Recently in Friends Category

On to Day 2!

My own cat!

Steve drew Superhero cats, a Harry Potter cat and a zombie cat!

Friends! (it's worth noting that I also saw several other friends than just the ones I am posting pics of. I sadly didn't get photos of everyone.)

We had some nice crowds!

Giant fish walking around, no big deal.

Friends!

Friends! With bonus friends in the background!

The best part about Saturday's C2E2 was that Fuzzy surprised me! 

He found Waldo!

Svengoolie!

This was amazing and made me really wish my brother was there.

Amazing!

Sadly, on day 2, I also had an injury. The convention was all concrete floors, and half was covereing in rugs, and the other half was not. I slipped on a postcard on the non-rugged side and landed on my knees and my left wrist. It was SO painful. I had to get some ice from the medic:

I'm pretty sure I sprained it. It is better now, but it still hurts a bit. You know me, I love to fall! (I hate falling, but I just happen to do it ALL THE TIME. sigh.)

BONUS PHOTO FROM DAY 1:

End of Day 2.

Last week, my best friend Rebecca posted that amazing birthday tribute to our friendship and it moved me to tears.

Today is HER birthday, and I know that there is no way that I can write anything as beautiful and wonderful and special as she said, so I can only say that I feel all of that back to her plus more. I was going to just post something dumb like a photo of her butt here or something (not that her butt is dumb--I assure you it is not, but posting a photo of it--and I do have one--would be), but then I found all these wonderful photos of her and us and thought about all the amazing times we've had together and all the laughter and all the life experiences we've shared and all the times she's helped me get out of an emotional ditch, and I got overwhelmed with love. Man, I don't know where I would be without her.

REBECCA! You are gorgeous and hilarious and wonderful and loving and nurturing and hysterical and sweet and fun and I love every second that I am with you. Happy Happy Birthday! I am so happy you were born and that you moved to Chicago and that you are who you are!

BOYSCOUTS!

Last Monday, on my way back into town, there were FOUR friends of mine on my return flight. FOUR!! That can only mean one thing: PARTY PLANE!!!!

Who was MOST excited about the party plane? Me and Tabitha! TABITHA! I rarely get to see her, and when I do, I am always over the moon. We laugh and cut up and have a great time, and this was no exception. We also did some serious talkin'-about-life on the party plane. It was the best.  Still not convinced that it was amazing? LET THE PHOTOS DO THE TALKIN'!

Here we are in the airport/ time-warp tunnel. WE ARE READY TO PARTY! 

The second best part about the PARTY PLANE? FREE DRINK COUPONS! 
Erica and Tabitha, are you excited about free drink coupons?

Ok, so this photo made us laugh for about an hour every time we looked at it. In fact, I am giggling to myself outloud right now. I love it so much.

It was also really awesome when our FREE DRINKS arrived! 2 Wild Turkeys on ice, please!

DEELISH!

(Years ago, we took a photo at Tabitha's bday party at Medieval Times, and we all look like it is the *best moment of our lives*. I used to think that it was just cause we were at Medieval Times, but after this photo, I started to think that I look like that any time I pose for a photo with Tabitha.)

We did lots of talking in the dark, and the flight flew by. Suddenly, we were back in Chicago. I tried to take a photo after we landed:

It didn't work. So I turned on the light and tried again.

It was too bright!

Then, once back in the 'port, we sadly had to go our separate ways. We had to get one more photo to wrap up the journey.

Those tired little turtles had to get back to their homes. 

PARTY PLANE FOR LIFE!!!

Marathon write-up, continued.

In the marathon info booklet, we had learned that there was going to be letter markers at the post-race party to meet up with your family and friends. I said early on that we would meet at Q. So all weekend we talked about meeting at Q. When Fuzzy finished, it wasn't hard to find him, cause I was right there, and so was he. So when we were walking around to get our free beer, etc etc, Fuzzy suddenly said "Oh! There is Q!"

So we looked for each other at Q.

But couldn't find the other.

Turns out, we were on opposite sides. We eventually found each other.

Marathon Super Hero!

After a shower, we met up with Chad and Elizabeth, who met us down there for the day! Happy fun times! They are the ultimate foodies and drinkies, so they introduced us to some amazing new restaurants and bars.

Oh! But first, I saw this cat IN a table at a cafe!

Floating kitty!

Elizabeth models the classy "I'm what happened on Bourbon Street in New Orleans" baby onesie.

C&E at the Wine Institute of New Orleans.

True Love!

We had an amazing dinner at Domenica, then hopped over to the amazing Sazerac Bar  for a nightcap.

The next day, we packed and checked out of our hotel and ventured on our last day in the great Crescent City.

"Yes, I DID run the marathon. How did you guess?"

Breakfast!

SNAKED!

Handsome!

Fuzzy had a drink with Chris Owens!

Watch for "ARRRRS"

Good food! Great Friends!

We ate outside in the rain!

Pretty Signs

Then we said goodbye to C&E, and did a bit more exploring.

And had more beignets!

Oh, New Orleans, I love you so. I can't wait til the next time!

It's not uncommon for more than one friend to have the same birthday, but of all days in the year, the date that stacks up the most birthdays is January 17th.

So, to:
Delia Dixon
Kate O'Leary
Emily Reid
Rebecca Rine-Stone
Elaine Vozar

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
xoxo

I've been fortunate to be included in several podcasts lately, including our own Running Podcast. But to be a guest on someone ELSE's podcast is such an honor!

My friend Chip Aucoin has started a new podcast called "Teach Chip Something," where he invites people to chat with him about certain areas of their expertise. Well, we had so many things that we wanted to talk about, that he deemed my episode a "Buffet." Among topics discussed are some things I am more expert on than others, including: Impress These Apes, Choreography, Officiating Weddings, and Triathlons. I had a blast! Thanks for having me on, Chip!

Listen to my high and weedy voice here!