Recent Posts

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Underused Words

  • Flummoxed
  • Defenestrate
  • Batsh*t crazy
More to come.

Practically The Same

Max and I have had some quality bonding time over the last couple days and I've come to realize we are a lot alike.

For example:

+We both love to sit in front of the fire.

+We both eat dinner out of a bowl.

+We are both wooed to sleep by studying.


+We both like to snuggle and watch Mad Men.

+He’s covered in cat hair. I’m covered in cat hair (which is totally convenient for someone who wears a lot a black).

We’re practically the same: Cute, cuddly and utterly irresistible.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Don't Let This Blow Your Mind

Do you ever notice how women often carry excessively large purses? Do you ever think, what could they possibly need to carry around? I do. Well, I was one of those women this morning and even I am impressed.




Today’s contents that nearly broke my purse/back:

1.) Carton of Almond Milk
2.) 33.8 oz bottle of SmartWater
3.) Travel Book – Japan
4.) Book Club Book - Sundays at Tiffany’s (barf)
5.) The Wordy Shipmates
6.) Blackberry
7.) TWO pairs of sunglasses (obviously necessary for February in Seattle)
8.) Yogurt
9.) Banana
10.) Digital Camera
11.) Granola
12.) Sweet Potato
13.) MP3 player
14.) Clutch purse

All into less than one cubic foot. And to think all I had was figurative baggage. Turns out, I have more literal baggage that I would hope.

On a semi-related note: I found my missing Amex at the bottom. Still in search of Driver’s License…


Monday, February 22, 2010

Points for Originality

On a sunny day in Seattle there is no better way to spend lunch than at Anthony’s Fish Bar at Pier 66. Their outdoor patio lends itself to soak up the sun while enjoying views of the city, stadiums, mountains and water.


I order my regular and took a seat in the sun. After a few minutes a couple gentlemen came up and we started chatting. Small talk. We exchanged pleasantries. We chatted about the weather, Seattle, were we all lived, work, etc.

Then it got weird and this conversation happened:

Guy: You look Spanish
Me: Oh, I’m actually Italian. Italian and Chinese in fact.
Guy: Whoa, you belong in a museum you’re so rare.
Me: ……(silence)…………yep, I’ve never found one quite like me.
Guy: And, you’ve got your pasta and your chow mein!
Me: …..yep, I do love me some noodles…..(uncomfortable laugh).

End.

That has got to be the weirdest comment/compliment (?) I’ve ever gotten.

Points for originality.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

More On Repeat



Totally makes you want to bust out in a slow dance with lots of shoulder shimmies and snapping.

Or is that just me?

Friday, February 19, 2010

On Repeat



AND



Thanks FNL.

10 Things To Get Excited About

  1. Casual Fridays: I’m wearing plaid Rocket Dog sneakers and a v-neck t-shirt that is cut way too low. Three shouts for casual Friday!
  2. Professional Snuggling: I get to snuggle with Max for a week. Max is a cat. I’m not really a pet person; Max is the one exception. Next step: human contact.
  3. Eagles back on tour: Best concert I’ve ever seen in my life. Who’s in? May 13, Key Arena. You will not be disappointed.
  4. Vacations: BFF comes to town in 2 weeks. Very little sleep and ridiculous adventures to ensue.
  5. Old Roomie: Has an interview for a job of a lifetime. Sending her good vibes!
  6. Grammar Rules: Reading The Chicago Manual of Style at work because not only does it look like I’m working, but I really secretly enjoy it.
  7. Listening to: She’s Some Kind of Wonderful – Grand Funk Railroad
  8. Fine Dining: I’m house sitting in Magnolia next week. This mean Taco Time for dinner for the next 7 days. I could not be more excited. Might have to put those skinny jeans on hold but it will be totally worth it.
  9. Delayed Gratification: There is a book I’ve been waiting 18 months to read. I finally impulse bought it. If you need me I’ll be available via cell phone, otherwise just assume I’m reading.
  10. The Sun: And the sunroof. With heated seats

Cheers to the weekend!



 

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Right This Second: Slammin'

+Looks slammin'
+Smells slammin'
+Feels slammin'

It's a trifecta of slammin'.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Public Service Announcement: Shoulds

Songs you should listen to:

  1. True Affections – The Blow
  2. Put a Candle in the Window - CCR
  3. Run - Snow Patrol
  4. You Shook Me – Led Zeppelin
  5. Wildflowers - Tom Petty
  6. It Never Entered My Mind - Miles Davis

 Books you should read:

  1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
  2. The Sparrow
  3. In Defense of Food
  4. Sophie’s World
  5. Half-Broke Horse

 Words you should use less:

  1. Awesome
  2. Amazing
  3. Really
  4. Totally
  5. No

Words you should use more:

  1. Love
  2. Yes
  3. Thanks
  4. Please
  5. Free
Fabrics that should never be worn in public
  1. Corduroy (In the words of Miranda: “I don't have enough time to tell you what's wrong with corduroy!”)
  2. Velor
  3. Flannel
  4. Velvet
  5. Anything embroidered


PS.  Your tax return is due in 57 days. Get on it.

A Really Good Shot

I was watching the Olympics briefly this weekend and became absolutely enthrawled with the biatholon.  I thought to myself, "I can totally do that."

Now, your first question should be: What would possibly make her think that?

You might not know this about me, I'm not particularly good with skis, but I’m a REALLY good shot, especially with a .22 gauge rifle. How do I know this?  That answer brings me to another quintessential NY story.

Nestled discretely in the middle of the West Village sits Tiro a Segno, a private, members-only club. But,  Tiro a Segno is no ordinary “club.”  It's so elusive I had troubles finding anything concrete about it on the internet (which obviously knows all) besides this article from 1988 in the NY Times, plus a couple vague  reviews.

Its membership is exclusive only to those of Italian heritage and as difficult in get in to as it is to get out of the mob alive.  Its a kind of place where food and wine flow freely and one can’t help but hope the stomach could expand just a smidge more to make room for the last morsel of goodness.

One fateful night, I was lucky enough to be the guest of a guest.

As we dined on the most traditional Italian food, paired with wine and cheese we would take breaks after eaach course and head down stairs to the basement gun range.  That’s right, a gun range in the basement.  While initially I was a bit concerned (being the anti-NRA democrat that I am), I took to it like a natural…and loved it.  Its precise, its powerful, its liberating. It was more than you can imagine.

Here's the tricky part: as the night went on, the wine flowed freer and the targets seemed to get further away. The steps became more labored and that much harder to focus. Once being one who could moderately hold her liquor, dessert came around, along with the dessert Port and I was a gone-r. I remember shooting my last target being one of the most difficult things I'd ever done.

Clearly, the only way to end the night was in a limo ride home.  From the West Village to the Upper East Side we made a round about pit stop in the financial district and hopped on the FDR for a scenic route home.  The limo, with a fully loaded bar, called our names despite the fact that I had already had my fill.  A vodka 7up later, Jenn and I were standing out of the sunroof, going 60 up the FDR....screaming, fists raised in the air, like every twenty-something living in New York dreams of doing.  The night was gorgeous, the city sparkled, I felt untouchable.

I'll never forget that night.  The food, the friends, the .22 gauge shot gun...we all got a little closer that night.

And just in case you don't believe me, the proof is in the pictures.

Note:  Taking aim while in my BCBG pumps
Jenn: You're ridiculous.
Check that out....hard to see, but bulls eye.

Little did you know: I'm/was a happy drunk.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Check.

Cross off list:

Make it into Ilsa’s novel.
Check.
Today is a good day.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Quiet Ones

I got a new neighbor at work. He now occupies the cube next to me.

This what his cube looked like before:


Then we got our hands on it and it looked like this:




What else do you do with a roll of the worlds ugliest wrapping paper:



Lesson of the Day: Never underestimate the power of the quiet ones.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Highlight of the Day

An accountant wrote me a poem today. It went like this:


Cara’s name in the hat
For a wonderful chat
Also ‘cause she’s great
Let’s just leave it at that

It's no Frost but I'll take it!

Under the Knife

Tomorrow I'm going under the knife.  And by knife I mean scissors.  This may seem inconsequential to most, but to me, getting a hair cut is no small endeavor. This is something I do about 3 times a year.  I make my appointments 4 weeks out so I can mentally prepare.  I look at pictures, debate about length, bangs vs. no bangs, consider face shape, hair texture, etc.  As the appointment draws closer, I get more and more anxious.


But I think I've found a hairstyle that might match what I'm looking for:



Appointment is at 7:00 pm tomorrow. Stayed tuned!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Bliss List Monday - Gratitude

It's been awhile since I've done a Bliss List Monday so I thought I'd go a different route and make a list of things I'm grateful for.  The envelop please:


1.) Clean sheets 
2.) Snacks
3.) Friendships that comfort and stengthen
4.) A place of worship
5.) A family who loves and cares about me and do all that they can to show it.
6.) 61 degrees in February in Seattle
7.) A good sweat on the bike
8.) My once a month indulgence
9.) Hugs
10.) Finishing a good book while curled up in bed


Thanks Big Man Upstairs for making it all happen.  

Pill Pusher


I try really hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Really hard.  (You can review my do and do nots here) Sometimes, I’m successful, sometimes I have lots of room to improve.  But for the most part I try to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.  But for all that I do to be healthy, apparently I need some help.

I went for just an annual check up and turns out my blood work came back severely deficient in Vitamin D.  Shocking.  So I started to revaluate my nutritional intake and because of that, I now take supplements.  But not just any supplements, but the world’s LARGEST supplements:



Horses take smaller pills.

1.)    Flax seed oil.  Since I don’t do fish, I’m really lacking in the omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.  And the idea of fish oil kind of grosses me out, flax seed is the relative equivalent for us vegetarians.  It’s also said to aid in skin care.  I’ll take it!


2.)    Vitamin D and Calcium –Turns out you need calcium to absorb Vitamin D, calcium being another thing I get very little of.  To remedy this naturally, I started drinking  8 oz of calcium enriched orange juice every day which has over 100% of your daily vitamin C needs and 30% of your calcium needs.  I eat tons of broccoli already so that adds even more calcium.  But not enough so I pop these enormous suckers for strong bones. 


3.)    Glucosamine:  I’ve got the joints of a 75 year old.  Mostly in my shoulders, hips and knees.  The kicker about this one is that it has to be taken consistently every day for 3 months before you feel any effects.    I can barely do anything for consistently for more than 3 days, let alone 3 months, so this one is tricky, but I try.


Besides being annoyed every time I take these, I am curious is why they have to be so large. You'd think we'd have found a better solution than this. I have to believe that if we can make a little blue pile that gives men boners, little yellow pills that relieve headaches and little white pills that serve a variety of purposes, we can certainly find a way to make supplements, whatever color they may be, smaller.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Free Hugs

I’m a really good hugger. See how I practically squash my sister circa 1986.




Not much has changed between us. Except I don’t wear pink. By choice. Ever.

Need a hug? I'm your girl.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

It's an Art Form

One of the new kids today said:

“One day I’m going to figure out how your shoes always match your outfit.”

He’s quite astute for a dude who’s only been here two weeks. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that its not really one of those things you "figure out." It’s an art form and therefore cannot be explained.

I hope.

+ I hope my future husbands reads this and teaches it to our future kid(s). 
+ I hope my $12 brussel sprouts I accidentally purchased are the best brussel sprouts are the best sprouts I've ever had. They better be. 
+I hope that in heaven there are pedicures, it's acceptable to eat chocolate for breakfast, there are sunrises at reasonable hours and I can nap in a bug-free field of wildflowers.
+I hope I always choose love.
+I hope, if I believed in reincarnation, I wouldn't come back as an empire penguin.  That cuss is crazy.  I'd like to return as a domesticated house pet with loving owners. That would be ideal.  Or a whale.  
+I hope you never feel alone.   
+I hope I'm not one of those people who is sitting around waiting for life to happen to them. 
+I hope my wedding day involves a courthouse, pearls and cowboy boots.  Secretly.
+ I hope that I can see the ocean and a fireplace while standing in my future home.
+ I hope I'm ready for what's next.  Scratch that, I know I'm ready.

Monday, February 1, 2010

The News No One Covers

Who want to read the depressing headlines when you can read the cuss that matters. Here’s the news no one covers:


1.) Current Affairs: I'm so tired the thought crossed my mind to go take a nap in my car. However, I have yet to devise a comfortable sleeping arrangement that doesn't involved folding down the back seats and essentially sleeping in the trunk. Although, I do think that if I were ever homeless I would just live in my car because it's got heated seats (for comfort), a sun roof (for stargazing and cloud watching) and a sweet sound system (for entertainment). It would be like camping in luxury. What more could a girl ask for?


2.) Entertainment: Have you seen The Invention of Lying? If so let's chat about it. It was very in your face allegorical, but I need to talk it out. It blew my mind and I can't quite wrap my arms around what I was suppose to glean from the moral of the story. Maybe I'm just the idiot thinking too hard about it.

3.) Music: I need new music. I've been on a kick of listening to entire cds. Recently Patty Griffin's newest album, Downtown Church, Pearl Jam's Backspacer, Katie Herzig's Apple Tree and Kelly Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted have been on repeat. Kings of Leon is always on so no need to replace that, but I'm looking for something that’s refreshing, calming and catchy. (PS. Shout out to Taylor Swift and Kings of Leon with the big Grammy wins. Way to rock it.)


4.) Editorial/Opinion: For the THIRD time today, I’ve heard someone clipping their nails. It’s not even noon. Gr-oss. Un-real. Mind blowing.


5.) Science: What the cuss happened to January? How is it February? And can we move this along and get to April already. Dear engineering friends, let’s make this happen.


That’s the news no one reports….probably for good reason.


These Too Shall Pass

I'm craving this for breakfast and this for lunch and a drippingly delicious shackburger for dinner. 

I think I'm just cold and something warm and cozy sounds real nice. Real nice.

Like all cravings, these too shall pass.

In the meantime, I'll go to town on these grapes, rice cake, multi-vitamins and cup of tea. Slammin'.