The Big House

So MARLA and I somehow, someway, won foster parents of the year for Wicomico County. Each county in the state every year picks a family to be their family of the year. I think we were chosen in hopes that MARLA wouldn't be as big a pain in the ass as she has been in the past towards our local DSS.

So we were invited to an awards banquet to the "Government House". We had not idea what the "Government House" was and we both weren't terribly excited about going. I figured it was just some government building... like an office conference room or something drab. When we got the directions and headed towards downtown then it dawned on us that we were going to the Governor's House for this shindig. MARLA did NOT want me to wear a tie... but I insisted I would rather be overdressed than under dressed. And I found that I drive a bit like an A**hole when wearing a dress shirt and tie.. not sure what's up with that?

So we get to the House and we have to wait out on the sidewalk. We are about 10 minutes early (imagine that) and we have to wait until 3pm on the nose to go inside. It was rather chilly but the time flew by and we got inside.

I had been inside before back in middle school on a field trip, it's a nice place. Huge vaulted ceilings... huge mirrors and paintings... huge spiral staircases. MARLA and I are both totally starving and we had no idea if we were going to get food or even a drink. As we sat down we saw people with plates loaded up with food, so without any delay I darted towards the buffet table and loaded up. Pretty nice spread all around... had a lot of kid friendly foods (chicken strips... french fries, the french fries were REALLY GOOD). About 100 - 200 people total I would imagine.

I was tempted to steal some silverware or something but I didn't. Stealing is wrong.

The Governor was milling about... as was his wife (who was hosting the event) as well as their children running around. O'Malley looked like a guy getting ready to hit the boardwalk in his untucked white shirt and blue jeans. We had pictures taken with the First Lady and everybody at our table was really nice and friendly. Overall it was a fun time and a nice little "thank you" from DSS and Mrs. O'Malley for us foster families. MARLA will have to post the picture as she has the login info.

To Emulate My Friend Amanda's Blog

The new Silversun Pickups has been dominating my music listening lately. Their new CD came out last week and it's pretty good. "Panic Switch" is the first single (which has a catchy as hell base line).... but "The Royal We" is by far the best song on the album.... I play it so freaking loud in my car. Honorable mention to "there's no secrets this year" to sounding like some good old fashioned SP... (smashing pumpkins...).

It's pretty easy to see the similarities... first you'd find them besides each other alphabetically, they both have a female bassist... both have a member who is Japanese (not me) and well.... just listen to the second song.... like it's ripped straight from Siamese Dream.