It's getting cold outside and all I want to do is eat soup and make Christmas lists. Really, it's ridiculous. My pantry is stocked with onions and chicken broth. And my Christmas list is looking a little greedy.
I'm sorry for the absence. Do I apologize too often? I know I do, sometimes it's just hard to not be lazy. I think I need a healthy dose of dedication. Mostly, I just get a tad behind, then I get bogged down, followed by a case of the "where-do-I-starts?", finally ending with an "I'll just update later." It's a total downward spiral.
Today, I'm temping for Laika, the company that produced Coraline! There are Coraline models in glass cases, framed Coraline posters hung on the walls and the different sets displayed throughout the office. I keep wishing Neil Gaimon will waltz through the front door. I also wish they had the movie playing up at the front desk. I kind of like the absurd idea of working in 3-D glasses. Other than a few last-minute fill-in jobs, work has been pretty slow. I've been spending most of my days crumb-bumming in bed and looking at recipes with Sex and the City on in the background. I've found that I'm kind of becoming obsessed with food. I spend a chunk of my day researching dinner ideas, grocery shopping and getting some quality kitchen time in. I think I might need to get another hobby. And maybe a gym membership.
I'm mega-ultra-to the zillionth power excited about visiting for Thanksgiving! Bonbon is spoiling me and making a turkey this year! I've never been a fan of Gobble, Gobble Day, but after my discovery that traditional Thanksgiving dishes are actually quite palatable, I'm rather looking forward to gorging myself on turkey, stuffing and pie! I might even induce a turkey coma this year! On top of the awesome food I will be masticating, I'll have nine days of fun time with family and friends. So Dallas, get ready!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
11/01/2010
I wonder if I subconsciously sabotage myself by wearing white on the days that I pack tomato sauce/soup/colorful foods that stain for lunch? Why does it never occur to me in the morning in between yawns that red food and white sweaters is an embarrassing, never-coming-out splotch waiting to happen? Why couldn't it have been peanut butter sandwich day?! I need to invest in a Clorox pen.
Halloween weekend was mostly spent pigging out on candy from the care-box my mom mailed and watching campy horror movies on Ben's couch. Vincent Price is creeptacular (The Abominable Dr. Phibes!) and I now understand why Wes Craven's Last House on the Left was banned from the UK until 2004. Pretty much I looked like this on the couch:
I think I have officially gotten my fix of blood/guts/murder/rape/necrophilia and all those other delicious things that horror movies have to offer. At least we passed on the slasher flicks! After our weekend marathon of scary movies, Tynan (Ben's roommate who actually stayed awake during these films and not: Double Indemnity, Dr. Strangelove, Singles, Crazy Heart... I think you get the pattern) and I agreed that we needed a good healthy dose of Rom Coms stat.
On a regular basis the Skidmore house (minus the replacement roomie) spend a solid chunk of time lamenting the loss of Dane. We'll go around in a circle and swap our favorite Dane memories. We're a sad, pathetic bunch and if only Dane could play Bob Dylan's greatest hits record one more time! After looking sad and longingly at each other, we usually end our conversations with, "I wonder what Dane is up to right now?" and spend some time on his facebook page. I'm saying this with complete sincerity, we sorely miss Dane.
Did I mention that Ben picked me up an Ipod Touch from a coworker? Did I also mention that I haven't stopped playing pinball all weekend? In fact, I've stopped writing this post twice to take a Deep Pinball break. On the commercial breaks during the Mavs game I whipped out this baby. It's engrossing and lethargic and I'm pathetic.
Everyone around me is getting the sniffles and sore throat. Lauren has mono, my boss has caught a bad case of the cold (she called in sick twice last week and claims to have "broken a rib from coughing so hard) and Ben isn't feeling 100% either. I keep washing my hands and eating lozenges as my pre-meditated attack on the fall bug. Don't you just love this time of the year!
Halloween weekend was mostly spent pigging out on candy from the care-box my mom mailed and watching campy horror movies on Ben's couch. Vincent Price is creeptacular (The Abominable Dr. Phibes!) and I now understand why Wes Craven's Last House on the Left was banned from the UK until 2004. Pretty much I looked like this on the couch:
I think I have officially gotten my fix of blood/guts/murder/rape/necrophilia and all those other delicious things that horror movies have to offer. At least we passed on the slasher flicks! After our weekend marathon of scary movies, Tynan (Ben's roommate who actually stayed awake during these films and not: Double Indemnity, Dr. Strangelove, Singles, Crazy Heart... I think you get the pattern) and I agreed that we needed a good healthy dose of Rom Coms stat.
On a regular basis the Skidmore house (minus the replacement roomie) spend a solid chunk of time lamenting the loss of Dane. We'll go around in a circle and swap our favorite Dane memories. We're a sad, pathetic bunch and if only Dane could play Bob Dylan's greatest hits record one more time! After looking sad and longingly at each other, we usually end our conversations with, "I wonder what Dane is up to right now?" and spend some time on his facebook page. I'm saying this with complete sincerity, we sorely miss Dane.
Did I mention that Ben picked me up an Ipod Touch from a coworker? Did I also mention that I haven't stopped playing pinball all weekend? In fact, I've stopped writing this post twice to take a Deep Pinball break. On the commercial breaks during the Mavs game I whipped out this baby. It's engrossing and lethargic and I'm pathetic.
Everyone around me is getting the sniffles and sore throat. Lauren has mono, my boss has caught a bad case of the cold (she called in sick twice last week and claims to have "broken a rib from coughing so hard) and Ben isn't feeling 100% either. I keep washing my hands and eating lozenges as my pre-meditated attack on the fall bug. Don't you just love this time of the year!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
10/28/2010
I'm kind of obsessed and in love with fall right now.
This is the view from my bedroom window
Aggie Spirit Trees
This is the view from my bedroom window
Aggie Spirit Trees
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
10/26/2010
Due to popular demand, actually the nagging of two individuals, I suppose it is time to begin updating this again. WAH! I'm so far behind! It's daunting. Believe me, on numerous occasions I sat down to post, but then I got side tracked by new recipes and web comics (Melinda!) and other people's pretty picture blogs.
Since trying to cram a busy/whirlwind month into one entry will be the length of a novella, I'm going to stick to the highlights much like a Christmas letter.
First off, it's fall. All the trees are changing colors and the weather is cool and crisp and drizzly. It's absolutely beautiful and all I want to be is a slugabed. And eat stews and soups! And plan trips (starting with a stay in the "sweet room" at this hotel in Milan: http://www.maisonmoschino.com/en/maison-moschino-rooms-suites). Speaking of trips, my dates have been set and I will be in Dallas for Thanksgiving & Christmas! Deck the Halls with Turkey, Stuffing, and Pie!
Second, I have a new house! It's slightly out of the norm, but I'm walking distance to bars/coffee/and Whole Foods. We're kind of a scraggly bunch of roommates, but it seems to work. So here's the skinny:
-The Landlord: He lives in an attached apartment and watches a lot of game shows. He had a stroke and now can't use the right side of his body. Due to the stroke, a ramp has been constructed to get in/out of the side of our house (bike ramp too, score!). His 95 year old mother visits twice a week and has Alzheimer. She's a huge fan of cats, so there are a bunch of kitty magazines laying around the house. Tinga can't wait to meet her. Also, there is a permanent nursing home fragrance in the house (I think they are to blame).
-Dave: He lives in the basement with his up-to-my-waist pooch, Whiskey, who is a complete scaredy cat. So far, Whiskey just stares at me and keeps his distance. I tried bribing him with doggie treats shaped like steaks, but he's a smart lass and must have been privy to my plot. Dave is the house keeper and does all the cleaning/odd jobs. He enjoys painting and baking brownies and cheesecake.
-Gery: He lives upstairs and his door is decorated in Native American style which I find odd because he isn't even partially Indian. He has a little Chihuahua which is permanently glued to his arms. Seriously, his pup is an accessory. He makes Ramen Noodles almost every morning for breakfast, and is a pool shark at night. His trophies are adorning our window sills.
-???: He lives upstairs as well. I met him once and accidentally offended him by addressing him as the 'elusive roommate.' After that we had an incredibly awkward conversation about the toaster. According to Dave, he's 24 and a workaholic.
My room is huge and it's totally quirky.
Pros: There is a faux fireplace and a hidden closet. I can climb out my windows on to the roof of the house. My very own internet.
Cons: I live off a fairly busy street and the sound of cars is a permanent white noise. I have hardwood floors that collects dust and spreads Tinga's litter all over and is extremely cold to my bare footsies in the morning. There is no overhead light, so the room gets a little dark at night, but it kind of makes me feel like Jane Austen (don't ask me why).
Work front: I'm currently temping in Lake Oswego in the hr department for a couple of weeks. The company is a school that provides mental health treatment to children. The school is decorated in Hogwarts theme and I'm kind of loving Snape's Potion Lab. Yesterday the heat went out, so today everyone brought space heaters and heavy coats. Also, the sweet fairy keeps leaving sugar cookies in the break room.
Ben and I have been somewhat glued to the tv this past week playing Heavy Rain (for all those with a PS3 GO BUY NOW). And Ben is now going to be perma-glued since basketball starts this week. Oh joy! At least it gives me an excuse to make chili (or do we need to be watching football for chili?)!
I'll try to be better/more frequent with my updates.
Since trying to cram a busy/whirlwind month into one entry will be the length of a novella, I'm going to stick to the highlights much like a Christmas letter.
First off, it's fall. All the trees are changing colors and the weather is cool and crisp and drizzly. It's absolutely beautiful and all I want to be is a slugabed. And eat stews and soups! And plan trips (starting with a stay in the "sweet room" at this hotel in Milan: http://www.maisonmoschino.com/en/maison-moschino-rooms-suites). Speaking of trips, my dates have been set and I will be in Dallas for Thanksgiving & Christmas! Deck the Halls with Turkey, Stuffing, and Pie!
Second, I have a new house! It's slightly out of the norm, but I'm walking distance to bars/coffee/and Whole Foods. We're kind of a scraggly bunch of roommates, but it seems to work. So here's the skinny:
-The Landlord: He lives in an attached apartment and watches a lot of game shows. He had a stroke and now can't use the right side of his body. Due to the stroke, a ramp has been constructed to get in/out of the side of our house (bike ramp too, score!). His 95 year old mother visits twice a week and has Alzheimer. She's a huge fan of cats, so there are a bunch of kitty magazines laying around the house. Tinga can't wait to meet her. Also, there is a permanent nursing home fragrance in the house (I think they are to blame).
-Dave: He lives in the basement with his up-to-my-waist pooch, Whiskey, who is a complete scaredy cat. So far, Whiskey just stares at me and keeps his distance. I tried bribing him with doggie treats shaped like steaks, but he's a smart lass and must have been privy to my plot. Dave is the house keeper and does all the cleaning/odd jobs. He enjoys painting and baking brownies and cheesecake.
-Gery: He lives upstairs and his door is decorated in Native American style which I find odd because he isn't even partially Indian. He has a little Chihuahua which is permanently glued to his arms. Seriously, his pup is an accessory. He makes Ramen Noodles almost every morning for breakfast, and is a pool shark at night. His trophies are adorning our window sills.
-???: He lives upstairs as well. I met him once and accidentally offended him by addressing him as the 'elusive roommate.' After that we had an incredibly awkward conversation about the toaster. According to Dave, he's 24 and a workaholic.
My room is huge and it's totally quirky.
Pros: There is a faux fireplace and a hidden closet. I can climb out my windows on to the roof of the house. My very own internet.
Cons: I live off a fairly busy street and the sound of cars is a permanent white noise. I have hardwood floors that collects dust and spreads Tinga's litter all over and is extremely cold to my bare footsies in the morning. There is no overhead light, so the room gets a little dark at night, but it kind of makes me feel like Jane Austen (don't ask me why).
Work front: I'm currently temping in Lake Oswego in the hr department for a couple of weeks. The company is a school that provides mental health treatment to children. The school is decorated in Hogwarts theme and I'm kind of loving Snape's Potion Lab. Yesterday the heat went out, so today everyone brought space heaters and heavy coats. Also, the sweet fairy keeps leaving sugar cookies in the break room.
Ben and I have been somewhat glued to the tv this past week playing Heavy Rain (for all those with a PS3 GO BUY NOW). And Ben is now going to be perma-glued since basketball starts this week. Oh joy! At least it gives me an excuse to make chili (or do we need to be watching football for chili?)!
I'll try to be better/more frequent with my updates.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
09/15/2010
This job makes me feel like Peter Gibbons, minus an aching desire to crush the copy machine. I pretty much spend my work days performing robotic tasks and cringing every time my coworker answers the phone in her Mr. Mackey voice. My manager though, she sends my fists into a clench. She's a micromanaging, all-up-in-your-business fiend who has mastered the hover technique better than a sea gull (tell me how you really feel, right?). I love/hate her and I can't stand the feelings of paradox. It sends me into a frenzy. Honestly, my manager is really nice, just a little always hangin' around for my taste. My last day is tomorrow and then it's back into the wash bin of unemployment. I am going to miss texting/griping with my coworker, Lauren, and then heading off for cheap drinks at happy hour and Lebanese after work. But, I'm pretty excited to start something new.
And I know, wine, cheese and violins. I love them all!
Now, on to the happy, happy times that is Seattle.
I left Seattle on Sunday kicking and screaming. Ben has the bruises to prove it! From now on he will pack a bike helmet and hockey gear on all future vacations. Seattle was amazing! And plagued with steep inclines and stairs, which as shocking. I wasn't expecting Dallas flats, but I wasn't expecting San Francisco tumbles either. Aside from the work-out inducing, take-my-breath-away hills, Seattle was incredible. Actually, including the hills, Seattle was incredible!
And I know, wine, cheese and violins. I love them all!
Now, on to the happy, happy times that is Seattle.
I left Seattle on Sunday kicking and screaming. Ben has the bruises to prove it! From now on he will pack a bike helmet and hockey gear on all future vacations. Seattle was amazing! And plagued with steep inclines and stairs, which as shocking. I wasn't expecting Dallas flats, but I wasn't expecting San Francisco tumbles either. Aside from the work-out inducing, take-my-breath-away hills, Seattle was incredible. Actually, including the hills, Seattle was incredible!
We stayed in an apartment in Capitol Hill that had a breakfast nook and was a short walk to coffee shops/restaurants and was basically a Hawthorne Street duplicate. Ben was a little trooper and was up and dressed before eleven! I almost wish I had time stamped my pictures as proof for all the skeptics. We ate brunch at the Coastal Kitchen, which on the weekends has a 45 minute line that competes with Gravy. Lady luck was with our tummies, because we walked straight in the door and to a booth. I was in hashbrown heaven for the entirety of our meal.
We grabbed a bus to the Sci-fi/Experimental Music Project Museum. Ben spent an hour in the music museum lusting after guitars and talking about grunge while I lusted after first edition P.K. Dick and H.G. Wells novels. Also, the entire time I was there I couldn’t get Mr. Tony Daniels, my sci-fi professor in college…whom I found dull, out of my head. I kept expecting to see Metaplanetary: A Novel of Interplanetary Civil War in one of the glass cases. Unfortunately (fortunately?), he has not yet made it the sci-fi hall of fame.
Pike Place Market was packed and filled with jewelry booths, flower stands and fish mongers. It’s three stories, and on floor number two is the most amazing comic book/Spencers conglomeration. Also joining the ranks on floor 2, is the book store narrator who yells non sequiturs at his customers and talks like he’s hyped up on a pound of espresso beans. It is in that store that I bought my only souvenir from Seattle (besides the added pounds), a Jane Austen portrait bookmark.
Since markets aren’t Ben’s thing, he got to pick the next activity--- the arcades. Ben and I spent an hour and a half playing pinball, skee ball, and air hockey. We spent $13.00 and left with a mini-deck of cards, a glitter bouncy ball and some green play dough.
Ben booked reservations at Seattle’s second best rated “romantic restaurant.” One of its walls is home to the “Gum Wall” which I find horribly ironic. Romantic with a tinge of gross-factor! The food was delicious. Ben was brilliant and got a fish deluxe plate, ie Katie proof. I had the penne special and later experienced wicked indigestion. Apparently when you shovel an appetizer, wine, and your whole meal down your throat like a piggie, you get stomach aches. In hind sight, totally worth it!
The next morning we made our way to this pizza shop around the corner--- home to the most mouth-watering pizza. I dare say, better than Dominos! I know, Bonbon/Popeye, you guys must be in shock right now. But I assure you, I have never had this pizza’s equivalent.
My number one, must-do in Seattle, top-of-my-list, will digress into toddler mode if we don’t do it, was ride a ferry boat. And luckily, for my lungs and pride, Ben took me on a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island over the Puget Sound. We met Allen, the super geeky marine lawyer, who talked about Evil Dead and Neil Gaimon to us while we sipped on beer. Inspired by ferry boats, we have decided to save up for an Alaskan cruise. We want to eat like kings on a cruise ship and look at glaciers. Bainbridge was this charming island city on the Kitsap Peninsula that had yarn stores, book shops and icecream! Oh my, oh my, oh my I scream, you scream, we're all screaming for this icecream. No joke, best.icecream.ever.
Dane and I are checking out a house tonight. Keep your fingers crossed this house is a keeper! Oh yeah, and pictures from Seattle to come.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
09/01/2010
I've been obsessed with lists today. My grocery list is charmingly essential. My wish list is excessive and borderline superfluous and titled 'Gimmie, Gimmie!' and mostly features books/graphic novels and end tables (yes, run on sentence).
Last Thursday, Ben, Elisa and I went to Billy Rays for pinball and cheap beer. Medieval Madness kept sucking my ball and taking my quarters. I gave up and played trivia. Trivia highlighted our stupidity and we made out with honorable mention...aka, last place. My contributions: Au, Dolly Parton, Jupiter, and Tropic of Cancer. We played four rounds. Team player, yeah!
I gave Ben these options for tonight:
Dinner by Katie- Salisbury Steak, Pancakes & Breakfast Sausage, Homemade mac & cheese, Panko Crusted Chicken Nuggets
Dinner by Frozen- CPK pizza, Bertolli Chicken Parm in a bag
Dinner by Eating Out- Chipotle
Ben chose Chipotle and I'm totally blaming it on our Ricotta Gnocchi failure last week. Also, I keep thinking about Alana's homemade gnocchi and pining. In any case, our "gnocchi" never thoroughly cooked and pretty much turned into warm r
icotta fritters. Also, the entire time we were making our dinner Ben made up the "Gnocchi Man" song:
Gnocchi man,
Oh gnocchi man,
Making gnocchi with his gnocchi hands,
Doing whatever a gnocchi man can dooooo
Adorable, right? Also, are you guys a little done with reading the word 'gnocchi?'
Well, I'm not! We paired our ricotta gnocchi with Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Our Star Wars indu
lgence was inspired by: http://weburbanist.com/2010/08/26/how-graffiti-can-be-even-cooler-just-add-star-wars/
Elisa had an intense weekend, see: South American love boy, which called for Sunday brunch and mimosas. Oh men, always complicating things! After getting tired of paying absurd prices for orange juice and cheap cha
mpagne, we went to Freddies and picked up our own Mimosa making ingredients. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Project Runway, petting our kitties and sipping delicious alcoholic beverages.
And now, a glimpse of what's to come.
Ben & Katie in the Emerald City- Second week of September. Another list of the day: What To Do In Seattle?
1) Ferry Boat
2) Sci-Fi Museum
3) Gum Wall
4) Fremont Troll
5) Pike Place
6) Ilbistro Romantic Date Night
7) Art Walk
8) Bridge of Glass
Any suggestions?
Last Thursday, Ben, Elisa and I went to Billy Rays for pinball and cheap beer. Medieval Madness kept sucking my ball and taking my quarters. I gave up and played trivia. Trivia highlighted our stupidity and we made out with honorable mention...aka, last place. My contributions: Au, Dolly Parton, Jupiter, and Tropic of Cancer. We played four rounds. Team player, yeah!
I gave Ben these options for tonight:
Dinner by Katie- Salisbury Steak, Pancakes & Breakfast Sausage, Homemade mac & cheese, Panko Crusted Chicken Nuggets
Dinner by Frozen- CPK pizza, Bertolli Chicken Parm in a bag
Dinner by Eating Out- Chipotle
Ben chose Chipotle and I'm totally blaming it on our Ricotta Gnocchi failure last week. Also, I keep thinking about Alana's homemade gnocchi and pining. In any case, our "gnocchi" never thoroughly cooked and pretty much turned into warm r
icotta fritters. Also, the entire time we were making our dinner Ben made up the "Gnocchi Man" song:Gnocchi man,
Oh gnocchi man,
Making gnocchi with his gnocchi hands,
Doing whatever a gnocchi man can dooooo
Adorable, right? Also, are you guys a little done with reading the word 'gnocchi?'
Well, I'm not! We paired our ricotta gnocchi with Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Our Star Wars indu
lgence was inspired by: http://weburbanist.com/2010/08/26/how-graffiti-can-be-even-cooler-just-add-star-wars/Elisa had an intense weekend, see: South American love boy, which called for Sunday brunch and mimosas. Oh men, always complicating things! After getting tired of paying absurd prices for orange juice and cheap cha
mpagne, we went to Freddies and picked up our own Mimosa making ingredients. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Project Runway, petting our kitties and sipping delicious alcoholic beverages.And now, a glimpse of what's to come.
Ben & Katie in the Emerald City- Second week of September. Another list of the day: What To Do In Seattle?
1) Ferry Boat
2) Sci-Fi Museum
3) Gum Wall
4) Fremont Troll
5) Pike Place
6) Ilbistro Romantic Date Night
7) Art Walk
8) Bridge of Glass
Any suggestions?
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