Good company, Bad news about school.
And yes, that is a lemon bar.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Lunch 06.30.09
Tiste and I had lunch a la Gourmet Gang. I didn't eat all of my sandwich so it's in the fridge for tomorrow.
Good company, Bad news about school.
And yes, that is a lemon bar.
Good company, Bad news about school.
And yes, that is a lemon bar.
...Bumper Cars...
Tiste is having lunch with me today. Apparently, the person at the school ASSUMED there was a Medical Coding and Billing class starting in September but she didn't check... until Tiste went to register today. The classes don't actually start until February. It's back to the drawing board now.
He's trying to remain calm and put his anger management to use. I am too.
I told Tiste that I feel like I'm in a bumper car and that the steering wheel doesn't work. He laughed and said that he feels like he's on the dizzy teacup rides that turned into a rollercoaster.
*sigh*
He's trying to remain calm and put his anger management to use. I am too.
I told Tiste that I feel like I'm in a bumper car and that the steering wheel doesn't work. He laughed and said that he feels like he's on the dizzy teacup rides that turned into a rollercoaster.
*sigh*
Monday, June 29, 2009
...Tiste, Update...
Tiste talked to the counselors today. The results of his testing were (among other things) physician, lawyer or vet. While those are interesting, database management also came up. We've been talking a lot about medical coding and billing. Tiste has decided to continue with that path and get a job in the field as soon as possible then go back to school for database management while working for an insurance company.
He goes to enroll tomorrow and will hopefully complete the program by March. The school falls only on Saturdays. Therefore, he's decided to apply for unemployment and then attempt to get a job (32 hours a week would allow him so study time). While he could go back to KMart full-time at a new store (where his old store manager is now) he's decided to look for something different. In the meantime, he'll have 26 weeks to get a job and school will still get paid for by the government.
He'll complete the program in March of 2010 and then will start looking at jobs actually in the medical and coding field. I think it would be interesting if he could get a job as a receptionist for a doctor's office -- a step in the right direction if you will.
Anyway, it's been a long day. A co-worker left unexpectedly today and I'm not sure if he's coming back. I've been trying to wrap my brain around that all evening. I called the boss (since he wasn't there when it happened) to just give him a heads up. I did not speak for the co-worker, nor did I make excuses for his actions. Just a nod to the big boss that the winds are blowing from the south. I debated for about an hour before making the call. Thankfully, my friend Ted helped me through decision. I just didn't want to come off like a tattler. Regardless, I think I handled it well but I'm not sure I'm looking forward to work in the morning.
Thanks all who took my phone calls to talk it out!!
Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to the idea/prospect of getting a certificate in project management. I've looked into it more and it's intensive classes (only on Saturdays) and will run me about $3-6k depending on a few factors.
We shall see.
We shall see.
He goes to enroll tomorrow and will hopefully complete the program by March. The school falls only on Saturdays. Therefore, he's decided to apply for unemployment and then attempt to get a job (32 hours a week would allow him so study time). While he could go back to KMart full-time at a new store (where his old store manager is now) he's decided to look for something different. In the meantime, he'll have 26 weeks to get a job and school will still get paid for by the government.
He'll complete the program in March of 2010 and then will start looking at jobs actually in the medical and coding field. I think it would be interesting if he could get a job as a receptionist for a doctor's office -- a step in the right direction if you will.
Anyway, it's been a long day. A co-worker left unexpectedly today and I'm not sure if he's coming back. I've been trying to wrap my brain around that all evening. I called the boss (since he wasn't there when it happened) to just give him a heads up. I did not speak for the co-worker, nor did I make excuses for his actions. Just a nod to the big boss that the winds are blowing from the south. I debated for about an hour before making the call. Thankfully, my friend Ted helped me through decision. I just didn't want to come off like a tattler. Regardless, I think I handled it well but I'm not sure I'm looking forward to work in the morning.
Thanks all who took my phone calls to talk it out!!
Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to the idea/prospect of getting a certificate in project management. I've looked into it more and it's intensive classes (only on Saturdays) and will run me about $3-6k depending on a few factors.
We shall see.
We shall see.
...Summer Time...
Now is able the time I start worrying about spending all my vacation time.
I started kicking some friends and family to get to thinking about getting some face time. I also tried to coordinate a trip to The Farm with Lisa (who would have been coming back from Florida with her nephew), which didn't pan out.
Regardless, I'm looking at...
July 3-5, Road Trip with the Foye's
July 11-13, Road Trip to The Farm and see the 'Rents **TENTATIVE**
July 25-27, Long weekend
Aug. 9-11, Road Trip to see Amanda & Jesse
Aug. 15-18, Road Trip to Cary, NC to see my Bro and Sister-in-Law
Aug. 29-31, Long weekend
Sept. 4-7, Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 18-20, Long weekend
Still to be determined is a trip to New Bern with Lisa and a trip to NoVA with Tiste and Lisa.
Whew.
I started kicking some friends and family to get to thinking about getting some face time. I also tried to coordinate a trip to The Farm with Lisa (who would have been coming back from Florida with her nephew), which didn't pan out.
Regardless, I'm looking at...
July 3-5, Road Trip with the Foye's
July 11-13, Road Trip to The Farm and see the 'Rents **TENTATIVE**
July 25-27, Long weekend
Aug. 9-11, Road Trip to see Amanda & Jesse
Aug. 15-18, Road Trip to Cary, NC to see my Bro and Sister-in-Law
Aug. 29-31, Long weekend
Sept. 4-7, Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 18-20, Long weekend
Still to be determined is a trip to New Bern with Lisa and a trip to NoVA with Tiste and Lisa.
Whew.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
... Art Nueva...
! Art Nueva, New Art !
Yesterday Lisa, Ted, Nathan, Tiste and I got together over at Casa del Foye and got creative. I've been looking to have art in my office for a really long time. I haven't had the opportunity to get all the girlfriends together to make art and so I decided to let that go. I talked to Lisa and Ted about doing some artwork for my office. Lisa has been on board since the beginning. Ted, Nathan and Tiste were new additions.
Tiste and I gathered supplies and picked up lunch stuff and got to the Foye's around 12:15PM. We ate, we laughed, we rocked out for a bit... and then, we got down to painting! In about 3-4 hours we had some wonderfully fun works of art. Nathan took the longest because he joined late and drew out everything he was going the paint. We waited for him to finish by watching a movie.
Anyway, I'll take pictures of all of them when I have them hung. In the meantime, Nathan's is the easiest to access.
I'm thankful to my fabulous friends for a fun afternoon of art! Not to mention, the fab results!
**UPDATED, NEW PICS**
Lisa took some photos while we were working yesterday!
Nathan at work.
Ted's alien looks like he jumped into the corner of a photo of the cosmos!
Lisa loves the swirls!
My abstract horizon. So far I'm calling it 'The Face of God' because there's an alien face in the sun. Don't know if you can see that from the picture.
Tiste's steampunk man. The eyes, they follow me!
Lisa's other piece had an alien as well... Can you tell we're Sci-Fi geeks? :)
Our next art day will be to do art for Ted's office and after that art for Lisa and Ted's dining room. I think Tiste will do some pen and ink for our office (which he may or may not let me color)!
I kept telling everyone yesterday - I can't draw, I'm a visual artist who works with clay! You know, it's close to 100% true. I can't seem to fathom art projects much beyond clay most of the time. I'm going to do some painting though and see where that takes me. Maybe some day I'll learn how to draw.
Yesterday Lisa, Ted, Nathan, Tiste and I got together over at Casa del Foye and got creative. I've been looking to have art in my office for a really long time. I haven't had the opportunity to get all the girlfriends together to make art and so I decided to let that go. I talked to Lisa and Ted about doing some artwork for my office. Lisa has been on board since the beginning. Ted, Nathan and Tiste were new additions.
Tiste and I gathered supplies and picked up lunch stuff and got to the Foye's around 12:15PM. We ate, we laughed, we rocked out for a bit... and then, we got down to painting! In about 3-4 hours we had some wonderfully fun works of art. Nathan took the longest because he joined late and drew out everything he was going the paint. We waited for him to finish by watching a movie.
Anyway, I'll take pictures of all of them when I have them hung. In the meantime, Nathan's is the easiest to access.
I'm thankful to my fabulous friends for a fun afternoon of art! Not to mention, the fab results!
**UPDATED, NEW PICS**
Lisa took some photos while we were working yesterday!
Nathan at work.
Ted's alien looks like he jumped into the corner of a photo of the cosmos!
Lisa loves the swirls!
My abstract horizon. So far I'm calling it 'The Face of God' because there's an alien face in the sun. Don't know if you can see that from the picture.
Tiste's steampunk man. The eyes, they follow me!
Lisa's other piece had an alien as well... Can you tell we're Sci-Fi geeks? :)
Our next art day will be to do art for Ted's office and after that art for Lisa and Ted's dining room. I think Tiste will do some pen and ink for our office (which he may or may not let me color)!
I kept telling everyone yesterday - I can't draw, I'm a visual artist who works with clay! You know, it's close to 100% true. I can't seem to fathom art projects much beyond clay most of the time. I'm going to do some painting though and see where that takes me. Maybe some day I'll learn how to draw.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing
CHICKPEA & SPINACH SALAD W/ CUMIN DRESSING
www.RecipeGirl.com
15.5 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 Tbs chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
¼ cup diced red onion
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp finely grated lemon zest
¾ tsp ground cumin
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 Tbs plain nonfat yogurt
1 Tbs fresh squeezed orange juice
¼ tsp finely grated orange zest
¼ tsp honey
4 cups baby spinach leaves (packed)
1 Tbs coarsely chopped fresh mint
1. In a medium bowl, combine chickpeas, parsley and onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice and zest, cumin, cayenne, salt and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss to coat evenly.
3. In another small bowl, stir together the yogurt, orange juice and zest, and honey.
4. Serve the chickpea salad over a bed of spinach leaves. Top with yogurt sauce and garnish with the mint.
Servings: 4
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 215.67
Calories From Fat (34%) 74.26
Total Fat 8.43g
Saturated Fat 1.18g
Cholesterol 0.70mg
Sodium 362.70mg
Potassium 421.57mg
Carbohydrates 29.36g
Dietary Fiber 5.86g
Sugar 1.03g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 23.50g
Protein 7.21g
WW Points: 6
Recipe Source: The Food You Crave
www.RecipeGirl.com
15.5 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 Tbs chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
¼ cup diced red onion
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp finely grated lemon zest
¾ tsp ground cumin
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 Tbs plain nonfat yogurt
1 Tbs fresh squeezed orange juice
¼ tsp finely grated orange zest
¼ tsp honey
4 cups baby spinach leaves (packed)
1 Tbs coarsely chopped fresh mint
1. In a medium bowl, combine chickpeas, parsley and onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice and zest, cumin, cayenne, salt and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss to coat evenly.
3. In another small bowl, stir together the yogurt, orange juice and zest, and honey.
4. Serve the chickpea salad over a bed of spinach leaves. Top with yogurt sauce and garnish with the mint.
Servings: 4
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 215.67
Calories From Fat (34%) 74.26
Total Fat 8.43g
Saturated Fat 1.18g
Cholesterol 0.70mg
Sodium 362.70mg
Potassium 421.57mg
Carbohydrates 29.36g
Dietary Fiber 5.86g
Sugar 1.03g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 23.50g
Protein 7.21g
WW Points: 6
Recipe Source: The Food You Crave
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Bento 06.25.09
Two of the members of our game night are squeaking by since being laid off or retiring from Navy and neither of them are currently employed. Tiste and I decided that we would feed all our gamers (7 people) even though money is tight for us. A free meal helps here and there but more than that -- being able to share a meal 'out' helps moral.
So... Last night I cooked a spaghetti and meatball dinner. It turned out I only had to cook for 5 so I was able to freeze two portions for us for later so that worked out pretty well. There was also enough sauce and meatballs leftover for me to throw some in a bento for today.
Lisa brought over garlic bread and the two guys contributed a bag of ice and some coffee to the evening.
I would have loved to do something exciting like a nice cut of beef or something healthier with chicken... but, this was the most affordable way this week. Next time, I think I'll do rice, chicken and roasted broccoli/cauliflower.
So... Last night I cooked a spaghetti and meatball dinner. It turned out I only had to cook for 5 so I was able to freeze two portions for us for later so that worked out pretty well. There was also enough sauce and meatballs leftover for me to throw some in a bento for today.
Lisa brought over garlic bread and the two guys contributed a bag of ice and some coffee to the evening.
I would have loved to do something exciting like a nice cut of beef or something healthier with chicken... but, this was the most affordable way this week. Next time, I think I'll do rice, chicken and roasted broccoli/cauliflower.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
...Co-Workers...
Rob came down from Richmond to visit us in Norfolk because he and Toni had some teacher training to do...
Bento 06.24.09
Roasted asian veggies, butterball turkey kielbasa, fresh mushrooms, crackers and cheese and trail mix.
Lunch 06.23.09
Lisa and I went out to lunch today and had Vietnamese sandwiches. I was happy to try it since I've been following a blog recently that has been talking about Banh Mi! And, yes, Mom - I ate fresh cilantro!
Vietnamese-Style Sandwich: Banh Mi
Ingredients
Slaw:
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
* 1/2 cup julienned carrot
* 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish
* Kosher salt
Seasoned Pork:
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
* 6 ounces ground pork
* 1 tablespoon roast pork seasoning mix, available in Asian markets
* Pinch garlic powder
* Pinch ground black pepper
Sandwiches:
* 4 (10-inch) baguettes
* Mayonnaise, as needed
* 8 thin slices Vietnamese-style pork roll (cha lua), or bologna
* 8 slices Vietnamese-style salami, or ham or turkey
* 4 teaspoons soy sauce
* 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
* 1/4 medium English cucumber, cut lengthwise into 4 slices
* Freshly ground black pepper
* Asian-style chili oil, to taste, optional
Directions
Make the slaw: In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and vinegar and bring to a boil. Transfer the vinegar mixture to a bowl and cool. Add the carrot and daikon, mix well, and season with salt. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes or store in the refrigerator up to overnight.
Meanwhile, make the seasoned pork: Heat the oil in small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft. Add the pork, seasoning, garlic, and pepper and cook, stirring, until just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the heat and set aside covered with foil to keep warm.
Make the sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the baguettes open lengthwise, and slather the insides with mayonnaise. Arrange the baguettes on a baking sheet and bake until hot and crusty about 5 minutes. Remove the baguettes from the oven and immediately fill each with some of the seasoned pork. In each sandwich, arrange 2 slices each of the pork roll and salami, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon cilantro, 1 slice cucumber, ground pepper, and chili oil, if using. Serve immediately.
Vietnamese-Style Sandwich: Banh Mi
Ingredients
Slaw:
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
* 1/2 cup julienned carrot
* 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish
* Kosher salt
Seasoned Pork:
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
* 6 ounces ground pork
* 1 tablespoon roast pork seasoning mix, available in Asian markets
* Pinch garlic powder
* Pinch ground black pepper
Sandwiches:
* 4 (10-inch) baguettes
* Mayonnaise, as needed
* 8 thin slices Vietnamese-style pork roll (cha lua), or bologna
* 8 slices Vietnamese-style salami, or ham or turkey
* 4 teaspoons soy sauce
* 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
* 1/4 medium English cucumber, cut lengthwise into 4 slices
* Freshly ground black pepper
* Asian-style chili oil, to taste, optional
Directions
Make the slaw: In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and vinegar and bring to a boil. Transfer the vinegar mixture to a bowl and cool. Add the carrot and daikon, mix well, and season with salt. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes or store in the refrigerator up to overnight.
Meanwhile, make the seasoned pork: Heat the oil in small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft. Add the pork, seasoning, garlic, and pepper and cook, stirring, until just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the heat and set aside covered with foil to keep warm.
Make the sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the baguettes open lengthwise, and slather the insides with mayonnaise. Arrange the baguettes on a baking sheet and bake until hot and crusty about 5 minutes. Remove the baguettes from the oven and immediately fill each with some of the seasoned pork. In each sandwich, arrange 2 slices each of the pork roll and salami, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon cilantro, 1 slice cucumber, ground pepper, and chili oil, if using. Serve immediately.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Bento 06.22.09
Me before heading out to the drag show on Saturday night...
Tiste and I bought a container of cut fruit on Sunday, cheese and crackers for snacking later, potatoes and little meatballs...
Tiste and I bought a container of cut fruit on Sunday, cheese and crackers for snacking later, potatoes and little meatballs...
Friday, June 19, 2009
Lunch 06.19.09
My volunteer for the day, and my love, Tiste requested Chinese for lunches today.
Garlic Chicken
It's like he has the power to absorb light! ;p
Garlic Chicken
It's like he has the power to absorb light! ;p
...Re-Re-Invention...
This is very personal for me but no less real. It's time to reinvent myself at work. It's not welcome, it's not wanted. Internally, I'm struggling. This is not a complete thought, but it's what I'm feeling at the moment.
Yesterday my boss casually mentioned that he'll be taking "a few" special projects from me and giving them to other staff members as we're expecting a downturn in monies from grants and foundations. The expectation, as I see it, is that by taking away the special projects I will be able to focus more time and energy into earned income in order to make up the budget shortfall. I have two points to share...
I. One of the failures of some non-profits is their ability to plan effectively for grant, foundation or corporate income to sustain projects beyond their original conception. With out sustainability in funding the organization is more likely to see their service/outreach numbers fluctuate severely. Without sustained or constant grant and foundation monies, primary sources of funding disappear. This will affect the organization in many ways.
a. The organization's Board will take notice. I don't think I need to go into detail about the doubt that will arise on the organization's staff at that point.
b. Partners will feel that they are doing the majority of the work if they are the only ones bringing money to the table and may begin looking for other organizations to form sustainable partnerships.
c. If an organization fails to garner monies from foundations, corporations and grants then they are less likely to continue to collect monies from existing and new sources. It reflects poorly when applying for new monies, appearing as if the organization is more interested in "your money in the moment" rather than the long lasting social impact that extended and strategic grant, corporate and foundation giving can provide.
II. With the organizations failure to strategically invest in grant, foundation or corporate income their becomes a budget shortfall, which then then becomes a burden to the organization. Upper management will often shift this burden to the 'earned income' side of the business compounding the hardship of those managing earned income (who often have already inflated budget goals). When this burden is shifted it often does NOT come with additional support in the form marketing materials, strategic planning or personnel. This "patchwork fix" lacks planning and strategies for growth. With the lack of support in materials, personnel and planning it's often hard to grow far beyond what is already sustainable. That being said, it helps to give it ones all regardless of being overworked, underpaid, understaffed.
To put it mildly, no one can replace my primary job function. No one can do that voodoo that I do so well. However, I've been looking for someone to do that voodoo that I do just as well as I do. I have been sorely (and repeatedly) disappointed.
I didn't return any statement to my boss. Actually, I just nodded until he was done talking and then walked away. He knows what I love to do and he knows I'm good at it. He still can't justify me doing those jobs without someone as good as me in my primary job function.
Yesterday my boss casually mentioned that he'll be taking "a few" special projects from me and giving them to other staff members as we're expecting a downturn in monies from grants and foundations. The expectation, as I see it, is that by taking away the special projects I will be able to focus more time and energy into earned income in order to make up the budget shortfall. I have two points to share...
I. One of the failures of some non-profits is their ability to plan effectively for grant, foundation or corporate income to sustain projects beyond their original conception. With out sustainability in funding the organization is more likely to see their service/outreach numbers fluctuate severely. Without sustained or constant grant and foundation monies, primary sources of funding disappear. This will affect the organization in many ways.
a. The organization's Board will take notice. I don't think I need to go into detail about the doubt that will arise on the organization's staff at that point.
b. Partners will feel that they are doing the majority of the work if they are the only ones bringing money to the table and may begin looking for other organizations to form sustainable partnerships.
c. If an organization fails to garner monies from foundations, corporations and grants then they are less likely to continue to collect monies from existing and new sources. It reflects poorly when applying for new monies, appearing as if the organization is more interested in "your money in the moment" rather than the long lasting social impact that extended and strategic grant, corporate and foundation giving can provide.
II. With the organizations failure to strategically invest in grant, foundation or corporate income their becomes a budget shortfall, which then then becomes a burden to the organization. Upper management will often shift this burden to the 'earned income' side of the business compounding the hardship of those managing earned income (who often have already inflated budget goals). When this burden is shifted it often does NOT come with additional support in the form marketing materials, strategic planning or personnel. This "patchwork fix" lacks planning and strategies for growth. With the lack of support in materials, personnel and planning it's often hard to grow far beyond what is already sustainable. That being said, it helps to give it ones all regardless of being overworked, underpaid, understaffed.
To put it mildly, no one can replace my primary job function. No one can do that voodoo that I do so well. However, I've been looking for someone to do that voodoo that I do just as well as I do. I have been sorely (and repeatedly) disappointed.
I didn't return any statement to my boss. Actually, I just nodded until he was done talking and then walked away. He knows what I love to do and he knows I'm good at it. He still can't justify me doing those jobs without someone as good as me in my primary job function.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
...Jody's Popcorn...
OMG...
Jody's Popcorn was our 'favor' at yesterday's luncheon. I was given one and just threw it in my bag. This stuff is dangerously the BEST caramel popcorn I have EVER had in my life. No, really. I mean it.
Maybe I'll do small bags as wedding favors if they're still in business and just as good in 2012?
Jody's Popcorn was our 'favor' at yesterday's luncheon. I was given one and just threw it in my bag. This stuff is dangerously the BEST caramel popcorn I have EVER had in my life. No, really. I mean it.
Maybe I'll do small bags as wedding favors if they're still in business and just as good in 2012?
Lunch 06.17.09
I won't lie, I ate my lunch before I took a picture. Just some tuna, crackers, light cheese and some trail mix.
I'll take this opportunity to bitch about the fact that Tiste and I can't find a gym within a good radius of the house. Everything seems out of the way (opposite direction of our lives or too far out). We're planning to drive around on Saturday and see if we can find one that we could work into our 'route'.
Bleh.
I'll take this opportunity to bitch about the fact that Tiste and I can't find a gym within a good radius of the house. Everything seems out of the way (opposite direction of our lives or too far out). We're planning to drive around on Saturday and see if we can find one that we could work into our 'route'.
Bleh.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Annual Luncheon 06.16.09
Today was YAV's annual luncheon. We had so many extra people that I was actually really lucky to get to eat. I gave my lunch, my substitute lunch and a third substitue lunch away... I had anticipated by the end of it not getting any food.
Thankfully, the kitchen staff had ONE extra crab cake. It was okay, but at least it was food. I was starving by the time everything came out.
I had to give up my seat at in the actual meeting rooms and eat alone in the hall. The staff kept me entertained. Brian, kept checking on me and even boxed up some extra tasty bits for me to bring to Tiste.
He also hunted down the catering staff person that kept taking my coffee mug -- it disappeared twice before he raised hell in the kitchen for me.
I would tell you about the actual awards and how great everyone looked... but, again, I wasn't able to sit with the masses and I don't really know what they talked about. I'm sure it was wonderful.
A nice light punch, needed some bubbles but was tasty. This is my second glass so it was minus the blueberries, raspberries, and slice of pear.
This was the best appetizer even though it looks hideous. They need to work on the plating. Goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, a hint of citrus and topped with fresh basil and a sliver of tomato.
The so-so crab cake with the perfectly cooked green beans.
Lemon bar with raspberry jam and cream. Two bites was enough sugar for the week!
Thankfully, the kitchen staff had ONE extra crab cake. It was okay, but at least it was food. I was starving by the time everything came out.
I had to give up my seat at in the actual meeting rooms and eat alone in the hall. The staff kept me entertained. Brian, kept checking on me and even boxed up some extra tasty bits for me to bring to Tiste.
He also hunted down the catering staff person that kept taking my coffee mug -- it disappeared twice before he raised hell in the kitchen for me.
I would tell you about the actual awards and how great everyone looked... but, again, I wasn't able to sit with the masses and I don't really know what they talked about. I'm sure it was wonderful.
A nice light punch, needed some bubbles but was tasty. This is my second glass so it was minus the blueberries, raspberries, and slice of pear.
This was the best appetizer even though it looks hideous. They need to work on the plating. Goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, a hint of citrus and topped with fresh basil and a sliver of tomato.
The so-so crab cake with the perfectly cooked green beans.
Lemon bar with raspberry jam and cream. Two bites was enough sugar for the week!
Monday, June 15, 2009
...Old Flames...
Sometimes you can be friends or, at least, friendly...
I had breakfast with Lee and his son Jesse on Saturday. Jesse has gotten sooo big since I last held him.
Jesse and Lee
Jesse is messy!
Jesse's shirt picked out just for my visit, "Miso Cute"! :)
I had breakfast with Lee and his son Jesse on Saturday. Jesse has gotten sooo big since I last held him.
Jesse and Lee
Jesse is messy!
Jesse's shirt picked out just for my visit, "Miso Cute"! :)
...Books...
I've been looking for this book every time I've gone to Barnes and Noble in the last few months. Couldn't remember the name... Now I've tracked the title down I've got to find it!
Saturday I gave up searching without the title and bought...
Black and White by Caitlin Kittredge and Jackie Kessler
It's the ultimate battle of good versus good.
They were best friends at an elite academy for superheroes in training, but now Callie Bradford, code name Iridium, and Joannie Greene, code name Jet, are mortal enemies. Jet is a by-the-book hero, using her Shadow power to protect the citizens of New Chicago. Iridium, with her mastery of light, runs the city's underworld. For the past five years the two have played an elaborate, and frustrating, game of cat and mouse.
But now playtime's over. Separately Jet and Iridium uncover clues that point to a looming evil, one that is entwined within the Academy. As Jet works with Bruce Hunter--a normal man with an extraordinary ability to make her weak in the knees--she becomes convinced that Iridium is involved in a scheme that will level the power structure of America itself. And Iridium, teaming with the mysterious vigilante called Taser, uncovers an insidious plot that's been a decade in the making...a plot in which Jet is key.
They're both right. And they're both wrong. Because nothing is as simple as Black and White.
###
I bought the book Saturday night, starting reading Sunday afternoon and as of Monday morning am halfway through the book. I'm digging it!
Saturday I gave up searching without the title and bought...
Black and White by Caitlin Kittredge and Jackie Kessler
It's the ultimate battle of good versus good.
They were best friends at an elite academy for superheroes in training, but now Callie Bradford, code name Iridium, and Joannie Greene, code name Jet, are mortal enemies. Jet is a by-the-book hero, using her Shadow power to protect the citizens of New Chicago. Iridium, with her mastery of light, runs the city's underworld. For the past five years the two have played an elaborate, and frustrating, game of cat and mouse.
But now playtime's over. Separately Jet and Iridium uncover clues that point to a looming evil, one that is entwined within the Academy. As Jet works with Bruce Hunter--a normal man with an extraordinary ability to make her weak in the knees--she becomes convinced that Iridium is involved in a scheme that will level the power structure of America itself. And Iridium, teaming with the mysterious vigilante called Taser, uncovers an insidious plot that's been a decade in the making...a plot in which Jet is key.
They're both right. And they're both wrong. Because nothing is as simple as Black and White.
###
I bought the book Saturday night, starting reading Sunday afternoon and as of Monday morning am halfway through the book. I'm digging it!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Lunch 06.11.09
Lisa is my #1 volunteer gal of the year today!
I bribe my volunteers by buying them lunch. Would you like to volunteer for me?
I bribe my volunteers by buying them lunch. Would you like to volunteer for me?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
...EI, quote...
Tiste pointed out a fab quote that I just love...
"My sexuality is straight transvestite or male lesbian. It seems we are beyond the idea that I am gay and hiding it. If I had to describe how I feel in my head, I'd say I'm a complete boy plus half a girl. I don't seem to have the sixth sense that women have or their stronger senses of taste and smell. Gay men can also have it but straight men don't." --Eddie Izzard
"My sexuality is straight transvestite or male lesbian. It seems we are beyond the idea that I am gay and hiding it. If I had to describe how I feel in my head, I'd say I'm a complete boy plus half a girl. I don't seem to have the sixth sense that women have or their stronger senses of taste and smell. Gay men can also have it but straight men don't." --Eddie Izzard
...Cake or Death...
A very old clip of one of my favorite British, cross dressing, and dyslexic male comedians.
Eddie Izzard
"I'd be happy to be taken as a woman -- and that's what I was initially trying to do when I started throwing on dresses and stuff. But that wasn't going to happen because everyone kept calling me sir. So I thought I'd change the method and just start wearing what I wanted to wear." --Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard
"I'd be happy to be taken as a woman -- and that's what I was initially trying to do when I started throwing on dresses and stuff. But that wasn't going to happen because everyone kept calling me sir. So I thought I'd change the method and just start wearing what I wanted to wear." --Eddie Izzard
Lunch 06.10.09
Eating while working = messy.
PS. That looks like an awful lot of sour cream. It wasn't that much honestly.
PS. That looks like an awful lot of sour cream. It wasn't that much honestly.
...Surgery Follow-Up...
I had my follow-up visit on Monday for the Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy.
(Now that I've had the procedure I can actually remember the name and I've been throwing it around like candy.)
Anyway...
I went to the doctor's office and had my check-in. There really wasn't much to it but to talk about the surgery, that I'm feeling good and that my urine test checked out as normal. Which, I guess means that I'm not bleeding out and that they didn't shockwave something they shouldn't have, right?
The doctor would like to take some preventative measures though. He requested three labs which I won't go into detail about but suffice it to say I'm just going to stay home all day when I have to collect the samples.
From there I'll drop the samples off at the lab and they'll run tests. Then, I will have another x-ray and follow-up with the doctor to go over the results and make sure no other stones are forming.
I'm actually debating on if I even need to do this... I just want to be done with this!
I get why he wants to check it all out - first kidney stone was a BEAR in size (7mm) and he is concerned that it will happen again and be persistent. If they find out that my body is or isn't doing something then they will be able to... do what? Prevent the kidney stone? Tell me my kidney's suck?
I know I'm complaining but I'll probably do it. Can't hurt, right?
(Now that I've had the procedure I can actually remember the name and I've been throwing it around like candy.)
Anyway...
I went to the doctor's office and had my check-in. There really wasn't much to it but to talk about the surgery, that I'm feeling good and that my urine test checked out as normal. Which, I guess means that I'm not bleeding out and that they didn't shockwave something they shouldn't have, right?
The doctor would like to take some preventative measures though. He requested three labs which I won't go into detail about but suffice it to say I'm just going to stay home all day when I have to collect the samples.
From there I'll drop the samples off at the lab and they'll run tests. Then, I will have another x-ray and follow-up with the doctor to go over the results and make sure no other stones are forming.
I'm actually debating on if I even need to do this... I just want to be done with this!
I get why he wants to check it all out - first kidney stone was a BEAR in size (7mm) and he is concerned that it will happen again and be persistent. If they find out that my body is or isn't doing something then they will be able to... do what? Prevent the kidney stone? Tell me my kidney's suck?
I know I'm complaining but I'll probably do it. Can't hurt, right?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Lunch 06.09.09
I had my surgery follow-up yesterday so I didn't have time for lunch postings. Today's is a mish-mash. I manged to make a sandwich and grab a bowl of pasta. I only ate half of the sandwich and some of the pasta.
In the meantime, I've been intermittently being ripping my hair out because I'm trying to update our website programming content at work. It's a REALLY big job.
*sigh*
In the meantime, I've been intermittently being ripping my hair out because I'm trying to update our website programming content at work. It's a REALLY big job.
*sigh*
Saturday, June 6, 2009
...Ballroom Dance...
Last night was the final event for a Ballroom Dance residency we've had at two schools in Norfolk. The kids did a great job highlighting what they learned and the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and teachers had a great time cheering for everyone! Lisa, her bro-in-law Rick, Tiste and I made it to the event despite the monsoon that whipped through Hampton Roads. It was a great event to remind me that my job is important and that I do work that impacts the lives of children.
Honestly, I wish I was more than just the behind the scenes gal Friday. Being behind the scenes has it's perks -- less meetings, less politics, less public speaking.
That being said, I do a lot for each residency that comes through my office and no one really knows. I'm not sure if it's that I don't get to interact with the kids or that I don't get to feel the pride in the completion of the project?? By attending the event last night it was good to remind myself; they don't need to know who I am and I do good work to make sure they have the arts alive in their school.
We secured the ODU theatre for the performance so the kids got to dance on a 'professional' stage. We also had a reception after the show for the dancers and their families. It was quite a sight! I would have loved to have seen at least one board member there but, sadly, no one came out. No superintendent of schools, no department heads... only one of the principals came. Regardless, the kids came, they danced and they has FUN.
Our education director, Toni, was presented with flowers for her help with the residency and her organizational skills. After everyone left she bequeathed them to me (she's the creative genius and I'm the logistics and budget girl), which was really sweet of her.
I took pictures of the flowers after I got them home and made an arrangement out of them for two reasons. Firstly, I did a kick-ass arrangement and I thought I would share. Secondly, Amanda worked hard on this residency and deserves some credit for her organizational skills on this project as well.
(Here's sharing the fleurs with you virtually my dear!)
On a sad note, this is the third and last year this project will be funded. We had a good run and I hope, someday, we'll find a foundation or corporation that would like to promote healthy living, courtesy, respect, teamwork and so much more through ballroom dancing for elementary school children.
Honestly, I wish I was more than just the behind the scenes gal Friday. Being behind the scenes has it's perks -- less meetings, less politics, less public speaking.
That being said, I do a lot for each residency that comes through my office and no one really knows. I'm not sure if it's that I don't get to interact with the kids or that I don't get to feel the pride in the completion of the project?? By attending the event last night it was good to remind myself; they don't need to know who I am and I do good work to make sure they have the arts alive in their school.
We secured the ODU theatre for the performance so the kids got to dance on a 'professional' stage. We also had a reception after the show for the dancers and their families. It was quite a sight! I would have loved to have seen at least one board member there but, sadly, no one came out. No superintendent of schools, no department heads... only one of the principals came. Regardless, the kids came, they danced and they has FUN.
Our education director, Toni, was presented with flowers for her help with the residency and her organizational skills. After everyone left she bequeathed them to me (she's the creative genius and I'm the logistics and budget girl), which was really sweet of her.
I took pictures of the flowers after I got them home and made an arrangement out of them for two reasons. Firstly, I did a kick-ass arrangement and I thought I would share. Secondly, Amanda worked hard on this residency and deserves some credit for her organizational skills on this project as well.
(Here's sharing the fleurs with you virtually my dear!)
On a sad note, this is the third and last year this project will be funded. We had a good run and I hope, someday, we'll find a foundation or corporation that would like to promote healthy living, courtesy, respect, teamwork and so much more through ballroom dancing for elementary school children.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Bento 06.05.09
...7 point lunch...
White Rice & Salsa, 2 points
Oscar Mayer Roast Beef, 1 point
17 All Bran Crackers, 2 points
Laughing Cow, Light Cheese, 1 point
Trail Mix, 4 points*
(*Only 2 points were counted towards lunch because I'm saving half of it for a snack for later)
White Rice & Salsa, 2 points
Oscar Mayer Roast Beef, 1 point
17 All Bran Crackers, 2 points
Laughing Cow, Light Cheese, 1 point
Trail Mix, 4 points*
(*Only 2 points were counted towards lunch because I'm saving half of it for a snack for later)
...Birthday Facts & What's in a Name...
Results for 21st December 1977*:
# You were born on a Wednesday.
# Your star sign is Sagittarius.
# Your birthstone is Blue Topaz or Turquoise.
# The season was Autumn.
# You were born in the Chinese year of the Snake.
# The US President was Jimmy Carter (Democratic).
# The UK Prime Minister was James Callaghan (Labour).
# You are 31 years 5 months 15 days old.
# It is 199 days until your next birthday.
# In dog years you are 217 years old.
# You are 11,489 days old.
# You are approximately 275,752 hours old.
# You are approximately 992,705,736 seconds old.
On that day in history...
1620 - The "Mayflower", and its passengers, pilgrims from England, landed at Plymouth Rock, MA.
1849 - The first ice-skating club in America was formed in Philadelphia, PA.
1879 - Ibsen's "A Doll's House" was first performed in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a revised happy ending.
1898 - Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium.
1909 - McKinley and Washington schools of Berkeley, CA, became the first authorized, junior-high schools in the U.S.
1913 - The "New York World" Sunday edition included a crossword puzzle as an added feature of the "Fun" supplement. It was the first crossword puzzle to be published.
1914 - Marie Dressler, Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and Mack Swain appeared in the first six-reel, feature-length comedy. The film was entitled "Tillie’s Punctured Romance".
1925 - Eisenstein's film "Battleship Potemkin" was first shown in Moscow.
1937 - Walt Disney debuted the first, full-length, animated feature in Hollywood, CA. The movie was "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
1944 - Horse racing was banned in the United States until after the end of World War II.
1945 - U.S. Gen. George S. Patton died in Heidelberg, Germany, of injuries from a car accident.
1948 - The state of Eire (formerly the Irish Free State) declared its independence.
1951 - Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from major league baseball.
1958 - Charles de Gaulle was elected to a seven-year term as the first president of the Fifth Republic of France.
1968 - Apollo 8 was launched on a mission to orbit the moon. The craft landed safely in the Pacific Ocean on December 27.
1971 - The U.N. Security Council chose Kurt Waldheim to succeed U Thant as secretary-general.
1978 - Police in Des Plaines, IL, arrested John W. Gacy Jr. and began unearthing the remains of 33 men and boys that Gacy was later convicted of killing.
1981 - Cincinnati defeated Bradley 75-73 in seven overtimes. The game was the longest collegiate basketball game in the history of NCAA Division I competition.
1988 - 270 people were killed when Pan Am Boeing 747 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, due to a terrorist attack.
1990 - In a German television interview, Saddam Hussein declared that he would not withdraw from Kuwait by the UN deadline.
1991 - Eleven of the 12 former Soviet republics proclaimed the birth of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
1995 - The city of Bethlehem passed from Israeli to Palestinian control.
1996 - After two years of denials, U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich admitted violating House ethics rules.
1998 - Israel's parliament voted overwhelmingly for early elections. It was the signal to the demise of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line government.
1998 - A Chinese court sentenced two dissidents to long prison terms for attempting to organize an opposition party. A third man was sentenced to 12 years in prison on December 22, 1998.
1998 - The first vaccine for Lyme disease was approved.
2001 - The Islamic militant group Hamas released a statement that said it was suspending suicide bombings and mortar attacks in Israel.
2002 - Larry Mayes was released after spending 21 years in prison for a rape that maintained that he never committed. He was the 100th person in the U.S. to be released after DNA tests were performed.
December 21st birthdays:
* 1401: Masaccio, 'Florentine' painter
* 1804: Benjamin Disraeli, British politician
* 1879: Joseph Stalin, Russian revolutionary leader
* 1937: Jane Fonda, American actress
The Most Girl Popular Names (Top 20):
Jennifer, Melissa, Amy, Jessica, Heather, Angela, Michelle, Kimberly, Amanda, Kelly,Sarah, Lisa, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Nicole, Christina, Rebecca, Jamie, Shannon, and Laura.
The year I was born, Anna ranked at #74 of the 100 most popular names.
# You were born on a Wednesday.
# Your star sign is Sagittarius.
# Your birthstone is Blue Topaz or Turquoise.
# The season was Autumn.
# You were born in the Chinese year of the Snake.
# The US President was Jimmy Carter (Democratic).
# The UK Prime Minister was James Callaghan (Labour).
# You are 31 years 5 months 15 days old.
# It is 199 days until your next birthday.
# In dog years you are 217 years old.
# You are 11,489 days old.
# You are approximately 275,752 hours old.
# You are approximately 992,705,736 seconds old.
On that day in history...
1620 - The "Mayflower", and its passengers, pilgrims from England, landed at Plymouth Rock, MA.
1849 - The first ice-skating club in America was formed in Philadelphia, PA.
1879 - Ibsen's "A Doll's House" was first performed in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a revised happy ending.
1898 - Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium.
1909 - McKinley and Washington schools of Berkeley, CA, became the first authorized, junior-high schools in the U.S.
1913 - The "New York World" Sunday edition included a crossword puzzle as an added feature of the "Fun" supplement. It was the first crossword puzzle to be published.
1914 - Marie Dressler, Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and Mack Swain appeared in the first six-reel, feature-length comedy. The film was entitled "Tillie’s Punctured Romance".
1925 - Eisenstein's film "Battleship Potemkin" was first shown in Moscow.
1937 - Walt Disney debuted the first, full-length, animated feature in Hollywood, CA. The movie was "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
1944 - Horse racing was banned in the United States until after the end of World War II.
1945 - U.S. Gen. George S. Patton died in Heidelberg, Germany, of injuries from a car accident.
1948 - The state of Eire (formerly the Irish Free State) declared its independence.
1951 - Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from major league baseball.
1958 - Charles de Gaulle was elected to a seven-year term as the first president of the Fifth Republic of France.
1968 - Apollo 8 was launched on a mission to orbit the moon. The craft landed safely in the Pacific Ocean on December 27.
1971 - The U.N. Security Council chose Kurt Waldheim to succeed U Thant as secretary-general.
1978 - Police in Des Plaines, IL, arrested John W. Gacy Jr. and began unearthing the remains of 33 men and boys that Gacy was later convicted of killing.
1981 - Cincinnati defeated Bradley 75-73 in seven overtimes. The game was the longest collegiate basketball game in the history of NCAA Division I competition.
1988 - 270 people were killed when Pan Am Boeing 747 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, due to a terrorist attack.
1990 - In a German television interview, Saddam Hussein declared that he would not withdraw from Kuwait by the UN deadline.
1991 - Eleven of the 12 former Soviet republics proclaimed the birth of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
1995 - The city of Bethlehem passed from Israeli to Palestinian control.
1996 - After two years of denials, U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich admitted violating House ethics rules.
1998 - Israel's parliament voted overwhelmingly for early elections. It was the signal to the demise of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line government.
1998 - A Chinese court sentenced two dissidents to long prison terms for attempting to organize an opposition party. A third man was sentenced to 12 years in prison on December 22, 1998.
1998 - The first vaccine for Lyme disease was approved.
2001 - The Islamic militant group Hamas released a statement that said it was suspending suicide bombings and mortar attacks in Israel.
2002 - Larry Mayes was released after spending 21 years in prison for a rape that maintained that he never committed. He was the 100th person in the U.S. to be released after DNA tests were performed.
December 21st birthdays:
* 1401: Masaccio, 'Florentine' painter
* 1804: Benjamin Disraeli, British politician
* 1879: Joseph Stalin, Russian revolutionary leader
* 1937: Jane Fonda, American actress
The Most Girl Popular Names (Top 20):
Jennifer, Melissa, Amy, Jessica, Heather, Angela, Michelle, Kimberly, Amanda, Kelly,Sarah, Lisa, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Nicole, Christina, Rebecca, Jamie, Shannon, and Laura.
The year I was born, Anna ranked at #74 of the 100 most popular names.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
...Lunch, in general...
I thought it would be a good time to talk about why I blog my lunch. I originally didn't feel like I needed to wave a flag to justify it or explain it, but I think I was wrong. I already recognized a few weeks ago that I'm sure you people have better things to do with your time. However, as this is my blog -- I blog about things that I have time for and significance to me.
I blog my lunch because it keeps me coming back here; checking other blogs, being connected and posting something (like my lunch) until I have something to say. I used to write a lot when I was younger. Now? Not so much. I would rather be doing something else than blogging 95% of the time. However, there's a something about writing in one's journal that makes me happy, and this is mine. I feel privileged to read other people's random and internal thoughts even if I think it's stupid, sappy, bitchy, insane or just plain weird. If it's not my cuppa tea... NEXT!
When I first started taking pictures of my lunch it was because I was attempting to make bento lunches. I started this process in October 2007 in order to facilitate and enjoy making my lunch for work. It was huge fun both Amanda, my #1 gal, and I were both making them. You get a fun lunchbox and you get to fill it with different things. Those pictures and that process started long before this blog's inception. Sadly, over the year and months that I've been making bentos (one for me AND one for Tiste) they just became fun lunches and not exactly 'bento'. Regardless, I kept packing lunches so I kept taking pictures. I hope that in doing this it will continue to push me to pack my lunch (not something I've always been good at doing), which has become increasingly more difficult since Amanda moved away.
On the quiet side, and if it had been asked why I post my lunch/bento then this is what I would have told you... Another by-product of packing my lunch that keeps me taking and posting pictures is more of a therapy. My ex-husband always pushed food on me. The women in my family obviously have issues with food. By posting my lunch every day (or as much as possible) it has forced me to be honest about what I eat for lunch and, therefore, makes me at least think about it and contemplate it. By posting it I'm not telling my mother, my friends or my finance that I'm having a salad every day and then really eating XYZ. I can't lie to myself when I have things like Chinese... I'm forced to look at it and acknowledge that's what I chose to eat.
This is the forum I have chosen for my therapy and I'm sorry that it's boring. For me, it's something I need. We all have our struggles and deal with it differently.
I blog my lunch because it keeps me coming back here; checking other blogs, being connected and posting something (like my lunch) until I have something to say. I used to write a lot when I was younger. Now? Not so much. I would rather be doing something else than blogging 95% of the time. However, there's a something about writing in one's journal that makes me happy, and this is mine. I feel privileged to read other people's random and internal thoughts even if I think it's stupid, sappy, bitchy, insane or just plain weird. If it's not my cuppa tea... NEXT!
When I first started taking pictures of my lunch it was because I was attempting to make bento lunches. I started this process in October 2007 in order to facilitate and enjoy making my lunch for work. It was huge fun both Amanda, my #1 gal, and I were both making them. You get a fun lunchbox and you get to fill it with different things. Those pictures and that process started long before this blog's inception. Sadly, over the year and months that I've been making bentos (one for me AND one for Tiste) they just became fun lunches and not exactly 'bento'. Regardless, I kept packing lunches so I kept taking pictures. I hope that in doing this it will continue to push me to pack my lunch (not something I've always been good at doing), which has become increasingly more difficult since Amanda moved away.
On the quiet side, and if it had been asked why I post my lunch/bento then this is what I would have told you... Another by-product of packing my lunch that keeps me taking and posting pictures is more of a therapy. My ex-husband always pushed food on me. The women in my family obviously have issues with food. By posting my lunch every day (or as much as possible) it has forced me to be honest about what I eat for lunch and, therefore, makes me at least think about it and contemplate it. By posting it I'm not telling my mother, my friends or my finance that I'm having a salad every day and then really eating XYZ. I can't lie to myself when I have things like Chinese... I'm forced to look at it and acknowledge that's what I chose to eat.
This is the forum I have chosen for my therapy and I'm sorry that it's boring. For me, it's something I need. We all have our struggles and deal with it differently.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
...Country Rock...
My MP3 player gets old on occasion, radio is too distracting and I don't have room in my office for all my CDs. Besides, I also like so much different music -- sometimes I need to change up what I'm listening to...
Pandora.com is one of my favorite websites for music while I'm at work.
I somewhat recently discovered Drive-By Truckers. I've been enjoying what I can find here and there. I haven't devoted a lot of time to tracking down an album because, well, they're country rock. I'm always torn when listening to country rock; one part of me loathes it while the other part of me loves it. Let's face it, country music is sooo not my scene. However, rock is TOTALLY my scene... along with alternative, some blues, hip-hop, jazz, bluegrass, punk, techno and death metal. We could even throw in classical for good measure.
Well, to come to the point, I was listening to my Country Rock station on Pandora this morning when I heard Don't This Look Like The Dark (Live) by Magnolia Electric Co. on their album Trials And Errors (2005). I *really* dug it and, therefore, I am trying to come to terms for my affection for Country Rock.
Pandora.com is one of my favorite websites for music while I'm at work.
I somewhat recently discovered Drive-By Truckers. I've been enjoying what I can find here and there. I haven't devoted a lot of time to tracking down an album because, well, they're country rock. I'm always torn when listening to country rock; one part of me loathes it while the other part of me loves it. Let's face it, country music is sooo not my scene. However, rock is TOTALLY my scene... along with alternative, some blues, hip-hop, jazz, bluegrass, punk, techno and death metal. We could even throw in classical for good measure.
Well, to come to the point, I was listening to my Country Rock station on Pandora this morning when I heard Don't This Look Like The Dark (Live) by Magnolia Electric Co. on their album Trials And Errors (2005). I *really* dug it and, therefore, I am trying to come to terms for my affection for Country Rock.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
I <3 Chicks!
Lisa and I thought after a night of staying up late and partying that we should meet for brunch. I have to say, it was a great idea. We went to Chick's Oyster Bar and... All I have to say is yum, yum, and YUM!
We sat outside on the covered deck so we could enjoy the breeze but not catch too much sun. We decided that we most certainly need friends with a boat. Not just any boat, but a good sized boat. We quickly made our decisions about breakfast and ended up having the exact same thing... the CHX Seafood Omelette which is made with shrimp, crab, scallops, cheese & mushrooms with a side of steamed broccoli, coffee and a screwdriver. It was all so delicious I can't wait to go back and have it again. None of the seafood was overcooked and the cheese did not over power the flavor of the crab. With a little dusting of Ol'Bay... Man, I was happy. :)
Lisa, texting at the table...
After brunch we headed over to Starbucks for more caffeine and then over to the VA Beach SPCA. This is were we met Buster (who I have already renamed Boomer)!
We spent about an hour and a half at the SPCA -- most of it with Boomer! ;p
I hope Lisa and Ted adopt him! I also saw a Puggle there and he was so cute. However, he was too hyper and I knew Tiste would say no. At some point, I'm sure I'll go in and the perfect dog will be there... Not too big, not too hyper... and he'll be juuuust right. I have faith!
Until then, I'll live vicariously through Lisa and Ted. :)
We sat outside on the covered deck so we could enjoy the breeze but not catch too much sun. We decided that we most certainly need friends with a boat. Not just any boat, but a good sized boat. We quickly made our decisions about breakfast and ended up having the exact same thing... the CHX Seafood Omelette which is made with shrimp, crab, scallops, cheese & mushrooms with a side of steamed broccoli, coffee and a screwdriver. It was all so delicious I can't wait to go back and have it again. None of the seafood was overcooked and the cheese did not over power the flavor of the crab. With a little dusting of Ol'Bay... Man, I was happy. :)
Lisa, texting at the table...
After brunch we headed over to Starbucks for more caffeine and then over to the VA Beach SPCA. This is were we met Buster (who I have already renamed Boomer)!
We spent about an hour and a half at the SPCA -- most of it with Boomer! ;p
I hope Lisa and Ted adopt him! I also saw a Puggle there and he was so cute. However, he was too hyper and I knew Tiste would say no. At some point, I'm sure I'll go in and the perfect dog will be there... Not too big, not too hyper... and he'll be juuuust right. I have faith!
Until then, I'll live vicariously through Lisa and Ted. :)
...Dance, Dance...
Tiste and I meet a large group of friends at the Rainbow Cactus on Saturday for the drag show and dancing. I was designated driver so my water was *OH* so tasty. However, we ended up with about 20-25 of our friends coming out so we had a blast. Good conversation, watching people dance and general hanging-out!
Sadly, I couldn't dance because my back was still giving me some trouble. After a really long 6-weeks of one thing after another it was really fun to let my hair down. Now, I just need my own designated driver! ;p
Sadly, I couldn't dance because my back was still giving me some trouble. After a really long 6-weeks of one thing after another it was really fun to let my hair down. Now, I just need my own designated driver! ;p
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