This Just In

I can't believe what I'm reading...



According to SiteMeter, HerWayOrTheHighway readership has stalled and could even be declining!! GASP. The two of us accept full responsibility for the lack of posts. Coco only has two hands and cannot make a post while she prepares dinner AND cleans the apartment while I am at class. Let's be real people and not demand too much of her BEFORE we get married. Please refrain from expecting too much until AFTER the wedding. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Back to Normal and..

With a small (& temporary!) reprieve from B school, I've promised to pick up on wedding goings-on so the few visitors that happen to make it to this blog during the minute/hour/day/week/month/year will have something to COMMENT on. My sincerest apologies about having nothing to COMMENT on. (Read: We like it when readers COMMENT. Lord knows one can never have enough COMMENTs. At least that what the advertisers say; "Groom-to-be, no COMMENTs = no traffic = no advertising revenue.")

Fresh from a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, we jump right back into picking a photo/videographer. Tuesday night we meet with Duet. I can't recall how I came upon them but I'd be lying if told you they looked like they could be the best value for what we are looking for....and by value I DON'T necessarily mean cheap. They are, however, VERY affordable. To their benefit they also have an inhouse videographer. Points for integration and coordination off the bat.

Not that it's really relevant but after poking around on their site I see that as of mid-March this year, they accept PayPal. Why not just accept Visa, MC or Amex?? I don't know the details of the benefits/cost savings involved of having a professional relationship with PayPal but I suspect it is attractive to some. I definitely see information security liability coming into play if they accepted CC info online. I know we did when I worked here.

What else...

Oh, yeah. The officiant. Progress will be made here in the next few weeks for sure. Things didn't work out with Coco's Uncle (Reverend Rick) performing the ceremony. He is Methodist minister that, understandably, just cannot perform a non-religious ceremony. Oh well for saving a few hundred or so. Minister Keith, if you're reading this, prepare to be contacted again!!

'Nuff Said...

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Barely a post

Psst....

Come home soon, baby.

Going In For The Kill

The Honeymoon is in our sites. We can almost taste it. Hotel after hotel is falling to the wayside as we narrow down only those that will do - for her.


Cabo - out.
Brazil - out.
Africa - out.
Maldives - out.
Seychelles - out.
France - out.
Greece - out.
Sedona - out.
Tahiti - out.
Hawaii - out.
Bali - out.
Maldives - out.
Spain - out.


Right now it's all about Thailand. Bangkok and Koh Sumai will most likely be our abode for a couple of weeks. We'll stop over in Bangkok for a few days to get accustomed to the time zone change and then fly into Koh Sumai and meet up with Leo and Virginie Ledoyen for some island fun. Grrrrr.

As of today, that makes it roughly 493 days until we leave. With the wedding on Friday we hope to fly out on Sunday. Forsee any problems with thinking this way?

I'll keep you posted on when we actually seal the deal and commit hard earned cash.

A Brief Update

Unless things drastically change, Brazil (a.k.a "who needs another Brazil stamp in their passport anyway??") and Cabo are sinking faster than Meredith Grey and McDreamy's relationship. Dun Dun Dun Duuuuhhhhhhh.


For mindless updates as this unfolds visit:

Derek is hot

Derek is the shiznit

Derek tickles my fancy

Derek can have my cake and eat it too

Bar sluts must die

..due to the sheer volume of Grey's Anatomy fodder on this interweb thing I have stopped linking links.

This Just In - The Honeymoon

I'd be lying if I told you there wasn't yet another honeymoon destination on the table.

Should the fact that I've been there already come into play?? Maybe. Maybe not.

ps...where's the spreadsheet I'm looking for?

Protection

When the day comes, I'll be surrounded by the right people just in case anything goes wrong - hair out of place, foreign object stuck in teeth, the Uninvited guest, etc. Whatever it is I think I'll have it covered. God forbid if something is out of my control, right?

But that's just it. Things will be out of my control. Hence this post on wedding insurance.

I haven't seen much out there on it and what little I do find, it's limited to WedSafe.com or About.com. I've also found info here but there site looks really sketchy. Regardless they do have some good info available as PDFs for download. Items that seem to be covered at first glance include:

-bridal party attire
-venue bankruptcy/closings
-wedding cancellation
-honeymoon cancellation
-wedding photography
-injury liability
-invitations

the list goes on....

Seems pretty inclusive; I just have to find out about all of the details.

The Knot has this FAQ on it.

So, did you get wedding insurance??

ps...I'm looking for quotes if you know for anyone.

Break on through.....Break on through.....Break on through

Break on through
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

499 Days Left! We've cracked into the 400s.






Let's also welcome Sean back from his super-secret, record-breaking military op that is taking tons of drugs off of the streets. He was also finally able to inform his side of the family (aka my mother and I) that the Vegas odds on his soon-to-be lil 'un dressed in pink are 7-10. My money is still on blue. I'm always - well, at least most of the time - pulling for the underdog, um, I mean, underbaby.

Honeymoon Banter

True to who she is as a person, how receptive she is to people's opinions, and exactly what I expected - Thailand got hit with the jab. It's knees buckled and it could be getting knocked down for the count. Not exactly a true statement but it is has drifted from our #1 to 1 of the top 3. What are the remaining 2 you ask? I don't know.

This morning's subway discussions have evolved into a new locale; 4 or 5 days in Sedona (perhaps here) followed by 10 days in Cabo (which I am just finding out is actually Cabo San Lucas or Los Cabos or the Cabo Corridor). Coco just loves this place and wants to stay here. Very nice. [Sidebar: Is it me or does anyone else hate TheOneAndOnly website?? I just don't get it.]

My thoughts on the matter: I just want the dollar to go as far as it possibly can. Nothing wrong with that, right? Didn't think so.

Coco, when will you have the honeymoon spreadsheet ready for my analysis?

ps...this could definitely mean more $$$ for the Honeymoon.

The "Bee Girl" - The New Me?

Given the state that I find myself in these days, a state, I realize, that I have no one to blame, err, exculpate but myself, a label (read: nickname, alias, insult, slur) is being thrown my way. You see, planning a wedding (or honeymoon) has presented someone with the opportunity to toss a label at me (ep, you label-tosser, you!!).

As The CLE suggests, I've donned the mask, albeit wiser and older, of the "Bee Girl". The "Bee Girl" you ask? Who, pray tell, is that? Surely you know. Come on. Everyone knows the "Bee Girl". The "Bee Girl", circa 1993, was the pivotal character in Blind Melon's "No Rain" video. A happy-go-hippy take on what exactly I am not sure - hence the forthcoming analysis.

Is it because:

-we both have freckles

-we both wear corrective lens (glasses)

-we both like the color yellow

-we both have an affinity for dancing (tap)

-we both can be found wandering the industrial landscape of certain cities (new york)

-we both enjoy the feeling of form-fitting spandex

-we both take pleasure being elevated in worship by our peers

-we both have shed a tear or two attempting to understand the plight of man (and bee)


Perhaps its just because said label-tosser comprehends the joys (and resulting financial freedom) that will eventually present themselves when certain milestones of this project have been completed.

It's strange. The more similarities I dig up the less slanderous and contumelious it sounds. I think a "Thank you" is in order.




No Rain - Lyrics (for those interested)

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
I like watchin' the puddles gather rain
And all I can do is just pour some tea for two
and speak my point of view
But it's not sane, It's not sane

I just want some one to say to me
I'll always be there when you wake
Ya know I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today
So stay with me and I'll have it made

And I don't understand why I sleep all day
And I start to complain that there's no rain
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake
And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape
escape...escape...escape...
All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
ya don't like my point of view
ya think I'm insane
Its not sane...it's not sane.

An Epiphany - JoVon Photography

No wonder there's nothing about package prices on their website! The reason - because they are cash! (Read: expensive) - at least at first glance, and videography is wrapped into the price. We could separate the two but I think you lose the value in getting both services from one shop. I think integration is key when dealing with a photographer and a videographer.

Their pictures are great and their portfolios (CN Portfolio shout out!) are in line with what we are looking for - something scripted yet photojournalistic. That seems to be the thing these days in case you weren't aware. They offered us a cocktail (*points) during our interview which was, strangely enough, in The Caroline, a residential building on 23rd @ 6th Avenue.

I have yet to breakdown the total cost and compare it to Bella Pictures and the other photographers we will interview so I can get a good grasp of the value each package brings per dollar. That will be a weekend project. I am trying, successfully I may add, to instill this logic on Coco when she thinks about The Honeymoon. Hence Thailand. The USD seems to kill the Thai Bhat. (1 Thai baht = 0.0307337687 U.S. dollars) [Sidebar: 10 decimal places?!?!]

2 photographers down. How many more to go??

Question: I wonder if there is a correlation between fotog HQ and the prices they charge?

JoVon = Brookville

[Disclaimer: Wiki (shall we open the can of worms on wiki reliability??) tells me that the median income for a household is in excess of $200,000 but I would tend to think that's a bit deflated since the southern most points of Brookville are actually in Westbury and North Hempstead. The income per head in those areas is significantly lower and population density should be taken into account since the houses in Brookville are on "..huge tracks 'o land" (god bless Monty Python); the weight of lower incomes clearly tips the median income scale with that of the common folk. I think net worth (total assets minus total liabilities) would be a much more accurate variable in looking at the correlation but access to that information is hard, if not impossible, to come by.]

ps - Does it even need to be said that JoVon himself charges the most?

Didn't think so.

More on Wedding Day Photography

We had our first sit-down with Bella Pictures on Friday evening. It went well but I can't say that I didn't expect it. I think the two of us have done enough research to know what we'll like and what we won't like. I think it just really comes down to what the marginal utility per dollar will be of the services they are offering. One of most useful aspects was that the meeting allowed us to see and feel what producing an album will be like. Needless-to-say we disagreed on what the final product will be/look like if we choose to go with Bella.

We have meeting planned with JoVon Photography this Tuesday. I can't imagine it will go much differently but you never can tell.

Am I wrong in expecting a celebratory cocktail at these meetings?? I mean, we are celebrating a wonderful moment in our lives. Perhaps when we actually go to contract. It just seems like the right thing to do.

I am also shocked that up until just recently, I haven't hit Craigslist in search of wedding day services. Craigslist can seem so hit or miss at times. I did, however, come across this wonderful photographer, Farnaz K, who seems to be offering her wedding services at a considerable discount. She is building her wedding portfolio so this might be a great match in terms of value. Check out her stuff here. Thoughts? Preferences?

Rain Rain Go Away

I'm back on the honeymoon kick. I'm making an executive decision to travel far, FAR AWAY. My reasoning is this: Because a country is somewhere on the other side of the world, does that mean I should not travel there at ANY point in my lifetime? I can't really take a two week vacation every year ( unlike a certain someone I know). So I think that we should travel as far away as humanly possible. My parents have tried to dissuade us from taking a long flight (Please note that my mother has traveled to Japan), that I'll get more value if we traveled a shorter distance. I don' t know, those flights to Hawaii are pretty darn expensive and those pesky flights to Roma are over a grand. Who knows what's going to happen, for now, I'm a dreamer and I'm dreaming HUGE.

How does a 22 hour flight to Thailand sound? Sounds great to me! My wonderful, former boss Terry has kindly put me in touch with a gentleman by the name of Stan. Stan is a world traveler and is currently in Tokyo right as we speak. Terry and Stan traveled together to Thailand before the tsunami and both say that it's FANTASTIC. Even though September gets more rain than any other month, I've been reading that it's like Miami: It pours for 20 minutes during the day and then is beautiful and sunny soon after. I don't know, I'm conflicted. I just feel it's so much more exciting than Tahiti. Thailand has culture, beaches and great food. If we go, I promise to make a full comparison of the food in Thailand to that of Song/Joya. Man, I love their Pad See Yue. =)

Terry also suggested that we should fly through Hong Kong and stay there for a couple of days before heading down to Thailand. Thoughts on that people? Could be fun!

Random Thought of Weddingness

How will she and I incorporate ethnic customs or cultural traditions into the wedding?

Politely speaking, we're mutts whose families are at least 3 generations removed from whatever coasts they left from. What little culture or ethnic traditions I have, and please note that I am not including my like of scotch, I'd like to tie them into the wedding. Somehow. I don't know about you but when I see ethic weddings I get jealous.

Latin weddings make me want to tango and salsa and samba and all that good stuff. (Man, I hope Renegade can do something with a latin twist and I don't mean 'Santana-inspired'.) Indian weddings are so beautiful with endless floral displays and eye popping colors. (Ash rocks.) Asian weddings are equally rich with color, movement and meaning. And Israeli/Jewish weddings, as large as they usually are, are chock full of tradition. And if I may, to G$'s benefit, I'm always involved with the chair lifting. His body can't take the abuse anymore.

So, where am I going with this? [Pause] I'd like to incorporate who we are culturally into the wedding. I almost guarantee that Coco may not be up for this since this means messing with her Vision but here's how I see her responding:

"Culture? You want to infuse culture and tradition in my, I mean, our wedding? Culture? What does that even mean? We're not cultural. You're only cultural on St. Patrick's Day. And then you're annoying and can't keep your hands off of me after drinking all day. The only culture I think we have in us is NYC and Brooklyn. That means the only color you'll see is Black and White. Besides, you'll see color in the bouquets - dark, blood red, almost Black, flowers. How's that for color?"

My response:

"Great. Sounds just like a funeral." [Feel free to insert your own wedding-day-really-a-funeral-for-a-bachelor joke here. I'm not that brave.]

Alas, fear not, for I have a solution. I'll start with one suggestion and see where that gets me - I plan on incorporating the McNamara tartan. (Have I mentioned this before because it sounds awfully familiar?) Here, have a look. Not bad right. I'm not sure how just yet to incorporate it but what about as a ribbon around the boutonnieres for the groomsmen? A tartan tie? A pair of suspenders? Handkerchiefs for the wedding parties? Or as a garter - hubba, hubba. I think it can be done with style and class. It's not like I want to wear a kilt. I'm not asking for a lot - just a bit of color. A splash, per se.

I'm rather confident The Mothers will support my efforts. Thoughts?

[Coco, care to parry and riposte?]

The evolution of a post (or lack thereof)

Hmm...




What about...




Or...




But...




If we...




Alas...




...




[sigh]...





Mais naturellement...elle qui est ma muse m'amuse.

Our Foray into Wedding Photography - Wish Me Luck

So, we've booked our first consultation with a photography group, Bella Pictures. Check out their site here. What do you think? (Is it me or is the guy's hand in the photo that first appears on their site a little out of place??) Thoughts? Comments? Other?

Date: Friday, April 20th
Time: 5:45pm
Location: 116 West. 23rd Street (btw 6th and 7th), 5th floor

Wedding / Marriage Humor

In no particular order-

#1: One day, a man came home and was greeted by his wife dressed in a very Sexy nightie. "Tie me up," she purred, "and you can do
anything you want. So he tied her up and went golfing.

#2: A man came home, screeching his car into the driveway, and ran into the house. He slammed the door and shouted at the top of is
lungs, "Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!" The wife said, "Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?" "Doesn't matter," he said. "Just get out."

#3: Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.

#4 (AKA my personal favorite): A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen. "Careful," he said, "CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my GOD!
You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my GOD! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK!
Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you 're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!"

The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"

The husband calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."


Proudly brought to you by the bride-to-be's father

For those readers that are already married...

The topic of "Wedding Photo/Videography" is on the floor. What say ye? We want to hear the good and the bad. Some things to keep in mind when attempting to recall the happiest day of your life:


-image negatives/files
-digital vs. digital only
-CD/DVD production
-indoor vs. outdoor lighting
-when is the perfect time of day?
-before or after the ceremony
-tips on dealing with family
-how much time to alot?
-what would you differently?

Am I missing anything other than cost?

Ugh

On the way to The Cloud Room show, actually right outside the venue (Hiro Ballroom), as I was fighting the arctic April winds of Jersey, I stepped behind Bri to shield myself ONLY TO HAVE THE HEEL OF MY FAVORITE PAIR OF BOOTS BREAK. EEEKK! OMG!! UGH!! That was the quintessential "straw that broke the camel's back" AKA let the tears commence. Needless to say I am now home and having to listen to Cloud Room show attendees insinuate that Bri and I happily bailed. Hey, now, now. That's not his style. That's it! The wedding is off!

Just kidding. But I am still in a terrible mood. I'm allowed to be, aren't I? Imagine how pissed I am going to be if I actually have to replace these boots even though I got them for free. Anyone know of a miracle worker/cobbler?

But in other, much happier news...Congratulations to Glenn and Ashley who just got engaged! Welcome to the club. We are both sooooo excited and thrilled and wish them both all the happiness in the world. We also hope that they comment on our congratulatory remarks, that way we'll know if they are actually reading this blog. =) It would seem like a severe injustice if only people in Zurich and Tanzania and Seoul and Beijing and Tasmania and Cleveland and Wantagh read this thing.

ps...don't worry. If you're reading this and we know you, an Engagement Party invitation is destined to reach your doorstep. Just give it some time. For those that can't wait, it's Saturday, June 30th.

pps...EP and Mrs. EP (our biggest fans), if lil' ep isn't too busy being so darn cute and his schedule allows for it, his presence is requested. Feel free to come as chaperones - you might not want him flying alone. =) Invitation to follow.