Amen sista

I've come to realize that I really hate New Year's Eve. The hype around the night is nowhere near proportional the the amount of fun. There's so much pressure to go out to the perfect place, find the perfect dress, the perfect heels - pressure, pressure, pressure. And you know what I say to that pressure: "Thanks, but no thanks."

I can't think back to a time that I have gone out and been like "dang, I had the time of my life." I mean, I love being with my friends and I really love some bubbly. Combine the two and you think I'd be on cloud 9. I really don't think what you're doing at 12 AM on January 1 reflects what you're year is going to be like. I don't believe in all that.

What I'm trying to get at is this: There's this blog 2birds1blog.com where this hilarious chick named Meg recounts her hilarious life in D.C. Anywho, last year she wrote a post on how much she hates The Dreaded Day. She perfectly captures my feelings. Amen, Meg McBlogger, Amen.

Click here to read the post.

Happy 2010!

Who let the dogs out?

Growing up 'Aladdin' was my favorite Disney movie. I mean, who can deny a hunk like our dear street rat Aladdin and his friendly monkey Abu? (TIME OUT: A quick Google search and I found out Aladdin was made in 1992. That's 18 years ago. Holy wow. TIME IN) Anywho, a close second would definitely be '101 Dalmatians.' A love dogs, let alone when there 101 of them.

If you're around Boston for the holidays, head over to the Wang Theatre. Broadway Across America is bringing The 101 Dalmatians Musical to town.

The musical promises "a surprise grand finale showcasing the tremendous talents of the professional and rescued Dalmatians that will leave audiences cheering!"

The show runs from Dec. 23 - Dec. 27. Showtimes vary and ticket prices range from $28-$75. The Wang Theatre is located at 270 Tremont St. Call 617.482.9393 for more info.


(If I was in Boston I'd definitely go to this. I mean, hellloooo, so many puppies!)

This blogger's taking a break

STOP THE PRESSES! Logan airport has free wifi. Guess I never got the memo. This.is.awesome.

As you've probably guessed, I am en route to Athens. I finally get to go home for a nice break. I'll be taking a break from Playground. It only makes sense since I won't be in Boston and I won't know of any fun events going on. I have a few things lined up so I will be posting those. I wouldn't leave you guys hanging like that. I'll be back in full-force come January 8.

Well wish me a safe flight - and I'll be in touch.

Love,
Mary Ann

"Une bonne soirée"

I'm not sure if I've talked about this before, but in this battle of dog breeds in Boston (Northeastern's mascot is a husky, BU's is a terrier, get it?) I'm a true Husky. BU and NU are rivals at pretty much everything. Hockey. Academics. Sports (even though we both suck at most of them). We give them crap for not having a campus, they call us out for being a 5-year school. Tit for tat.

Credit must be given where credit it due, though. Earlier this month, more than 120 BU students got together to make a LipDub of Jackson 5's "I Want you Back." Check it out:




On a similar note, check out this video a bunch of students in Quebec put together. They used the Black Eyed Peas' 'I Gotta Feeling."

(Personally, I think this Lipdub is way cooler than BU's version - and that has nothing to do with school rivalry. I swear.)

One final note: My friend Matt sent me these videos (again, giving credit where it's due) and I suggested Northeastern should pull this off to Miley's 'Party in the USA.' Who's with me?

Help some brothers out

I always get excited when a reality show contestants are from Boston. It's like their appearance on the show, no matter how trashy it might be, is a little shout out to B-town.

The fellas of Beelzebubs, the all-male a cappella group over at Tufts University, are contestants on NBC's new show "The Sing-Off." The show premiered tonight, so we unfortunately missed the premiere. The contest won't be as drawn out as other reality shows - it's a four-night event. Tune in December 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. Then on Dec. 21 is the big finale again at 8 p.m. Who can resist all those perfectly tuned voices bust pop hits sans instruments? Not this girl.

Visit the show's main site to vote for the Beelzebubs.

Check the guys out:


(I can't help but support these guys. Not only are they like a hand-full of Andy Bernard, The Nard Dog, replicas, but they're from Tufts - my brother's alma mater.)

Finals. LOLZ

It's finals season, dear readers. You know what that means, right? It's when I bust out all my favorite 90s rap. Here's a little something that helps me get through it all:


(you're welcome)

So.Many.Speedos.

If any of you were around the Boylston area today I'm sure you all witnessed the one day it's acceptable for Bostonians to be peeping-Toms. Today was the 10th Annual Santa Speedo Run.

Hundreds put on their tightest speedos and braved the cold temperatures (weather.com informs me it's 32F but feels like 21F out) to run through the streets of Back Bay to raise money for local charities. Last year, approximately $10,000 was raised. Click here to view photos from the 2008 Santa Speedo Run put together by the folks at Boston.com.

This year's run raised money for Crossroads for Kids and Bottom Line. My photos are definitely not as good as the ones linked to above (hey! it's hard being the shortest person in the crowd!), but here's what I got:


(A bunch of people lined Boylston Street to watch the event. These two guys got up on mailboxes for a better view. I should have followed their lead)


(...and the run began...)


(high-fives all around)


(more high-fiving)


(Double trouble: This lady had "Baby on Board" written on her. I wonder if she'll bring the kid along next year)


(Santa's very synchronized helpers)


(good times all around)

Nod your head like yeah, move your hips like yeah

I just got this Facebook invite and had to stop everything I was doing to share this treasure with you all. This is the best thing to hit us since Miley Cyrus publicly admitted she has never heard a Jay-Z song. (TIME OUT!: How is that even possible? Who hasn't heard '99 Problems'? Turn on the radio, Miley, 'Empire State of Mind" will most definitely be on. TIME IN)

Well, some geniuses at the University of Dayton have designated a time for us to all blast "Party in the USA" SIMULTANEOUSLY. (TIME OUT!: Why do I have so many posts on teen pop stars? I'm really not winning cool points now am I? TIME IN) As the Facebook invite tells us, ""Party In The USA" deals with Miley's personal struggle of adjusting to the fame and glamor of the upbeat Hollywood lifestyle while remaining true to her Southern and simple roots from back home; a struggle we all can relate to." Don't pretend like you don't know the lyrics, readers! I got my hands up, they're playing my song, and now I'm gonna be OK. Oh oh oh oh it's a party in the USA That's right, I know it. Click here if you're feeling a bit rusty.

Back to my point. So on Thursday, December 10, at 10:30 p.m. (Eastern time) play it loud and dance hard. For five minutes, let's all relish in that which is Miley Cyrus. At a time when most of us are in the midst of final exams, what more can we ask for than a mini Miley dance party? That's right, let's not be ungrateful here.

Click here to view the Facebook page.

For those of you who don't have the song, you can just play the video below. I wouldn't leave you hangin'.

No. 12 is the lucky number

On a completely unrelated note, Boston's very own Tom Brady is a candidate for the Associated Press' Athlete of the Decade. With three Super Bowls and unprecedented beauty under his belt Mr. Quarterback is up for this prestigious title.

As the AP story says, "Brady is the NFL's rock star, as much The Boss as Springsteen, as much the American Idol as David Cook." Click here to read the full story.


(Oh heeeyyy, Tom)

'Unwise' night out

Don't you just love a satirical re-tellings of biblical stories? Well, party people, say hello to The Three (Un)Wise Men. This adaptation sets Balthasar, Malchior, and Caspar off to find Joseph the Carpenter not because they want to meet his baby, but because Joseph owes them money. The three unwise men stumble across every possible obstacle on their way to intercept Joseph. The website promises a "light-hearted madcap, form," in which the three bumbling crooks "manage to find lepers, lovers, and laughs all before they find what they're looking for."

The show runs from December 11 (that's THIS Thursday) to December 19. Tickets cost $12. December 17's performance is pay-what-you-can at the door.

This all goes down at the The Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St. Call them at 617-817-6600 for more info.

It's a love story, baby just say yes

(If I played the guitar, it would most certainly be sparkly with a studded strap! - photo courtesy of babak136378 from Flickr Creative Commons)

So I might dig myself a real big hole with this one, but here goes it: Taylor Swift is coming to Boston. Now, while her music may not be prominent on my iTunes (I'm more of a late 60s music type of girl) you can deny the catchiness. Maybe it's her long, golden locks. Maybe it's the sympathy I feel for the Kanye fiasco. Maybe it's because when "You Belong to Me" comes on while I'm working out, it motivates me to stay on the treadmill for an extra five minutes. Whatever it is, there's something about T.Swift I find adorable (Hello, did you not watch her on SNL?!) Will I go to the concert? Probs not - but in case you're interested, you closeted T.S. fans, here are the details:

Our girl will be at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, on June 5, 2010 at 6 p.m. Ticket go on sale TOMORROW (Dec. 5). Click here to visit Ticketmaster.

Finish (or if you're like me, start) your holiday shopping

So we've already talked about attempting (and usually failing) to finish holiday shopping early, before all the crazies come out around December 23. But, alas, we usually end up being one of these crazies. As I have promised though, I'm going to do whatever I can to get your lazy ass out of the house and buy gifts.

This Saturday, December 5, you have the opportunity to cross people off your gift list. The Old South Church is hosting its annual Holiday's Arts & Crafts fair. Consider this your one-stop-shop for all your needs: photography, textiles, soaps, jewelry, glass art and more. You can't say I'm not pushing you to do your holiday shopping!

The fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is at the church, on the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets - right in the heart of Copley Square.

Check it out, yo.

Let it shine!

(btw, this is in Moscow, not Boston)

The time has come, friends! Wrap yourself in your warmest sweater, bring a cup of tea, and head to Boston Common; it's time to turn on the lights!

American Idol Season 6 third place finalist, Melinda Doolittle, R&B artist Brian McKnight and the Boston Arts Academy Dance Troupe will all be there for the lighting of Boston's official Christmas tree. The shindig begins at 6 p.m.

Now who's ready for a little history lesson? As has been done for the past 35 yeras, the tree is donated by Nova Scotia. This act symbolizes the friendship between the Canadian province and Massachusetts. Aw, Nova Soctia and Mass, like two peas in a pod. Kinda like me and Roula, my very own Canadian pal.