No day but today.

the one in which she gets really serious about losing weight

2011-10-18T14:08:00.001-07:00

Did I tell y'all how my love life is all happy and drama free? I think I forgot to mention it, because it's just so natural and easy that I don't need to write it out. So yeah, it's been about... 4 months of serious? We've been friends for about 4 years. It's great. He treats me really well and I'm really happy. Peachy!

I told you guys before how well the career and money portions of my happiness project were going. And then I got laid off. Again. That happened. SO. Career is... nonexistent. And money is... touch and go, until I figure out unemployment, which will be barely enough to pay my bills, or get a new job. I've adjusted my budget and think I'll be ok but I will definitely be living on substantially less than I have been (which is not all that much to begin with).

So I'm going to take this time to go full circle back to health. I finally joined a gym. My goal is to weigh 135 by January 1. That's a little demanding (13 lbs to go), but I think I can do it, especially with all this time on my hands. My objectives:

work out 3-5x a week
eschew all meat except fish for 6 days a week
eschew all dairy except my morning coffee (2T half & half) and occasionally plain, unflavored yogurt 6 days a week
watch my portion sizes
don't drink alcohol by myself
log all food intake and exercise on LiveStrong to hold myself more accountable

Once a week I will give myself a day to eat something whatever I want so A) I don't go crazy, and B) I don't plateau. And if I only get to 140 I'm not going to beat myself up.

Working on my positivity-- happy girls are the prettiest girls. Being unemployed is tricky because you have more time than money. And I'm a fairly social person so having to stay in all the time sort of wears me down. But I'm going to do what I can-- work out, watch Netflix, read, cook, and try to keep my chin up until something else comes along.

dusts off blog

2011-10-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

My BFF Danael has been blogging daily, about some really personal stuff, and I think it's brave. I haven't been blogging at all, and I think it's LAZY!

I wanted you guys to know I've been WORKING on my happiness project, even though I haven't been WRITING about it. I feel like I've conquered a few things-- even if it was just dumb luck. Found a new job right before I got laid off-- how great is that? I love it. I'm debt-free, I got a severance package, AND I didn't have to go on unemployment. Not like I'm rolling in dough or anything, but I don't owe anyone any money, I got a new computer, and put a nice solid amount in my retirement fund. So I'm happy in the money arena and the career arena.

Today my new boss agreed to let me shift my office hours to 10am-6:30pm. I'll of course be able to come in earlier if I have a meeting or a pressing issue of any kind, but I think this is going to make me a much happier person, which equals a better employee! I can work out 3 days a week, "sleep in" 2 days a week, and avoid rush hour commute on either end of my day. I think it's genius! So this should help in the health arena, as well as in the general happiness arena.

Things are good over here! Always have things to work on but life is rolling along just fine. Just the way I like it.

offline.

2011-04-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

I've had a helluva few weeks. Two really, really busy shows back-to-back, long days augmented with long evenings with several friends I haven't seen in months, came home to roommate date night, girls' night, an annual Easter Sunday bash-- WHEW! I have enjoyed every moment of my wonderful friends, but come about 9pm last night I was so oversocialized I thought I was going to rip my hair out. At our last stop last night I made a runner-- literally walked into the bar and left without sitting down or ordering a drink. I ran pell-mell for the train (and made it with about 30 seconds to spare), went straight to my glorious, empty house and was into the shower, fat pants, and a cup of hot tea within 30 minutes of being home. And this morning I did a marvelous thing.

I turned off my phone.

Just, turned it right off! This morning I had my coffee, watched a movie, read a book, ran some errands, took a long walk-- sans phone, sans headphones-- did my laundry, went to the market, and am now listening to music and making myself a lovely dinner. I didn't even take offense to the butcher who asked me if I was making a "lonely dinner" when I ordered from him. I was all, "heck no! I can't wait!!!"

I know tomorrow I'll be very pleased to see a couple of friends for an afternoon movie and dinner, respectively, but today I really needed this.

~happy!~

the power of positive communicating

2011-04-23T09:17:00.001-07:00

So, even though this week I've been focusing on my "health" chapter, I've also been working on the general happiness. Since I'm not at work this week the radius has been small, starting around the house and in my social networking.

Example: for whatever reason, it drives my roommate CRAZY when I leave my coffee cup in the sink. I don't know why. To me it makes perfect sense to put water in it and leave it until I have breakfast later and wash all the dishes at once (we don't have a dishwasher). But he has his reasons, like we all do for little things like that; it drives him crazy and I respect that. I've just started washing it. It takes me 30 seconds and then he doesn't get frustrated and then I don't roll my eyes when I notice he's frustrated. See? Easy. Everyone's happier.

Another: it drives me crazy when he doesn't use the compost bin. He's just not comfortable with it. I understand; it's new and kind of gross. But it still bothers me that he won't use it, so I've started cleaning out his coffee pot at night before bed (yes, we have separate coffee pots). That way the grounds go in the bin where I want them and he doesn't have to deal with it. Another 30-second task and everyone wins. (On the flip side, he always sets up my coffee for me at night so all I have to do is hit the button in the AM. Very thoughtful!! Our coffee system is so positive!!!)

One of the other things that is huge... HUGE to me, as silly as it sounds, is people's negativity on Facebook. I mean, it's a social network, after all. Social. I think of it as a big group of friends talking to one another, in front of other friends. I guess people find it easier to say things behind the wall of a computer monitor than they would in person? But A) no one wants to read your status update if all you do is whine all the time, and B) picking a fight on Facebook is lame and unproductive. An example from my friend Jeff's wall (sorry it's so small, click to enlarge):

I left Jeff's name intact because he was both initially positive and gracious in his response (I hope he doesn't mind). If this was my wall my first reaction would have been to bite back.

But why, WHY do people find it necessary to respond in this manner? First of all, it was just a link that Jeff found inspirational and he shared it. If you don't like it, move on. No one is making you read it. Second of all, I'll never understand why omnivores find it somehow... offensive when people choose to not eat meat. This is not specific to omnivores vs. vegetarians; it is also religious, political, environmental, etc. But honestly, why does he care? He has to have meat at every meal? Don't eat at Cafe Gratitude. Who cares? I mean, I personally don't understand why someone would choose to say, spend $80K on an automobile, but it's not hurting me. I would never respond on someone's Facebook wall and be all "oh, that's so irresponsible with your funds and bad for the environment and plus it's really ugly and hard to park." Because in that instance, my opinion really doesn't matter, and all I would be doing is throwing negativity out into the interwebs. Probably sparking someone to retort, thus and furthering the negativity. It's just not worth it.

Happy is as happy does. As St. Therese of Lisieux said, "for the love of God and my sisters (so charitable towards me) I take care to appear happy and especially to be so."

What will you do to be positive today?

early to bed, early to rise

2011-04-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

....make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. That's the old adage, no? I'll give them the "healthy" part for sure.

So it's Day 2 of the HEALTH portion of my happiness project. It sounds mundane, but we're all happier when we feel better, right? I've outlined some objectives and goals for myself, hopefully realistic ones that push me a little bit without setting me up for failure. After all, this project is all about changing my life without changing my life.

People spend more time and money on losing weight than on purchasing new cars. I just made that up. But it sounds about right. But why? We want to lose weight because we think it will make us happier. And while I'm not immune to thinking that those last 5 lbs are the answer to all my problems, there are many other "healthy" things I need to be doing as well.

Step 1: sleep longer.

I know, a no-brainer, right? I, along with everyone in the world, feel like the busiest person on the planet. If I stay up just a little bit longer, I can finish my book, clean something, make hard-boiled eggs, dust, etc, etc. But forcing myself out of bed with my grumpy face on doesn't make those things worth it. I recently read a study about geniuses and violin players, and the one thing they all had in common was 8-9 hours of sleep a night. Your brain just works better. Granted, it's a lot easier when I'm home than when I'm on the road, but I figure I can get myself in the habit this week for when I go back to work next week. 11pm bedtime this week. Even if I lie down and read, not necessarily sleep right away, the goal is to be IN BED by 11pm. I like to wake up between 7:30-8 so this is a nice, vacation-amount of sleep.

Step 2: eat better.

I like food too much to be some sort of crash-dieter. Luckily for me, I like healthy food a LOT, it's just getting in the habit of eating it. This week I'm taking baby steps to better choices. I am the sort of person that eats whatever is in the house, so I filled my pantry and refrigerator with beans and vegetables and fruit and unflavored yogurt, etc. No meat or desserts or cheese for me this week. I am a HUGE fan of comfort food, but I can get that same carb-related warm fuzzy feeling from mujardara (with brown rice, lentils, and sticky, caramelized onions) as I can from a box of macaroni & cheese. I like cauliflower soup just as much as pototo. As with the sleep, it's vastly easier to do at home than it is on the road, but I can use this week to get in some better habits.

Step 3: drink less.

Now, it's almost embarrassing to talk about this, but here we are. If you're reading this you probably know me pretty well, and thus know I am not a drunk. My problem is, for whatever reason, that I have such a ridiculously high tolerance for alcohol that I tuck away WAY too many calories in liquid form. Most scientists say one drink a day is good for you, but more than that is bad for you, so I just want to cut down. First of all, no alcohol in the house. I find it terribly easy, and with absolutely no amount of tipsyness OR hangover, to polish off a bottle of wine in an evening at home. A glass while I'm cooking, a glass with dinner, a glass while I'm cleaning up, a glass while I'm watching TV. The end. What? Crazy. So no more at the house. Secondly, I'm trying to identify drinks that I SIP, rather than GULP. For example, a super-dry red wine as opposed to a fruity white one, or a vodka martini with olives as opposed to a vodka-soda. Thirdly, one glass of water between every drink. All relatively easy steps to a healthier liver (and waistline).

Step 4: excercise more.

Once again, something that is vastly easier at home than on the road. When I'm on showsite I work 12-14 hours a day. It's really hard to push myself into the gym after that, or to wake up an hour earlier to run on the treadmill. But I need to move around more. I need to force myself, at the very least, to do my 8-minute arm workout before my shower in the morning. I need to walk to work instead of taking a cab, and volunteer to "run out on the floor" more often. Sitting on my ass for 3/4 of my waking hours is not good for me. This week, at home, I have been walking, doing my arms, AND going to yoga. (side note, I am so sore I want to cry, but it's a good hurt, right?)

Step 5: floss.

No, really. My dentist is always on me for it, and it's just not that hard. Or time-consuming. Just do it, Jamie. To quote Sam Seaborn, "your teeth are the best friends you've got."

So there you have it. My really boring albeit totally necessary steps to a happier and healthier Jamie. Sleep longer, eat better, drink less, exercise more, floss. Think I can do it? Anyone have any tried-and-true tips to share with the class?

(Special thanks goes out to Candice, who patiently and faithfully listens to "what I ate yesterday" practically every morning. I feel better knowing she holds me accountable, and I don't do much that I find too embarrassing to relate.)

Life is a song.

2011-04-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

So, as most of you know, I am always trying to be happier. I resolve, and I strive, and I talk, and I write about it. As my old pal Scotticus would say, I'm a human DO-ING as opposed to a human be-ing.

Yesterday I started out my morning a little disgruntled that I had a 3-hour flight, a 3-hour layover (which eventually grew into a 5-hour layover), and another 3-hour flight. Especially since some dude spilled coffee on my clean jeans mere MOMENTS before I walked out of the hotel, and then I got saddled with a chatty taxi-driver (one of life's greatest pet peeves). Anyway, once I checked in, I checked myself, and remembered how much I love to read, and that I hardly ever get to, and that 2 flights are the PERFECT opportunity to read without interruption, in fact, pretty much, without even stretching my legs. So I stopped at the airport bookstore to buy "The Help," which I have been wanting to read forever (and so far, is wonderful). While I was there I noticed a brightly colored non-fiction book called The Happiness Project.

I mean, honestly. This woman practically wrote this book for me. I ADORE projects!! She took a year (much like AJ Jacobs, Julie Powell, and Barbara Kingsolver) and determined how to make her life happier. She made an important distinction that she was not unhappy. She was not moving away from depression. She just wanted to make sure that life wasn't slipping by unnoticed. She wanted to make sure she was gleaning every ounce of joy out of the time she has been given. After all, not everyone can overcome ennui with a year of eating/praying/loving. Some of us just need to focus on the happy a little more. It shouldn't take an epic event to change your outlook on life.

She uses a lot of quotes and statistics-- I mean, really a girl after my own heart-- and one of them was Friedrich Nietzsche: The end of a melody is not its goal; but nonetheless, if the melody had not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either.

To me, that translates to LIFE IS A SONG. Some parts are better-- the catchy chorus you like to sing over and over. Some parts are tricky, that bit in the 2nd verse where you can never remember the words, or that one high note you can't JUST HIT. But it's a journey, and it ain't over till it's over, and I'm going to enjoy the hell of it while I'm here.

She focused on one area a month, and gave herself mini-objectives with each goal. She urges you to make your own goals, as everyone is different. I've picked 12 as well, but that was sort of a coincidence. I'm not putting time constraints on myself like she did, but that's OK. It's my project now. I'll go through them as I go through them. Here are my darling dozen:

health
wealth
home
friends
family
love
wisdom
knowledge
career
hobbies
beauty
positivity

I found the book to be very motivating, and full of good tips that can actually be followed, not just clouds of inspiration like "put positivity out in the universe and you will get it back." I mean, I believe that, in a way, but... HOW? Her tips range from the obvious (get more sleep), to the should-be-obvious (identify the problem), to the brilliant (never, ever put off a task that will take you less than 60 seconds; it will nag at you much longer than that), to seemingly sensible but not really pertinent to my life at the moment (don't use NO words with your kids; answer "can I go play?" with "yes, once you've finished all your chores" rather than "no! you haven't done any of your chores yet!").

I will be starting with the most very basic level-- health, and I'll be starting it on Tuesday morning when I get home from this trip. I hope you lovely readers enjoy my journey, and will all still be reading when I get to friends, which clearly include those of you who for all intents and purposes live inside my computer.

dominating a new year

2011-01-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

So far, so good, kids. I mean truly, I just feel like I'm dominating 2011.

I've made some decisions about my future. Taken some steps. Formulated some plans. Been mostly positive, although it's FATHOMS easier when I'm not at work. Eaten at some new places. Worked out. Helped friends. Let up on myself when I'm not perfect. Been happy.

I made a vision board for 2011-- little pictures to look at as well as goals and objectives and wants that I have to look at every day. At first it looked like this:

Man oh man, I SO LOVE a clean slate. In this instance, a literal one. OK, so, I put some fortune cookie fortunes that I like to keep around (aka "You constantly struggle for self-improvement... and it shows." I know not exactly a fortune, but I like to be reminded of that anyway), some cold hard deadlines for school and whatnot, a list to keep my new places I've tried (so far, 2 in January!) and how many yoga classes I've attended (I'm shooting for 100 in 2011; so far I've done 5), etc. Oh, and photos of Kate Austen's arms, because I totally want those, and of London because I want to squeeze in a vacation before I start school. I anticipate it getting much more cluttered as the year goes on, but cluttered with things I've accomplished and goals I've achieved, thus bolstering me on to make new ones. Currently it looks a little something like this:

And with that, I'm off to yoga, so I can make another hashmark on my post-it. Also going to stop at the tailor and drop off my thrifted Mad Men dress to be hemmed so I can wear it to Motown Monday at a cool new place next week. La la la! Life is great. Hope everyone else's 2011 is going well too. xo

Resolving

2011-01-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

So, here's my annual New Year's Resolutions post. The reason I put it here is so I can look back next January and see what I've accomplished. (side note: I really hate resolution naysayers. Why do they care if I use the flipping of the calendar to make myself a better person? Bite me, those people.)

I'd like to point out that this is the first year as long as I can remember that "lose weight" isn't on my list. Not that I don't need to, or that I don't care, but I've accepted that my body is perfectly acceptable and keeping it this way is an every day, all year sort of project. No more talking, only doing.

Without further ado, my 2011 New Year's Resolutions:

1. BE MORE POSITIVE. I'm not really sure how to measure this, per se (the difference between a goal and an objective). So you guys will have to be my barometer. NO ONE LIKES NEGATIVE PEOPLE. Least of all myself. And most least of all when it's me. No more letting other people's negativity dictate my own demeanor. "Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." So my mind is made up; I will be a positive person. Let me know if you find me slipping.

2. Try someplace new once a month. I live one of the greatest cities in America! There is no limit to awesome places to eat and drink. And yet I go to the same two places ALL the time. And those places are great, but I'd like to branch out.

3. Roommate night once a week. "Family night," as it were. Homemade dinner and a game or a movie.

4. **** ********. (I can't really put this one on the interwebs for all to see. A couple of you know what it is-- please hold me accountable.)

5. Get into school. If you haven't heard, I didn't get into the very competitive program at UCSF. Sad face. BUT, I have spoken with USF and CCSF and am currently calculating Plan B.

6. If you remember from this post, I have been budgeting my ass off in the last couple of years. I pledged to be debt free by the end of 2011. I am now here to tell you that I am AHEAD of my schedule, and will more than likely be 100% debt free by March, or April at the latest. This year's pledge is to still be that way come December. (note: if I can do it, anyone can. Let me know if you'd like pointers. I'm happy to share my system, and I won't even charge you for my services!)

7. By January 2012, have a 4-digit number in my savings account.

8. Be a better housekeeper.

There they are!

ennui

2010-08-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Bolstered by Bischer's blogiversary post and my surly guardian angel*'s none-to-gentle nudges to blog more often, here I am, wandering back through the blogosphere after so much time off. I'm home for a month, and despite my longing to get back here, I am feeling a bit listless, a bit restless, and have a touch of ennui. I'm not blue or anything; I just need a project. My whole life seems to be continually pummeling toward the Next Big Thing and right now all my grand plans seem to be just a bit too far in the future. I need something that will produce some sort of results for me, and stat. I'm uncomfortable with stagnancy.

I even attempted to make some origami high heels last night, and well, that just ruined a lot of perfectly good paper:

I've been cooking, but I'm not feeling very creative. I've been reading, but for some reason I can't concentrate. I've been watching movies, but I get disinterested and my mind wanders. What's next? What's my Next Small Thing to tide me over until the The Next Big Thing?

*My cranky, surly guardian angel is reading this and he knows who he is. We'll call him Clarence for now. Thanks for believing in me, Clarence!

edited to add: I just tried to fix our shower caddy and only succeeded in a) making it worse, b) making a mess, and c) inexplicably shooting soap directly into my eye. So let's make sure my Next Small Thing falls under the banner of Things I Am Good At (which clearly does not include home improvement or origami).

behind jamiepalooza, and what you might find there

2010-07-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of people ask me about Jamiepalooza lately. Some people have even asked to participate. And while I would absolutely adore to have any of you come and visit and spend time with me, even doing some of these very same activities, that would kind of defeat the very purpose of Jamiepalooza, which is to spend it largely solo. So I thought I would share with you guys what a typical Day of Jamie might entail.

It usually starts sometime between 7:30 and 9am. There is NO alarm clock involved, ever. I stretch and rearrange myself, play on my phone for a little bit, Words with Friends and what have you, and usually doze back off. Sometimes I get up straightaway. It's whatever I feel like that morning. Then I brush my teeth, put on my socks and pajama pants and hoodie, and wander into the kitchen for a little of this:

I make myself a nice soy latte, or perhaps a regular cup of coffee, and sit down on the couch with my laptop. I read all of my e-mails, sift through my FB red balloons, look at some blogs, etc. This lasts until my coffee is done, or maybe later, depending on how hungry I am.

Then I eat an apple or some oatmeal, something small, and go to the yoga studio from 11:30-1pm. Sometimes I do my 8-minute arms first, if I remember. While I'm out I run any errands I might have, the drugstore, bank, market, but only those both absolutely necessary and within walking distance.

When I get home I am usually famished, so I take a quick shower (if I didn't at the studio) and make myself a late lunch-- usually pasta because I just worked out for 90 minutes and deserve it, but I throw in some vegetables too. I listen to showtunes and sing along. Sometimes I dance along.

By this time it's mid-afternoon, and I hit the laptop again for another round of e-mails, FB, twitter, and blogs. Sometimes a little work too. This part can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on what's going on that day. I decide what I'm going to make for dinner. I sometimes have a glass of wine or perhaps do the dishes from lunch. I read for a bit- whatever book I'm reading, or my EW from that week. Sometimes I do a sudoku puzzle.

Around mid-evening I'll make dinner. Sometimes I'll watch Friends/Seinfeld/Scrubs reruns or sometimes I'll listen to music. Once my dinner is ready I pick out my evening television-- a Netflix dvd or something from my DVR, or if I'm really REALLY lazy, just keep watching sitcom re-runs instead of committing to a new story. At some point I might get up and do the dishes, or I might not. There is usually more wine, or sometimes a cup of tea.

Sometimes I fall asleep on the couch, sometimes I fall asleep reading, but I usually drag myself to bed around midnight, happy as a clam.

So there you have it. JAMIEPALOOZA. Sounds pretty freakin' fantastic, doesn't it? I don't hold the patent on this day of awesome, so feel free to rip it off and mold it into your own. I won't mind in the least.

a note from Fatty McPudge

2010-07-12T07:06:00.001-07:00

First off, welcome, Alecia, to the world of blogging. I think you'll find it nice here!

Down to business: I have had a come-to-Jesus talk with my (fat) self about my body. Now, I have a relatively to healthily positive body image, always have. I don't want to be a stick. But my pudge is a little out of control. You know how when you're just a little overweight, your clothes are too tight but you still look better naked than clothed? I've now passed that point. I'm just gross. Don't worry; I'm not spiraling into an eating disorder or anything. I love food, always will. But I am like 15 lbs heavier than I have ever been, and it's time to nip it in the bud.

So, I'm going home today for 10 whole days, and the first week I'm kicking it solo, Jamiepalooza style. I THINK I can carve at least 5-8 of those pesky lbs off in a week, no kidding. I'm going to "cleanse" a bit (only veggies and brown rice or quinoa-- no meat, no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol) for the first coupla/three days, then stick to a mostly vegan diet for the rest of the week. Also, I will do my arm video at home with free weights, and either 90 minutes of Bikram OR a walk of at least 5 miles every day.

I think I will feel better once my clothes fit again, and this week will serve to provide me with some much-needed discipline and save me a little dough. Expect lots of updates about dvds and salads. :)

Jamiepalooooooza!

2010-06-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

OK, so since we've last spoken, I have been back to DC for 12 days (and had a mah-velous time, spoken smugly as Fraulein Maria when asked by Captain VonTrapp whether his children had been roaming around Salzberg wearing drapes), home for 24 hours (ditto), and am now setting up temporary camp in Anaheim, California. Despite the ridiculous number of Disney-rabid children running around my hotel, I'm holding my chin up because the weather is beautiful and I'm counting my days to Jamiepalooza. When I get home on Friday I have 10- count them- T-E-N, days OFF, and my roommate (bless him) will be away, so it's 10 days of meeeee time! And if you can remember from my previous post, I fracking deserve it.

As you all well know from being dedicated readers of No Day but Today, an eminent Jamiepalooza means it's time for a to-do list! Here's what I'll be up to between June 25 and July 5:

sleeping without my alarm clock
finishing my mission statement
applying to grad school (!!!!!)
walking to the beach
doing lots of yoga (in turn, losing a few lbs)
cooking things that give me garlic breath
finishing the Steig Larsson trilogy
drinking an entire bottle of red wine by myself while watching a musical from the 50's (and singing along at the top of my lungs)
CLE-EEEEANing my apartment
painting something
finally folding those origami high heels Cousin Julia gave me like, a thousand years ago
pickling things
buying a plant
playing cards
and, lying around and stare at the ceiling, if I want!!!

I'm sure my 10 days will go by all-to quickly, but I get to go to New Orleans (because even though who doesn't want to be in New Orleans in July?- I love it) after the 4th, and then have another little bit off before the next one, so all-in-all July is shaping up to be MUCH more palatable than her spring sisters.

So all in all, things are going OK over here. How are all of you?

a post about attitude

2010-05-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

first, please notice I actually updated all of my side-bar links!! whoo-hoooo! also, can anyone tell me how to get rid of that extra unlinked graphic at the bottom left of my header banner? I know enough to tweak a template here and there but I can't figure out what that is. Now onto the blog!

Hello, all, I have had a bit of a rough stretch. Actually, I shouldn't use past-tense as I am sort of still in the midst of it. In the last 6 weeks I've studied for/taken the GRE, been to Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco (for a whopping 48 hours), Miami Beach, Atlanta, and am headed to DC in a couple of days. Gotta squeeze one more show in before jetting back to the west coast for an immediate shift at the yoga studio (because I can't say no) and straight into jury duty. And not, report-and-see-if-you-get-called jury duty, but you've-had-2-failure-to-show-notices-and-you're-flat-out-ASSIGNED jury duty.

All of this to say, I'm a bit... drained, to say the least. I'm to that point where I have to force caffeine into my blood system to wake up and alcohol into my bloodstream to go to sleep. I'm running on bleary-eyed auto-pilot. BUT, all THAT to say, I've been having a really good time. (Thanks, Rori!)

I was chatting with Candice the other day, all the way from Tbilisi, Georgia (God bless the internet), and she's so supportive and positive, and really pumped me up about what I've been going through, with my super-budget, and my insane work schedule, and my school-preparing and all. She suggested I should write an article or blog post about how to take life by the horns and RULE it, because so few people do that, and I have to say I agree with her.

Taking the pity party is obviously the easiest thing to do. Yes, I get treated like crap for most of the day and get paid almost nothing for it. Yes, I've been home 2 days in the last 6 weeks. Yes, I'm nervous about trying to get into a super-competitive masters program with solidly average test scores. It would be SO easy to slip into a rut, spend a lot of money on alcohol, not turn in my school application, stay in my current job, my current life, because it's easier than taking a chance on something that I'm not really sure will work, and if it does, might not be any better than what I have now.

But listen up. Life is hard for everyone. You can't compare your troubles to someone else's. I might not get into school. I might not be able to afford to do the things I want to do. I might be fatter than I really want to be. But guess what? I have the power to change all of those things. And the things I don't have the power to change? I certainly have the power to change my attitude.

Abraham Lincoln said "most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." 100% true. There is good everywhere. You can find it. You can choose to dwell on the beautiful sunrise or bitch about why you're up so early. You can choose to complain about how you can't afford to be out at a fancy dinner or you can learn the joy of making your own favourite meals. You can sit at home and be lonely or you can go out and meet new people.

Of course we all slip and we all need to vent every once in a while. But as a GENERAL rule, I have no patience for say, someone who complains about his/her weight while sitting on the couch with some Chinese take-out. Least of all myself. Either change it, or zip it. No matter what I'm complaining about, someone has it worse. Just go ahead and BE what you admire in other people. Positivity begets positivity.

Things are happening over here in my world. I am no longer in a rut of quiet desperation. I have started my own ball rolling, and by this time next year, my life is going to be dramatically different. I don't know exactly what's going to happen, and on what time frame, but it's happening.

And I can't wait to tell you all about it.

study study school's your buddy!

2010-04-13T09:25:00.001-07:00

Last post January 10??? Wow, I guess blogging IS "so 2008."

Yesterday while I was getting produce from the market between yoga classes I was thinking about all the things I do when I'm not working, and however subconsciously, am always BUSY striving to make myself a better Jamie. Honestly, I am almost always doing something -- solving a puzzle, working out, studying, reading recipes-- to make myself smarter, healthier, more financially secure, a better cook, a snappier dresser, etc, and even though I really love doing all those things, sometimes I wonder if I really AM a better person than if I just sat around eating junk food and watching reality television in my fat pants all day. Because some days it's easy to throw a pity party and wonder if this quest is in vain.

But junk food and reality TV is not me. I'll continue to try to do sudoku puzzles over my morning coffee, try to get to yoga every day, try to eat less fattening food, try to keep my attitude in check, try to tell people I love them more often.

In somewhat related news, how am I supposed to study when this is my view????

Dear Library, please install smaller windows so I can focus on quantitative comparisons. Love, Jamie

J-Money and her Special Sauce

2010-01-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

I know a lot of people are probably REALLY tired of hearing me say "I can't afford to... [insert ANYTHING here]." I also know I'm not the only one who's had a rough year (I didn't get laid off; thank GOD, but I did take a pay cut, have benefits revoked, and been on two mandatory unpaid furloughs). I ALSO know that being in debt is my own fault, I'm not even close to being alone in my mess, and a whole slew of other facts that can simultaneously make me feel guily and hopeful.

Here's something more concrete though. I have just made myself a nice, orderly little budget to be debt-free-- COMPLETELY-- by the end of 2011. I know that's 2 years from now. I wanted to make a goal I could keep. This budget actually gives me a month of jiggle room, because I think I'll be done in November of 2011. In fact, this budget is assuming I will make exactly what I make now for the next 24 months, meaning any extra money I come into can make it even sooner.

I have 4 outstanding balances. I actually had 5 in 2009 and paid off one in November (the one that included my college loans). Best feeling EVER. I can't wait to feel it again in April '10, June '10, August '11, and November '11-- in each instance "the best feeling ever" going up exponentially. Everything is laid out in a nice little grid, aptly entitled "My Spreadsheet of Doooooom".

Luckily two of my creditors are family and thus have been very flexible with pay-back schedules and interest rates. The other two, not so much. I will be finished (hopefully) with one family in April, and the other in June. Each time I pay off a debt I will reallot my money to pay the maximum amount to the remaining debts.

I have two non-work trips to take in 2010-- one to Dallas in March for Amy's birthday, and one to Tulsa in April for Emily & Justin's wedding. Both flights will be purchased with miles, and both trips' "spending money" will have to be saved up and carefully doled out.

Other than those two-- nothing. No more eating out*. No more taxis**. No more new clothing***. I've already basically been doing this since August so it shouldn't be too terrible. I've changed my shampoo from Lush to Fructise. (My hair hates me.) I got rid of the fancy cable. I put out some feelers for some catering work for when I'm in town. I changed my Netflix to the sad, one-at-a-time, 2-max-per-month option. I WILL do this.

*at home. Obviously, I travel for work and I still have to eat when I'm on the road. If my hotel has a kitchen I will get groceries and eat in the hotel; if it doesn't I will stay within the confines of my per diem.
**also, obviously, at home.
***if I really REALLY need something (ie: a dress for the wedding) I will get it at the thrift store or on a major MAJOR sale.

I know I have friends who read this blog (or maybe they don't anymore; I actually have no idea) who will roll their eyes, shake their heads, think to themselves (or tell me to my face) that I've been here before, and dudes. Don't you think I know that? This post is not for them. This post is for me. When I can lay out something so concrete and can SEE my finish line, it helps me. It gives me hope. It pumps me up. It reminds me that I have a plan. It urges me to make my deadline. I don't need any negativity in this pursuit. I need to know that it can be done, that I can do it, that I have the support of my friends who won't get mad when I have to cut Sunday Funday out of my week or go to the first matinee of the day because it's $6 instead of $8.

All this means, in effect, that I can start grad school in 2012. Meaning I'll have my Masters by the time I'm 38, which is a rather respectable age to start a career, n'est ce pas? By the time I'm 40 I'll be working half the hours and making twice the money that I do now.

And honestly, that doesn't seem all that far away.

back to life; back to reality

2010-01-04T08:30:00.001-08:00

Creeping up on 21 days here at Casa Lewelling and it has be OH-so-much-fun. However, now that the calendar holidays are over and I don't have another one in a week to look forward to, I'm starting to think about home. Not in a wistful way; I love it here, but in an "oh yeah, bills," "oh yeah, work," and "oh, yeah I wonder how much mail/dust is at my house." *sigh* Real life is for the birds.

Been contemplating a lot this week-- blogging, even though Tom says it's "SO 2008," reading, and whether struggling through a book is ever worth it, facebooking- to update or not to update under their stupid new privacy settings, dieting, dating, whether dieting will help with the dating, whether the dating is worth it when I am a perfectly happy single person, my job, my budget, my money- or extreme lack thereof, why I am generally a raspy self-confident sass-pot, but certain people in my life can make me feel bad about myself in a single moment, whether that's my stuff or their stuff, moving to France, why I never get the good Scrabble words agains Uncle Al when I play just fine with everyone else, and why flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

Apparently this is what happens when I have a lot of time on your hands!!

New Year's Resolutions: the usual-- budget, diet, be outside more, de-clutter, floss, read, cook, love, live. I know a lot of people thing resolutions are stupid (and boy, do they say so) but I don't see any reason why they should judge me for taking an opportunity to be a better person. Sure, it's just another day, but I like fresh starts and I'll take one any chance I can get.

So, so long, 2009, and thanks for the memories and all you taught me, but I'm done with you now. 2010 is a clean slate, a tabula rasa, a new leaf, another chance to turn it all around. New year, new attitude, new Doctor, new self.

words... words... words...

2009-11-06T08:28:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I've blogged. Twitter and Facebook seem to have taken over, in a most unseemly (and ADD) manner.

I am a supporter and participator in any art form I can get my hands on. I was in all-state choir in high school; I have a degree in Theatre. I like to paint, cook, dance, sing, and take photographs-- as well as view others' forays into the same fields. That being said, I have always had an intense, almost religious relationship with the written word. Of course I love good oratory as well-- the spoken word has timbre, pitch, resonance, and inflection-- but reading has always been my solace. I like the way books smell. I like the way a hardback feels in my lap. I like the way books line my home and feel their absence is why I can never fully relax in a hotel room unless I have a stack of them on my nightstand. I like waking up with my finger still tucked into the last sentence I read.

I got a rare chance to read this week. When I stay at Casa Lewelling there is always much opportunity for cat naps and poolside solitude. I love that about staying there. I was re-reading The Time Traveler's Wife, because a friend who had borrowed it over a year ago had returned it the night before I left town and I found it in my bag mid-trip. I haven't read it since it came out several years ago, but I remembered being mesmerized. (As a side note, I adore re-reading old favourites. Sometimes I feel that with so much amazing literature in the world, I should always be reading something new, but if reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the 13th time gives me joy, who am I to question that?)

The Time Traveler's Wife is probably the only "love story" I have ever read. To be perfectly truthful, the fact that I'm a sci-fi nerd with a special obsession with time travel is probably the only reason I even picked it up. I could not be less interested in romance novels in general, but this one is different-- not only for the intricate, detailed plot, but for the absolutely gorgeous way that she writes. The story is presented in first-person flashes from both characters and her words are somewhat jumbled and yet still dreamy-- intricate, fine-lined pieces and sharp points in a somewhat blurry big picture.

All this to say, I need to reignite my affair with words. I want to read more, write more. I even started playing iPhone scrabble with Bill and Nate and Uncle Al... just that momentary break to think about what word I can make out of 7 arbitrary letters focuses my brain back into how much I love them.

So that's my current right-now resolution- to reconnect with literature, both as a viewer and a creator. I urge you to hold me accountable, to ask me what I'm reading and what I'm writing. This blog will be an outlet I'm sure, but I hope to broaden that into other droplets and rivers of words; they trickle out of me now but hopefully will flood out of me someday.

dogs and cats, living together!

2009-09-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have a very politically diverse Facebook circle, being that most of my childhood and college friends are staunchly conservative, and since then I've lived in two of the most liberal cities in America.

I grew up in a solidly conservative Southern Baptist home; my family is very Republican. I went to a Southern Baptist college and have a minor in Religion. My family and my professors always encouraged me to think for myself, and I ended up somewhat politically liberal. Now, I enjoy a nice, healthy, respectful political debate as much as the next guy. The key word being RESPECTFUL. What I do not understand is this apparently rabid (on Facebook, anyway) mass hysteria over President Obama addressing the school children about education.

First of all, let's set aside for a moment the fact that conservatives are calling Obama a socialist. *yawn* This is an out-of-hand response to suggesting Americans have a better health care system? Give. me. a. break. Let's say, for argument's sake, that I pay 4x the national average in taxes. (I don't. Just saying.) The fire department wouldn't come to my house 4x faster if it were on fire. The hot water doesn't come out of my faucet 4x hotter. If I can afford 4x better health care I should be able to get it, but shouldn't a baseline of care be available to those who can't? There are a lot of unemployed people right now. They don't deserve to go to a doctor if they're sick? No one's telling you there's going to be a bread line here. Anyway, the President is talking about education. To school children. He's not sneaking a message for socialism into the kool-aid. In fact, there probably won't even be kool-aid, given its negative connotations.

Second of all, President Obama is not the first POTUS to address the youth of America, and he's certainly not the first POTUS to address education. I do not believe for a moment that conservatives do not think education is important, so I know it's not about the subject matter. And also, if you don't like what he has to say, you have a perfect opportunity to talk to your children about it. Isn't family a mainstay of the GOP? Don't you always hear conservatives lecturing that liberals would rather have government raise their kids than family? Then bam. Your kids hear a speech at school, which- let's face it, they won't really listen to anyway, then you have a reason to have a very real, very important conversation with your children about their schooling.

Third, we live in a democratic republic. The majority of the people in this country that voted, voted for Obama. And that's they way it is, for four years. You don't like it? That's why we have term limits. I didn't vote for President Bush in his second term (I did in his first-- see how bipartisan I am?) but I said the same thing then that I say now: for now, he is your President. He won the election. He doesn't need our permission to address public school children, or the rest of the nation, about any subject of his choosing. And this mass hysteria over his speech on education is really sending the wrong message to your children. One of my (conservative Republican) friends on FB said "If you don't like it, keep your kids home. But in 50 years they'll be telling their kids how you kept them home from school the day the first black President spoke to the nation's children." She's right, and that's a sad and scary thought.

Obviously, government is a necessary evil, and I am under no impression that we will always all agree on well, anything. I think it's interesting to have opposing opinions about things, and I'm glad that God made us all so different. I wish that everyone on Facebook, and everyone else, too, could respect their fellow man, and respect their leaders. I know it's not going to happen, but a girl can dream, right?

Anyway, happy Labor Day. I slept in, and laid around all morning watching a Golden Girls marathon on cable. I'm going to walk the beast, and then take public transportation to meet an old friend for drinks. Life is good here. We're lucky to live here, no matter who the president is right now. I hope you take a moment to remember that today.

an overabundance of parentheses and dopamine

2009-08-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

I never really understood why we turn "1" at the brink of our 2nd year. I turned 33 today but technically I'm embarking on my 34th year on this planet. Like the world sees it more as an accomplishment to achieve than a goal to reach. Either way, although my birthday has rather depressed me in the last few years (not because I'm "old"-- I totally don't feel that way-- I just don't feel very accomplished for my 33 years. But that's not what this post is about) I still choose to see it as a celebration of ME. (And also Alfred Hitchcock, Annie Oakley, Dan Fogelberg, Don Ho, Bert Lahr, and Fidel Castro... but again, that's not what this post is about.)

At any rate, I have always found that counting my blessings, though cheesey and it always gets that old hymn stuck in my head, actually does make me feel better about things I'm not so fond of. For example one day when I was having a really crappy day at work, I listed all the things I LIKED about my job and it instantly turned around my attitude. So, in the spirit of lists (and a copy of the list, in case anything happens to the first list)-- here are 33 things that I absolutely LOVE about life in general (and in no particular order):

1- olives

2- laughing so hard I cry

3- the way my body feels after (although absolutely not during) my 90-minute 105-degree yoga class

4- coffee

5- waking up before my alarm (I know that's weird but I love it; it just starts my day out better)

6- the invention of text messaging. seriously. I hate talking on the phone. (Except on my birthday. You still have to call me today and you know who you are.)

7- that point in the morning where the sun just starts to burn of the fog of the Inner Sunset and I can see the tips of the Golden Gate Bridge peeking out of the mist

8- flying international first class. It might've been a fluke and I might never get to do it again but it. was. amazing.

9- pasta. mmmmm, pasta. the whole world looks better after a bowl of noodles, hmmm?

10- getting flowers. they're such a useless gift-- they really can only say "I wanted you to know I was thinking about you"

11- making lists (and a copy of the list, in case anything happens to the first list)

12- my family

13- making delicious things

14- serving delicious things to other people

15- dogs

16- music

17- art museums

18- old people

19- babies

20- red gerbera daisies

21- a hot shower

22- inside jokes

23- books

24- TV on DVD. best. invention. ever.

25- learning to love something I thought I hated (like... New Orleans. Bell peppers are still on their own.)

26- crossing things off my to-do list

27- an ice-cold dirty martini

28- post-it notes

29- roasted garlic

30- the internet

31- my amaaaaaazing friends

32- having a full belly

33- having a full heart

So there ya have it. Next year I'll have 34 reasons to love life. In the meantime, I was up before my alarm, have already laughed so hard I cried (thanks Amy), talked to Amy, my mom, and Krysten, got a text message or several, am having a cup of coffee, am on the internet, and am about to leave for yoga, so this day has already accomplished almost a third of the above. No doubt a lot of those other things up there will be crossed off before the day is done, thus self-accomplishing another item on the list.

Whee! Love you guys! Happy birthday to meeeee!

life sans the interwebs

2009-08-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

I know, it's obviously not life totally without interwebs, since I'm updating le blog. BUT, it's life with drastically reduced internet, and that my friends, is practically the same thing. See, I don't know how you live your life at home, but my laptop is always on. Always. It might not always be open and on my lap, but it's always nearby, and I use it. I use it a lot. When I don't have Facebook or gchat open, I at least have it available to look up a recipe, or a word, or movie times, or where else I saw that one guy on that show I'm watching, or information about time zones and moon phases.

Anyway, both of my laptops are broke, and they're broke bad, so they are respectively in Oklahoma City and Middleborough, Mass, getting all tuned up, and I'm getting back to the basics of a person that stays home because she's on a budget and don't have the internet for entertainment. This weekend I've cleaned, cooked, read, used my DVD player, ridden my bike to the beach, gone to yoga, given myself a recession-mani, and watched a fair amount of The Discovery Channel, and actually? It's not been that bad.

Don't get me wrong, when my computer comes back I will go right back to my previous lifestyle, but this has been a productive break. Glass is half full, hmmm?

What did I miss?

the far side of the moon

2009-07-29T07:23:00.001-07:00

I was just looking at my travel journal and I remembered this one night in Rome that Krysten and I laughed so hard we cried, and I'm certain, bothered our neighbors. (Sadly, they were not the Swedish teenagers that stayed in our hallway in Florence, but that's another story for another time.)

We were home from dinner, full and let's be honest- a bit tipsy, and lying on our respective beds with our feet propped up on the headboard, discussing various things about life, and for some reason, I thought it a good time to wonder, "if the same side of the moon always faces the earth, do the people on the other side of the earth see the other side of the moon?" We talked about this for a long while, and made lots of "planets" with our hands and tried to spin and rotate around one another in the most discombobulated of manners, and then the following interchange occurred:

Krysten: hey, maybe we should go outside and see if it looks different!
Jamie: we're only like, 7 time zones away-- it's not really the opposite side of the planet.
Krysten: well won't we be able to tell if it looks a little different?
Jamie: do you have the surface of the moon memorized? anyway, it's only a crescent right now.
Krysten: I hate Rome.

I. laughed. so. hard. I think I almost choked. The answer is no, btw. We looked it up.

We then went on to discuss time zones and that place in the world where it was suddenly like a whole day different, and how it would be really inconvenient to say, make a lunch date for Tuesday and then accidentally cross the line and get stood up on Wednesday, and then she pointedly told me that that place (much later remembered as the "International Date Line") was probably in the middle of the ocean. More hand motions, more laughing, more tears, more choking.

I'm glad I have a friend who likes similar topics of conversation as I do, and also shares my sense of humour. I'd also like to extend thanks to Wikapedia, who answered so many of our questions that week, and also gave us the suggestion to wash our feet in the bidet (which despite only being in Italy, are named after the French word for "pony." Ew.)

c'est prego!

2009-07-25T15:03:00.001-07:00

Last post May 10th? I'm so ashamed.

I've been subtly urged to blog more often, but with the onset of twitter and facebook, I don't make myself. Which is a shame, because I miss doing it. I'm certain most of my readers have probably wandered away by now, but for the three of you still left (Alecia, Krysten... maybe only 2 of you, actually), may I ask a favour? Comment. It's really the only way I can judge if people are reading. (I gave up on statcounter long ago, when my numbers dipped to sad double-digits.) I wish I just wrote it for me and didn't care if people were reading, but I don't and I do. So let me hear ya!

So, I'm back from vacation. I blissfully ignored the real world as I tromped across Europe with my gal-pal Krysten, and thus came back to a bit of stress. Money, work, life. Facebook always asking me what's on my mind. A LOT, Facebook. Leave me alone. (But, thanks for hosting my photos for all my friends to look at.)

I'm trying to get back in the swing of making my own food, working out, not having Krysten 2 feet away from me at any given moment. Thursday I spent on the couch resting up, and yesterday I headed out for a day of San Francisco. It's not Europe, but it's something pretty special. I met Scotty and KJ for lunch at Split Pea Seduction (always a pleasure), and then went solo to the Chagall exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. I love Chagall and have been wanting to see if for a while. There was also an exhibit called "Jews on Vinyl" and it was SO cool. I listened to music for about an hour, and then went to see Harry Potter. I love going to the movies alone, and I enjoyed the film. Then I went to Lulu for dinner with some old work friends from Dallas, and THEN went to the wine bar for more Scotty and KJ time. What a lovely day!

This morning I've been stressing about money, listening to a mostly spot-on playlist made for me by a special friend who has good taste (how you picked my all-time favourite Elton John song out of his entire library is a little amazing. kudos, btw), went to yoga, cleaned the bathroom, just normal stuff. It's been nice to have the house to myself for a couple of days while I recuperated. Roommate comes home tonight and regular life will be back in force.

So there ya have it. I'm back, and I will try my best to update more often! However, since I blew my wad on vacation I might not have anything to say more interesting than "I ate rice and beans and watched TV today." :)

Oh, one more thing-- in other news, I am strongly considering moving to Austin. I adore San Francisco but I'm a Texan at heart. I need to see how a couple of things pan out, but it's in my head and now it's out there in cyberspace.

book help

2009-05-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

OK, 3 posts in a week; are you guys feeling the love?

I need some book help. I have a STACK of to-read books, and it's growing to the overwhelming stage. And when I get overwhelmed over too many decisions, I just need someone to tell me what to do (even though I really, really hate to be told what to do. I know-- I'm an enigma, wrapped in a conundrum, shrouded in a mystery, drinking a cup of coffee and whimpering about books).

I just read, nay-- devoured Orangette's A Homemade Life. I read it in one morning, curled up in the corner of Brian's bed while he packed for his trip. I just loved it, and if I could write a book, it would be this sort of book. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes her website, or food.

Now, in the nonfiction category, I also have:

(started)
Color, A Natural History of the Palette,
Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife,
Bill Bryson's Shakespeare: The World's a Stage, and

(not yet started)
Gilda Radner's autobiography, It's Always Something,
The Worst Hard Times, about those who survived the Great American Dust Bowl, and
I'm Perfect, You're Doomed, the memoirs of a disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witness

Ohhhh, and my France guidebook.

In the fiction category, I have

(started)
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, and

(not started)
The Road
The Housekeeper and the Professor, and
Geek Love

aaaand, I really really want to re-read HP6 before the movie comes out.

Sooo, what do I do? Please help.

the wonder of technology

2009-05-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

OK, so, you know how some people come into your life so circuitously, it's hard to even explain how they got there? It was always so easy when I was younger-- oh, we went to college together, or oh, we go to the same church. Now, 32 years, 4 states, an insanely crazy job, and an information superhighway later, I have these people, these lifeblood friends that I couldn't do without if I tried. I have bi-coastal coffee breaks with Ashley in Boston, talk to Erin while she's in Target in Texas, and watch the same DVR'd shows with Tom in New York while instant messaging. WOW, that's so nerdy and awesome.

Today I want to tell about the one that is Krysten. She and I met, as people these days often do, online. She grew up with an ex-boyfriend of mine, ran into him at their 10-year high school reunion, and they exchanged blog addresses, as we did in the pre-facebook era. She read my blog, which was linked on his blog, and I did the same. Soon we were exchanging blog comments... then e-mails... then phone calls... then one day (some time after the boyfriend had moved on,) I flew out to Phoenix to visit her. Four years later, I swear I see her more than any other friend or family member. At the very least, twice a year, sometimes for major holidays like Thanksgiving or Easter, always for at least one of our birthdays, and this year, a 2-week holiday to Europe. She is quite simply one of my most favourite people in the world, and one I wouldn't have met without the glory of the interwebs.

I bring her up today because she really made my day yesterday. We all have different friends who perform different roles in our lives. I always call Amy, for example, when I need a self-esteem boost, because she always always makes me feel good about myself. I call Danael when I need someone to really really listen. And I call Krysten when I need someone to reinforce what I already really know deep down, but am trying to justify something else. She is a hardass in the best possible sense of the word, and sometimes, I don't even need to call her, because I know what she'll say, and rather than disappoint her by telling her that I'm leaning toward the wrong decision, I just do what I know she'd tell me to do. I know that was like, the awkwardest sentence alive, but I trust she (at least) will know what I meant.

So, yesterday I was having somewhat of a low self-esteem day. It happens to the best of us, I know, and I'm not generally a low self-esteem kind of person, but I've been really busy, had a lot going on and not a lot of me time, and have had this one thing on my mind (the one I'm not asking her about because I know what she'll say) that is driving me crazy, with its little pointy edges, poking around in my head, and forcing me awake at 6am or God forbid, earlier. So yesterday, of course I was up early, forced that thing aside, spent the morning reading (I do love to escape into someone else's world for a bit), decided to go out, couldn't find a single outfit that made me feel any better about myself, got all disgruntled about money when my favourite sommelier was missing from the bar (the one that always refills my glass and "forgets" to charge me for it), until I got home, to a present from Krysten.

It wasn't anything major, just this fizzy bath thing from this store that we both like, but it was truly the thought that counted-- a surprise from one of my favourite people, for no reason at all, on a day when she had been on my mind. I stuck my nose down in the wrapping and immediately sneezed, a big, deep, fizzy-lemon sort of sneeze that made me laugh out loud and literally hug the box.

So, thanks, Krysten... for the gift of course-- I can't wait to use it, but also for being YOU, for inviting a stranger into your home and into your life, for always being thoughtful and supportive, and for being my conscience even when you don't know you're doing so. I think that's the very highest praise I can give you.

on the flip side

2009-05-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

So, after working 14-16 hour days for 23 days straight (yes, 23 days STRAIGHT), it is my week off. The first day, understandably, was spent in the bar, as it was Cinco de Mayo, and I just couldn't face my mountain of laundry and dirty coffee cups and dust. Yes, there were mountains of dust. Where on earth does it come from? Yesterday I avoided housework again by meeting Seth for lunch and a movie (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past; it was truly awful), some shopping that I couldn't afford, then wine and cheese at the Biron, dinner at Zuni, and dancing with Brian and the Burrs. It was the funnest evening I've had out for a while, but despite my running around allll day and drinking well into the night, I popped up at 5am like I have every other day in the last 23. Grrrr!

I decided to pay attention to the universe (because honestly, it's been lobbing some doozies at me this week, and I just keep ducking... but that's another story for another conversation) and get my toosh out of bed and back to productivity.

By noon I had had a pot of coffee, watched LOST (kudos, really), washed, dried, and folded three loads of laundry (all pajamas and red shirts-- sad), gone to the market, made myself lunch, cleaned the kitchen, dusted and vacuumed the entire house, colored my hair, and had a long conversation with Krysten about whether we should take nicotine gum to Europe with us since neither of us have a prescription for Xanax. (Coincidentally, I tried a piece about an hour ago and it gave me a headache, so I think I'll pass. It was a good idea though.)

Now, back to me. I have Orangette's new book, A Homemade Life, a nice frosty glass of vinho verde in my hand, and the soundtrack to Amelie on my iPod. This is what days off are supposed to be. Enchanté.

Edited to add: the perfect cap to this afternoon? Sitting cross-legged on the kitchen counter talking on the phone to Erin, eating apricots, and having a 2nd glass of wine.

Big Brother on Twitter

2009-04-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay (again, GRRR) but I was busy, then had Mom in town, then got sick, oh my. I was trying so hard for once a week. Send me reminder e-mails, please. Or tweets, because....

Want to hear something creepy that I just found out about, 2 months late (because I am still one of those dark-age losers who only tweets on her regular, non-iPhone phone)? Well, a couple of months ago I tweeted about Comcast, (text: "ok, so Comcast had to turn off my cable for a min. while they switched names on the account (stupid). now my router is not broadcasting.") and @ComcastBonnie REPLIED to me! Whhaaaaa? Text: "pull the power and plug it back in, chances are it's confused from the switch." CREEPY! Plus, she couldn't have been wronger about what was wrong. I hope she doesn't see this blog and show up on my front door or something. Stop watching me, Bonnie. It's weird.

In other Twitter news, Jacob from TwoP (he recaps my uber-geeky shows, like Doctor Who and BSG) is following me now. I sent him a private message to see if we somehow knew each other from college or something, because I can't IMAGINE why he would be interested in my tweets, but I never heard back. So, weird, again, but hey Jacob, I am a fan of your writing and even though it's creepy and way too Big Brother that you somehow know that, thanks for providing me with entertaining recaps of my favourite shows!

Last bit of Twittermania, I noticed Candybeans follows Tina Fey (text: "I don't even know why I bother chewing corn." -- brilliant) and I read an article in EW or somewhere recently about celeb twitter-ers... riddle me this: how do you know it's the real Whoever that you're following? I mean, couldn't I just make up a twitter account as David Lynch and post the weather in LA every morning? Color me skeptical but I'm curious.

ANYhoo, I gotta get to my day. Laundy, used book store, some actual work, etc. I go back to WORK work on Wednesday and PS> I won't have a day off AT ALL for almost a month. It's going to be Groundhog Day over here. (My alarm is already set to awaken me with "I've Got You, Babe.")

So, I need to enjoy these last two! XOXOX~

I KNOW.[/Monica]

2009-03-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. It's been about eleventy billion years since I last updated. My story is always the same; I've been busy, not really sure doing what. I don't know what else to say; I have no better excuse. I've been meaning to update the template as well but yet been able to fit that into my schedule. As with everything else in life, that idea has been shelved with a "soon" label and a hopeful temperment!

In sunny Arizona this week, drying out like a prune. My hair looks like straw and I have chapstick, eye drops, and hand lotion on my person at all times. I feel like a broken record (seriously, it's "I JUST put on chapstick like 5 minutes ago!" every 5 minutes over here) but dude. I live within walking distance of the ocean. This is a long way from there.

We went to see the Greatest! Concert! Ever! last night. Billy Joel and Elton John- yes, their combined age is about 178- but they still put on a great show:

Sadly, that pole that is blocking the exact part of the stage holding the 2 grand pianos was exactly where it looks-- directly in my line of vision, so I spent most of the concert in Krysten's lap, who was weeping with delight. They didn't sing my all-time favourites (Elton: Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters, Blessed, and I Want Love, and Billy: Vienna, This Night, Sleeping with the Television On, and And So it Goes) but they hit most of the standard highlights, including the best renditions of Rocketman and Bennie & the Jets I've ever heard, and a great finale of the lyrically genius Piano Man. *sigh* Happy.

You guys know that Pepsi commercial with Bob Dylan and Will.I.Am, "Every Generation Replenishes the World"? I looooove it. Love love LOVE it. Anyway, last night, from our seats high atop the nosebleed section, we had a great view of the rest of the coliseum, and when they turned out the lights and everyone had their cell phones up and lit and waving, it reminded me of that commercial. We were all singing Piano Man together, holding up our 21st century digital lightning bugs. Nothing like 60,000 fans who know every word of every song to remind you how music can connect the masses, like a big emotional hug.

Anyway, tonight we're going bowling, and then I have to go back to work tomorrow, BOO.

re-immersion into the blogosphere

2009-02-21T07:51:00.001-08:00

Hello all, and I'm so sorry I've been away so long. And ibym all... Alecia. She might be my lone reader. (Hee... "lone reed.") I have been very busy, and as usual, I'm not really sure doing what.

Let's see... to re-cap, since January 9th, I've been to San Jose, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles. Brian moved in with me. I got to see Charlemagne. I did a cleanse. I painted my toenails blue. I booked a lot of plane tickets. I took a lot of photos. I saw a lot of movies. But I have not dusted my room.

I got home from LA on Monday night and I've been Jamiepalooza-ing for the past 6 days. Usually on those personality test thingies I score about 50-50 on the introvert/extrovert parts, but for some reason I have been rocking it solo all week. And having a marvelous time, might I add! I attempted a "kidney cleanse"-- I made this super magic mineral/vitamin broth and only ate raw fruits and vegetables (and cheated at the movies with Seth for a bit o' popcorn-- what, that's a vegetable, right?). I got all caught up on Battlestar Galactica and LOST and holy CRAP could more be going on in those worlds right now? I painted a couple of canvases that have been partially started for almost a year. I am just really enjoying my time off.

Which is a great thing, because starting next week I have Austin, Long Beach, San Diego, Phoenix, and a visit from my mom for her 60th birthday, and then all of the sudden it's April. And if you work where I work, we all know how busy April, May, and June are going to be. And then I go to Europe in July!!! WTF!?

Did you know the literal translation of tempus fugit is less "time flies" and more "time flees." And boy-o, does that make so much more sense.

dusting off my life

2009-01-09T12:12:00.001-08:00

I got seized with a cleaning urge today. I've had a lovely slothful week of tv and cooking, and my house reflects it: coffee table littered with glasses and sudoko books and laptops, the sink full of dishes (that have water in them; I'm not that gross).

Now, I loathe the act of dusting. It feels so pointless; it's going to be dusty again in a couple of days anyway, and I feel like it's like painting the Golden Gate bridge: the scenery never changes and by the time you finish it's time to start all over again. But like the Golden Gate Bridge, the scenery is pretty special. The one thing I do love about dusting- my bedroom specifically- is the opportunity to pick up all of my belongings and remember why I have them. Not just books and clocks, but my things.

The wedding photograph of my grandparents. The little angel Amy gave me when I moved to New York, labeled "for those with a spirit of boundless independence." The little stuffed dog that Danael and I kidnapped from our friend Carl at Ridgecrest in 1996. The 5-year old note from Evan addressed "to Jamie on a Tuesday." The Metro subway map Rubix cube. The little glass jar of seashells from that weekend Madge, Amy, and I went to Galveston for no reason whatsoever. The poloroid of Sandy, Carrie, and me on the longhorn from that weird Texas theme party we had at work probably 10 years ago. The most thoughtful thank-you note I ever received (from Krysten, natch). These things make up my life, my memories, my person. I love wiping that my 30-year old piggy bank off and remembering how my grandfather used to give me a Susan B. Anthony silver dollar every time I saw him. The task inevitably takes me longer than it ought to, but it's always a nice trip down memory lane.

Sadly, the trip is over, and I am now moving on to more mundane tasks of vacuuming and cleaning the toilet. No poetry to be found there. Maybe a spoonful of sugar and the lilting of Julie Andrews would help though.

addenda

2009-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

I've added a couple of resolutions and revolutions-- they are:

flossing every day (thanks, Alecia)
practicing 100 yoga classes in 2009
inappropriate hugging

I added this note to my Facebook profile, and it turns out you can't view the link unless you're on FB, so the text is as follows:

So, over Christmas break, I happened to mention to my friend (and yours) Alan Bordelon that I hated shaking hands. I really, really hate it. (It's unladylike, and kind of unnecessary, not to mention unsanitary.) So, somehow, our conversation ended in my agreeing to 2009 being the Year of the Inappropriate Hug-- or, Whenever Someone Extends His/Her Hand, Just Hug Him/Her Instead.

Frankly, I love the idea, and it goes hand-in-hand (so to speak) with my New Year's Resolution to not be embarrassed about being myself. So tonight, I put it into play. I must have inappropriately hugged 10 people this evening, and boy, was it exhilarating. I loved it. And you know what? I think they did, too. And if they didn't, why do I care-- I'll probably never see them again.

So, I'm spreading it around. I inappropriately hugged 10 people tonight, and afterward, I asked them to please inappropriately hug other people, in hopes that I can spread it across San Francisco, and maybe-- the world.

I'm starting a Facebook Group to make 2009 the Year of the Inappropriate Hug-- Won't you join me??

So there you have it. All that jazz I mentioned on the 2nd, plus flossing, yoga, and hugs. So far I'm 2 down, 98 to go on the yoga, and boy-O am I sore. How's everyone else's revolutions coming?

resolutions and revolutions

2009-01-02T23:26:00.000-08:00

Time for my New Year's Resolutions, 2009-style. You guys know I totally believe in making them (and breaking them). Usually I try to write measurable objectives, but some of these will be more general goals. Feel free to hold me accountable.

Laugh more, dance more, sing more, and generally be myself more without worrying about being embarrassed. Honestly, if I want to shake my booty a little out on the street because a really booty-shaking song comes on my iPod, why should I care what a streetful of strangers thinks? And really, why shouldn't I have introduced myself to that cute bearded & bespectacled movie-goer on Wednesday? Even if nothing came of it, I'd never see him again, so why does it matter? I'm seizing the day, yo. And having a marvelous time doing it. Embarrassed is a stupid emotion. I'm embracing my inner public-transportation-air-drummer, as it were.
The usual budget thing. *sigh*
The usual losing a little weight so I am happier with my body thing. *bigger sigh*
Blog once a week.
Take the GRE and apply for UCSF.
Something that I've tried for the last 2 years and failed-- keep a list of movies I watch and books I read, so at the end of the year I can look back on it and see patterns, and be able to recommend, etc.
Do my photo-a-day blog. For real.

That's all I got for now. Comments?

jingle bells and rain

2008-12-14T13:50:00.000-08:00

It doesn't rain here very often. I mean, it's foggy and drizzly a lot, but no real downpours. My dental hygienist who grew up here told me she thought she was being bombed when she went to Florida and experienced her first real thunderstorm. At any rate, it's raining today. ICK. Cold, wet, actual drops and puddles and it's all VERY un-Christmaslike. *grumbles*

I've been very busy this week with various appointments, errands, shifts at the yoga studio, getting ready for our Christmas party. Yesterday I actually woke up without my alarm, and managed to wash, dry, & fold three loads of laundry, make a Christmas playlist, change my sheets, and dust the living room before getting myself to yoga (to practice, not to work), and THEN make dips, candy, drinks, and put on a party frock for our shindig. I certainly considered myself some sort of domestic goddess, or demi-deity at that point.

Buuuuut, our party was kind of a dud. It was fun, but we only had 10-12 people (I think last year we had 40-50!), so although it was quiet and nice, I ended up feeling like I did a lot of work for little payback. WAY too many leftovers. Not to mention that I just went through all of my photos and I don't have a single good one. I am not so sure about these bangs. And I think I need to lose some weight. Or maybe the bangs make my face look fatter than it is. Also, I have been somewhat sneezy this week, and I am never sick. Blurg, I think the weather is effecting my mood. (Affecting?)

In other news, my first week of the new budget went well, and I leave for Texas on Friday! Oh, and there's a new recipe up over at Food, Glorious Food.

Best Reason to Carry a Camera With You at All Times in San Francisco:

2008-12-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

A) You take a bus you've never taken before and on your way through Japantown you pass this place:

B) You're walking down the street in your own, normal neighborhood and spot this guy just hanging out in a tree:

Which is more awesome? You decide.

my first Christmas present of 2008

2008-12-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

How about this little guy?????

I got him in the mail today, courtesy of one Miss Julia. I love love love him! Jule and I have always been mighty good gift buyers (2 years ago we each got the other a dvd that we already owned- brilliant); this is the perfect example of thoughtful gift-buying. Jule knows I love owls, and knows I love Christmas ornaments, and I can't imagine a better hand-picked gift from my favourite cousin. I have named him Uncle Billy-- kinda has the same eyes.

Busy week- I've been working at the yoga studio, getting ready for our holiday party, and generally living (and loving) life how I do each December when I'm free from The Man for a bit. Today I made some satsuma-ginger tea bread (I am still not a baker by nature but I'm getting a bit better, I think) and dinner for my roommates. (Recipes to follow shortly.) Tomorrow is movie day with my boy Seth-- Slumdog Millionaire, I believe, and Burmese food for dinner. I also have to get some stuff together for a holiday party on Thursday that requires a food bank donation, and I think I have a dentist appointment and a haircut before the week is all said and done.

Oh, and tonight we shared Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (the 1964 version, natch) with our roommate from El Salvador. I think it's fair to say his life has been changed. I'm so glad they still show it every year, and it hasn't been re-made by Pixar or Disney. Who could one-up the Cowboy That Rides an Ostrich or the Charlie-in-a-Box? Or the Abominable Snow Monster with no teeth (thanks, Hermie)? Now THAT's what I call Christmas!

tightening the financial belt

2008-12-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

OK. Deep breaths. In addition to watching what little money I have in a retirement plan dwindle to complete bullshit amounts, we have just been informed by our CEO (who probably makes a 6-figure salary) that we will not be getting raises in 2009. Also, our 2oo8 bonuses are being held off until March. Can you just hold off on Christmas, too? Thanks.

Now even though I've never made a lot of money (or even what most of you guys would probably call a little money), I've never really budgeted. I just get what I want, if & when I can get it. I know, I'm 32 and should know better but honestly, I'm just not wired to think that way. But I am going to start self-inforcing some rules.

Starting January 1.

So, I have 2 checking accounts. One is for my "base" salary, and the other is for whatever, if anything, is in my check over that amount (expenses, per diem, etc). From that 2nd account I pay my corporate American Express, in full, as soon as I get paid, whether it is due or not. Sometimes if I have been on the road a lot I have some extra money, and when that happens I pay bills from that account instead of my base account. That makes for a nice month. Twice this year I paid my rent out of that account and it was SWEET. So, I'm keeping this arrangement; I think it works for me.

Rule #1- In effect January 1, I am living on a fixed $X/week. Out of my checking account, I will have only the following withdrawals: rent, electricity, cable/internet, cell phone, and my allowance- $X/week, in cash, to do what I do. Everything else will go to that pesky little thing called "debt and saving up for grad school." This allowance includes (but is not limited to) groceries, laundry, bus fare, movies, eating out, buying books, buying clothes etc. (Obviously, special circumstances will have to be made every once in a while; for example, if I go to the dentist or get my hair cut, or renew a yearly magazine subscription, or something else I do a handful of times a year or less, I will pay out of my checking account, etc. This rule is not the fancy china; it is for everyday use.)

addendum: due to my almost constant travel schedule, partial weeks at home will get $X/7 per day.

And that's it. I will get out my $X every Friday, and if I run out on Tuesday, I'm eating at home for the rest of the week, and that's that. On the flip side, if I have anything left of my weekly funds by the following Friday, it will go into a coffee can in my bedroom, with the idea that at some point I will have enough for an extra night out, or want something that costs more than my weekly allowance will allow. For real, I'm using a coffee can.

Rule #2- In effect January 1, on the road, I am keeping track of my per diem. No more than $Y/day, which my company gives me, period, which means, in theory, that every week I'm on the road will accumulate an extra $X in my checking account. If I go somewhere super awesome, like New York City, I will allow myself my company's $Y/day + my normal $X/week.

Rule #3- no more cabs in my home city. I am taking the train or the bus, period. Just because I don't feel like waiting is not an excuse. I can't afford it. The jig, she is up.

Rule #4- find a boy to start buying me dinner and stuff, preferably one that is into girls. (OK, this one is not a real rule. But going on dates every once in a while could have potentially positive financial side effects. Why are married people the ones that get the tax cuts when clearly those of us who only have one salary and no one to help out when things are tough are more in need of one?)

What do you guys think of my plan? Are there any gaping holes? Did I leave anything out? My head hurts.

December in LA

2008-12-02T09:35:00.000-08:00

Being in LA in December always reminds me of LA Confidential, to the tune of Yes, I'm Still Mad that Titanic Beat it out for Best Picture Back in 1997, You Academy Voters are Ridiculous.

My flight last night was delayed almost three hours. My 1-hr flight. Soooo irritating. Then I sat next the most fidget-y girl in the entire world-- she pushed every button she could reach, talked to her husband/boyfriend/douchebag "Baby" in an outside voice the entire time, and ps> he was in the seat behind her, not beside her- and they were both in middle seats so she didn't even turn around, just talked, and she was carrying Indian food. And also? I want to throttle whoever invented touch-screens. Or at least whoever sold them to Virgin America. Why, oh WHY would you put touch-screens in the back of someone's seat? Have the people that made this decision ever taken a flight with someone poking the back of their seat the entire way? Or, ever taken a flight, period? Stupid, stupid, stupid. In addition to music, TV, and being able to text message people in other seats (I wish I were kidding), they have games like Mah Johngg. Now, I love Mah Jongg, maybe more than the next girl, but seriously? A game that is ALL TAPPING? ON THE BACK OF MY SEAT? There are not enough caps to explain how long that hour flight was. There were, however, enough cocktails at the hotel to make me get over it. And that number was 3. Don't judge. They were basil gimlets and they were my dinner, because obviously, the kitchen was closed when I got here at 12:40am.

ANYway. So, I love JJ Abrams' shows. All of them. I don't think Fringe is getting a very good following, but I love it. It's part Alias and part X-Files, well- more like X-Files with Sydney Bristow 2.0 heading up the team. And because it's JJ Abrams, there's a shadowy possibly-government-based conspiracy called "The Pattern" and always a cool unexplained phenomenum-of-the-week, like butterflies with razor-sharp wings that can cut you to pieces but they're really all in your head. Anyway, for some reason I really love it when JJ Abrams can find little ways to give his own shows shout-outs in his other shows, like that time on Alias when Sydney had a party at her apartment and "You All Everybody" was playing in the background. It's so snarky and genius of him. So this week on Fringe they were looking through a suicide victim's apartment, and found an airline ticket from New York to Omaha... and the airline? Oceanic, of course!

Bwa-hahahahaha. Genius. Ohhhhh, I can't wait for January!!!!!!

Oh, reaching out to the masses here-- don't ask me how, seriously- don't, but somehow I managed to accidentally delete my iTunes library, and even though it wasn't a big deal to re-import all my files, I lost all my playlists. Grrrr~ They are still on my iPod though. Does anyone know how to get the playlists from my iPod back into my iTunes without 3rd party software? And if I have to, does anyone know of a good freeware I can try? Thanks~ I don't want to have to sit down with my iPod and recreate them all by hand. That seems like a daunting project.

yay, it's time for Christmas music!

2008-11-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over, my kitchen is a mess, and I'm making a Christmas list. And checking it twice, obviously. Last year I did all donation gifts, and it was really nice. I'll probably do of some donations again, but since I'm actually seeing people this year, I hate to show up completely empty-handed. But, it's been a meager year for everyone, so gifts will be small (both in size and cost). (PS> Nobody has to get me anything this year, really. I don't need anything.) I've already picked up little somethings for my darling cousins, my niece, and my mom. The others I'm unsure about just yet. Suggestions are welcome.

My friend Seth is coming over tonight to eat Thanksgiving leftovers, watch Christmas movies, and help me put up my tree. I unfortunately have to go to LA on Monday so I am going to get to enjoy my tree for exactly 15 days this year. Bummer. And on that note, I should get up and wash yesterday Thanksgiving dishes (and by "dishes," I mean "silverware and pots & pans," because we went paper plates and cups this year, environment be damned) so I can get to Christmastizing this place. It's OK- I've got Dean Martin to keep me warm.

your call is very important to us. it will be answered in the order in which it was received.

2008-11-25T09:11:00.000-08:00

I've been on hold for 26 minutes. So far. I've moved from caller #67 to caller #19 in that time period. Apparently my estimated time is now 18 minutes.

For the last 26 minutes, I have been listening to the same song. Seriously? I mean, it's a good song ("This Old Heart of Mine," by the Isley Brothers-- the real thing; not the muzak version) but seriously? Is this part of their grand scheme to make you hang up?

Blurg. Thanksgiving prep underway. Last night I got the remainder of my groceries except the spiced cider, which I have to pick up tomorrow (as well as another bottle of whiskey... not sure what happened to the one I bought last week, except that it's hot toddy weather!) I prepped some of my veggies and made my pumpkin ice cream. I need my roommate to try it and tell me if it's any good (I don't like pumpkin). If it is, I will post the recipe soon.

Double feature Tuesday and today the theme is vampires. Twilight and then some Danish vampire movie that my friend Seth wants to see. That's if we can get from the multiplex to the arthouse in a timeframe that allows us to see them both. If not, the theme will be movies from best-sellers, and the 2nd movie will be The Secret Life of Bees. Shouldn't it be "the secret LIVES of bees"?

Gotta go. I'm caller #8.

holiday funk

2008-11-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

So, it's cold now, and gray. So very, very gray. I don't really love this time of year like I used to. For one thing, I don't really belong anywhere, so there's always the dance of who's going to take me in for the holidays, which makes me feel... misplaced. I know there are any number of people who would be happy to have me, but I don't like feeling like a burden. Secondly, I'm a single gal, and I love love love to buy gifts, but I can't ever afford to do Christmas the way I want to. I have 2 sets of parents, 5 siblings, and 8 nieces and nephews, plus all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends I feel SO overwhelmed. I know they don't care, but *I* care. I like to give presents to my loved ones.

At any rate, I've had a rather glorious week of detoxing from my work year, but my roommate is coming home today, so I had to pick up the living room and try to fluff out the Jamie-shaped indention in the couch. Time to get in productivity-mode for Thanksgiving. You can find my menu here, if you're interested.

Yesterday was double-feature day at the movie-house with my friend Seth, and between films we wandered through Borders. There was a whole rack of holiday movies (yes, including Holiday in Handcuffs-- I was thisclose to buying it for you, Rori, but see above paragraph about how poor I am). I settled on a $9.99 dvd called "Holiday Treats," that includes holiday epidsodes of I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Andy Griffith Show, The Brady Bunch, Taxi, Family Ties, Frasier, and Wings. Rock. ON.

Anyway, I miss the blogging days of yore, when Krysten and Tom were around all the time, and the TANC was in solid effect... can I get an amen? Where is everyone? Signed, Lonely in a Grey City.

protestacular

2008-11-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

So, I went to my first protest this morning. It was hot, crowded, and all I could hear and/or see was the signs of those in my general vicinity. I think this movement is important, so I'm glad I went, but I was a little underwhelmed in the process.

No matter what your feelings on same-sex marriage is, hear me on this. No popular vote should be able to restrict the rights of any minority group, especially when the popular vote is overriding a Supreme Court decision. We are not a democracy. We are a democratic republic. We don't vote on every decision; we elect those who vote on our behalf. If we start asking to vote on every decision our Supreme Court makes, we are undermining the authority of our leaders-- the leaders we have voted on and elected to make these decisions for us.

Unfortunately I got b*tch-slapped by one of the worst migraines I've had in years right in the midst of the rally. I'm not sure what brought it on, but the heat and crowd certainly didn't help. I took an excruciating bus ride home, promptly vomited when I go through the door, then took a cool shower, an imitrex, and laid on the couch in the dark with an icepack for an hour. The next hour I took a muscle relaxer, and moaned for another hour, at which point I took a second imitrex AND an ambien, hoping to at least sleep through part of this nuerological trauma. I dozed for another hour and finally got up and made myself something to eat. My head is only throbbing without 20% of the intensity it was a couple of hours ago. I can't believe I'm not asleep from the ambien, but I just sort of feel dull and in slow-motion. I think I'm parking on the couch with my DVR for the rest of the evening.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I know, I know

2008-11-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

...I haven't updated in FOREVER. I have been insanely busy with work. But it's all worth it now because koo-koo-cachoo, I have the next 3 weeks off. That's right. Suck it, 9-to-5-ers, I have three weeks off and still get paid every Friday!!! I only have one 3-day show in December, and a maximum of 4-5 office days, so really, I'm practically done for the year. I might add 40-50 more hours to my time sheet (which right now is hovering around 1700, so, still less than 40 hrs/week for 50 wks/year) but I'm pretty much D-O-N-E until after the new year.

Yay!

Today, no alarm. Coffee and facebook and sudoku, lazy lying around, lunch with Seth. Grocery shopping, but only because I'm out of coffee. Evening poster-making party for my very first protest tomorrow. Enjoying the quiet. Thinking about making a to-do list for my time off, which so far includes: get a California driver's license, go to the new Academy of Science, clean out my closet, take the GRE... you know what? Nope, I can't think about being productive yet. I have to vegetate for a few days, at least. I deserve it.

Prop 8

2008-11-05T05:36:00.000-08:00

I'm sure even non-Californians have heard about Proposition 8, right? They are trying to repeal the brand-new legalized marriage of same-sex couples in California. It was a very hot item on this year's ballot, every bit as important as President to a lot of Californians.

I was reading up on the numbers this morning and I found this little gem of a photo:

I know; stereotypes exist for a reason. We have our baby-boomer-aged soccer mom holding up a "protect marriage" sign and our tattooed, sparsely-clothed presumed-gay-dude-in-ridiculous-hat holding up his "equality for all" sign, and then what? A bald guy on the left with a Mervyn's Going Out of Business sale sandwich board??? I envision masses of formerly dedicated voters streaming across the street to buy last season's gymware and vanilla-scented candles. What a random photo.

Oh, and Al Franken won a Minnesota Senate Seat? Al Franken, formerly of Saturday Night Live? Al Franken, who wrote Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them? Wow, can anyone be in politics these days?

So, congratulations, America, on getting out and voting, and choosing President Obama. I'm so excited for this epic time in our history. And Senator McCain? Lovely and gracious concession speech. I tip my hat to you, sir. Thank you for your service to our country.

And now I should get up and get to work, where I will be around 3,000 men and women in various levels of fatigues and dress uniform. It's Joint Forces show attended exclusively of military personnel. I wonder how the general mood is going to be there today? I will try to keep my absolute elation on the DL until move-out.

hello, election day!

2008-11-04T04:50:00.001-08:00

get out there and VOTE!

in search of falafel

2008-11-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

So, I was just searching le blog for the last time I was here, because I found a really good Middle Eastern place that delivered to the convention center, enabling me to eat the same thing every day for a week (combo falafel-tabouleh-feta wrap with those awesome Middle Eastern spicy pickles, and a cup of lentil soup). Sadly, I didn't seem to document the wonder of that combo sandwich, but I did find this post. Hahahahahaha! Hahaha! I am still laughing. Hahahaha! Which is great, because wow, I am having a sh*tty morning.

Bruce IS pretty awesome and in agreement with Uncle Al's comment, I am lucky to have him. Mark your calendars, only 2 more shopping months to Official Danael Broussard Day.

edited to add: I forgot to tell you guys, last night I was at the Bourbon Bar in my hotel (what? I'm in Kentucky!) and the lounge singer happens to do keyboards and vocals for Gary Lewis and the Playboys. FOR REAL! He played I Left my Heart in San Francisco for me, and then obviously, This Diamond Ring. THEN, I met some actors from New York that were in town for a workshop (I know, backasswards, right?) and I went all Tobias Funke and said "and then I met some actors from a local theater troupe!" and then there was just too much excitement and I had to go to bed.

middle of the night update

2008-10-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

I know it's not ACTUALLY the middle of the night. It's 6:40am. (And for some of you, it's an hour or two or three later than that.) But I've been awake since 4am, and it's still dark, and it feels like the middle of the night. "Why have you been up since 4am, Jamie?" you might ask. "Why have you been awake since 4am when you went to sleep at 11, and the night before only had 4 hours of sleep? Why?" And the answer is I HAVE NO IDEA AND I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.

GRRRR. I'm tired! I haven't been in my own bed in 12 nights, and all I wanted to do was crawl into my nice clean sheets, sleep late, and enjoy a nice 8 hours of rest. (Yes, sleeping "late" for me is like 7 or 8. So that's why at 6:40, I'm just giving up and getting up.) (Do you think I make too many parenthetical asides?)

Thanks, Superman and Scotticus, for the math help. I think I got it now. I've moved on into the geometry/trig section, which was always sort of my specialty, so I'm feeling a lot more secure in my mathmatical abilities now.

I'm so happy to be home! Brian and I wanted to go to Zuni last night but they are closed on Mondays, which was unfortunate. We ended up at a really awesome wine bar in Hayes Valley with some vinho verde, the best %^$*#@! triple-cream brie I've ever had in my life (yes, it warranted cursing; that's how good it was), and a long conversation debating Blanche Devareaux and Blanche Dubois, and which one is from Golden Girls and which one is from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. It ended with my calling in back-up, and discovering that neither Devareaux nor Dubois is from Cat, but rather from Streetcar. So, thanks Gherkin, for being my phone-a-friend, but I lost the bet and had to pay for the wine, so next time could you just side with me? He'd never remember to look it up later.

reaching out to the interwebs for math help

2008-10-26T18:40:00.001-07:00

OK kids, this post is in no way interesting. I'm asking for some Algebra help. If you can't help me in Algebra, you can just stop reading now-- I promise this post will put you to sleep.

OK, so I'm studying for the GRE. Two of my first few practice tests were Basic and Advanced Algebra. I haven't taken Algebra since 1990. In college I tested right out of it and moved on to Calculus (which was clearly a genius plan since at the ripe old age of 32 I can barely remember how to multiply 2 parenthetical sets without looking it up. But hey, that's why I'm studying).

So, in my first 40 questions, I came across 4 that I just stared at with big blank eyes and wondered if really, this was a real question, honestly, I have absolutely no idea how to come up with this sort of information. They all seem to be the same question, but since I don't know what I'm looking for, the internet has been of little help in the research category. SO, I thought I'd reach out to my readers. Surely one of you can point out what's I've no doubt right in front of my face and make me feel foolish for not knowing it.

2. If Sally can paint a house in 4 hours, and John can paint the same house in 6 hour, how long will it take for both of them to paint the house together?

A. 2 hours and 24 minutes
B. 3 hours and 12 minutes
C. 3 hours and 44 minutes
D. 4 hours and 10 minutes
E. 4 hours and 33 minutes

3. Jim can fill a pool carrying buckets of water in 30 minutes. Sue can do the same job in 45 minutes. Tony can do the same job in 1 ½ hours. How quickly can all three fill the pool together?

A. 12 minutes
B. 15 minutes
C. 21 minutes
D. 23 minutes
E. 28 minutes

9. If Steven can mix 20 drinks in 5 minutes, Sue can mix 20 drinks in 10 minutes, and Jack can mix 20 drinks in 15 minutes, how much time will it take all 3 of them working together to mix the 20 drinks?

A. 2 minutes and 44 seconds
B. 2 minutes and 58 seconds
C. 3 minutes and 10 seconds
D. 3 minutes and 26 seconds
E. 4 minutes and 15 seconds

10. If Sam can do a job in 4 days that Lisa can do in 6 days and Tom can do in 2 days, how long would the job take if Sam, Lisa, and Tom worked together to complete it?

A. 0.8 days
B. 1.09 days
C. 1.23 days
D. 1.65 days
E. 1.97 days

Clearly it is important to the people that let me into grad school that I know how to solve these sorts of issues, but honestly? Those 4 questions above might as well be written in Farsi, that's how absolutely empty I am on ideas how to solve them.

Help?

mini-vacation

2008-10-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I haven't updated in FOREVER. I've been in LA for over a week, and been pretty seriously busy. I'm staying the weekend with my lovely friend Charlamagne, and having my own little mini-vaction. I spent the morning at the hotel doing laundry and packing and such, an since she's in law school, I spent the afternoon truly relaxing at her place-- way more so than I would have at my own house, because there I would have felt guilty for not being more productive with chores, etc. I did a couple of sudoku puzzles, read the breakfast issue of Saveur (nomnomnom), played on the internet, caught up on Pushing Daisies (utterly charming), and when C. got home from school, we ate olives, made these potatoes, dear LORD, they were amazing, drank wine, and caught up on girl talk. It was the most delightful day I could have imagined.

This morning I went out for coffee and walked around her neighborhood for a while. It's really nice here. I'm going to do some more lying around, read, take my sweet time enjoying a light lunch and probably catch an afternoon movie... and I think we're going out for Indian tonight. Isn't vacation delightful??

mememememememe~

2008-10-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since a meme has floated around these parts. I got this one from a livejournal friend Kir, and I am supposed to "tag" people-- so, tag, you're it: I choose (for old times' sake) G, Gennykins, Bee, and then Bruce and Dish. Oh, and Bisch. And Gherkin and Chanelle. Do it, all of you. Make me proud.

1. What do you usually wear to bed, PJs or boxer shorts? boxers

2. What do you do before bedtime? read-- either a magazine or a book I have read before. I can't engross my mind in something new when it's sleepy. Currently my bedtime story is Anne of Green Gables, which I was shocked to find that Charlemagne has never read. Ooooh, Charlemagne, I am tagging you too!!!! You need to blog.

3. What's your favourite colour of ink to write with? blue, and I audit in red (at work... I don't audit anything just for fun)

4. What is the city of your dreams and why? I think I'm living in it. But I certainly wouldn't mind giving Paris a try, because of the coffee and the wine and the cheese and all the art.

5. Who is your guy crush? What am I, 12? OK, fine, David Tennant. Oh look, I am 12! Maybe I'll cut out a photo of him from my Bop! magazine and put it in my locker.

6. When was the last time you checked out a book from the public library, and what was it? I used the Jersey City Public Library for a while when I was unemployed. I don't remember the last book I checked out but I remember stumbling upon Oryx & Crake and it being one of the best books I ever read. I was sad to give it back. I also once checked out Six Days of the Condor (after watching Three Days of the Condor with Uncle and Auntie-- I love that the film version shaved off three days, *snort*) and leaving it at a hotel somewhere in Florida. I had to pay the library $6.40 for it.

7. Ever cheated on someone? No. I never really understood the concept. Like, you're dating a person, and you decide you want to be with someone else, why don't you just break up and be with that person?

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do? Pine.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days? My. November. Schedule. Blows.

10. What is your best quality? Ummmm, I am not sure if I am the best person to answer such a question. I think I am generally a pretty thoughtful person (but I'm only in my head, so maybe I'm wrong).

11. What do you wish you could eat right now? Eggs. Hm, I think I will go make some eggs.

12. What are your guilty pleasure shows? Bad Lifetime movies. In fact, my roommate and I have The Fab 5: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal and Coco Chanel, starring Shirley Maclaine, on our DVR. If we are ever home together again we will watch them.

13. What is one of your biggest pet peeves? Random strangers who tell you to smile. What is UP with that?

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is? Kir, that Great Frosted Flake, didn't really tag me, but I stole this from her LJ anyway.

15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head? Daisy... Daisy, what is your answer to? I'm half crazy, all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage... I can't afford a carriage, but you'd look sweet, upon the seat of a bicycle built for two... after seeing a couple on a tandem in the Park yesterday. Sang it all the way home.

16. What’s your favourite item of clothing? My green Chuck Taylors. Dude, I can't believe I've had them for over 2 years!

17. How do you see yourself? Sleepy.

18. What's the first thing you notice in people? Posture, or how they carry themselves. Random?

19. Would you bungee jump from the Empire State Building for $10,000,000? $10 million? Yes, yes I would. I might pee myself on the way down, but I could buy some new pants (and dignity) with my $10 million.

20. What were your parents going to name you if you'd been born the opposite gender? Jamie, probably. :)

best thrift store purchase ever

2008-10-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

I found these at the thrift store last week. I have never bought thrifted shoes, because well, ew, but these are brand-new, or at least appear to be. The soles are completely unscratched, even down to the tiny texture on the tips of the heels.

They are DAVINCI, which I have never heard of- black patent leather round-toe pumps with a sweet red suede bow and a sassy red suede heel, which is just the right height.

I intend to wear them with my sassy red Jezebel dress to Evan's wedding next Saturday. Whoop!

photo of the day

2008-10-02T10:33:00.001-07:00

Survey says:

Would it be better on Flickr or Blogspot?

Compliant!!

2008-10-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

OK, time to finally blog about my weekend. My awful Monday travel day morphed into way too many errands, cooking a big pot of soup, and snuggling up on the couch for some DVR... and promptly falling asleep. I think I was asleep before 9pm, but that made for a better Tuesday, which was pretty busy.

So, the weekend was great-- Friday night Nikki and I drove over to LA and had dinner at Swingers with Rori. Saturday night was really fun as well... I had some friends from LA drive over to Long Beach and we all had dinner at The House of Madame JoJo, which is sort of... brothel-themed. It was a cute, intimate restaurant and the food was lovely, but I woke up with a nasty hangover at 5am on Sunday morning (thanks, Riesling!). I bought a 7-Up and read a magazine for a while, and then fell back asleep to a dream that involved biological warfare in the form of gas bombs, riding around San Francisco in a SmartCar with Ricky Gervais, and then trying to escape SF in a Super Shuttle (because clearly, the fastest way to get out of town in a crisis is the blue van). And the whole time I was telling myself that I really needed to text Nikki and let her know that I would be late for work, but rationalized that surely she had the television on and must surely know that San Francisco was under terrorist attack.

ANYway, ahem. So after the fastest move-out in history, I drove back to LA to drop Nikki off with her boyfriend and then go see a movie. I had very specific directions from my hotel to her hotel, her hotel to the Arclight, and the Arclight home. And since A) I never drive, and B) I certainly never drive in LA, I was a big white-knuckled during this entire affair. I got myself to the Arclight, but I missed all the 8 o'clock-ish shows by about 20 minutes, and nothing else was starting for at least 2 hours. Bummer! I was hungry, and since I had been at Swingers two nights before, I thought I could get myself there at least. After a couple of U-turns, I turned onto Beverly and spied a little one-screen theater whose marquee was advertising The Flight of the Navigator!! Screeching wheels, I did another U-turn and flew into the theater, sure I would have missed this one too. This is a movie I used to have on Beta, people. The Beta player that weighed probably... 80 lbs, and had a remote control on a cord. But luck was on my side-- I bought a ticket for the show that started in an hour, and headed down to Swingers for a fried egg sandwich and a couple of sudoku puzzles. (As a side note, the bored delivery driver was sitting at the counter as well and told me how much he liked sudoku, so I offered to rip out a couple of pages of my book for him. He lit up like I had offered him my first born. Weird.)

So I get back to the theater about 20 minutes before the Q&A with Randal Kleiser (the director, who ps> also directed Big Top PeeWee-- and Paul Ruebens voiced Max in Navigator, under the pseudonym Pall Mall, if you need a full circle connection there-- and Grease), and Jonathan Sanger, the producer (who also produced little gems like Vanilla Sky and The Producers as well as playing the NASA doctor in Navigator). I went into the theater and plopped down with my Sudoku book, only to discover that I was sitting right in front of Kleiser and Sanger, who were catching up on old times with a couple of friends while they were waiting. I hope no one noticed that I was only holding that puzzle while eavsdropping on light Hollywood chit-chat, including a couple of references to Sarah Jessica Parker (who plays Carolyn in Navigator). Maybe a commonplace thing in Beverly Hills but I was entranced.

The Q&A was really interesting and the movie was glorious, of course. It was a long drive back to Long Beach for sure, but worth it, for one of those rare gems of an evening that only ever occur under happenstance.

In other news, I'm thinking of starting a photo-a-day blog- one picture a day, all from my phone, for an entire year. Would anyone be interested in that? Here's a test entry- let me know what you think.

cue Charlie Brown music

2008-09-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

I had a really fun night in LA last night, and I wanted to tell you all about about it, but at the moment my blood pressure is a little too high from a horrific travel day which included (but was not limited to) getting lost... twice... inept car rental return employees, being late to the airport because of 2 previous, standing in the security line from hell, people not observing the laws of common social air travel decency (ie: letting the row in front of you exit before barging through, not getting to baggage claim and standing right in front of the person who was there before you), and the 3rd Oakland cab driver in a row who doesn't know how to get to San Francisco.

Now I need to go to the market and do some laundry, as I have to be at work again at 8am tomorrow. Maybe I will calm down enough to relate my good times later on.

misdirected cyber post

2008-09-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Erin reminded me in her comment on my NY post that the entire reason I found Nathan last Saturday was a misdirected cyber post. It's a pretty funny story, actually. You know how you can text things to Google and it sends you back address/phone number? If not, you basically send an SMS text to G-O-O-G-L-E (466453) saying "Name of Establishment You're Looking For, City, State" and instantly you get a return text listing the info. It's pretty cool. Well, I got off the subway at 72nd and Central Park West, knowing I wanted to eat lunch at Alice's Tea Cup-- which is somewhere in the low 70s at Columbus. BUT... we were absolutely ravenous, and I didn't want to wander the west side looking for it, so I sent "Alice's Tea Cup, New York NY" out to 466453... except I didn't. I accidently sent it to Twitter (40404, and the only other number-only entry in my recently-used text addresses). So, my 9 Twitter followers all got a text from me saying "Alice's Tea Cup, New York, NY" and I'm sure they were all "the hell?" Anyway, Erin writes me right back saying "Oh, Nathan's in NYC too" so I make a quick phone call and there he is. Random, and awesome. I love running into people I know in random cities. It also makes this the 3rd time (and 3rd city) I've seen Nate since I moved, which is a lot more than most of my other friends! Lucky Nate!

We sat in the park for a bit, near Bethesda Fountain, then went to the Museum of Natural History, where we laughed at all the people that were taking photos of their respective girlfriends posing all "sexy." At the Museum of NATURAL HISTORY. Arms up and head thrown back in front of a meteor? Draping yourself around a dinosaur skeleton and giving kissy faces, really? So we decided to take a picture of us NOT being sexy.... but as it turns out, we just can't turn the sexy off. There's no way to keep it from shining through.

Also, Deb was showing us her fancy-pants digital camera/video camera thing, and this was the result. Dance puppet, dance!!!

Good times. Thanks, Nate. Always a pleasure.

more strange work conversations

2008-09-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

Girl just walks up to the service desk to order some electrical. As it is custom in our computer system to document the person placing the order, I asked her for her first name. (On a side note-- at least 85% of the people who I ask "What's your first name?" either A) give me their first and last names, B) proceed to then spell their last name, C) hold up their name tag IN MY FACE, or D) say "well, it should be under This Other Name, or maybe This Name. Honestly, can't you just answer the question? Just say "Jim"? Bygones.) She answered, "Allison."

She was a nice enough girl, around my age, so while she was filling out her forms I was chatting with her, and my first comment was "Oh, my mom wanted to name me Allison, but, my dad won that particular battle." She replied with, "oh, that's so funny. If I had been born 1 day earlier, I would have been named Jamie." "That's MY name!" I crowed, and then checked my uniform to make sure I wasn't wearing my name tag (I wasn't. Don't yell at me, work folk who read. I detest people I don't know calling me by my first name. It's creepy.) So, that's a little weird, right? I mean, I know Allison and Jamie aren't really odd names or anything, but it's still a bit of a coincidence.

She told me the day before her birthday was her paternal grandfather's birthday, and so they had considered naming her after him should she arrive on that particular day. "James?" I asked? Yes. That was also MY paternal grandfather's name, and one of the reasons my dad liked the name. (The other reason was that he had a thing for the Bionic Woman, but that is really neither her nor there.) Then she goes on to tell me since her mom got the first name, her dad picked her middle name, which is Lee. "That's MY middle name!"

OK, I need to calm down. Being this close to the Queen Mary is affecting my sensibilities.

update!

2008-09-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

I know, I know. Everyone is yelling at me to update. (Ibym... "everyone"... "Alecia and Erin.") So here you go-- what I've been up to for the last almost 3 weeks (and obviously, what I ate along the way).

So, last you heard I was off to Texas. It was sooooo much fun. I landed Friday afternoon, rented a Jeep (well, technically, I rented an "economy," but they gave me a Jeep), and drove up to the new home of Madge and Dave... wow. I clearly am in the wrong business. We met Scotticus, K-J, Ree-an, and Taylor for dinner at Uncle Julios, then met up back at Palais Coblais with Angel for a little Rock Band. The girls did a mean B-52s Roam, btw. I may have missed my calling as a rock star (no, no-- I didn't miss it. There was no calling).

Saturday Madge and I took a walk, got lost, went to Dream Cafe (for my favorite eggs benedict in the world) and the mall, then I drove to over to Forney to meet Bruce. We drove back to Dallas, had drinks at The Grapevine, a slice at Pastazio's, and gelato at Pacuigo (sea salt caramel.... *dies*), then went to meet Erin, Nathan, and Bill at a birthday party of a girl we never met, where everyone was in theme costume but us. Hahahahaha~ It was awesome. There are photos somewhere but I haven't seen them yet-- not sure whose camera they were on?

Sunday Bruce and I drove from Forney to DFW to pick up Sandy at the airport, and then drove BACK to Dallas, to Ozona, she of the famous bloody mary bar, where they bring you a glass of vodka and send you to a buffet of fresh celery, avocado, horseradish, pico, olives, and every sort of spice and hot sauce and mix and juice you can imagine. YUMMMMMM~ Then Sandy and I drove over to the hotel in Grapevine, dropped off our stuff and settled in, and then drove back to Dallas for Ree-ann's birthday party. It was in the Bishop Arts District of Oak Lawn... loved it. The restaurant was called Hattie's and the food was delicious. Way too much driving, but, it was fun.

Monday Sandy and I started work. Yadda yadda elevator contractors blah blah boringcakes. We did manage to eat at Ama Lur in the Gaylord, which is sort of a Latin-Native American-Southwestern fusion place and I had such wonders as cucumber margaritas and jalapeno grit cakes. Other than that I mostly ate quesadillas from the sports bar- hold the meat and add whatever veggies you have in the kitchen- as there was absolutely not one single vegetarian thing in the entire hotel. Blurg! Oh, and our one free night we met up with Erin at Kenzoku for hibachi grill-- which is one of my all-time favorite food experiences. Then my last night, after working until 6pm, needing to do laundry and be up at 3am for a 6am flight-- I managed to squeeze in some time with Amy at Love & War in Texas.

So, after laundry, 3 hours sleep, dropping off the rental car, shuttling to the terminal, grogging my way through security and getting on the plane, I landed at 10:30am in New York City. Cab to hotel, walk to Javitz, start work right away! After work I met Tom in the West Village for Italian at Morandi, then cupcakes at Magnolia, natch, and drinks at Chumley's- one of our favorite spots, which we were just sick to discover had closed, so we went to this divey pool hall instead. I adored spending time with him-- I miss him so much!

Other places I hit while I was there: Schillers, Pastis, the Gansevoort Rooftop Loft (aka the douche-baggiest place this side of The Standard), the Night Hotel, and STK (which bumped Gansevoort right off the top of the list). Friday night I worked late and then met Schmevan for some wine in the park and a late supper at a diner- exactly what I needed after all the pomp and crappenstance. Can I tell you what I don't miss about New York? The weather. The crowds. The clothes. The general elitest attitude. I mean, we paid $90 for 5 drinks at the Gansevoort. NINETY DOLLARS. And the were 8 oz. rocks glasses made out of plastic. And ps> I don't live in Small Town, KY. I live in San Francisco-- widely touted as one of the most expensive cities in America. Ninety dollars for 5 drinks is ridiculous.

Saturday Deb and I had a whole day to play. We wanted to have lunch at Alice's Tea Cup (where I got a Cheshire Cat mug and when you pour in hot liquid, the cat disappears, leaving only his grin! brilliant~) and then we met up with Nathan in the Park, and went to the Museum of Natural History, which YES, is where they filmed that Ben Stiller movie, which I have never seen. Then we got coffee- it was so fun to hang out with him in NY-- I love running into random people in other cities! Then Deb and I scooted downtown for dinner with my friend Joyce at Counter. DELICIOUS. Must go back. My martini involved rosemary-infused vodka. *dies* Then we had a couple of drinks at the Three of Cups and almost passed out in the cab, we were so tired from our very long day.

Sunday we went down to SoHo for brunch at Jerry's, only to be saddened a second time because it had closed. It was something very sad, like another overpriced boutique. We decided instead on the NoHo Star, which I love, and then walked around SoHo and Chinatown, where I got Charlemagne a fun present and Deb bought me an owl apron.

Then, a 6-hour flight home and a fever blister later, I am back in San Francisco, where the weather is always balmy and the people are always in jeans. Monday I walked to the beach, did some work and other stuff around the house, met Blake for a cocktail and my work friends for dinner. Yesterday I did laundry, more work and other stuff around the house, made some soup, watched Fringe (I love you, JJ Abrams!) and went to Harvey's with Brian. Today I must pack, go to the bank, do more work and house stuff, and am planning on dinner and a movie with Blake. The Castro is showing Jezebel, starring Bette Davis, and her Bette Davis eyes.

All in all, a really great couple of weeks. Clearly, I should be posting more often because DAMN, that was long, and I'd be seriously surprised if anyone is still reading at this point. Tomorrow I leave for Long Beach and then straight back for a show here. I am actually off from October 3-10, and then off to Austin for 2 weddings back-to-back, and then pretty much straight to LA.

Tired yet? I am.

Is anyone at all concerned with an uprising?

2008-09-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

OK, so, I had this printer last week from our Atlanta warehouse, that this (<----)photo was taped to-- clearly said printer has been at one of my shows in the past. Well, the photo strip was starting to rip off, so I peeled it off and stuck it to my counter, over to the side, where it was visible to clients who chose to lean over my desk and invade my personal space, which- let's face it- they always do.

So, picture it: Grapevine, just a few days ago. A 20-something year-old salesman swaggers up to my booth and leans all up in my business to ask me something, and he spies the Buster photo. The following exchange unfolds:

Douchebag: Hey, how do you know Mike McNichols?
Jamie: I'm sorry, who?
DB: Mike McNichols, that guy in that photo you have taped to your desk?
JH: Ummm, that's Buster? From Arrested Development? Played by Tony Hale?
DB: No way, that's my friend Mike's myspace photo!!!!!
JH: Have you met your friend Mike?
DB: Well, it kinda looks like him.
JH: Really?

heat wave

2008-09-04T10:38:00.001-07:00

Y'all, I know I'm going to Texas tomorrow and all... but it is HOT outside. Really, really hot. And you know in San Francisco that means... 70s. But there's no AC anywhere - not even in my apartment- and it's just... sunny, and still, and hot. I've been up since before 6 just because I was too hot to sleep.

check it:

That is a lot of sun for my little foggy city. And no wind is weird, since I live less than 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean. It's always windy here. *grump*

OK, I admit it, I am enjoying Facebook. I've come in contact with a lot of people from high school and college that I haven't heard from or about it years-- and even some of my friends from the camp I worked at in college. Also? I am now at "pro" level in Arrested Development trivia. Whee! And like the Bisch, my favorite application is Pieces of Flair. I may have gone a little overboard:

Anyway, I'll keep you updated from Texas and New York. I can't wait to see all my friends. Oh, and I have to work, too. *sigh*

Off to get my hairs did.

Jamiepalooza, Part Deux

2008-08-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

Why am I always off on the holiday weekends when everyone is out of town? No matter-- I got home tonight after 7 excruciating days in San Jose, went to the market, unpacked, ate some sushi, took a shower, and am not settling onto the couch with my new sudoku book. I'm psyched.

I have a lot to do while I'm home (work at the yoga studio, get a haircut, various and sundry errands and chores) but I intend on spending a great deal of it on my butt. Reading, staring into space, whatever. When I leave here on September 5th I will only have 3 days off until October 5th, so I need to stockpile my downtime. Do you think you can do that?

In other news, I was going to change my nose ring back to the stud, but I can't find it. The last time I remember seeing it was when I was in New Orleans in May. I hope I didn't leave it there.

All this election coverage is giving me West Wing cravings. I'm converting the first season files for my iPod right now.

Oh, while I was eating sushi I heard this 20-something emo chick moan to her understandably mute boyfriend, "I am just the busiest person I know!!" Really? So busy you can sit here and eat sushi? Whatever. So hey, what's the female equivalent of douchebag?

you all win!

2008-08-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Fine. I joined Facebook. Still working on the page. Can you tell I'm bored at work?

and the manatee has become the mento.

2008-08-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

Bruce and I made a pact to update our blogs by end of Monday. I'm getting a head start on him because I have been dealt the unfortunate hand of working on a Saturday. I haven't been blogging very much lately; I'm not sure why. I guess part of it is that I've been so very, very busy, but also, I don't feel like all that many people are reading. Plus, sometimes it's just nice to be away from the computer. *yawn*

I think I finally got my twitter back on and running, but it says only 4 people are following me-- which is strange because I know for a fact that Bruce is getting my twitters, even though he's not on the list of 4. Weird? But, for those of you who found the old twitter-switcheroo confusing-- and trust me, no one found it more confusing than me (except maybe the twitter customer service staff)-- I am "hello_jamie"- not "hellojamie." Got it? No, you don't get it! Got it?

In other news, you know how everyone collects a thing? A thing that, no matter what, you can always count on to make you think of that person. A thing you can always fall back on as a gift idea. Like Madison with seahorses or Dish with anything Spice Girls. Well, after 32 years of deliberation, I have decided on mine. Owls.

They are so frackin' cute and nerdy, and since I hear they are sort of making a popular comeback, so it's the perfect time to start collecting precious little owlies. This little card was my first official owl purchase. I will be framing it when I get back home.

Aren't they just darling? The card is printed by Red Cap Cards, who have absolutely gorgeous paper goods. Check 'em out.

Nothing's really been going on to report. I had a great birthday week with Gherkin, I got sticky and sweaty in New Orleans, I had 1 solitary day off, which I filled with laundry, pizza, wine, and 30 Rock- hence the title of this post- and came to San Jose for this uber-geek computer nerd event with a 24-hour gaming floor. Yeah, and ps> I am SO not staffing the desk for 24 hours.

Once I get home late next Thursday, I have exactly 6 days off, in which I will sleep, read, get my hair cut & colored, buy an ice-cream maker (and make ice cream, doy), go shoe-shopping, work at the yoga studio, oh, and did I say SLEEP? In my OWN BED? Then off to Dallas, New York, and Long Beach.

I'll try to be more frequent with the blogging. Bruce- tag, you're it.

best. present. ever.

2008-08-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Who's the geekiest of them all? It's a toss-up between Hello, Jamie, for having an iPod cozy shaped like the TARDIS, or Gherkin, for MAKING IT FROM SCRATCH.

I vote Gherkin. Just sayin'.

no mascara required

2008-08-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, me!

I'm off to enjoy my day-- the only rule here at Casa Gherkin on Jamie's birthday is swim suits and pajamas only. In any order or combination you choose. :)

I think I'll put my swim suit on first, and my pj's on top. That way I'll be ready for anything.

august chill

2008-08-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Y'all, it is cold this week. COLD. Like, in the 40s and 50s cold. In August. I still can't wrap my head around it. My head that's bundled in a scarf.

My doctor's appointment was canceled Wednesday morning so I treated myself to The X-Files: I Want to Believe. It was a nice quiet movie. And eh, I miss Mulder and Scully, but dudes. This was so NOT X-Files-y. No aliens, no paranormal anything?! C'mon! It was like I was watching Kiss the Girls or something. Which, while fine in its own right, is not The X-Files. But it was lovely to see my Scully and Mulder and Walter! Skinner!

Tonight after work I went to the Castro Theatre to see Return to Oz, starring a baby Fairuza Balk. Was anyone else traumatized by that film as a child? I was told it (along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) was the first PG-13 movie, but Wikipedia contradicts my source. Either way, those Wheelers are still downright terrifying.

Edited to add: The Castro usually finds genre-appropriate trailers to play before the films they show, so tonight's were "scary" Disney movies, namely, the Escape to Witch Mountain/Return from Witch Mountain/Beyond Witch Mountain trilogy, and Watcher in the Woods. Even the trailer to that movie is horrifying!!!

Two more days of work, then off to Phoenix and New Orleans, where it will no doubt be 3x as hot as it is here. Although, at least with my laundry basket full of cords and sweaters and socks, I don't have to worry about washing clothes before I pack.

Tomorrow the Justice League hits the Castro (well, some of the League. We'll miss you Superman!). Oh yeah, it's date night, San Francisco!

tap tap tap is this thing on?

2008-08-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

Oh kids. I am so very tired. Sorry I haven't been around much lately. After Ohio I went to DC, which was a super busy time, and I flew back Friday to meet Danael at the airport-- we basically dropped our bags, picked up Brad, and went to meet Brian for dinner. It was weird because none of them know each other but I actually got to take a photo with my best friend from high school, my best friend from college, and my current best friend-- a feat most people only accomplish on their wedding day:

It was pretty rad. Saturday was the First Annual West Coast Texiesta and it was a hit, if I do say so myself (and I do). There were probably 40-50 people there, almost all of them in costume, and 11 of them real Texans! We had frito pie and Rotel dip and margaritas and black-eyed peas and buttermilk peach ice cream and trailer park toffee, oh my. I'll be posting more photos of the party later. There may even be a youtube appearance.

Bruce left yesterday and I dove into 3 loads of laundry, dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing the tub, and cooking (some dish I saw some chef make on Iron Chef America. I didn't even know what to call it but it was pretty darn good). I crashed pretty early and this morning I've been reading in bed for an hour- an unparalleled luxury this summer it seems, before I head out to the warehouse to stock gangboxes and then head to Brian's for an early birthday dinner. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and need to get my doughy ass to yoga-- I haven't been in almost a month, so I can start work on Thursday and leave town on Monday.

After Phoenix, New Orleans, then 2 (2!!!) days off before San Jose, then seriously, y'all, it's September, and I leave on the 5th to hit Dallas, New York, and Long Beach, then a show here at home and then it's October. Really. I can't even re-read this post in fear that it will convince me to stay huddled under my covers for the rest of eternity. Or at least the rest of the morning.

slow-hi-o

2008-07-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the midwest. This is exactly what I wanted to do this week-- nothing.

Yesterday I spent $150 at Whole Foods, and went swimming, and made a beautiful taco salad (romaine, black beans, green onions, tomatoes, corn, black olives, jicama, cheese, lime-garlic vinaigrette, on top of chili-lime chips and drizzled with salsa) and margaritas, watered the plants, and sat on the new deck until dark. Today I am doing laundry, making granola (for Tom) and peanut butter cookies (for Mom) and watching The Food Network. Tonight's dinner is kabobs and corn on the cob - on the grill, natch - and homemade buttermilk peach ice cream. If that turns out how I intend I will most definitely be posting the recipe. Ooh, and vodka mojitos with mint from the garden. Later I might take a bike ride, or else sit in the sun room with my book. Maybe both.

Hope everyone is having a good week! My next two months are incredibly busy, so I am enjoying my sloth for now.

my short lunch break

2008-07-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

I ran across the street to my room to grab a sandwich for lunch (thank you, Residence Inn, for having a kitchen!) and picked up this e-mail from Tom. I have a confession to make- 90-95% of the time you send me a youtube link, or post it, or even embed it-- I don't watch them. Sorry. I just don't. It's just not my thing. Get over it.

But I watched this one, and if it doesn't make you smile, laugh, cry, or all three, then you are dead inside.

~Where's Matt?~

Back to work!

~sorry~

2008-07-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Last week was crazy busy getting ready to leave town for three weeks, and now I'm in Vegas, where there have been some thunderstorms, making it both a little cooler (carrots!) and a little more humid (sticks!).

Nothing new to report except that I'm traveling with Brian for the first time since 2005 and we are having a blast. Yesterday we managed to squeeze in pool time, work, pizza, and Blink. It's the episode I use to introduce people to Doctor Who*, especially if they're not sci-fi fans, per se. It's a gateway drug of sorts.

*Except Krysten, with whom I used The Girl in the Fireplace, because Blink hadn't aired yet. Same writer. More Doctor.

Day 4

2008-07-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

Weekend of Jamie is still going strong. Yesterday I took a nice long 3-hr walk (about 7 miles) to the beach and back through the Park, and then ran a couple of errands, made some dynamite stuffed mushrooms, and read a magazine. Today I forced myself up early so there's no way I could talk myself out of yoga, and I am having my coffee and making a list of the things I need to do before I leave town. I am getting sort of tired of Jamiepalooza (only sort of), and feel like being out and about, but I don't get to do this all that often, so after yoga I intend to do some (very light) housework and then spending one more day of leisure (leisure= reading, doing Sudoku puzzles, cooking, and watching TV/movies). Because my next week looks like this:

Monday: conference call, yoga, and time to attack the to-do list (drugstore, bank, etc. etc.)
Tuesday: thrift-store shopping up & down Haight with my friend Seth, working a double shift/training a newbie at the studio
Wednesday: lunch with my friend Cameron, then having Wednesday Funday with Brian (I didn't want to attend Sunday Funday without him so I'm moving it to Wednesday when he gets back)
Thursday: work a double at the studio, do laundry
Friday: pack for my 3-week 3-city tour (Las Vegas, Columbus, Washington DC)
Saturday: fly, fly away

Crazy, no? It's been so long since I've had a 5-day work week with 2 days off every single week that I'm not sure how I could get anything done. Of course, there are the times I work from 6am to 10pm for 10 days straight and leave prescriptions at the pharmacy so long they put them back on the shelf, or get Fed Ex boxes returned to sender, so I guess it all comes out in the wash.

PS> it's been so foggy this week that you can hear the foghorns out in the ocean... just a low, melancholy hum out in the distance, like elephants. I like it. The world seems so quiet and small when you can barely see 2 blocks down the street; the foghorn punctuates the silence, but low and quietly, and sometimes almost imperceptibly. One of those sounds that you all of the sudden realize you've been hearing for hours. I's a little bit eerie but for some reason it reminds me where I am and how easy it would be to be somewhere else. Everybody loves the sound of a train in the distance, right?

it's EST in the important countries

2008-07-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Good morning from Jamiepalooza Day 2: Electric Bugaloo. Slept well, woke up on my own, had coffee and a homemade breakfast burrito (whole wheat tortilla, cheese, 1 fried egg, 1 veggie sausage patty, green onions, and salsa verde- YUM), and watched my last episode of Battlestar Galactica. I have to say, even when the show is not up to previous BSG awesomeness standards, it is still better than 90% of the ... shall I say, shit on American network TV. When, oh when will someone give Mary McDonnell an Emmy?

So now I am moving on to my boyfriend Doctor Who. Although I'm being slightly distracted by the Twilight Zone marathon on Sci-Fi. Currently there's a guy in a space ship, locked in the brig with only a speaker in the wall to talk to, and he just demanded to be told what time it is... well, there's no time in space, sir. No, what time it is on Earth. Oh, on Earth? It's 12 noon. For real. Hee.

the weekend of Jamie

2008-07-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

remember how busy I was last time I was off? So very, very busy. So, after that, I worked a big ole 10-day show and then after, my co-worker Lena stayed with me for a few days. She was supposed to go to Big Sur with friends, but sadly, most of Northern California is still on fire, she couldn't go, and rather than make her change her flight she moved into Casa Jamie. It was lovely to have her-- we went out for Monday Funday with Brian, toured the Ferry Building and the Farmer's Market, saw the Chihuly exhibit at the DeYoung, went to Greens and Marnee Thai, and went thrift-store shopping. Great fun... BUT, I am tired.

She left this morning, while I worked a double at the yoga studio, and then I came home to 5 loads of laundry, some dusting and general picking-up around the house, and now... now I start MY time. Roommie is in London. Brian is in Idaho. The rest of my friends are at High Sierra. I have a kitchen full of groceries, two bottles of Portuguese wine, 8 episodes of Battlestar Galactica, and 8 episodes of Doctor Who. I'm calling it Jamiepalooza. The studio is closed tomorrow so I can't feel bad about skipping class, and I intend to fully observe the holiday with food, sci-fi, and pure, unmitigated Jamietime. When the television is over, I'm going to read my new books, see a movie or two, go to yoga, have Wednesday Funday when Brian gets home, and sleep a lot. Brilliant.

Jamiepalooza!!!

done~

2008-06-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

I know, I know- I haven't updated in 10 days. That's because all I've done in 10 days is work, ride the bus, sleep, ride the bus, work, ride the bus, sleep, ride the bus... you get the idea. I did have a couple of dinners out with the co-workers but they were mostly short and peppered with yawns and various renditions of "ohmigah, I'm sooooo TIRED."

Anyway, I got off at 6:30 last night, went straight to my favorite bar for Sunday Funday, but since my favorite bar is in the Castro and it was Pride Weekend, well, let's just say it wasn't as much Sunday Funday as it was Sunday INSANEday. Jeez Louise. I couldn't handle it. I was in bed by 10:30 and slept for 13 hours (with a small window of awake thanks to a 7am text message... Bruce).

I am about to get up, make a cup of coffee, and topple onto the couch for a bit more um... nothing. But first, I got a t-shirt in the mail the other day. No note, no receipt. It's a size too small (bless you, friend) and says "Irony: it's the opposite of wrinkly." Oh, heeee. So, 'fess up. Who sent it???

the last day

2008-06-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Y'all. It is HOT. (Relatively, with my apologies to the rest of the country.) But when you wear Uggs and a hoodie every day of the year, and don't have central AC (or even a fan)... 82 degrees is HOT.

I went up to the roof today and snapped some photos. Bonus of hot is less fog. Notice I didn't say NO fog. Yes, that is the Pacific Ocean under that marine layer:

Isn't it pretty when it's hot? (click to enlarge)

So, today is my last day off. I got up on my own time and went to the market. Bonus? The bus is free today! Thanks, San Francisco! I walked to the tailor to pick up my jeans. I went up on the roof. I made this mouth-gasmic mushroom-mozzarella-thyme thing and practically stuck my head in the dish to lick up the drippings. I booked my birthday plane ticket. I am about to make peanut-butter chocolate chip cookies for the owner of my yoga studio (birthday) and my general freight foreman (retiring). Then I'm going to go to yoga, close & clean the studio, and get some sleep because I have to be at work tomorrow morning at 6:30am. Blurg. But, before I go, I leave you with a photo of the bridge, because honestly, have you seen our view???

OH. And the! list! I didn't finish it, but I'm comfortable in the amount I did get done:

~~book my July plane ticket~~
~~book Danael's plane ticket to come see me, whooop!~~
~~buy Father's Day gift~~
send Mother's Day gift *palms head*
~~make cookies~~
get a CA driver's license
~~finish 2 books~~ finished one: Stiff- loved it.
~~get new jeans hemmed~~
buy a bicycle- no, but did go to 4 stores, so I'm narrowing down.
~~go to 7 yoga classes~~ made it to 6
**************** (a secret one that I don't want to tell anyone about until I know its outcome)
figure out what the frack is wrong with my trackpad and fix it, already

So, there you have it. I think I did OK. Oh, and Happy Juneteenth.

but I'm still not doing myspace.

2008-06-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

OK. I'm all a-twitter. Twitterpated, if you will.

You can follow me here, if you're interested.

Last day off. I have to run out and do some bloodwork before I eat or have coffee, so that kinda needs to happen right now. I'll update on the! list! when I get back.

the! list! update

2008-06-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

OK, despite its promise to be beautiful and sunshine-y all weekend, the weather had been totally uncooperative. Currently it's 47 and I can actually see the fog rolling past my window. Gross. It's June, San Francisco!!! Catch up!

So, here's what I've been up to since I wrote the! list!~

Thursday I went to the dentist (loved her, must yelp), yoga, and both grocery stores (market and Trader Joe's), and watched about half the Freaks & Geeks series with Roommie. Friday I went to yoga, got a massage, went to three drugstores (how hard is it to carry everything on my list??), booked 2 plane tickets, worked a shift at the studio, and made dinner for my Roommie (will post that later, because... YUM). Yesterday I finally unpacked my suitcase (realizing I'd been home for 5 days and all), dusted and vacuumed my bedroom, which was quite the undertaking, took my jeans to the tailor, worked the studio again, and then watched Capture of the Green River Killer, starring, sadly, Tom Cavanaugh, and strangely, James Marsters as Ted Bundy. Weird.

So... that may not sound like a lot, but in my first days off for like, a month and a half, I feel very productive. I'm up early this morning to hit yoga and then I might read, since it's Sunday and I can't buy a bicycle or get a new driver's license today. I just found out I have to work Friday, which shaves a day of the! list! Which, if you're keeping tabs, I've accomplished 3 things, and part of a 4th:

~~book my July plane ticket~~
~~book Danael's plane ticket to come see me, whooop!~~
buy Father's Day gift
send Mother's Day gift *palms head*
make Pat cookies (my next show is our General Freight Foreman's last show before retirement)
get a CA driver's license
finish 2 books
~~get new jeans hemmed~~
buy a bicycle
go to 7 4 more yoga classes
**************** (a secret one that I don't want to tell anyone about until I know its outcome)
figure out what the frack is wrong with my trackpad and fix it, already

So, Happy Father's Day to Uncle Al, Bruce, and any other fathers that happen to be reading.

beautiful, ain't it??

2008-06-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

there's no place like home

2008-06-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

OK, so, I flew in yesterday, dropped my bags, and went straight to the movie-house to see Prince Caspian (I liked, but heard it didn't do very well at the box office, which makes me fear the release of Voyage of the Dawn Treader, my favourite of the set), then met the work gang at Annabelle's for nachos. THEN after everyone had thrown back a few, they decided (ibym "they".... "we") to go OUT, and subsequently I didn't get home until 1am. And glory, I have to go to the dentist in an hour.

Great news, though, I am HOME for 10 whole days. That's 10 days of not working, not traveling, getting to eat my own food and sleep in my own bed and watch my own TV and get my own stuff done. And let me tell you, I have a very specific to-do list, so there is sadly not a lot of time for lollygagging. I'm going to post it here and hopefully my lovely friends and fans will prod me to finish it before I go back to work on the 20th. Expect daily progress reports!

book my July plane ticket
book Danael's plane ticket to come see me, whooop!
buy Father's Day gift
send Mother's Day gift *palms head*
make Pat cookies (my next show is our General Freight Foreman's last show before retirement)
get a CA driver's license
finish 2 books
get new jeans hemmed
buy a bicycle
go to 7 yoga classes
**************** (a secret one that I don't want to tell anyone about until I know its outcome)
figure out what the frack is wrong with my trackpad and fix it, already

And then, of course, the normal just-got-home stuff like updating my sidebar (done!), laundry, groceries, catching up on TV, etc. Chanelle will be excited to learn I bought a Bay Area food wheel so I can start eating more seasonally/locally. Which means I need to do a little meal planning before I go to the market. Which reminds me, I am starving.

OH! And I totally forgot to tell you guys- after all my celebrity sightings, I got off the airplane in Oakland yesterday and walked right onto a movie set. Like, right onto it-- the people in front of me in the cab line as I'm digging through my bag for my sunglasses were all, "Hey, are you looking for a cab? Because these aren't real; you're on a movie set."

Moron.

almost home, and.... happy.

2008-06-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

I just sat down at the "restaurant" at the Long Beach airport and got a drink called "Happy Coffee." Kahlua, Frangelico, Baileys, and coffee, with whipped cream. Happy indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS> this is the kind of stuff that people "twitter," right? Dish asked me to sign up. I'm not sure anyone other than her would be interested.

blow it up.

2008-06-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

I actually really hate it when people just use their blog solely to link to another blog, but really, this was just too fist-bumping awesome to not pass along.

The Journal of Joe The Peacock. Yay.: The Etymology of Human Male Non-Verbal Communications (or, Why Men Fist-Bump)

Thanks, Tom!

In other news, as a second course to my quasi-celebrity sighting at the last show, at this show I saw Bryan Cranston, the dad from Malcolm in the Middle, who I believe has a new show on some cable channel, but is best known to me as the lead character in Drive, one of my favorite X-Files episodes, Mira Furlan, aka Danielle Rousseau, the crazy French lady from Lost, and Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight. I talked to Mira Furlan, who called me "the wizard behind the curtain." She was very nice and has a lovely accent and had looks about 15 years younger than her Lost character, which I didn't mention.

Home tomorrow, for Narnia and Nachos (TM, Ashley) and the the dentist, bleh, a massage, yay, and 10 whole days off. Suck it, Trebek!!!!

I just have to wonder...

2008-06-05T07:09:00.001-07:00

I've been putting off reviewing the Sex & the City movie because I know most everyone has a strong opinion on it one way or the other. It's damn near impossible to make a good film based on a TV show (The X-Files notwithstanding), especially one as near and dear to people's hearts as this one. Carrie Bradshaw has always been one of my favorite television characters- she's funny, quirky, smart, independent, and vulnerable, and Parker plays her with a depth and grace that make it impossible to hate her even when she makes the most horrible of mistakes. Which she does (as we all do). Sadly, I did not find this my love for her to cross over to the film.

***SPOILER ALERT***

OK. *deep breath* This is not a good movie.

That being said, because I loved the series so much, and all the characters, I'm glad I saw it, enjoyed myself, and will probably buy it because I can't stand to have an incomplete collection. BUT. If I had never seen the series, I'm not sure this movie would have done anything for me.

Sticks: The first 30 minutes were really forced. They didn't show me enough evidence that Steve would cheat on Miranda. I still don't buy it. I mean, c'mon, it's Steve. It was too long- take out some of the montages and give me some more plot. Charlotte and Samantha were reduced to caricatures. Samantha's "fat" subplot? Really? Big had zero personality (not Noth's fault, the writers' fault). In fact, all the men had zero personality. And Carrie & Big together at the end? Inconceivable. He jilted her for like, the billionth time, at one of the most public weddings in New York. Really? Now I've given an ex a billionth-and-second chance just as much as the next gal (maybe more) but I just don't think they would have recovered from this. And I still stand firm in my conviction that Carrie, the quintessential single girl, should have ended up single at the end. (Whatever; I am a sucker for a romantic hero who dies in his quest.)

Carrots: This movie is about friendship. I loved that Carrie asked Samantha to be her maid of honor. I loved the stuff between Miranda and Carrie, especially on New Years Eve. Jennifer Hudson rocked my world and thought her scenes with Sarah Jessica Parker were among the very best in the film. Kristin Davis is funny. I loved the clothes- yep, even that bird on Carrie's head. I loved that everything Miranda said to Carrie after their fight was the exact same words Steve said to Miranda after theirs.

But, enough about the movie. What I really came here to ask you is this:

Why do straight men hate this show and gay men love it? I find that to be almost universally so. Is it because you think it's fake? Because it's not. The sex is certainly um... embellished, but for the most part the writing is spot-on. Is it because you think it's real? Because that's the reason I hate Entourage-- it shows me, nay, glorifies the absolute worst side of men and I, for one, am not interested in watching that as entertainment. Does it make you feel disposable? Do you just not understand it?

I'm truly interested. Speak up, men- let me know what you think of Sex and why. Inquiring minds want to know.

Jenny, I got your number

2008-06-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I had a missed call from 918-375-2671. No voice mail, so I googled it and got almost 300 hits, most of them referencing a car warranty extension. I'm on the National Do Not Call Registery so I'm a bit peeved that this jackass still got my number somehow.

I went out last night with the lovely and talented Charlemagne and we had a blast. There was manchego and artichoke flatbread and parmesan tots and sauteed aspirations (really, it was broccoli-- pretentious much, Los Angeles?) and lemon drop martinis and then there was bread pudding with buttermilk ice cream and blackberries and then there were chocolate martinis and then I remembered that I am way too old to drink like that and then attempt to come to work the next morning. But it was still super-duper fun and I can't wait to do it again!!

In other news, this show is shaping up (so to speak) to be a bigger clusterfrack than the last one, and I just beat my head against my desk and wonder what I did to deserve this. Surely I am being punished for something?! And then in other news, I finally have most of my summer schedule so I can start planning things like a visit from Bruce and a birthday frienaissance (is this part duex or trois?) with Krysten, Chanelle, and the darling Dr. Barclay. I think Amy will be joining us this year as well. If all goes according to my master evil plan, Jamie's Lemontastic Birthday will eventually be the biggest destination party of the century!!!! No Scurvy 2008!!!!

Sunday Funday

2008-06-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

Y'all, I have been out past 3am twice this week! What do I think I am, 28?

After my unfortunate bout with food poisoning, I got back into the swing of things with yoga, cooking, and TV. What a glorious week!

And a glorious week that ends with a glorious day: this morning I got to have coffee with Brian, and am currently lazily browsing through Entertainment Weekly to a backdrop of NPR- arguably my favorite Sunday morning activity- and after my yoga class I am going to see Sex & the City with my friend Alecia.

And dude, I will be posting about LOST very soon because holy CRAP.

I don't want to alarm anyone...

2008-05-30T15:07:00.001-07:00

...but I am completely immersed in Lifetime movies. How did this happen? Honestly, I blame Holiday in Handcuffs. No, really, I blame the fact that Lifetime plays re-runs of Frasier, Will & Grace, and Golden Girls, and the commercials have totally sucked me in!!!!! Today I watched Friends Til the End, starring Shannen Doherty, natch, which was basically the poor man's Single White Female, and then Cyberstalker: His Secret Life, which randomly, stars that cute little kid from the best version of Peter Pan ever (the last movie I saw in the theater with Scotticus before I moved to New York in 2004-- why do I remember these kinds of details?).

I'm fighting the urge to record Normal Adolescent Behavior, starring Amber Tamblyn, which comes on tonight. I'm fighting it like this sad little TV boy is fighting his internet porn addiction. Which is to say, dramatically and huffily, and insisting to my roommate that I do not have a problem.

All I can think about is A Dog Took my Face, and Gave me a New Face, so I Could Change the World: the Celeste Cunningham Story.

food poisoning is not awesome

2008-05-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

So, she got up yesterday in LA, the sun was shining, the birds were singing... Hello, Jamie was going home. Her home. Her home in which she had not seen in 26 days. She had her coffee, the same coffee she had been drinking for the past 10 days, packed, and shuttled off to the airport in glee. She couldn't wait to get home, have dinner with a friend, sleep in her own bed, and go to yoga the next morning.

Oh, but the universe had other plans.

At the airport, Hello, Jamie stopped at Starbuck's and bought a roasted veggie sandwich. Rosemary ciabatta bread with spinach, squash, zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers (which I took off, obviously) and some sort of pesto spread. Ironically, the night prior to purchasing said sandwich she was telling someone about the noravirus outbreak at the Moscone a couple of weeks ago, and how she felt safer eating prepared food that didn't contain any meat or dairy. Stupid Hello, Jamie.

She boarded the airplane and promptly fell asleep, even though she had a full 8 hours the night before and it's only an hour long flight. She woke up when the pilot asked the flight attendants to "prepare for landing." Her tummy hurt. Nausea, cramping, and so very tired. She assumed maybe it had been a somewhat bumpy ride (not remembering because she had been asleep) and that could have caused the queasiness. She stopped on the way to baggage claim for a coke. It tasted terrible, but the bubbles made her feel a little better. She threw it away though, because it tasted so bad.

When she got home, she felt worse than ever, so she canceled her dinner plans sadly (she's been gone for a MONTH!) and walked out for a ginger ale and a lemon-Calistoga. The ginger ale tasted like sugar and the Calistoga tasted like Lysol. She lay on the couch and moaned.

And then the vomiting started. After that she felt a little better, but still queasy. She tried to drink some water, as she was parched. Then she started vomiting the water. THEN she started dry-heaving, shaking, shivering, and cursing Starbucks from the floor of the bathroom.

Finally, around 9pm, she was so thirsty she couldn't stand it, so she had some ice chips. Then a sip or two of water. Then a little peppermint tea. Then some ginger ale, which suddenly tasted so amazing she finished the entire bottle. By the time 10 o'clock rolled around all said liquids were still in her body, so she went to her lovely, cooshy bed she had missed so much and slept for 11 hours.

Now she is starving. And tired, and dehydrated.

To all those who didn't like Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

2008-05-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Seriously. I have talked to like, 3 people (men, in fact) that didn't care for the film. I keep hearing things like "he's too old; those fight scenes aren't believable" and "it's just too far-fetched." To which I answer, sorry, but have you not seen the other 3? I have, all 4 in a row, this weekend, and I think the 4th is just as good as the others. (I could have done without the aliens, because, really, way to mix your genres there, Spielberg- but even with, the movie is great.)

I think those of you who say he's told old now? Really mean you're too old now. The first three that came out in '81, '84, and '89, respectively, are forever linked in your mind to that period in your life. You found them more believable because you were a kid. They are grand, bold adventures that belong on the big screen. Just because you are a little older/wiser/harder now doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a good fictional tale of mystere and wonder. So is Indy!! I mean, come on, I was 5 when I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark in the theater, in my dad's lap, screaming in horror when those things flew out of the Ark and those Nazis faces melted off. I was 8 when Temple of Doom came out, about the age to believe yes, I could be Short Round and go on fantastical adventures with Indy!!! I was 13 when the Last Crusade opened, the age to get starry-eyed about such a heroic and handsome man as Indiana Jones. This is just another chapter in the story, and I thought it was exactly what it should be.

As usual, Ebert agrees with me.

Next up for me- Prince Caspian, Wall-E, Sex & the City (I know; I didn't really want them to make it, but since they did, I will see it), and The X-Files. I love summer movies!

in which she goes on a customer service rant

2008-05-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

So, last night I walk into the hotel, around midnight, after working for 14 hours and stopping for a cocktail and some tater tots on the way "home," and decide I need a bottle of water. The vending machine is literally 20 steps past the front desk. I get there, and only have a 5-er, so I go back to the desk and ask for 5 ones. There were 2 people at the desk, an older gentleman and a woman in maybe her late 30s. The guy gives me the ones and the lady asked me if I had been in the sun (because my face was red, shocker). I said no, it was probably just the vodka, and she laughed and told me I was funny and cute. I head back to the machine where my co-worked was buying her bottle of water with all change. It works fine and then we proceed to try about 8 different $1 bills with no luck. We decided maybe it was full of ones and I decided to walk back over to the desk for some change. The following was exchanged:

Me: Could I have some quarters please? Your vending machine's not taking my bills.

Lady, who just told me I was funny, sternly: Ma'am, we are in the middle of a shift change. We cannot exchange any money at this time.

Me: Well, you gave me change for my five like 2 minutes ago? I just need some quarters for the vending machine.

Lady: Ma'am, we are in the middle of a shift change. If you could just take a seat for 10-15 minutes I will be right with you.

Me: Ahahahhahha, oh, wait, for real? 10-15 minutes? Just to get some quarters?

Lady: Ma'am, we are in the middle of a ...

Me: Whatever. *stalks off, thirsty*

End scene. So maybe I was a bit snippy, but seriously????

Well, at least it wasn't as long as this vending machine story.

"I spent two solid weeks creating this medival civilization from the ground up!"

2008-05-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Picture it, Los Angeles, about 10 minutes ago.

I just met Dean Haglund, better known (to me) as Richard "Ringo" Langley from The X-Files and The Lone Gunmen series. He now, apparently, is selling earth-friendly keep-your-computer-cool thingies, which he is advertising at my show.

He is a super nice guy, really open and sweet. He gave me an autographed photo and asked me questions about myself, and staunchly refused to tell me whether or not he will appear in the new X-Files movie and/or anything about it. He apparently has a his own comedy show and just finished touring England.

By the way, you can see his commercial here, and you can buy his product here. Yeah, I'll plug it! Oh, and his super-cute girlfriend/business partner? Better known as Chloe, the girl from the copy shop, who Ross slept with when he and Rachel were "on a break."

happiness is....

2008-05-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

...discovering that your $600 tax credit had been direct-deposited into your checking account on May 9th and ordering yourself Doctor Who, The Complete 3rd Series before sending the rest to your credit card. Also? Getting free shipping. Thanks, government! Thanks, Amazon.com!

in which the survey says....

2008-05-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, Karen, I will do your survey, because today my job is just that boring. Today.

Do you know the words to The Star Spangled Banner?
Uh, I guess I do? Not being the baseball fan that Bischer is, I don't have the opportunity to sing it as often as she. But I could probably do it on a bet.

Do you think the guy should always pay on the first date?
If he is the one that did the asking and I am the one that did the accepting then yes, I do think he should pay. I guess I am old-fashioned that way (I also think they should open doors and lift heavy things for me-- not because I can't do it myself but because I grew up in the South and it's just what polite men do). But if it was a mutually-agreed casual hanging-out thing, then I wouldn't stress over payment options.

When was the last time you stayed awake for over 24 hours?
uhhh, last February at Traders Expo in NYC? Maybe. I worked a 21-hr day so I'm sure once you factor in transportation and showering/getting ready time it was close to 24. Maybe not over. But close. And also last Thursday. I woke up at 6:30am on the east coast and went to bed after 1am on the west coast-- again, not over, but close.

What is the last movie you saw in a theater?
Iron Man. I might be alone in my principles, but it was a solid B-. ("There he goes, off to his room to write the hit song, Alone in my Principles." Name that quote!)

What were you doing for a living 9 years ago?
Partying like it was 1999? Oh, for a living. Errr, Komen Foundation, I think.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?
I can't remember but I feel like it probably came from either Krysten or Tom. They are both such wonderfully and unabashedly expressive friends.

Do you read on the toilet?
No, no, a thousand times no!!! I agree with Karen- how do people do this? First, I don't go into the bathroom unless I actually have to go, so I just do my business and leave the bathroom. Second, I'm sorry for playing the nutrition card, but if you have to take in reading material, you are not getting enough fiber in your diet.

Favorite author?
Eeek... I couldn't possibly pick just one! Jane Austen, CS Lewis, Tom Robbins, John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, J.K. Rowling, Tom Casiello.

Have any snow dances/superstitions for getting a day off of school?
This question baffled me. I grew up in Texas, where it snowed enough to cancel school maybe once every 3 years, so not enough to develop traditional superstitious dances.

What's your favorite Shakespeare play?
The Tempest. "O, brave, new world, that has such creatures in't!!"

Done any gambling?
When I go to Vegas I give myself only $20 because I am petrified I would never be able to stop.

Your opinion of the 80s?
Cringe-worthy, in a so terrible-it's-awesome kind of way. And yeah, I'm taking about fashion, music, and movies/TV.

If you could change something in any book, movie or TV show:
Carrie would have ended up single at the end of Sex & the City (which may still happen, since they inexplicably felt the need to make a movie). And Mulder would have died in his quest at the end of The X-Files (another thing that still may happen as they are still making movies, though not so inexplicably). For that matter, I would have been OK with Harry Potter dying at the end of the series. Hey, whatever, I'm a sucker for a solid literary romantic hero.

Favorite Disney movie?
Fantasia. Or maybe Aladdin.

What song are you listening to or thinking of right now?
Singing in my head: Prince Ali, fabulous he, ali ababwa...... Thanks, previous question.

What is your stance on politics?
"Anyone who is capable of getting himself elected president should on no account be allowed to do the job." ~Douglas Adams.

What can you never say no to?
Food. Friends. Food and friends together.

in which she wonders if anyone is still reading

2008-05-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I looked at a random post from Dec 2005 (when I started No Day but Today) and it had 18 comments. Do 18 people even read this thing??

So, I'm in LA, and I actually moved hotels yesterday because the one I was in was so, so crappy. Sad. Anyway, I got a full night's sleep, yay, and on the way to work this morning, stopped at a little Asian convenient store for a coffee, and wonder of wonders, found the Japanese coffee-in-a-can that I drank every morning when I was in Hawai'i last year!!! Really odd, because I've never seen it anywhere else, and I was just telling my co-worker about it 2 days ago, and how I much I loved it and wished I could find it in the states.

Needless to say, my week got infinitely better upon the discovery of this little gem. A friend of mine once asked me how much of my day I spent thinking/talking about food and I have to say, most of it. Is that wrong?

full moon

2008-05-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

I honestly believe people go crazy at the full moon. Almost every month, I throw my hands up in exasperation and wonder why so many people are being douchebags/jacka$$es/just straight-up insane and sometime before the end of the day someone or something reminds me that it's a full moon. This month is no exception (full moon tomorrow).

Thank you, Bisch, for reminding me that some greatness can come out of people-- even if it's just a bootie-shaking, hairbrush-screeching song about how much people suck.

Thursday, the third day city

2008-05-15T05:28:00.001-07:00

OK, kids, I'm leaving Boston today for Los Angeles, my 3rd city in my 26-day May-cation. Which is a poor choice of wordisms because it wasn't anything close to to vacation. I got to sleep until 7am this morning, which is 3 hours later than I've slept for the the last 4 days (on the east coast, natch)!!

I was working in the marshalling yard this week (3 million lbs of freight for a 3-day show... this industry is ridiculous), which I normally hate, but our Boston yard is a bit of a different beast. It's a lot closer to the CC, for one, making it vastly more convenient in every single way, and I adore Billy, the guy who runs the yard, there were 2 of us, so I didn't feel too overwhelmed, and it gave me the rare opportunity to hear Bostonians say the words "pahk" and "cah" and "yahd" pretty much all day every day with no accent jokes involved. Plus I got to drive the Gator. Despite the lack of sleep it was a pretty good week.

On to the next, Los Angeles, to a dying show that will probably bore me to tears. But my AE used to be a CTG so it will be nice to be with her for a week, nice to be in a place where I don't have to wear a fleece every day, and nice to not be so busy and tired I can't think straight. Yesterday I was so exhausted I was approaching delirium-- at one point I couldn't remember the word for "sleeve."

Gotta go wrangle my suitcase. See you in LA!

shoesing a city

2008-05-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

I love my home, Texas-- I really do. I have spent about 27 of my 31 years there, and it will always have a special place in my heart. It's comfortable and sensible in all the right ways. But when I moved to New York in 2004 it was in hopes of capturing those flutters I feel walking up the subway stairs into the skyscrapers of Manhattan... and capturing them for keeps. New York has an energy all its own- just a glimpse of the skyline can excite me. But New York was a fling-- she couldn't provide me what I wanted in a city-mate. New York was was a fancy and beautiful pair of high heels that pinched my toes after a while. I left in search of something else-- namely, a solid relationship with a city that could still provide me with the butterflies that drew me there in the first place. Something between a sensible loafer and a daring stiletto, if you will. And I have truly started to feel that way about San Francisco.

When I walk out of my house and catch the bridge peeking out of the fog. When I get to the top of Mount Sutro and can see the little colorful houses all lined up side-to-side, from the Bay to the Ocean. The smell of eucalyptus and fir when I get within blocks of Golden Gate Park. The sound of sea gulls and smell of salt air, even among the tall buildings of commercial downtown. The slew of Asian grannies climbing onto the #6 bus with their canvas bags stuffed full of fresh vegetables from the farmer's market. The food-- my Lord, the food! In cheesy college relationship terms, I'll always care about Dallas, I had a lusty fling with New York, but I'm in love with San Francisco. She's my chuck taylors, comfy enough for every day but still has enough style to keep me interested. She is for keeps.

Traveling gives me the opportunity to explore other cities, and see what it is that other people see in them. I don't think I've ever made it a secret that I am not really a fan of New Orleans, where I spent my last 7 days. There is plenty to dislike- the heat and humidity, the cockroaches and caterpillars, the constant search for a healthy meal, the fact that the trashiest place in town is also the hottest tourist attraction. (Stupid Americans.) But New Orleans also has a certain charm- the jazz, obviously, and the architecture, and the slow-moving pace of a solid people who can't be rushed into commerce and industry. This trip wasn't any grander for me than previous ones, but yesterday I had a day to myself, so I downloaded Ryan Burrage's Toulouse Street Blues onto my ipod, and set out determined to find a New Orleans I could love.

I went to Uptown and found a yoga studio. A noon class on a weekday- jam-packed. I was so surprised! The owner/teacher also offers the class in French, which I found charming. I had lunch with my book at a Lebanese cafe. I walked with an older Jewish woman who grew up in Queens and settled in the South, where she became a vegetarian and walks 10 miles a day. I rode the St. Charles streetcar from end to end. I did my laundry, went to a cookout where I ate crunchy corn on the cob and fresh-scrubbed red potatoes, and decided that maybe I judged New Orleans too quickly. I can see what other people see in New Orleans. I can even understand why someone might want to live there.

But I think I'll stick with San Francisco.

as if the world doesn't have enough absolute fools doing ridiculous things in the name of "religion"

2008-05-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

I am in New Orleans this week. I missed Jazz Fest by a day but have managed to score plenty of unhealthy food, overpotent beverages, and post-fest live jazz. The other big deal going on in town right now is ACOG, the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. ACOG was one of our clients when I worked at AVMG so I've seen many ACOG meetings in many cities, and there is always a hefty slew of protesters as close to whatever convention center as the local police will allow, holding signs of mangled, partially aborted babies and shouting how everyone inside is going to hell. New Orleans is no different, except this time they are right outside my hotel window.

Let's just set aside for a moment that A) not all ob-gyns and certainly not all conference participants perform or condone abortions, and B) there are plenty of other activities going on in New Orleans at each and every moment of the day that a conservative Christian-type could be protesting, and say this: how exactly is chanting "God hates whores" and blindly screaming your assuredness of one's eternal damnation going to change one's view on your religion and its beliefs and practices???

While I believe and 100% support everyone's right to his beliefs and his right to state them, I am most assuredly not OK with the following:

small child, maybe 7 or 8 years old, to me: God hates you!!!
me, with as much kindness as I could muster: I really don't think God hates me.
mother of said child: Yes He does, you whore!!!!!!

Really? REALLY??? This is being done in the name of God? I clearly know God a lot better than she does, but I am most distressed that she is teaching her children such blind, hateful, intolerant rage and connecting it with something that should be loving, kind, and good. How very opposite of Christ-like.

Inexplicably, this morning they were chanting "God hates fags." Which I'm pretty sure has nothing to do with ACOG.

a hundred things

2008-05-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

So, Bischer talked me into blogging a hundred things about me. Apparently it was all the rage in the blog world a few years ago and I missed the trend. Maybe I will bring it back. I'm somewhat daunted, but I do love a good challenge, so I think I'll take her up on it. Hey, you may learn something new. Hey, *I* may learn something new! I wonder how long it will take me? I will let you know in 100.

1. I really, really hate shaking hands.

2. I am obsessed with food. I like to eat it, cook it, smell it, read about it, talk about it, watch other people cook it, and generally obsess over it. I don't know how it happened because not one of my four parents are even remotely interested in it, past its necessity to live.

3. I am very, very poor at forming first impressions. I almost never like someone upon first meeting. People pretty much always grow on me though, so I'm working on giving people 2nd chances more readily.

4. I love soup.

5. I am freakishly good at math. I took the Academic Excellence Award for college-level calculus when I was in high school, but I can't do simple arithmetic without a calculator.

6. I dream a lot, almost every night, and I almost always remember something about them.

7. Psychologists say that most people are intrinsically attracted to people like themselves, and I think it is probably true, as all of my favorite literary heroines are not-that-girly, intelligent, somewhat scrappy, and have either curly or auburn/red hair (Anne, Lucy, Lyra, Hermione).

8. Apparently, I love hyperlinks.

9. I believe I have a relatively healthy body image (about 85% of the time... -ish), and I think that's pretty damn impressive considering our current society.

10. If I won the lottery, I would quit my job and travel for at least 2 years. Pick your country, kids, because I intend to fly a friend to meet me at every new airport.

11. Olives are my favorite food.

12. I don't like sports (playing them, or watching them). I'm sorry. I don't think you sports fans are stupid, or that sports don't have a place in the world-- I'm just not interested.

13. Proving someone wrong is never in my agenda. If you think I'm the best friend in the world then I will probably continue to amaze you. If you think I'm a lazy slacker then I really can't be bothered to try and change your mind.

14. I am only sick at most about once a year. I'm kind of a baby about it.

15. If I was 8" taller I would probably be a Rockette right now.

16. I would choose potato chips over a candy bar 99 times out of 100.

17. I think I like sci-fi and fantasy because it always comes down to good vs. evil and good always wins. Which is weird because in a regular, realism-based drama, I love a good solid unhappy ending-- I think it's more realistic.

18. I really, really like being by myself. But I always test remarkably close to 50-50 on those introvert/extrovert tests (Myers-Briggs, for example), and I think I'm becoming more extroverted with age.

19. I hate it when people whistle.

20. My favorite things to shop for are cocktail dresses and high heels, but I wear jeans and sneakers pretty much every single day.

21. I had insomnia from the age 10 to the age 30 and now suddenly I sleep like a rock!! Knock on wood. I don't know why but I am not going to ask any questions. Maybe my natural circadian rhythm just works better in the Pacific time zone or something.

22. I am almost never bored.

23. I love making lists (and a copy of the list, in case anything happens to the first list).

24. Most of my closest friends are type-B personalities and I think that's probably for the best(there's a reason opposites attract).

25. I would rather spend $100 on a nice meal out than a new outfit.

26. I love to laugh, and hear other people laugh. Laughing is cool.

27. My favorite scent is lavender.

28. I have been to 48 states (I'm missing North Dakota and Alaska).

29. I love love love babies, but don't really like children.

30. I think people are inherently good. That may make me naive, but the alternative would make me very, very sad.

31. I have never been off the continent. Lame.

32. My favorite thing about living in Northern California is sleeping every night of the year without central heat or air.

33. I believe in helping people less fortunate than I am.

34. The classiest lady I ever knew was my grandmother.

35. I still sleep with a teddy bear.

36. I enjoy talking about pooping. (Hey, Everyone Poops.)

37. I have 3 tattoos and 7 piercings, but I still think I look fairly mainstream.

38. One of my favorite things in the whole world is clean sheets and freshly shaved legs.

39. I am considering bangs but I think I will probably regret it. Someone talk me out of it.

40. This list is really hard.

41. I am not fond of convention, but I guess it's a good thing it exists or else people wouldn't be able to do things unconventionally.

42. Gay men love me.

43. I used to play the piano fairly well. I wish I had one so I could play more.

44. I only drink one cup of coffee a day, but it is absolutely necessary.

45. I hate the Southern accent (yes, I'm from the South).

46. I honestly think I'm "above" watching reality television.

47. I honestly don't care if you rolled your eyes at that statement.

48. I am obsessed with the concept and science of time (and also, time-travel, but that could be another line item).

49. I am obsessed with the concept of time-travel.

50. I don't think any man should take longer to get ready in the morning that I do.

51. I abhor people who are chronically late; to me, it says that they (perhaps subconciously) believe their time is more important than my time.

52. Ditto on people that don't RSVP- it's really, really easy (thank you, Evite); if someone doesn't RSVP I assume he/she is waiting for a better offer.

53. I love semi-colons; they're much more emphatic than a comma+ "and."

54. I always (try to) spell and puncuate properly, even via text message and IM.

55. I love the color pink, even though I am really not that girly.

56. I wear chucks almost every day.

57. I fear I might not be as interesting as creating a list of 100 Things about Me might infer.

58. I am in Mensa.

59. My middle name is Lee.

60. I have 0+ blood, which makes me a universal donor, but I can't donate blood anymore because...

61. I have had skin cancer.

62. I share a birthday with Alfred Hitchcock, Annie Oakley, Dan Fogelberg, Don Ho, Bert Lahr, and Fidel Castro.

63. "Phaino," which I use for my username most of the time, means "I shine" or "I [cause something to] shine" in koine Greek, which I took in college.

64. I used to use "texandthecity" when I lived in NY, but somebody already took it before I got my gmail addy out of it.

65. I am a vegetarian, mostly for health reasons, and the couple of times I've "caved" it's been for red meat. I never, ever miss chicken or turkey or pork (well, sometimes breakfast meats, but not like a chop or loin) but there's just nothing like a nice steak or cheeseburger (mmmm, cheeseburger....). If I could afford to eat grass-fed, hormone-free beef from a reputable farmer, I would probably eat it once every week or two. Since I can't, and you never know what you're going to get from a restaurant, I just think it's easier to rock my vegetable protein.

66. My favorite food is probably Mediterranean. I love lemon, olives, garlic, feta, and any combo of said flavors, which are usually all present in some form in most Mediterranean dishes. Plus? Falafel!!!! It's like a hush-puppy made with garbanzo beans!!! What's not to like?

67. My favorite 10 adult novels are as follows, in no particular order: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Stand by Stephen King, The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, and Brave New World by Adolus Huxley.

68. I couldn't possibly narrow down my top 10 adult novels vs. my top 10 children's books vs. my top 10 non-fiction books.

69. When it comes to children's literature (which I am very, very fond of) my favorites tend to be series. I love The Chronicles of Narnia series, the A Wrinkle in Time series, the His Dark Materials series, the Anne of Green Gables series, the Alice in Wonderland ~~series~~ duo, the Wizard of Oz series, the Emily of New Moon series, and obviously, the Harry Potter series.

70. When it comes to music, I tend to gravitate toward oldies and classic rock. I love the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, The Who, and the like. New stuff doesn't much interest me.

71. I also love Broadway showtunes.

72. I missing singing in my car.

73. I don't miss owning a car.

74. ohmigah, I'm almost 3/4 of the way to the end of this list!!!

75. I have been practicing Bikram yoga for about 2 years. I want to be certified someday.

76. I am obsessed with Sudoku and Freecell.

77. I never gamble because I honestly don't think I'd be able to control myself.

78. When I travel, I never get my hotel room serviced. I don't know why people find this odd. I just like to feel like my room is "lived in" and honestly, who changes their sheets and towels every day when they're at home?

79. I absolutely loathe bell peppers. It's pretty much the only vegetable I won't eat. Sometimes I will use the seeds out of a jalapeno and I don't mind hotties like serranos and chipotles, but anything that's so mild I can taste the pepper part really grosses me out. PS> It's hard to be a vegetarian that doesn't like red peppers because for some reason it seems to be the universal standard in vegetarian dishes.

80. I loooooove vinegar, or anything pickled. Olives, pickles, those little cocktail onions, okra, bean sprouts, garlic cloves, green beans-- anything you can pickle... all of it. YUM.

81. I pretend to enjoy crossword puzzles, because I feel like it's something I should enjoy, but really, I'm not very good at them, and frankly, don't find much pleasure in the process.

82. I'm hungry.

83. I'm hungry pretty much every couple of hours or so.

84. When I order at restaurants, it's something akin to Sally in When Harry Met Sally. "I'd like the chef salad, please, with the oil and vinegar on the side, and the apple pie a la mode. But I'd like the pie heated, and I don't want the ice cream on top. I want it on the side. And I'd like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it. If not, then no ice cream, just whipped cream, but only if it's real. If it's out of a can, then nothing." Waitress: "Not even the pie?" Sally: "No, just the pie, but then not heated." I wish I were kidding, but I'm soooooo not.

85. Currently I'm wondering if anyone is actually going to read this and thinking about how long it's going to take me to edit.

86. I think most people's common ailments can be fixed by better nutrition and exercise.

87. I tend to tell them so.

88. I should probably keep my mouth shut more often.

89. I am kind of a control freak.

90. However, I am also kind of a fill-in-the-gaps kind of person-- if I'm with a another control freak it doesn't bother me to let them take charge.

91. I have worn the same James Avery bangle every day since high school graduation in May of 1994.

92. I hate Las Vegas. I think it's trashy, and everything that's wrong with America all squished together and lit up in neon.

93. I hope Bisher is proud of me for this accomplishment.

94. Nothing makes me angrier than snobbishness. (Snobbery?)

95. I don't understand the draw of Julia Roberts (no offense, if you're reading this blog).

96. I can make an entire night (and actually, a pretty awesome one) out of Seinfeld, Friends, and Scrubs reruns.

97. I find it exhausting to stay mad at someone. That coupled with my horrible memory usually means I couldn't hold a grudge if I wanted to.

98. I want to plant an herb garden.

99. I think the greatest Gen X movie of all time is Empire Records.

100. I did it! I did it!! I did it!!!!! It took four sittings. I'm tired of myself.

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Love, Me.

in which she uses too many hyperlinks

2008-05-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Y'all, I swear I am not a hypochondriac. I want to be well and feel good. But I am falling apart, yo! After finally procuring a corticosteroid for my nasty eczema (which made it 98% better in a matter of hours- go, modern medicine, go!), I have settled on an allergy symptom system of 400mg guaifenesin (basically, Mucinex) and 10mg of phenylephrine (basically, Sudafed PE) twice a day, and a sinus rinse system, which yes, Jule, makes me feel like I'm drowning but actually helps a ton. Thanks for the recommendation. I can pretty much breathe when I'm vertical now, although my throat is always killing me by the end of the day. However, a couple of days ago I pulled a muscle in my back- I swear, by coughing (!!!), and my latest WTF!? symptom is this:

For the past 3 days I have been awakened around 6am by a ebbing/flowing sharp pain in what I assume is my diaphragm muscle. But it's not like a spasm; it takes around 8 seconds to make its cycle. I can feel it coming on, I wince, it subsides, I take a deep breath, and it happens again. Since it's so early, I try to breathe through it and hope it will go away, but I finally have to get up. Once I'm sitting or standing it goes away, so I try to go back to sleep, but am awakened by it again, until finally I just have to stay upright.

Any ideas? I've been taking the Walgreens nighttime cold multi-symptom stuff at night (325 mg acetaminohen, 2 mg chlorpheniramine maleate, 10mg dextromethorphan, and 5 mg phenylephrine) to help me sleep but I don't think any of that stuff would cause diaphragm cramping. *scratches head*

So, I leave tomorrow for 25 days. I KNOW![/Monica] New Orleans, Boston, Los Angeles. The good news is that I get to see Amy in New Orleans, and I haven't seen her since I moved so I'm totally psyched about that. The bad news is packing for 3 and a half weeks and 3 different climates is a pain in my ass. Today I am going to be very busy running some last-minute errands, cleaning the house so my roommate doesn't have to come home to my sloth, packing, watching my stories, doing one more load of laundry, syncing my iPod, picking out books, etc etc etc. I guess it's a good thing I'm already up and at 'em.

I'll keep in touch from the road. Cheerio!

spring fever... literally

2008-04-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

So, I am in a fight with San Francisco. I mean, don't get me wrong-- I LOVE this city. Way more than I even thought I would. It's beautiful, laid-back, metropolitan but still small (not even a million people, and only 6 square-miles), and the food here is better than anywhere in the country (yes, even New York. I'm sorry but it's true). But geez louise, it is cold here every damn day. Every day. EVERY DAY. Spring, summer, fall, winter, it is cold. August? It is cold. April? It is cold. I am so tired of being cold. I have worn shorts a total of 1 time since I moved here and it was a sad and excruciating mistake. Flip-flops? Dusty, in the bottom of the closet. Tank tops? Yeah right. Skirts? Forget about it. It's just... cold. I had to put an extra blanket on my bed this week, the last week in April!!!

So, today the high is 65, which here in San Francisco means "put on your tiniest clothes and run to the park, NOW, before the fog rolls in" and I am so sick that even the thought of sunshine and temperatures above 42 can't draw me out. I am gross. You know how usually when you're congested and stuff, only one of your nostrils in blocked, so you can only sleep on that one side? I've moved past that. Both nostrils are so clogged breathing is not an option. The result is to breathe through my mouth and then I wake up every hour or so either coughing, drooling, or suffocating. My tongue feels like it's wearing a sweater. I have a low-grade fever and my lymph nodes are the size of golf balls. And oh, so tender! *whimper* I need to go to the drug store for more drugs but the closest one is a half-mile away and I don't feel like walking that. I just want to stay on the couch under my quilt and watch tv all day.

I am having hot tea with some bangalen granules that I found in the pantry, and intend on taking more Nyquil, which is all I have left, when I'm done finishing up my paperwork from the show I closed last night. The show in which I worked 86 hours in 6 days. Gross. No wonder I'm sick.

I was sick last year at almost this exact same time. (Thank you, No Day but Today, for being my memory.) Looks like it didn't last very long, though, so, fingers crossed.

classic rock

2008-04-23T17:40:00.001-07:00

So, I am still at work, by myself (my 3rd 14-hr day in a row, but who's counting?), listening to a classic rock station on iTunes and doing paperwork, and right after Kodachrome by Paul Simon and something Pink Floyd-y, they played Hey, Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms. Really? The Gin Blossoms? Classic rock?

How old am I?

my week off

2008-04-19T08:42:00.001-07:00

OK, so my week off turned out to be a little stressful. It started out the way I wanted- ran errands, went to yoga, spent some time in the kitchen, yadda yadda yadda, then I swear some planet is out of alignment or something because everyone in the world went crazy.

One of my best friends got fired this week. I am UBER-PISSED because it was really unfair, and done by a hot-head exec over our boss' head, and everyone is really angry and upset. Now that I've calmed down a little I think it is probably a blessing in disguise for her, because she deserves better! but I'm going to miss her terribly and if it weren't for my frakking end game I would quit too (solidarity sister!). Damn the man; save the Empire!!

The virus software that cleaned the 21 trojan horses off my laptop also is so "secure" that I spent all week not being able to get to certain pages on the web. Namely, google searches (I could get to google and gmail but not do a search), all blogspot pages, hotmail, and any forums. I assume it was a Windows thing, since I couldn't access these pages in Firefox OR IE, but Safari worked just fine (zip it, Uncle Al). I have literally spent hours on forums, help desks, the phone, trying things and rebooting, dreaming of a baseball bat, over and over, ad infinitum, ad nauseum. I am SO frustrated. Then, this morning out of nowhere, some guy on some forum suggested I rename firefox.exe to firefox1.exe and boom! Problem solved!!! Are you frakking kidding me??? I have NO idea how that worked but I cannot believe it was something so easy.

Wednesday I did 7 loads of laundry and made dinner for my friends Jonathan and Roman, including my salute to Cafe Gratitude's fiery carrot-avocado soup-- which turned out AMAZING if I may say so myself, so I will be posting it soon. We watched the BSG miniseries and ohhh, I love watching the beginning knowing what I know now. I heart you Laura Roslin!!!

Thursday I mailed 3 birthday presents (2 late and 1 on time- feel special, CC??)-- at like, 10am and then went to meet Brian for coffee. I had my yoga clothes in my bag and everything. But, yeah right, coffee turned into breakfast, and breakfast turned into a bloody mary at our favorite bar-- the one that plays movies on the wall, and next thing I know we had Philadelphia Story, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang under our belts, and then went out for noodles. I love days like that!!

Yesterday I spent in my pajamas doing paperwork and catching up on Torchwood, and last night I worked at the studio and tried a new wine & dessert bar with my friend Velma. To start we had a cheese plate and asparagus with green garlic and black pepper, and then carrot cake-baked alaska that was maybe one of the best desserts I've ever had, and a dark chocolate brioche with balsamic caramel ice cream and a lime yogurt sauce. YUM.

So today is my last day of freedom for a bit. I'm going to yoga in an hour and then I have to work the desk tonight, and tomorrow it's back to the real job. At least I have my May and June schedules sorted out, at work and the studio, which makes me feel a little more settled. Settled for a couple of months anyway. Any more than that would probably freak me out. :)

Edited to add: oh, and also? I had meat this week. For some reason I've been thinking about it non-stop for a couple of weeks. Maybe my bout at the gynachiatrist made me a little iron-deficient, or maybe spring just brings out my inner carnivore (about this time last year I caved for a steak). At any rate, I had about a third of a cheeseburger and it was awesome and exactly what my body wanted and I think I'm all set for another year.

&%^$*&#@ technology!!

2008-04-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday was my first day off after 92 hours of ~~hell~~ work. It was a pretty awesome day- I slept in, skipped yoga, and since the weather was so great and the park was packed, Brian and I decided to steer clear of the crowd and went to our favorite bar for a couple of libations. On the way there, I ran into this girl from the yoga studio that I've been trying to make plans with for weeks, and we ended up having the best day!! We had a couple of bloody marys (and the bartender gave me extra little onions, yum), watched Airplane!, ate some dinner, went dancing in the Castro, and ended up at her boyfriend's bar in the Mission with a big dog named Stella. The best part was that I actually forgot my wallet, so all my peeps paid for my entire day out, including my cab home so I wouldn't have to wait on a Sunday late-night train. Haha, suckahs!!!!

This morning got up early and went to the market, made it to yoga for the first time in 10 days, which kicked my @$$, and have spent the rest of my day trying to fix my various technological woes. First off, my laptop got some sort of virus (thank you, utorrent). I ended up having to pay $59.99 for a new virus scan and disinfect program, and it found 11 trojan horses. 11!!!! WTF? It's taken me literally the last 5 hours of uninstalling, downloading, freezing up, rebooting, and it's still scanning. The first time it got to about 30% and gave me the blue screen of death, and the second time it got to about 49% and just randomly shut itself off. I'm so frustrated.

To add insult to injury, my DVR is on the fritz. It records about 10 seconds of every program, including Friday's Battlestar Galactica, and then goes to black screen and stays there. Forever. Last week I was on the phone with customer schmervice for an hour- rebooting it, getting a remote signal sent in, yadda yadda yadda, and then I went to work for a week and didn't find out until I tried to watch aforementioned BSG that it hadn't been fixed. So today I had to spend another 30 minutes convincing another customer service person that they were obligated to bring me a new DVR since I don't have a car and it's not my fault their equipment sucks. And all I really wanted to do this week was watch all the stuff I missed last week. *sigh*

&%^$#&@!!!~

It's still a good night, though, because I don't have to work tomorrow (although there is a doctor's appointment, a Comcast technician, about 8 loads of laundry, and other various chores on the horizon), I'm sitting on my own couch, my roommate is out of town, and I am perfectly happy to occupy my time with a bowl of homemade broccoli soup, a glass of pinot grigio, and Seinfeld, Scrubs, and Friends reruns for the rest of the evening. Heaven!!

Oh, btw, the virus scan has climbed to 17 while I was writing this post. *glowers*

heat wave

2008-04-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Y'all, it is 77 degrees today. 77!!!! In coastal Northern Californa, that is cause for exchanging one's Uggs for flops, and one's hoodie for a t-shirt. I don't think it's been this warm since I moved here.

It's my 9th day in a row of work, and when I say "day," I am talking an absolute minimum of 14 hours. I am so tired I am practically delirious. I even caved this morning for fast food, which I never eat, including a tall bubbly cup of ~~liquid Satan~~ soda. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. But even though I stayed for the soda, I went for the burrito. See, I have been searching through the breakfast burritos of downtown San Francisco, including several places in the Mission, making my own at Whole Foods (which was a disappointing and expensive mistake), and today, Del Taco. *sigh*

Why does no one make a breakfast burrito exactly the way I want it? Abim "exactly the way I want it..." "hashbrowns, beans, eggs, cheese, avocado, cilantro, and some sort of fresh tomato salsa." Most people do eggs OR beans, but not both. A lot of places don't have hashbrowns, or else do cubed potatoes instead- hello, not the same. One place actually substituted rice. The only place I've ever had the perfect breakfast burrito, strangely enough, is from the Asian woman who works the roach coach at the San Jose Convention Center. Maybe I should open a Hello, Taqueria and show everyone how it's done.

OK, now that my belly is full, I really need to start some sort of project before I just nod off right at my desk. I have to do something non-work related tonight or I'm going to go postal. And tomorrow?? Tomorrow I sleep.

No day but today.

the one in which she gets really serious about losing weight

*dusts off blog*

offline.

the power of positive communicating

early to bed, early to rise

Life is a song.

dominating a new year

Resolving

ennui

behind jamiepalooza, and what you might find there

a note from Fatty McPudge

Jamiepalooooooza!

a post about attitude

study study school's your buddy!

J-Money and her Special Sauce

back to life; back to reality

words... words... words...

dogs and cats, living together!

an overabundance of parentheses and dopamine

life sans the interwebs

the far side of the moon

c'est prego!

book help

the wonder of technology

on the flip side

Big Brother on Twitter

I KNOW.[/Monica]

re-immersion into the blogosphere

dusting off my life

addenda

resolutions and revolutions

jingle bells and rain

Best Reason to Carry a Camera With You at All Times in San Francisco:

my first Christmas present of 2008

tightening the financial belt

December in LA

yay, it's time for Christmas music!

your call is very important to us. it will be answered in the order in which it was received.

holiday funk

protestacular

I know, I know

Prop 8

hello, election day!

in search of falafel

middle of the night update

reaching out to the interwebs for math help

mini-vacation

mememememememe~

best thrift store purchase ever

photo of the day

Compliant!!

*cue Charlie Brown music*

misdirected cyber post

more strange work conversations

update!

Is anyone at all concerned with an uprising?

heat wave

Jamiepalooza, Part Deux

you all win!

and the manatee has become the mento.

best. present. ever.

no mascara required

august chill

*tap tap tap* is this thing on?

slow-hi-o

my short lunch break

~sorry~

Day 4

it's EST in the important countries

the weekend of Jamie

done~

the last day

but I'm still not doing myspace.

the! list! update

beautiful, ain't it??

there's no place like home

almost home, and.... happy.

blow it up.

I just have to wonder...

dusts off blog

cue Charlie Brown music

tap tap tap is this thing on?