already, I'm getting married!

September 24th, 2005 in the garden pictured here:


The Japanese Gardens at Normandale

The groom is my adoring and lovable fiance Tom.

Reasons to love Tom (not an exhaustive list):
Cute :)
Smart
Funny
Outgoing
He cooks!!
Patient
Logical
Geek
Good at most everything he puts his mind to
Obtains Dr. Who episodes on the sly for me to watch
Plans very sweet date nights for us
Did I mention he cooks?
Plays a mean game of chess
Reminds me to go to bed at a reasonable hour :)
Liberal
Buys those little gifts that show he's been listening
When I tell him to woo me, he says, "Wooooooooooooooooooooo...."
I can make Tivo noises and he knows just what I mean AND he doesn't laugh at me
Gorgeous Hazel eyes (they are too Hazel!)
Puts up with my wild schemes
Reading the Sunday paper together
Did not, until recently, know how to pronounce jaundice
Cuddly

I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

Me and my Tom  

Post Number Uno!

Well. I've finally gotten around to setting up a blog. Some of you may be keenly aware of the fact that I suck at keeping in touch with people. Its not that I don't want to, I just suck at it.

So I hope that I'll be better at keeping interested parties up to date on the latest in the world of Gwen.

Enjoy :)