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10/31/2005
Merry Meet, Happy Samhain
who knows what this means..
Your Linguistic Profile: |
75% General American English |
15% Upper Midwestern |
5% Dixie |
5% Midwestern |
0% Yankee |
20:54 Posted in Blog'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/26/2005
Rain, cleaning, and knit lust.
Ahh. Rain. Finally.
Except even though this is the first rain of the season traffic wasn't horrible and ridiculous so I didn't get to be annoyed and feel smug and superior to the silly californians who can't drive in a little piddling rain. Oh well, probably next time.
Today is super busy at work and I also need to send the final newsletter to the printer. But its a good drizzly day to be busy at work. Not that I wouldn't rather be at home with the heat on, in my fuzzy feet, with kitties in my lap, knitting, and drinking tea. I'd ALWAYS rather be doing that.
Anyway, there are people coming to see the house tomorrow morning. The house is FILTHY. We're talking dishes in the living room, days old messes on the kitchen counter, vibraters on the bathroom counter, and clothes all of the bedroom floor. And I have bellydance tonight from 6:30-8:30. So from 9 to oh, about 2 am I'll be scrambling around with C trying to hide the fact we are slobs and maybe even perverts from potential new landlords.
It will be a busy day.
In other news I must also brag about how I worked four rows of the CBNJ in a PITCH BLACK bar lit only by the bar glow last night. And didn't fuck up.
I need a pair of driving mittens and some wrist warmers for work. Damn christmas. I want to knit for MYSELF!
17:45 Posted in Bitch'n , Nitt'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/20/2005
Gettin' dirty on the back porch.
So I did a little much needed gardening last weekend. I pulled out the tomatoes and peppers that were totally done and the flowers that I'd killed from lack of watering. (It's not my fault! You know, I was out of the country and really busy and stuff and THIS time I won't let that happen)
I planted more flowers and I replaced the tomatoes and peppers with collards and swiss chard. The weather still seems warm enough for them. I know you are supposed to have lettuce in the fall and hopefully I will but really it seems like its not cool enough yet for that. It's all a learning experience (scince I don't know what the goddess I'm doing) so we will see.
19:55 Posted in Garden'n , Pussycats | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/19/2005
Can't a girl get any AUTUMN around here?
I LOOOOOVE autumn. I think it's my favorite season. The food (squash, pumpkin, greens, apples, pears!) is my favorite food, the weather (if you're lucky: crisp, cold, clear, wood smoke in the air) is the best, the clothes (knits! scarves, knit tights, hats, coats, boots) are the most comfortable to me. And I finally get to turn the heat on in the evening. Love it.
But I live in Northern California. And I get weather like THIS . Can't get a break from this GODDAMNED good weather. I can't tell you what I'd give for a dark rainy day inside with my cats, my knitting, some tea and my man.
But it is a *little* chilly at night. I put my fuzzy feet and a sweater on last night. It's a start. So to get in the autumn spirit I made myself a fabulous fall dinner.
Menu: Pork chops with fresh sage, Roasted fall vegetables with maple and thyme, and greens with garlic and lemon.
Tada! Okay so I'm not winning any food photo award. (Kinda looks like something you'd see out of a really crappy 70's cookbook huh?) But it was yummy. And all for me. I'm a firm believer of cooking great stuff for yourself. Who says you need to have a man around to do any actual cooking? All the more leftovers for lunch today!
•Pork chops: your usual floured, sea salted and peppered, in the frying pan chops. With some chopped fresh sage from my herb garden.
•Roasted vegetables: Parsnips, Acorn squash (love the trader joes cut/pealed bag), and sweet potato. Roasted at 425 degrees, 40 min or so with 2T of melted butter, 2T of real maple syrup, 1T of balsamic, S&P and a little fresh thyme.
•Greens: Turnip greens, kale, and spinach boiled then tossed with olive oil, garlic, and lemon squeeze and salt.
18:00 Posted in Eat'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/18/2005
Come on, just wait 3 more years. PLEASE!
Does this scare the HOLY LIVING CAT BARF out of anyone else?
Please, Sandra Day, don't leave us!! Not now!
Sorrry, if creepy, slimy, child beating, Dr. Dobson (who thinks the cartoon SPONGEBOB is GAY and should be removed from television) is rooting for ol' Harriet that must mean whatever she is hiding is some scary shit, and that she is a Flaming Minion of All Things Bad.
As a replacement for Sandra Day OcConnor? The only rational person on the court and the deciding vote on every issue?
This isn't political folks - Good Goddesss, THIS IS LIFE AND DEATH.
***
In Other Catastrophic and Disheartening News:
I have a cold. A really really bad one and it sucks. In fact I haven't been this sick in years. All weekend.
It could be bird flu.
***
Also I've come to realize that this is October and I need to come up with an Enviably Creative and Awe Inspiring halloween costume in one week. Also, if I don't get started on the Christmas presents I've once again made that stressful and unrealistic goal to HANDMAKE EACH AND EVERY ONE well on their way: I'll be toast.
21:46 Posted in Bitch'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/15/2005
*snort*
I'm buying half of a pig.
I have to call the butcher tomorrow to tell them what I want out of it. Ha-ha! I'm serious. But there is an explanation.
~ WARNING: opinionated and judgmental and slightly preachy post ahead. But humor me.~
My parents have pigs. (and cows and chickens*) And we love them. And we eat them. And they are good.
I feel that most people in our culture (including myself for a while) are so far removed from where their food comes from they don't realize what it takes to get it on their plate. Farmers and farm workers BUST THEIR ASS to grow and harvest crops (and spend huge amounts of natural resources getting it to our grocery stores so that we can have variety), every plant you eat comes from the ground so it might have some dirt on it,
- AND ANIMALS HAVE TO DIE FOR YOU TO EAT MEAT-
Pigs are gorgeous, intelligent, hilarious and kind of gross animals. And they have died so I can eat my bacon but I have a ton of respect for them which is what our culture really lacks when it comes to food. I love meat and eat it all the time. And I fully applaud vegetarians in their choice. Mostly because I feel that, if you can't handle the idea of eating an animal that was once living you shouldn't eat meat because that would be disrespectful.
A friend from Vietnam once complained to me that Americans are so picky and wasteful. I'd never thought of that before but it's true (I'm guilty of it) "I don't like the bones" "I don't want to eat all this other yucky stuff". etc. You know what I mean. We like our food to be pre-packaged, skinless, boneless etc. etc. I think it has a lot to do with lack of respect and realizing that nothing should be wasted or else we have needlessly wasted an animal's life.
Anyway I bought a half a pig. That is 61.5 pounds before cutting. I'm calling the butcher tomorrow to tell him what cuts I want and what not. And I'm excited because even though it's a little overwhelming:
• It will last us over a year, save us money, and take up tons of space in the freezer so I will have no where to put the ice cream I'm not supposed to eat.
• I know that not only were they fed good food, given no hormones, had plenty of space to play and root around, they were also loved because my whole family spends quite a bit of time with them. And thats something you can't get from even Organic factory meat. Have you ever noticed you never see any fields with pigs in them? Thats because they are kept in huge barns with no space to move for their entire lives while they are fattened up and then killed. And these are animals that are about as smart as dogs!
• Its REALLY f'ing good. You CAN'T buy the same quality at a grocery store. (Pork chops, and ham, and bacon. OH MY!)
Obviously most people can't raise a pig and eat it. But I think it is really important to be aware of what we are consuming. Most of our food is farmed unsustainable, wastefully, and cruelly. So think before you buy! And buy ORGANIC, people!
*stepping down from soap box*
_______________________
* We're a little redneck
** Also they're rednecks
*** Yeah, uh huh, they are rednecks
23:45 Posted in Eat'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/14/2005
Priorities!
Work. So. Busy.
And you know what? I have the biggest urge to knit ever! I really want to start a new project. There is nothing better than buying juicy yarn and needles and planning a new fabulous project. (Say like this or this or this or this ) But I have so many projects started right now it would be criminal to start another.
here's the tally
1. Bulky Neckdown cardigan I haven't even gotten to the arms yet. Its just that, I had to frog twice, then use the needles for something else, and there is still some more frogging to do before I can start again. bleh. But I can't abandom my first sweater every. Then I will officially be a failure instead of just waiting a while to start up again.
2. Armwarmers for Renee in Noro Kureyon. Almost done! Just need to do the second thumb and weave in the ends.
3. iPod cozy (with kitty eyes, nose and ears. It looks like olive) that I started 3 years ago (or something) and have finished but not put a clasp or button and now my iPod is scratched beyond recognition
4. The beer cozies I promised for my brother
5. The scarf I'm making out of leftover Baby Alpaca Grande
6. My one skein wonder in D.B. Cashmerino. Only 5 rows in!
Plus I owe C a hat that is not too big, the cats a kitty pi or two and I have to do something with my thousand or so leftover yards of worsted weight wool!!
Chaos I'm telling you, and all I want to do is start a new cardigan or sweater or something else way out of my knitting league! Is that too much to ask?
22:01 Posted in Nitt'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/13/2005
Here's a big sloppy kiss for me iTunes
***
So last night was bellydance class but I was the only one who showed up and Luna was tired so we just went out for pizza and beer. If I were a good girlfriend I would have trekked to the city to see my man's show at the Bottom of the Hill but, you know - pizza and beer and chatting with a girlfriend - sorry, babe.
***
Today the boss is away (Yom Kippur) and even though there are millions of things to be doing I don't feel like doing any of them, so there.
***
iTunes has a new update AND YOU CAN PLAY TV SHOWS!!!! Is anyone else as fucking excited as I am? Oh maybe not, I forget most people actually have antennas on their tv. But I don't. And now maybe I will find out what all this going on about a strange thing called "Lost" is about.
***
I heard back from the Guatemalan textiles lady. All the fancy schmancy "board of directors" from NY luuuuuuved the design and now we are going forward with the actual thing!
***
I got one of those silly personality quizzes in my email:
Have you..................
* Ever been so drunk you blacked out?
It's best we don't talk about it.
* Missed work because it was raining:
Honey, I'm from Oregon. I've never even missed a picnic because it was raining.
* Put a body part on fire for amusement:
Pardon? Is that done?
* Been hurt emotionally:
Never. I've got a marble-like shell surrounding my itty bitty heart.
* Kept a secret from everyone:
Finally I can answer yes for the first time: I managed not to spill it to my friend Christa FOREVER that her man was going to propose. Yes! Score! It was so hard.
* Had an imaginary friend:
no but I've always wished I did
* Wanted to hook up with a friend:
Who doesn't?
* Ever thought an animated character was hot:
The Little Mermaid. (Just kidding) However I have had a crush on a literary character or two (Mr. Darcy and Jamie Friaser - watch out!)
* Had a New Kids on the Block tape?
No I wasn't cool enough.
What is your favorite.....................
* Shampoo:
I have about 6 different bottles in my bath and use it, like, twice a week so I'm not a good person to ask this question. As long as its got natural ingredients and doesn't turn my bottle blond hair orange or green its in.
* Body Wash:
I make my soap myself dammit! Bodywash, smodywash.
* Hair Color:
Multi
* Day/Night:
Day and night
* Summer/Winter:
Summer and Winter
* Lace or Satin:
Satin if I have to choose
* Favorite Food:
Fresh vietnamese spring rolls, my mom's homemade rasperry jam on toast, grilled fresh salmon, winter squash, steamed spinach with lemon, pasta, and lemon curd. Not all at once.
* Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride
* Favorite Book:
(s) - Lets make that plural shall we? Just a few:
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austin,
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant,
Skinny Legs and All - Tom Robbins,
The Watership Down - Richard Adams,
The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley
etc. etc. etc.
* Favorite Ice Cream:
Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough, but I had some cantelope ice cream from Mitchell's that was up there.
* Favorite Subject:
Poop. My cats. Celebrities.......Oh did you mean school subject?
* Favorite drink without alcohol:
agua
* Favorite Words:
"pickle" & "totally". Word I hate: pulchritudinous
*Favorite beer:
Pabst (such a classy dame)
RIGHT NOW-------------------------
* Wearing:
Shevel Knievel T-shirt that I cut and stitched back up to fit me, Lucky jeans and chucks.
*Hair is:
two kinda lopsided pony/bun-thingies
* Eating:
nothin. I want some pasta.
* Drinking:
Trader Joe's Orange Spice Organic Rooibosh Herbal Tea
* Thinking :
I should really be working
* Listening to:
KEXP (Seattle college radio via internet) Playing: Hound Dog Taylor
LAST TIME YOU---------------------------
* Wore a skirt:
Yesterday. I made it myself tee hee.
* Met someone new:
Saturday
*Cleaned your room:
I don't do that
* Drove a car:
this morning
LIFE--------------------------
* Best feeling in the world?
That feeling after about an hour or so of constant menstral cramps when they are ALMOST starting to wane and there is this teeny tiny break inbetween them where there is .. no...pain for like two seconds. Heaven. TMI?
* Worst Feeling?
my foot in my mouth.
19:30 Posted in Blog'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/12/2005
The rare and unusual: finished product.
Yep, I'm posting purely to prove that I don't just talk about making things I actually MAKE things. (More truthfully, sometimes I do, mostly I just talk about it, and think about it, and by supplies for it. But everyonce in a while there is that rare and beautiful creature: a finished craft)
Exibit A.
A skirt I made out of some strange fitting Levi's cords. Actually they were just too big. But a great color etc. so this was the perfect solution. I followed this this tute.
Exibit B.
04:20 Posted in Mak'n stuff , Pussycats | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
10/07/2005
Honey, you think you've got problems
Okay, there are people in the south WITHOUT a home or belongings, with deceased loved ones, there are people in Iraq suffering, and unimaginable things going on in Darfur.
This is what I'm telling myself so I don't sit here and wallow in self pity for one minute longer. And I really am going to gain persepctive, not only because of that white-liberal-middle class guilt I like to have going on but because I'm liable to get really depressed sometime here soon if I don't start getting happy. Cuz here's the deal:
1. As I've mentioned, my house is being put up for sale. Evidence:
2. I took my car into the mechanic this morning who, sweet man that he is (although a little drunk at times), told me that it will be $600 f'ing dollars to fix the oil leak. The leak that, had I gotten it taken care of when I first noticed it, would not have soaked through my timing belt and almost eaten it through.
3. My computer at work is B R O K E N. And like my car I did not get the malfunctioning automatic back-up system fixed when I noticed it wasn't working and now nothing is backed up and I lost I don't know how much of my work for the past 6 months. (noticing a theme here?)
4. Last night I found cat pee on my bed, on the easy chair, and on the futon couch. Yes, Camille. I honestly am at my wits end with this cat. I don't know how to deal with it. Obviously I can lock her out of any room with stuff to pee on but that sucks! And is impossible to maintain. I've tried everything and am losing it!
5. This morning I smelled gas in my house and called PG&E who found nothing and now I smell some more.
I have that familiar feeling of overwhelmed-ness that precedes a major depression streak. Especially because C is kind of down right now and actually being really awnery. But he knows it and is trying to be cool. In fact after an argument wed. night in which he was particularly out of line (I was an angel of course) he brought me these flowers yesterday:
Aren't they beautiful? I love thistles so thats why he got those and those white flowers, I don't know what they are but they are papery and so so white, I love them. So does Olive, they apparently taste good, hopefully they are not poisonous. (Don't worry PETA, I do not let her eat them) C is such a doll.
Anyway, those flowers are just one of the reasons I need not be depressed (as if logic has much to do with a chemical inbalance but hey, I'm trying). Besides, oh, having a place to live, things to eat and knowing that my loved ones are safe.....There are lots of positive things:
1. Olive is being especially love-y and cute today. (she feels bad for me about Camile and wants me to know shes not like that) She even carries her sparkly puff balls to me in her mouth to drop by my feet so I will throw it for her. "Kitty catch". It kills me and she hasn't done it in ages.
2. For once, instead of being accusing, C is with me on the depression thing and we are working together to be kind to each other and get through it. The fact is Katrina really affected both of us (remotely, obviously we weren't literally effected by it but I don't know how you can see that kind of thing even on the news and not have it effect you), I always get a little imbalanced coming home from a trip (jet lag, percieved anti-climax I guess) and then of course all these loads of issues at once.
3. There were able to get most of my files of my computer remotely (it won't start up) and put in on a hard drive so I can work at home. So now I'm at home instead of work blaring music on my itunes and drinking tea freshly imported from China and..... blogging! (and throwing sparkly cat toys for Olive)
4. Landlord got the hot tub fixed!
5. C and I are going on a date tonight. And I actually HAVE him. I just called a friend who was on the trip to China and found out her husband left her when she got back. She's devastated.
So anyway, long post. Not about China yet because I'm compiling all that. But yeah. We've all got problems.
23:05 Posted in Bitch'n | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
10/04/2005
Damn good things..
Plus I'm so going to make some of these.
21:51 Posted in Mak'n stuff | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
Grown up stuff sucks
Well the reality that is my life has struck me with full force. My first day of work was not as bad as I thought it would be. My boss was gone, and things had ACTUALLY GOTTEN done while I was away so I was able to catch up on email etc. But today at our meeting we were informed that everything that usual needs to be done six months from now, actually needs to be done in 3. And the stuff that needs to be done right now actually still needs to be done RIGHT NOW! So you know, stress.
Also my car is dying. I took it to get the oil changed (something about that black dripping underneath and the burning smell and the squeaky brakes and tendency to overheat made me think it may need a little love and care). After much muffled shouting below I was told that my car has a massive oil leak and it was dripping all over their heads. Also, they can't change my oil because the plug in the pan is fucked. So I have to make an appointment with the mechanic.
And then I think we are getting kicked out of our flat. Well, my landlord is selling. I got it out of him finally. (hmmm, termite inspections etc. make one a little suspicious) It sucks because our house is great. Our rent is reasonable, the place is huge, our neighbors are cool, our landlord is fantastic and we have a fucking hot tub!!! It probably won't happen for a while but its still stressful. Moving, even if you can find a place with the same rent, is expensive! PLUS:
C wants to actually buy a house.. . . . in the bay area..... and we have no money. I guess people say it can be done but with my student loans going up as well and the fact that I'll probably need a new car I just don't see it. Plus I always kinda thought I'd have something shiny on my finger before we did that. We'll see, maybe I will*, and maybe its not as hard as I think.
So basically I came home from China broke and realizing that I needed a new car, we are going to have to move and maybe BUY place, and my student loans are going up.
Damn, being a grown up sucks.
* I believe I forgot to tell dear diary that I plan to propose to C this year. I was thinking over Christmas since we'll be in Alaska, all snowy and fireplace-y and romantic. I just haven't thought of how to do it. More on this later I'm sure.
P.S. Not only do I have pictures of my trip, but new projects. I swear, soon.
21:29 Posted in Bitch'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
10/03/2005
Vacation + bad jet lag = blog neglect
I've been in China!! And it was amazing and fun and a-once-in-a-lifetime expereiece. Yes I have pictures.
But now I'm just jet lagged and things are just not going well in the digestion area and worst of all? I'm back at work. Reality has struck me in the face like a Boeing 747.
I'll elaborate on the journey to Beijing and back when I'm through taking that icy cold shower that is "The First Day Back At Work After Two Weeks In Another Country"
17:25 Posted in Blog'n | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this