I like beer

In case you don't get the Tom T. Hall reference, listen up.

I like beer.  I also like wine, vodka and tequila, but since Microfestivus is coming up in August, I'll talk about drinking beer and festivals.
Microfestivus is that magical sweaty time in the hottest part of summer... a place relationships begin and end (OK maybe I'm the only person who has ever been dumped after an adult beverage festival), friendships are made in line for the porta-john and old acquaintances are avoided.  Beers are tested and loved or rejected.  People are friendly to strangers as they wait in line patiently for a 4 ounce taste of a yummy new beer.  Happy times.

This pic is from Big Lick Brewtopia 2011, in Salem VA.

This year is the 14th Microfestivus run by the Square Society in Roanoke VA.  It promises to be a freakin' good time.  I'm volunteering to pour beer for a couple of hours.  Hopefully it will be with Ommegang Brewery.  Come see me if you're there!  They make yummy Belgian style beer.  Good stuff.  If you want more info, you can check out Microfestivus here here and Ommegang here.

This one is from the first annual Rocktown Beer and Music Festival 2011, in Harrisonburg VA.
What is it with me and the giant sunglasses?  I just don't know.


What kind of beer do you drink?  What should I try this year?

I don't usually discuss politics, but…

Weiner Resigns

Why the overwhelming pressure on Anthony Weiner to resign when a former POTUS set a precedent for him?  I don't remember Bill Clinton getting this much pressure to resign after having an extra-marital affair IN THE WHITE HOUSE.  Don't get me wrong though, I'm of the opinion that Anthony Weiner is a liar and agree with his resignation.
I believe all politicians (Democrats or Republican, there's no difference when it comes to responsibilities) should make the American people their highest priority.  If they can't, they shouldn't be allowed to represent the American people.




Gini B

You're my inspiration

I have several goals in life - totally attainable - only two of which are to lose weight and to free up some closet space.  I've decided that I need some daily inspiration and plan to kill 2 birds with one stone.  I've never liked birds anyway. 
Here's the plan:
I have some awesome dresses that are a wee bit too small, so I hung them up on the wall in my closet (which was originally a second bedroom, but I live alone, so why not make it useful?)

Why yes, that is a vintage Lilly Pulitzer hostess dress, thank you for asking!


Now, my closets aren't so cluttered, I have unique and what I consider to be beautiful wall decor, and I'm reminded every day to put the damn Double Stuf Oreos down.

I found the little acrylic paintings at a yard sale for $1.  A child may have painted them, but I don't care.  They're better than anything I've done.

Don't know if I can give up the Oreos cold turkey, but now my boring walls are colorful and joyous and every day will be a good day!  I hope yours is a good day too!

P.S. I got the idea from hanging clothes on the wall from Freckles in downtown Roanoke :)


UPDATE 02/28/12:  Guess who's still a big fat fat-ass and can't fit into any of these clothes?  This girl!

Lighten up, it's just FAshion.

So, I've decided that I need some summer dresses.  I'm not morbidly obese by any means, but I am a little chunky in the middle, so I need some larger sized dresses.  While shopping for these, I've come to a few conclusions:
1. I don't need to cover up my whole body.  I've found some empire waist strapless dresses at Kohl's and Target that look fabulous and are so comfortable!  Most have an elastic bodice that doesn't squeeze so much that I look like a can of poppin' fresh biscuits when it's first busted open.  My arms don't look as big as they do when I wear something with tight sleeves either.  If you choose to wear an empire waist style, just make sure it's not so baggy and full that you look like you're going to pop out a kid in a couple of months.

2. People were apparently smaller in the 1970s and before.  They must have been!  Based on the size of vintage clothing I wear, I'm an ideal candidate for gastric bypass surgery.  When shopping at a thrift store or Goodwill, I now head straight to the plus sizes and look for cool vintage clothes.  They're easily taken in (by a professional, not me) to fit like custom made clothing.  Here's a pic of what I found last week.

Freakin' awesome, right?  With some minor alterations it'll be updated for this century's style.  I'm doing to have it chopped off into a short party dress, but in the mean time, here is a "before" picture.  I'm aware that I need to pose better, but it's hard to learn when I have to use the timer on my camera to take my own pictures.  At least I don't take creepy, pathetic pics in my mirror.  *shudders*

My point is that whatever your size, buy stuff a little bigger, then have it tailored to fit.  Even Tim Gunn will tell you that.  Also, don't be concerned about the size number on the tag.  Sizes will vary quite a bit.  I can wear 8-18 depending on brand, age and style of clothing.

To sum up, show your assets (mine are my hooters is my smile), anything old can become current, and most importantly, size is just a number.

Hugs and kisses,
Gini B

PS. Thank you Michael Kors for my clever blog title, and thanks to Santino Rice for putting it in song.

What could I possibly need from the laundromat?

I can't think of anything, but apparently the Grandin Road laundromat has it.  What do you think "it" is?  I guess I need some clean laundry, but the sign implies that there's something more...  Ideas?

Searching for the holy grail of vintage stuff

I've done quite a bit of research (shopping) to find awesome vintage stuff.  It doesn't matter what kind of stuff, as long as it has character.  I've been to every thrift store in Roanoke, and even visit thrift stores when I travel, but I've found the most awesome stuff is...

...in my Mom's jewelry drawer!  Can you believe she has had this ring for ages and just pulled it out to show me a couple of weeks ago?  She asked me to sell it for her.  LOL, right Mama, I'll sell it and won't wear this costume-jewelry-piece-of-awesomeness. 

Wonderful Wednesday

I have no purpose today, so I'll share my miscellaneous and random thoughts for the last several days.  Hmmm...what's been happening in the world lately?  Hmmmm...oh wait, I know!  The Royal Wedding!  I love the Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice hats.  I thought Beatrice looked beautiful, even though others disagree.  If I was to go to a royal wedding, I'd wear her dress and hat.
Now let's talk about Camilla.  Nah, let's don't.  I can't stand her. I feel sure she smells like farm animals. If I had a racehorse, I'd like to name it "Camilla the Homewrecker", but wouldn't want to give a nice horse such a horrible name.
I thought Catherine (nee Kate) looked beautiful with her tiny waist and all that, but I was hoping for something more over the top.  There should have been a tiny hat or something wacky thrown in there. 
Last but not least, I love Harry.  I have a soft spot for Gingers, but I'd probably never marry one.

Ta ta for now!

Boobies

Upper front of body, bosom, breast, bust, mammary glands, upper trunk, dirty pillows, head lights, tatas, boobs... have I forgotten any?



Yes, this blog is about boobies.  Let's talk about 'em.  Bigger isn't always better.  And by "bigger" I don't mean Ice T's girlfriend, Coco, or that freaky chick on Jerry Springer who tried to write her boobs off her taxes as a work expense.  I'm referring to the slightly larger than average female who doesn't necessarily look like a freak.  Specifically, I'm referring to size 36DD.

I really hope you small/average boobed girls don't think having big knockers is a good thing.  I can't jog without strapping 'em down, I have to buy dresses two sizes too big to get them to fit, people stare at them, they keep moving when the rest of me stops, and it's darn near impossible to lay on my stomach at the beach.  (I have to use my fists to make dents in the sand without being too obvious).  I have arthritis in my back to look forward to in my old age.  Stretchmarks.  Mammograms are harder to read.  Bras in my size actually COST MORE.     

I'd like to think I'd run around bra-less all the time if I were an A or B cup, buy maybe not, as I'll never know.  As it is, I have to put on a bra to go to the mailbox, for fear of ending up on one of those "people of walmart" websites or something called www.failboob.com

Why do some girls want larger lady lumps?  Give me a good reason - that doesn't have to do with the lesser sex. 

I suppose I'm ranting to an extent, but I just want to tell girls to take advantage of what you've got. Consider your own breasts the best breasts ever!  You're gorgeous!


I have to go take some advil, my back hurts.

Homeless people are always good for a blog

For real.

I volunteer at a daytime homeless shelter that serves breakfast and lunch to homeless people, people down on their luck, and anybody else who needs or wants a meal.  I'll be writing about this place a great deal, as there is always something entertaining or enlightening going on.

I was walking to work yesterday when I ran into a homeless friend that I know from the shelter. He asked me if I had access to a color printer and could I print something for him.  Ummm...what?  He then took a FLASH DRIVE off his key chain and informed me that the computers at the public library were being upgraded and he couldn't use his flash drive.  I don't even get the internet at my house, so it seemed a little unreal that I was being asked to print something off a FLASH DRIVE for a HOMELESS PERSON.  I was able to print the document for him - it was the front page of a newspaper from 1909 and I didn't ask why - and returned the flash drive to him later that day.  He was so pleased with the printout, he gave me a fist pump.  Dear Lord, are homeless people watching Jersey Shore too? 

blogging away

This is officially my first blog ever, and I'm a little disappointed.  I thought it would be so much more exciting than this.  I also just blanked out on clever things to say.  Errrrrrr...awkward.......  I suppose I'll get the basics out of the way then. 

I decided to start a blog for the simple reason that I think I have stuff to say that people might enjoy, hate, or have some other kind of feeling about.  I'm 38 years old and have lived in Roanoke, VA for 4 years now.  I'm from Harrisonburg, VA and Roanoke was a big step up as far as population and things to do.  I think I'll mostly write about the things that I do here, which may not be exciting in themselves, but I try to find a way to make my adventures funny and entertaining to all who will listen.  Or in this case, read.  My adventures will be anything from riding the bus, going to a poetry reading, the arts, food, and I might even write about that time I don't remember getting home in a cab after a day of celebrating the Kentucky Derby.  Posts won't necessarily be R-rated, but you probably wouldn't want a child reading this.  I'm a bad influence on children, but I hope a good influence on open-minded and good-natured adults.  GiniInTheCity might contain some bad words, alcohol references, and even some sex...or at the very least, heavy petting.

Enjoy!