The Royal Tenenbaums

I didn't think it was going to come together - Chas, Ari, and Uzi didn't have their windsuits until 4:00pm yesterday, I didn't have a suit until I cleaned out my grandparents' closet yesterday afternoon, Margot wasn't getting back into town until late, but it happened! A group of us were the Royal Tenenbaums for our MBA Halloween party. Everyone loved it! They thought we were hilarious. It was a fun night too. The party was at a girl's apartment who lives downtown in Sanger Lofts (loft apartments above the Circle Theater for those of you who know downtown Fort Worth). They are absolutely beautiful and there is a rooftop balcony that residents can use for gatherings and such, so we floated between Dana's apartment and the roof, playing games and people watching in Sundance Square. So here is our rendition of The Royal Tenenbaums. We didn't have anyone to be either Danny Glover or Owen Wilson, and our Luke Wilson decided to go pre-shaved head for his costume (he kind of looked like a tennis-playing Jesus when he wasn't in the group...of course I just looked like a librarian with my glasses on my head and a pencil in my hair when I wasnt with the group!) Anyone who's tried to do something serious with me knows how hard it is for me not to laugh, which ultimately resulted in having to take this picture 3 times. So with no further ado, I would like to present to you, the Royal Tenenbaums.

Dudley

Ashley asked who the guy in the yellow shirt is from our Royal Tenenbaums picture. That is Andrew being Dudley - a kid who is in shock therapy with Bill Murray's character and follows him around all the time. I forget that a lot of people haven't seen the movie in a long time...or ever, so I thought you might like to see a picture of the original Dudley too. I also wanted to show you Luke Wilson's character, Richie pre-shave so that the other picture makes more sense too. Here they are!

The Stalker Diaries Part V: Inlow Stalking

For my last edition of The Stalker Diaries, I have chosen a great subject - baby pictures! I know I'm not exactly family of the Inlows, hence the stalking title, but seeing as the thought of children is far off for both me and my brother, I feel like I can claim the Inlow children in some sense. I was so excited to see the pictures Ryan posted today and was amazed at the deja vu feeling I was getting. So I looked back at my old emails (yes, I still have emails from 2 years ago....wanna fight about it?) to see where the source of this feeling came from. I quickly discovered it was because the pictures from 2003 and 2005 are IDENTICAL! So here it is - Weaver vs. Maisy - it can be kinda hard to tell which is which. Weaver will be on the left, Maisy on the right.
Day 1 pictures:














Daddy and New Baby:




















Mommy and New Baby:

Babies In Bed:

A 2 year old girl fawning over baby and a girl who acts like she's 2 fawning over baby (I think they have the same amount of hair too!):

And finally, Maisy in 2005 and Maisy in 2003:

I can't wait to get to see Weaver in person and I'm so happy for the whole Inlow clan! Have a great day!

The Stalker Diaries Part IV: Shopper Stalking

When I moved into my new apartment this August, there was a spot that needed something to fill it. Earlier that day, my mom and I had gone to Hancock's Fabrics and seen a little wooden table and chairs that would fit perfectly in this spot and was on sale for 50% off. So we got back in the car and headed back to Hancocks ready to buy it. Unfortunately, when we got there, a lady was looking at the table and it was the only one. We quickly debated what to do, knowing that if we showed interest while she was around, she would have picked up the table before we could invade "her territory." So we walked around close by, pretending to be interested in the rest of the junk that was around her constantly glancing over our shoulders to see if she was gone. Even when she wasn't specifically looking at the table, we knew we had to wait until she was a safe distance away before we made our move.

Every girl knows this feeling - almost a sense of panic that the one thing that will make your life complete that day will be taken and you won't be able to get another one. Anyone who's read Confessions of a Shopoholic will recall a scene where Becky Bloomwood is working at a store and hides the last pair of a certain style of pants from a customer who wants them, hoping she can buy them after the store closes. This is Shopper Stalking to the extreme, but it illustrates the point quite nicely. So the next time someone is looking at the last one of something you really want, just stalk them - it may pay off in a cute table and chair set that really completes your apartment.

The Stalker Diaries Part III: Frog Stalking

Okay, so this is one that only I can claim. Well, me and a few of my MBA friends. This is a term we've coined for finding the TCU mascot in the stadium and forcing him to take a picture with us. We call it stalking because we literally chase him down and we plan on doing it every game. Our goal is to get a reaction when he sees us coming....preferrably a good reaction, but either will do. Last night we didn't get to Frog Stalk because I was the only one from our stalking group in town and didn't feel like trying to talk anyone else into joining my crazy tradition, but next game, it is totally on. This picture was from the TCU vs. New Mexico game. It is my friends, Erin and Andrew. I don't have any with the whole group because I didn't have my camera and our other friend, Mike just sent this one out. I'll be sure to share my next frog stalking picture with you all...because I KNOW how much you care about it! :)

The Stalker Diaries Part II: Blog Stalking

This is a term that kind of annoys me, but I guess it fairly accurately describes what goes on. You read someone's blog and don't post a comment. I'm sure there are several people doing that right now as I don't expect more than a comment or two on this post. Or maybe I just think I'm more popular than I actually am and no one really reads this at all....hmmm.....

Anyways, I think its funny that people get upset about blog stalking. I do not subscribe to the theory that you have to post a comment on every blog you read every time you read it. If I actually have something to say, I'll post a comment, but I don't feel obligated. The term truly describes the action though, when you consistently read the blog of a person you have no connection with. I found one through the infamous "next blog" button that I now read pretty regularly because this guy is a good blogger, but I have no clue who he is.

So the point of all this is, just because I haven't commented on your blog doesn't mean I don't read it - I may just be stalking that day. So stop talking bad about me on your blog. :)

The Stalker Diaries

Today as I was thinking about life, I realized how much legal stalking normal people do. So for the next few days, I will be giving my insight into some common forms of stalking that I have done recently. Don't judge me - I'm sure you have done at least one of them!

The Stalker Diaries Part I: Parking Lot Stalking

We've all done it - you're in a completely full parking lot and you see someone walking towards their car. So you start driving about 2 mph following them down the row hoping they'll get into one of the cars close by. You then see them cross into another row, so you step on the gas and go about 40 mph, finally making a turn worthy of a scene from Gone in 60 Sec trying to get to the newly opened spot before someone else does.

Since starting at TCU, this activity has moved beyond luxury and into necessity. There are very few spots by the building that I am in, so you either have to get there early, or parking lot stalk someone just leaving class. It is such a norm in our lots that if you get to campus around 10 min. til 9 am, there will be a car in park on both ends of every row, waiting for people to come out. These are what I have come to refer to as "professional stalkers." They have an actual method to their stalking and inevitably, always get a space over someone like me who drives around in circles hoping to cross the paths of a leaving undergrad. I may just have to meet one and make them my mentor before the year is up.

Tune in tomorrow for Part II of The Stalker Diaries.

Wicked

On Friday, my mother and I jumped in the car at about 4pm and battled State Fair traffic to see the musical that I have been dying to see for about a year. And it was totally worth it.

Wicked is basically a musical that is the true story of the Wicked Witch of the West. The musical is incredibly written - the music is fabulous, the dialogue is hilarious, the costumes are great, the sets are beautiful, and everything is overall just amazing. The girl who is playing Elphaba (wicked witch) on the national tour is, in my opinion, better than Idina Menzel who originated the role. The Wizard is played by the guy who was Al Bundy's next door neighbor on Married With Children and Madame Morrible is Carol Kane who I appreciate most for yelling "Humperdink" over and over in the Princess Bride. I think it was the best musical that I have ever seen.

But beyond all of that, there was something else that truly made me appreciate the musical and applaud the producers...I have had the CD for a year now and know every word to every song. I thought I knew the story and what was going to happen. But the producers of the CD purposely hid major points in the story line so that you couldn't get the full effect until you see the musical. I didn't know this until I was watching the show and it made it so much more enjoyable. I have seen musicals that I knew every word to before going and had no surprises and although I enjoyed them, it was nothing compared to this. Even though I knew the songs, every scene was completely new and gave different meaning to the words I have known for so long.

Wicked was absolutely amazing. I just can't say that enough. If you are in DFW and haven't gotten tickets yet, you need to do whatever it takes to see it. If you aren't in DFW, you need to do whatever it takes to get here and see it. You will be sorry if you don't.

Best Day Ever!

It's been a stressful week for me, so its about time I had a good day. It started off with my Marketing class getting our midterms back - I got a 92. Then I did a major presentation in Econ, which doesn't sound good, but is really a relief because it is off my back. Then I found out that I get to be 1 of 2 first-years to get to go to a Women's MBA conference in Boston...for FREE! Thats right, free trip to Boston.

And then....it got even better....


Ben Stein came to TCU to speak tonight. I didn't think I was going to get to go because it was sold out, but one of my friends, Doug, had about 3 extra tickets, so I took one. We went to dinner before at Macaroni Grill and another guy, Mike, called to tell me to get there ASAP because they oversold the event by 400 and he didn't know how long he could hold seats for us. So I left the restaurant to help him with the seats and parked in a lot close by. There was a sign saying "Ed Landreth Hall" which is where the theater is, so I went in the closest door - the wrong door. There was no one inside, so I started walking down a hall.

And then it happened...Ben Stein walked out of a door. I got a deer-in-headlights look and froze! I didn't know what to do...should I pretend I don't know who he is or acknowledge that he's Ben Stein? So I settled for a nervous "Hi!" He said "What's your name?" I said "Emily Tate" and shook his hand and he said "Well hi Emily, my name is Ben Stein." And I responded with an oh-so-intelligent "I know! You're who I'm here to see!" And then I told him I was lost and he helped me find the right direction. It was so cool! I was so stunned that I didn't ask for his autograph OR get a picture with him, and I totally could have because it was about 40 min. before the show so he obviously wasn't in a hurry. But it definitely made my night just to meet him and then see him speak. He is an AMAZING speaker and is just so intelligent. If you haven't read his articles, you need to look them up. He's a great writer too.

So good great on a test, weight off my shoulders in Econ, free trip to Boston, and meeting Ben Stein. Overall, a pretty great day.