Thoughts of a Douchebag

Married!

2011-10-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

cleaning house

2011-09-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

So, it seems like I always forget to lock my phone and I wind up making pocket calls to people I wouldn't just pick up the phone and call up for no reason. For instance, my boss or an aqaintances I really don't talk to any more. Now, I'm pretty sure my boss doesn't care, cuz she's pocket called out office before, but I always wonder what the person on the other end thinks. So, after looking at my phone and seeing that my purse made a call for the millionth time, I decided to clean shit up in my phone. And on the internets. And I guess just in life, in general. I don't know why I hold on to people's contact info for so long. Someone who works for the speakers office who I worked on a bill with, the number for a dude who i had to call with updates while walking precincts.

I hold on to things for no good reason, other than just I'm just a fraid to get rid of it. Recepts, piece of paper with notes, phone numbers, contact information for people who could care less about hearing from me. So I started deleting stuff. From my phone. From the contacts that pop up on google.

This house will be clean.

Tracking

2011-07-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

PointsPlus™ Tracker entries

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Morning
1 stick(s) Essentials String Cheese Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese	2
1/8 cup(s) store-bought hummus	1
1 piece(s) Chicken McNuggets®/Chicken Selects® Premium Breast Strips Chicken McNuggets, Small	1
1/8 serving(s) French Fries French Fries	1
1/2 cup(s) Carrots	0
1 Coffee, Splenda & Non Dairy Creamer (Liquid)	1
Subtotal	6
Midday
1 item(s) Fresco Style Tacos Grilled Steak Soft Taco Fresco Style	4
1 item(s) Fresco Style Tacos Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco (with Salsa instead of Cheese)	4
1 package(s) Jelly Beans	3
Subtotal	11
Evening
1 serving(s) Gardein BBQ Pulled Pork Shreds	4
1 serving(s) orowheat sandwich thins	3
1/2 cup(s) Carrots	0
2 serving(s) Edamame Hummus	4
Subtotal	11
Anytime
1 1/2 cup(s) strawberries	0
Subtotal	0
*Food PointsPlus* values total used**	28
*Food PointsPlus* values remaining**	1

July 15th- back on the wagon

2011-07-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

Morning 1 large banana(s)

1 cup(s) fat-free skim milk

1 stick(s) String-Ums String Cheese

Subtotal 4 Midday 1 serving(s) Lean Cuisine Beef Tips Portobello

1 cup(s) fat-free skim milk

1 container Cottage Doubles Low-Fat Milkfat Pineapple Cottage Cheese And Fruit

2 cup(s) black coffee

Subtotal 9 Evening 1 serving(s) veggie and flax chips

1 serving(s) bagel thin

2 burger(s) Veggie Grillers™ Original

1 Tbsp reduced-fat feta cheese

1 Tbsp guacamole

Subtotal 14 Anytime 1/2 slice(s) cheddar or colby cheese

1/8 medium avocado

1/2 serving(s) Pretzels Select Pumpernickel Stick Pretzels

Subtotal 3 Food PointsPlus values total used 30

RECESS!!!!!!!

2011-07-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted a blog. Things have been super busy. Since the last blog post Ry and I have turned 30, had the bathroom redone and even went camping.

Yesterday the Legislature adjourned for recess, so it'll be mellow times for the next month. I'm also hoping that they will be productive, wedding wise. This I've already finalized the invite design, purchased a nacho cheese warmer (insuring nacho awesomeness at the recption) and I also have an appointment with Rick's Dessert Diner for a cake consultation. So while it has been productive, it has also been costly. Which is not really a bad thing, as I went grocery shopping last night as to get my diet back on track. Having no money means I can't purchase carne asada fries. And things like the Cheese warmer, I was going to have to pay for soon or later, may as well pay for it earlier, before shit gets crazy. Plus I paid through paypal, so it didn't go on my card. I'm trying to pay for as much as I can with cash. And I think since I've opted not to go with a caterer, it's going to be alot cheaper that I initially thought, allowing more to be spont on things like the cake and photographer.

So far: I have the dress, the location, the warmer, the invites. I still have to call and give the margarita man my credit card info. After next week I should know more about what i need in terms of decor, chairs. I think I will also take a trip to La Esperanza to see what thier meat and tortilla atre like and get an idea of how much it will cost. I've also got a coffe date with a photographer firend, next week, to see if we can hammer something out that isn't too pricey.

It's always been difficult for me to picture how things will look, in my head. Maybe it's a defense mechanism, so I don't get enamoured with the visions in my brain and get dissappointed. But I'd say it's definitely a draw back in planning how something will look. But hopefully my ladies will be able to fill in , in that area.

So, even though I can't envision the end product, this shit is definetly happenning.

the most erotic day of the year

2011-06-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Morning
1 serving(s) bagel thin	3
3 Tbsp fat-free cream cheese	1
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk	1
2 cup(s) black coffee	0
Subtotal	5
Midday
3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese	2
1 serving(s) Broccoli Florets (plain)	0
1 cup(s) pineapple	0
1 serving(s) Lean Gourmet fettachini	7
Subtotal	9
Evening
4 Tbsp Recipe Secrets Beefy Onion Soup Mix	3
1 serving(s) orowheat sandwich thins	3
2/3 cup(s) Reduced-fat 4 cheese Italian-style blend	4
1 oz Beef Jerky Beef Jerky, Teriyaki	2
Subtotal	12
Anytime
1 1/2 slice(s) Original Crust Pizza The Meats Pizza	10
1 slice(s) Original Crust Pizza Tuscan Six Cheese Pizza	6
Subtotal	16
*Food PointsPlus* values total used**	42

Wednesday

2011-06-08T18:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Morning
2 cup(s) black coffee	0
1/3 cup(s) fat-free skim milk	1
8 fl oz Coca-Cola zero	0
Subtotal	1
Midday
1/2 panini Turkey Panini, Restaurant Type	9
1 cup(s) italian wedding soup	5
2 serving(s) Swiss Miss- sensible sweets-Diet	1
1 serving(s) Broccoli Florets (plain)	0
1 cup(s) miso soup	2
Subtotal	17
Evening
1 serving(s) Broccoli & cauliflower mixture	0
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese	1
1 serving(s) orowheat sandwich thins	3
2 serving(s) Chik'n Grillers	4
1/2 serving(s) treasure cave reduced blue cheese	1
2 1/4 Tbsp fat-free cream cheese	1
1/8 medium avocado	1
20 slice(s) tomato(es)	0
1 tsp sour pickle(s)	0
Subtotal	11
Anytime
1 cup(s) pineapple	0
Subtotal	0
*Food PointsPlus* values total used**	29
*Food PointsPlus* values remaining**	0

Tuesday's Count

2011-06-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Morning
3 cup(s) black coffee	0
1 serving(s) torani sugar free syrup	0
1 large banana(s)	0
1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk	1
Subtotal	1
Midday
12 fl oz diet soft drink	0
1 serving(s) Jello Mousse Temptations	2
1 serving(s) Healthy Choice Turkey Medallions	5
2 piece(s) by Whitman's Mint patties	3
Subtotal	10
Evening
1 item(s) Fresco Style Tacos Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco (with Salsa instead of Cheese)	4
1 serving(s) Nachos Pintos 'N Cheese	4
1 oz Beef Jerky Beef Jerky, Teriyaki	2
Subtotal	10
Anytime
No entries for this meal time.
Subtotal	0
*Food PointsPlus* values total used**	21
*Food PointsPlus* values remaining**	8
Activity
No entries for activity.

keepin' me honest

2011-06-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't been going to meetings and I need a way to keep myself accountable, so here is my tracking for today.

Morning
2 piece(s) by Whitman's Mint patties	3
Subtotal	3
Midday
1 serving(s) spicy thai chicken soup	5
3 slice(s) french bread	7
2 serving(s) Jello Mousse Temptations	4
Subtotal	16
Evening
1 serving(s) reduced fat blue cheese	2
1/8 medium avocado	1
1 serving(s) Just For ONE! Broccoli & cheese sauce, packaged	1
peppercorn wedge - Quick-added food	1
1 serving(s) orowheat sandwich thins	3
2 burger(s) Veggie Grillers™ Original	7
Subtotal	15
Anytime
1 item(s) Sugar free popsicle, orange, cherry, grape	0
1 pastry/pastries Pop-Tarts Vanilla milkshake	5
2 serving(s) Swiss Miss- sensible sweets-Diet	1
2 serving(s) Swiss Miss- sensible sweets-Diet	1
Subtotal	7
*Food PointsPlus* values total used**	41
*Food PointsPlus* values remaining**	0

I could have done with out the french bread but those fuckers at La Bou threw them in there. And I didn't need that pop tart BUT I only ate one and that a pretty big deal, since there are two in a pack. Also, I didn't track until the end of the day and all the little things do add up. Tomorrow will be better. And if it aint, y'all will see it.

That's right. Ted waxed his junk cuz I told him to.

2011-06-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Waxing Insanity

June 3, 2011 By Ted Cox 4 Comments

Ted Cox investigates our nation’s strange, painful relationship with pubic hair removal—and he has a Brazilian wax to show for it.

Ted Cox investigates our nation’s strange, painful relationship with pubic hair removal—and he has a Brazilian wax to show for it.

The scabs on my scrotum have finally healed up. The mysterious red bumps on my lower abdomen have retreated back into the skin. The weird little pimples there have mostly disappeared. Small strands of hair are barely poking up across my freakishly bald nether regions. As I write this, it’s been about a week and a half since my first Brazilian wax.

I still shudder as I think about the waxing process: that burning tear across my junk that stopped the words coming out of my mouth. The white-hot sting that ripped breathless curses from my lungs. I feel ashamed at the expletives I flung at the poor woman I asked to do this to me. (“Don’t worry,” she laughed. “I’ve heard it all.”)

Even now that the pain has gone and the sores have healed, I look in the mirror at my hairless skin and think, “Why did I do this?”

Wait, correction: Why the fuck would anyone do this?

♦◊♦

This started back in January when my then-roommate and I were headed home from a beer run. She drove while I thumbed through the Sacramento News & Review, an alt-weekly for which I’ve freelanced for almost five years.

I spotted a Valentine’s Day ad from a waxing salon. It showed a couple of toned, hairless bodies pressed up against each other. The tagline was something like, “Be sexy. Be smooth.”

I held the ad up to my roommate. “Nothing says love like getting your crotch hair ripped out,” I quipped.

Now, she knows I can’t resist a strange or dangerous writing assignment. She came with me one night as I was trying to track down a fabled midget prostitute. She glared in envy when I told her my editor was sending me to find the city’s best medical marijuana strain. So when she replied to my not-so-academic dissection of the waxing industry, she wasn’t issuing an idle challenge:

“That’s what you should do a story on, getting your junk waxed,” she said. “Because that shit hurts.”

♦◊♦

I’m a longtime member of the “manscaping” movement. Years ago I started using clippers to trim my armpit hair because I hated yanking out clumps of clingy deodorant at the end of the day. I’ve shaved my chest hair a few times, but the hairless look never did complement my doughy physique.

With clippers or razors I’ve dabbled in various pube styles over the years. Mostly, it was a courtesy thing for my sexual partners—who doesn’t vacuum the apartment before guests come over for dinner?—and had absolutely nothing to do with trying to make things look, um, bigger. Honest.

And my partners have also spanned the full spectrum of crotch grooming; I’ve seen everything from Mr. Clean to Chewbacca. The majority of the women I’ve been with, though, have employed some kind of trimming technique, usually razors or waxing.

So I knew from firsthand accounts that waxing involved heat, pain, and ripping. So before my roommie’s challenge, would I have ever thought to do it myself?

Fuck, no.

♦◊♦

I feel deeply conflicted about the issue of removing body hair; women are expected to do it while men get a free pass. Entire books call out the obvious double standards when it comes to male and female beauty. Expected hairlessness is another way the media stuffs women’s bodies into cramped, glossy, marketable packaging.

Most media critics peg the manscaping craze—one part of the “metrosexual” package—on Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. But there was a backlash, of course. Babyfaces like Orlando Bloom got pushed aside for the likes of rug-chested Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

Why? I think the Boston Globe‘s Christopher Muther summed up the real issue: “Red-blooded men are furiously trimming, shaving, and waxing themselves like, well, ladies.”

Translation: Women, not men, remove their body hair.

And here’s where the limits of my feminist ideals get tested: I would never end a relationship with a woman for her choice in—or lack of—pubic hair grooming, yet I honestly can’t see myself being able to date a woman who doesn’t shave her armpits or legs.

While talking to my girlfriend about this, I tell her that maybe I’m less feminist than I think.

“Maybe we all are,” she says.

♦◊♦

As I started researching for this piece, some questions popped up: why do we even have pubic hair? Why do we only grow pubes on the small triangle of skin between our legs? What are the risks of waxing? Do women feel more pressure than men to remove the hair down there? As manscaping has worked its way into men’s magazines and bro-flicks, are dudes really signing up to get their junk waxed? Is it true that gay men are more likely to wax than straight men?

To answer some of my questions, I called up Dr. Gary Goldenberg, medical director of the Dermatology Faculty Practice at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Offering laser hair removal to his patients since 2003, Goldenberg is intimately familiar with the hair down there.

But first, I need to convey how tough it was to find someone to interview for this story. Right after I pitched this story to the Good Men Project Magazine editors back in January, I began emailing professors of gender studies, biology, or human sexuality. I got no response.

So I sent media requests to dermatology departments at several medical schools. Then I left messages for public relations officers at colleges across the country. Next I requested interviews with government health agency scientists. Desperate to get someone—anyone—to go on record, I emailed male gay- and straight-porn stars and called up adult-film studios.

After reaching out to more than 50 individuals, schools, companies, and organizations, I couldn’t figure out why is was so hard to find someone to talk to about pubic hair.

“Probably because we don’t know anything about it,” says Goldenberg, who I spoke with over the phone a couple of weeks after my waxing.

Goldenberg answered some of my questions: pubic hair grows during puberty because the body jacks up testosterone levels in both boys and girls. It’s curlier than regular body hair because its fibers are twisted more tightly together.

But the big question—what’s the purpose of pubic hair?—is still a mystery.

Goldenberg says that for doctors, pubic hair growth is a useful guide for telling how far along a patient is in their sexual development. And from an evolutionary approach, he says, our ancient ancestors may have used pubic hair growth as a guide in mate selection.

What about the idea floating around Internet boards that pubic hair traps pheromones and makes it easier to attract a mate?

“It’s a good theory, it may be true,” he says, but he’s not sure how solid the evidence is for that explanation.

♦◊♦

Aesthetician Claudia Lopez is reading a book in the waiting area when I walk into the salon.

“Are you ready for this?” she chirps as she stands and leads the way back to her enclosed work space.

“No, not really,” I mumble.

The waxing room is bigger than a closet, but smaller than any apartment bedroom. Cupboards and drawers line the wall opposite the door. Claudia turns down the bright overhead lights. There’s some kind of relaxing music playing.

What looks like a doctor’s examination table takes up most of the room. A clean sheet of paper lies on top of it. Lopez takes her place between the table and a wax warmer sitting on one of the cupboards. She fiddles with the magnifying lamp standing next to the table.

I met Lopez a few weeks ago after I wandered into Tangerine Hair Studio in downtown San Jose, California, and identified myself as a writer. After we chatted, she agreed to wax me for this story.

Now, weeks after the initial meeting, she can tell I’m nervous.

“You might be surprised, you might like it,” she says as I strip from the waist down and lay back on the table.

Claudia wastes no time applying the warm wax to my skin. I’m staring up at the ceiling and taking deep breaths as I feel her pressing down the cloth strip on my upper thigh.

♦◊♦

A few hours before the appointment, I called up my friend and fellow writer, Julie de la Torre. She scheduled her very first crotch wax as a Valentine’s Day gift for her boyfriend.

Not wanting to appear grossly overgrown to her waxer, she says she made the mistake of trimming a little too short before her appointment. The salon steered her away for another month to grow out the hair a bit.

“Like that lady doesn’t see a million bushes a day,” she tells me with the gift of hindsight.

On de la Torre’s advice, I took 800 milligrams of ibuprofen an hour before the appointment. Though she thinks that instead of numbing the pain, “It might just be a psychological effect to calm your ass down.”

How painful was her first waxing?

“On a scale of one to childbirth, it was pretty up there,” she laughs. “It was pretty painful.”

“It’s like getting a tattoo, sort of,” she tells me. “You just kind of breathe through the whole process and try not to think about it.”

“Your crotch is going to look pretty angry at you for a couple of days afterwards,” she warns. “Don’t expect to go home and make sweet love to your woman.”

♦◊♦

With no warning, Claudia yanks the cloth. There’s a sharp tearing sound and a sharp flash as my entire body jerks. I gasp.

She works quickly applying the wax and yanking strip after strip of hair, each pull ripping a short, desperate breath from my lips.

My friend is Julie full of shit—this is nothing like getting a tattoo.

After the first several strips, Claudia asks, “Are you OK?”

“Yeah, I just—” I grunt. “I just can’t believe people do this regularly.”

“It gets better every time,” she says. “The first time is always the worst.”
It goes on for over 30 agonizing minutes. The pain slowly blankets my body with a layer of sweat. She positions my legs to reach my upper thighs and eventually my sack.
A couple times I cry out. I drop more F-bombs than George Carlin at a First Communion.
With my tape recorder running on a nearby table, I ask her about her side of the waxing business. She waxes between 20 to 30 clients a day. Business jumps during swimsuit season.
She says that while most of her clients are women, she gets a lot of straight couples. Often a woman will bring in her male partner for chest or back waxing. Some of the men say they’ve always wanted to try waxing, but have been afraid to venture out on their own.
“I do have a lot men men that are, let’s just say, into sports—cyclists, swimmers—that tend to get waxed more often,” says Lopez.

Her male clients often start out with brow or shoulder waxing. As they come back for more appointments, they’ll move on to the chest, back, and eventually a full Brazilian.

♦◊♦

Certain areas hurt more than others. My lower abdomen is the most sensitive part. But the worst pulls were the wax strips that ran across the lower abdomen, my scrotum, and the base of my … well, you get the picture.
Lopez says the hair will grow back thinner, making future waxing less painful. (Goldenberg later explained that the repeated ripping eventually “scars down” the hair follicle, inhibiting hair growth.)
Finally, it’s over. My palms are sweating. Lopez tweezes the straggling hairs. When she offers to wax “the backside”—salon-speak, I guess, for “asshole”—I decline.
When I pull out the $60 fee she had quoted me weeks earlier, she refuses my money. She won’t even accept a tip.
Later that night, my crotch smoldered as though it had been slathered in Sriracha sauce. Slapping in the treatment cream Lopez gave me left a tingly, breezy feeling.
So, it’s been two weeks. I keep getting weird little pimples that heal up after a day.

I still have lots of unanswered questions about pubic hair, hair removal, and why just certain amounts of hair on a person is “beautiful.”

But I do know this: any guy who expects his partner to get waxed, if he’s not regularly getting waxed himself, deserves to be set on fire and run over by a fucking bus

Damn.

2011-06-02T06:20:00.001-07:00

Floor session can suck my balls. Seriously.

holy crap

2011-05-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'm someone's fiancée. I have a future in-laws. Fucking crazy. I'm blowing my own mind, right now.

those last two posts....

2011-05-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

...disregard them. I'm starting to re-evaluate the whole cinco de mayo thing. If I get a reception hall, where the hell do we get married? We could do it outside but what if it rains? And on a budget? I think I just came to the realization that we can't really afford to do the awesomeness that had been brewing in my head. I don't how any of you guys did it. It's back to the drawing board, I guess.

I have a feeling that I am going to be asking for a whole lot of help, that I don't necessarily feel like I deserve.

i need to calm the fuck down

2011-05-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

http://re.pn/b/4ihW

http://re.pn/b/4Fbb

I'm off the market.

2011-05-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Odds are, if you are reading this, your gonna be partying with me next cinco de mayo!

Big Things....

2011-05-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Melly-Mel and I went to Sacto Mofo. I walked around with a camera in my purse but forgot to take pictures, for the most part.

Here are the ones I did take:

Miss Melly-Mel

Mel's cousin was pregnant with food.

**************************************************

We made a major commitment for a major overhaul of our front bathroom.

Bye-Bye, Pink Bathroom

***************************************************************

Got the backyard under control

Beast: TAMED. I should have take a picture of the jungle before we worked on it.

Cauliflower! Crooknecks! !

Tomatillo!

Butternut!

Basil! Freshia!

Black Prince Heirloom Tomato! Peppers!

My most recent project. I painted this wooden planter box green. It's my pepper box! Exclamation point!

The best part is that my wrist is better (so long as I don't try to be a bad ass for another couple of weeks) and get the itch to knit! See ya next post!

Spring, bitches!

2011-04-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

So today, my buddy Melly-Mel and I took an urban hike across the new pedestrian bridge over highway 50 to eat at the River's Edge Cafe; a place she used to work and a place I recently acquired a groupon for.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/rivers-edge-cafe-and-espresso-sacramento-2

On the way we shared a coke. Not a diet coke, but a real Coke. That shit tasted like heaven. These signs were up because Cal-Trans is done with the new bridge and in the process of taking down the old one.

. Someone drew boobies AND a penis.

After a delicious lunch we headed over to Big Lots. And man did I score!

Blue and Brown

Green and Brown

After wandering through Big Lots, we walked back home where we watched three episodes of Glee...

which I think I might be into.

All in all it was chilled out spring day. I had a good walk in the sunshine, a good meal with my buddy, found a bargain and...I didn't wear my wrist brace all day. It still feels not quite right (weak and tired after using it) but as long as I keep up on the anti-inflammatories, it should start to feel more like normal. Which is good cuz my brace kinda stinks, literally. And I'd like to start knitting again and get a ahead start on holiday gifts.

Another one bites the dust

2011-03-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

I did it. I bought new swim wear. I apologize in advance for the paleness of my flesh. Also, I might have to get blitzed to wear it outside with thinking about it. On the other hand, it will be motivation to lose another 10 ell-bees. So, cross another thing off the 2011 things-to-do-list.

You reap what you sow.

2011-03-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

If I divulge certain information and you don't put that information to good use, that's not my fucking problem. It's yours. So good luck with that.

Update

2011-03-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

So, as you may recall I said 2011 would be the year of my trying new things. I wish I had my shit together enough to create an actual list that didn't include things like "Eat a McMuffin". Time permitting, I've been fitting in new expereinces when I can.

1. got my passport.
2. saw New Orleans.
3. tried raw cuisine.
4. bought my first pair of Cowboy Boots.
5. used a tredmill and jogged for a decent amount of time.
6. used the stairclimber, which is something I thought I'd never convince myself to do.
7. went to a class that the gym, by myself.
8. trying new foods, in general.
9. learned to make pork and tomatillo stew.
10. mastered the art of chilli.
11. used coconut oil in baking
12. made lemonade
13. fell in love with chai teas
14. played zombies
15. made my first pie
16. had my first beignet

After listing that stuff, I guess 16 isn't half bad and maybe squeezing in 14 more new expereinces isn't that big of a task.

1. go to the Squeeze Inn. (lived hella close to the place my whole life.)
2. see the Declaration of Independence/Constitution
3. try the gringo sushi at Tex Wasabi's
4. buy a bathing suit and wear it in public (that's a biggun. I don't know thatI'm quite ready to deal with that one but I've got a few months)
5. learn a song on the drums
6. find a new old man drink
7. visit another country

That's kinda all I can think of right now but I am sure opportunites will pop up, I just have to remember to take advantage of them. So given that this list about trying to do new things in 2011, rather than before 7-13-2011, I'm not gonna pressure myself too much. Except for the Squeeze Inn thing - cuz that's just sad.

I made this, just now.

2011-03-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

Countdown to Thirty

2011-03-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

So, in four months and four days, yours truly will be turing the big 3-0.

As such, I have been pondering how to celebrate this milestone. This is what I want to do:

The weekend prior to or after my birthday (which falls on a Wednesday, 7-13 just in case you aren't on the book of face) I want to have birthday potluck. No present, just bring your culinary a-game to share with everyone.

In addtion to that, bring a game. It can be a game for lots of people or a game for a few people. I 'm hoping to just have a game day. I envision a bunch of groups of folks playin' some sort of games. Rock Band will be provided, of course. A round of MTG is fucking guarenteed. After we are all gamed out, perhaps a journey to a local dive called the Mushroom will be in order. We could walk, or carpool. Whatevs.

Anyway, that's what I am thinking about. And I think it'll be rad.

Maintaining

2011-03-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

So, as of the last time I weighed in, I was down 27 pounds. So today, I made the decision to swtich my WW profile from weight loss to maintain. I did so for a number of reason.

1) I'm working out more and thanks to Heather, sometime my workouts are hardcore. I think since I'm trying to be more fit, that's what I want to focus on. Maintaining for maybe a month or so, working out and building muscle. I think I'd like to see if I can push myself to run on a tredmill for ten minutes without having to stop.

2) I've been on diet since October 2nd of last year. I think I might need to taske a break from "losing". So I guess my new short term goal is to maintain my weight for one month. After a month I'll decide if I should change back to "losing".

So with that being said. My focus will be on regular exercise, hopefully almost daily. Maybe when it gets warmer I think about losing the 10-12 pounds I have left.

Today's Crockpot Adventure

2011-02-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

From the Weight Watchers Slow Cook-it Cookbook

Pretty easy to make, Ry loves the fuck out of it. Tastes hella good over a some corn bread. I omitted the lima beans and added a cup of frozen corn instead (about 20 minutes before serving). I also didn't have oregano so I just added some Italian seasoning.I also added cumin and garlic powder, to taste. I used less olive oil, cuz were were out and used some non-stick spray to brown the pork. Comes out to about 6 points a serving . I added more meat and added an extra cup of broth and a quarter cup of hominy. Makes 8 servings.

Ry's love of things bright and shiney...

2011-02-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

... means awesome V-Day gift for me. Clicky

I call bullshit.

2011-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

Dear World,

I call bullshit on a whole host of things. Shit, I call BS on the enitre day. Tuesday needs to get off my ass.

Maybe it's cuz I'm cranky. Maybe it's because it still hurts when I move my arms. Maybe it's because I have to listen to an alarm go off for two hours because the person it's meant for sees no problem in delaying his shower time until the time I normally take my showers.

My tolerance for bullshit is very low today. This is just a warning.

Don't act like an asshole today and expect me not to get my panites in a bunch. I've been trying to get them out all day and I doubt the fucktardedness of the general populace will do anything remove said underoos from my crack.

World, you might want to save the bullshit for another day where instead of saying out loud that you are an asshole, I'll just say it in my head.

Dear Friends,

2011-01-31T12:22:00.000-08:00

I will be staffing my boss at a couple of constituent coffees this week. So, in the event some Wack job shows up with a gun and unloads a round, I wanted to let you guys know how I felt about you.

Youse Guys are pretty alright. XOXOX

I has a cranky

2011-01-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

I am exhausted but I guess galavanting to the middle of the contiguous United States and back within four days will do that. I am ready to just hang out at my house and not do a whole lot, other than clean up and catch up on the things I fell behind on. Namley sleep. Red-eyes are awesome in that you don't have to battle crowds. They suck in that sleeping on them is almost impossible.

How was my trip? It was good. I got to see my grandfather and took my first trip to New Orleans. What did I learn from my trip? That I will never, ever move out of California. I'm serious. I'm here to stay. Also, I learned that no matter how long it has been I am always going to notice that my Mamaw is missing. It's been almost three years. During my trip I had these non-drug induced flashbacks to when I would tag along with my grandparents, around town or a road trip. I was constantly reminded that things were different and that she wasn't there.

In a way it kind of made the trip bittersweet. But on the other hand it makes me feel good that I haven't forgotten her and it makes me less afraid that one day I will wake up and won't be able to remember what it was like when she was around.

Goal 1 of 2011: Attained

2011-01-18T11:21:00.000-08:00

Just turned in my passprt application. I'm a 150 bucks poorer but one step closer to going places I've never been!

What 2011 Is All About

2011-01-14T15:13:00.000-08:00

Do I want to be a housewife?

2011-01-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Nope.

But I would really like a house-husband. Or to be more exact for my situation, a house-signifigant other.
Ry is home sick and I am communicating with him about what we have at home for dinner. Now, granted he won't be making the dinner, but it would be rad to have someone at home to make sure things are clean for when I come home to make dinner.

I better start making some skrilla......

No fate but what we make.

2011-01-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

My next tat. Thanks, James Cameron.

ummmm...I want to make this cake.

2011-01-05T16:12:00.001-08:00

New Year, New Life.

2011-01-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

If someone had asked me to describe what my life would look like in 2011, back at the very beginning of 2010, I don't think I would have been able to predict how the year has actually transpired. I've learned a lot personally and professionally. I feel really good about myself, which might be kind of weird to hear out of me. And I'm not talking about the weight, either. Maybe I'm seeing things in a different light. Sure things are different, but that ain't bad.

I feel like I have changed. Not better, not worse. Just different. I mean if you go through life and don't feel like you are any different than you were five years ago, something is wrong.

Am I still Mandi? Hell-fucking-yes-I-am!

I still like to announce that I am going to pee to the world, refer to random objects as "shit", talk shit like the dudes can and use "douchebag" as a term of endearment.

But honestly, the only thing anyone can be assured of in this life is change. I think the biggest thing to change about me is that I figured out that the end of the status quo is not the end of the world.

Sometimes the end is something you are afraid of and even go out of your way to avoid. You bite your tongue. Put up with things. It's almost like a marriage that keeps going...but know one knows why, not even those that are in it. Until something happens and it ends and you live through it and can't remember what it was that you were afraid of in the first place.
You can't move on to awesomeness if you cling on to old shit that is holding you back, right?

I guess I just realized that, that's all life is. Seriously. Just a bunch of beginnings and endings. If you are living your life right, you learn some shit along the way about yourself, about the people you want to surround yourself with and you figure out the shit that life is too short for. Hopefully, you learn what is good for you and get rid of the stuff that ain't.

I learned that I need to party as hard as I work.

I learned what friendship isn't about people who tell you stuff you agree with, it's people who tell you the things you don't want to hear because you need to hear it. (I heart you, Kristin.)

I learned that just because I'm a grown up, doesn't mean I'm old.

I learned that when people exit your life, new ones walk in.

I learned that out of sight doesn't necessarily mean out of mind.

I learned that the things that scare me most are the things that help me grow the most.

I learned that I am not the only person I can depend on.

I learned I gotta start doing shit now, instead of later.

So 2011 -the year I turn 30- is going to be the year I try to do shit I have never done before.

First thing I am going to do that I haven't done before, fly to Louisiana to visit my Papaw.

The second thing on my list is get my passport....and then go somewhere I have never been before...out of the country.

So who is with me? ;)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T13:26:00.001-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Cha-cha-changing.....

2010-12-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

I just feel really good, aside from my raw nose and semi plugged up ears. It's like today is just one of those days where everything just falls into place. I have hunch that 2011 is going to be super rad. And I've come to find that even situations that seemed shitty at the time might wind up being for the best. Change is always hard for me, mostly just the uncertainty of things but I think I am beginning to adjust to the fact that things don't stay the same, no matter how hard to you try. People change, situations change. My mantra for the new year will be to go with the flow.

We are having some staff changes in the office. Our legisaltive director will be leaving. Which makes me sad becasue we got along really well. Jenn is super rad. On the brightside, the previous legislative director will be coming back. Rob is also super rad. We got a new office. I don't have to share an office with folks anymore, which can be very hard when it is super busy.

Also, we just recently learned that our very own Ted will be moving out with his lady Barbara, to go live in San Jose. While it will be sad to see him go, especially as we all had gotten to the point where we felt like a family, we are all happy for Ted. He will be leaving at the end of January, so keep an eye for a bash at Casa De Strellache. I hope it turns out to be an all out bash, as we haven't had one at our new house.

See you fuckers in 2011. Keep on, keepin' on.

I can't stop smiling.....

2010-11-30T21:39:00.000-08:00

So, in anticipation of the clothing swap at the Garcia house, I went through my closet while doing laundry and also went through the bag I had set aside a month or so ago when I cleaned out my closet.

So I tried on some dresses and was trying to figure out if they were too big or if I was just telling myself they were too big. Then I tried on my old suits, the ones I almost gave away to the last clothing swap.

One suit in particular was the first suit I ever bought. It was 69 bucks on the Macy's clearance rack, which is really cheap for a suit but for a 21 year old community college student, that was still a chunk of change. Even though my ass was too big to wear it comfortably, I kept it. Mostly for sentimental reasons. This suit also got me through the internship at the end of my senior year of college that turned into my first job working for a Legislator.

I tried it on tonight. Not only could I put it on and zip it all the way up...it was comfortable....even a little loose.

I'm pretty happy I can wear it and the other suits that have been gathering dust in my closet for the last few years. Only problem is that a couple are a little big but I don't want to give them away. Them shits was expensive.

I know people are prolly pretty sick of hearing about it but I'm pretty proud that I lost the weight. I'm so glad I can wear my old clothes instead of having to cough up a 150 or so bucks because my work clothes are too small.

I think I might be okay getting rid of the dresses that are little loose in the cha- cha area.

I hope I have enough will power to keep it up.

Hey nerds...

2010-11-20T07:24:00.002-08:00

Who has two thumbs and will be soon entering the World or Warcraft? This gal.

Sorry , I know people are tired of the above statement (including myself) but for some reason I felt it appropriate

I have two guest passes for folks who wanna try it out.

Yay.

2010-11-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

My best friend is back in town! I'm excited, except for the fact she brought the rain with her.

Movies

2010-11-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

This one is a delight. It also has the dad from Teen Wolf in it.

This one is Kafka-esque. Watch if you would like to be grossed out while wondering why the cops in Germany don't wear uniforms or carry radios. Honestly it wasn't real graphic, but the thought of having my mouth hooked up to an asshole and ingesting poo triggered my gag reflex.

MIA

2010-11-17T19:48:00.000-08:00

No Twitter or Facebook. I can be reached by gmail or phone. I predict I will be active again in a few weeks.

Bad dream or a message?

2010-11-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

Who fucking knows.

hell-mutha-fuckin'-yes.

2010-11-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

I just ate the most perfectly cooked, delicious fucking piece of animal flesh, probably ever. Three medium rare slices of skirt steak, accompanied by delighful garlic mashed potatoes, a mixed green salad and choice of dessert. I gave away my dessert, as well as the fried ball of goat cheese that was atop the salad. (I am on a diet after all.)

What's better is that my ass didn't pay for any of it. Sometimes, life is good.

Warning: These are gross.

2010-11-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

I bought these to put in my taco salad thinking that they would have some texture (which they did) but the taste would be covered up by salsa. However, the salsa did not cover up the flavor, which was horrible.

You've been warned.

Werewolf Wednesday Faire.

2010-11-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

this dish/soup will be making an appearance this week. Hopefully it is as good as the other soups from WW and won't taste like ass. I haven't made it yet, but it's got four stars...

Hearty Tuscan Vegetable Chowder

Course: main meals
POINTS® Value:    3
Servings:  6
Preparation Time:  20 min
Cooking Time:  25 min
Level of Difficulty:  Easy

This chowder's pack with vegetables and TVP — textured vegetable protein — but even carnivores will love it.

Ingredients


	2 tsp olive oil
	1 cup(s) onion(s), diced
	3/4 cup(s) carrot(s), diced
	1/2 cup(s) celery, diced
	4 cup(s) vegetable broth
	28 oz canned tomatoes, diced, in juice, undrained
	15 oz canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
	3 tsp minced garlic
	1/4 tsp dried thyme
	1 cup(s) kale, frozen, chopped
	1 cup(s) frozen cut green beans
	1/2 tsp table salt
	1 cup(s) dry textured vegetable protein, granules (TVP)
	1 tsp fennel seed
	1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion, carrots and celery. Saute 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add broth, tomatoes and juice, beans, TVP, garlic, fennel and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes.
Stir in kale, green beans, salt and pepper. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes or until vegetables and TVP are tender. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving. (Note: Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for future consumption.)

Rave: Recipe

2010-10-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Totally hearty and dude approved. I had leftovers for lunch!

Potato and Canadian Bacon Slow Cooker Chowder

Course: soups
POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 360 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

This rich, chunky chowder is extremely satisfying. Lean Canadian bacon gives it great flavor without much fat.

Ingredients


	2 cup(s) potato(es), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
	1 large carrot(s), diced
	1 cup(s) leek(s), chopped, white part only
	1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
	4 cup(s) fat-free chicken broth
	1/2 cup(s) uncooked barley
	1 piece(s) bay leaf
	1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
	1/4 tsp black pepper
	4 oz Canadian-style bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
	1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
	2 oz fat-free half-and-half

Instructions

In a slow cooker, combine potatoes, carrots, leek, garlic, broth, barley, bay leaf, thyme, pepper and bacon; cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Stir in evaporated milk and half-and-half; heat through, uncovered, about 10 minutes. Yields about 1 2/3 cups per serving.

You're like a little Chihuahua dog...

2010-10-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

...that circles around everyone's feet, incessantly yapping. You know, the kind I want to kick a field goal with.

On another note....

I was in Target and saw this:

Are you kidding me? Please stop writing literature.

Your knack for always being the victim in whatever drama you choose to participate in and your ability to buy nice, expensive clothes doesn't necessarily make you a style icon, let alone important enough to write a book a bout it. I mean come' on, we all know you're the girl who didn't go to Paris. Well, until like the last season.

Bottom line: you are entertaining on a show about drama. Just because you have a clothing line at Kohls doesn't make you important enough to write a book on fashion worth reading. You're name is Lauren Conrad, not Coco Chanel.

RANT: Rudeness

2010-10-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

It occured to me that I hadn't written a substantive post in a while. Not that anything in this post will be monumental.

Actually it's just more of me preaching to choir.

I have to say that it astounds the fuck out of me the people who don't have manners. Seriously. I come from a pretty WT background and I have manners. I say please and thank you and attempt to not be a dick until provoked.

If you are over the age of 16, you don't have an excuse to act like an asshole and even the teenage angst thing only goes so far. If you are older than 21 and not drunk at the time, it's not acceptable.

!NEWSFLASH!

When you call someone and act like a douche, those people who may have wanted to help you, want to hang up on you. while they still help you, prolly, but only cuz it's there job and they hope that once they help you that you will disappear from the face of the earth.

No one wants to hang around an asshole. Except for maybe other assholes but at that point it's a group of people being assholes to each other and hey, those rude fucks kinda derserve each other.

Also, don't be surprised if in the course of your being an asshole someone finally says, "Hey fucker, how about not being such a dick?"

If you are an asshole and reading this-which I doubt because my readership is limited and considering I don't like assholes, the chances of someone I know being an asshole is pretty slim-if this hasn't happened yet, it will. Life is too short to have to deal with the socially retarded. And by that I don't mean shy or awkward folks, I mean people who are just mean and don't give shit about those around them. Eventaully someone is going to get angry or drunk enough to call you out on your shit.

So, to sum things up: Life is better if you ain't an asshole.

Rave: Recipe

2010-10-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

I cooked this up last night. Even the dudes in Casa de Strellache ate it up! It also seems like a recipie my non-meat-eating friends could easily veganize. Plus, it cooks in a crockpot. How awesome is that?

Southwestern Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup

Course: soups

POINTS® Value: 5

Servings: 4

Preparation Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 420 min <-------lol

Level of Difficulty: Easy

This spicy soup is packed with chunks of chicken, potatoes and corn, and flavored with cumin. Hearty and delicious.

Ingredients

3/4 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 medium sweet potato(es), peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 large onion(s), chopped

29 oz canned diced tomatoes, salsa-style with chiles, undrained

14 1/2 oz fat-free chicken broth

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 cup(s) frozen corn kernels, not thawed

Instructions

Mix all ingredients, except corn, in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker; cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours.

Stir in corn and cover slow cooker; cook on high heat until chicken is no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.

No, this is not spam.

2010-09-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

click here for a discount!

Apparently someone was jazzed about being featured on a treasury.

From Melly Sue

2010-09-16T13:16:00.001-07:00

Click here for awesomeness.

Success!

2010-09-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

Guess who wrote what?

2010-09-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Plain Cranberry Dress, Pleats on Skirt - Washington Square Park

2010-08-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

Reservations, check. Wedding gifts, check. Dress, check. I'm good to go!

Plain Cranberry Dress, Pleats on Skirt - Washington Square Park

What my "free time" at home has consisted of for the last month.

2010-08-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

Trying to get a head on the floor bills

With Dizzle either staring at me or bitchin for food.

Which is still better than being cooped up here in my windowless cave.

Sunday :)

2010-08-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

Folding laundry and watching Strangers with Candy on the wii.

"Flatpoint daddies do it in the sack."

I wish I had a dollar for every time....

2010-08-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

...that I hear, "You guys need to worry about the budget and not Insert Topic Here".

Seriously, it would pay for my morning coffee....all week.

Paranoid

2010-08-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

I can't wait for session to be over. Honestly, I feel like I haven't had a break. I think the stress is starting to wear on me. I've been having trouble sleeping, more and more. I am starting to get anxious and worry about stuff that is completly ridiculous. After the Dropout hearing, I'll act like less of a spaz.

I don't know why it bothers me so much when despite all of my effort, things get all crazy. The only things I worry about are the things that are out of my control, so I continue to worry about them...all night long. It's kinda lame.

A lack of confidence, maybe. But I feel like the only thing I've got over theother guy is this inferiority complex that causes me to keep having to prove to my self I'm as good as anyone else. If I stop having to prove to myself that I am capable, will I get cocky? I'm afraid if I get too confident, thats when I'll start fucking up.

My job is gonna make me rich.

2010-07-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Not because I am well paid because lets face it, for the job I do, I'm not. It's gonna make me rich because when I retire, I'm gonna write a book contains all of the ridiculous conversations I have had with people. It'll make millions and be the best selling non-fiction novel ever.

Why is it...

2010-07-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

...that when i actually say something funny it's in bad taste (always) and not appropriate for the audience.

Ex. "Well, they are already retarded."

My response to a conversation about the concept of my brother driving his bus drunk and getting into an accident. Uttered infront of Ry's parent's on Father's day. HILARIOUS...but inappropriate.

Goodbye, twenty-eight.

2010-07-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

So this is the end. Tomorrow I turn 29.

I feel like 29 will be the beginning of a whole new stage in my life. So I guess you could call it the beginning of the end. Or maybe the foreward of a new volume. Or the afterward.

I honestly don't know what the next few months will be like for me. Well, strike that. I know what the next few months have in store for me, professionally. Y'know in the crazy unpredicaibility of what I call my job, it is somewhat reilable. I know that every two years, I'll be walking precints. Every summer we will fight with the Reeps and the Gov. Even the parts you can't predict, say the outcome of an election, you can prepare for.

I wish life was like that.

29 is going to be different. It has to be. I'm just not sure what that is going to look like.

I had a snow cone today...

2010-06-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

...and it was awesome.

I also stumbled upon a sale on my favorite soda at Save-Mart. I bought the limit.

I watched some Wondershowzen.

I bought a new shirt and some new under-garments. JCPenneys was having a mad sale.

I feel like life is telling me to make some changes.

And I think I am slowly figuring out what that change may be.

If I had it to do over, most days I wouldn't change a thing...

2010-06-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

...but other days I wish I could go back and make different decsions. This is one of those days. All I see for the future is more of the same and it bums me out.

I firmly believe...

2010-06-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

... that karma has a way of serving up shit sandwiches to those who deserve it. Assholes, shit- talkers, psycho baby-daddies and other asshats who take advantage of others and wreak havoc in other people's lives.

You're not getting away with anything. Believe me, you'll get yours in time.

Rant - Throw the bums out

2010-06-08T21:35:00.000-07:00

(Sorry. Not that this applies to anyone that would read this. Kinda preachin' to the choir.)

Dear Teabaggers and people who think the answer to all our ills is to simply vote all your current elect-eds out of office:

1) "Throwing the bums out" is not retrospective voting. Retrospective voting is actually paying attention to thew votes and actions of a member and then holding them accountable.

2) Retrospective voting requires time and effort.

3) People spend more time researching what car they are going to buy than they do paying attention to those who a run their government. And they then wonder why the it doesn't deliver the goods.

4) Garbage in, Garbage out. Don't be surprised when things don't get better after voting out people you know nothing about and replacing them with less experienced people you know even less about.

Election Day

2010-06-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hey fuckers...vote. Don't let the sunburn I got on Saturday and the sunburn I get today, be in vain.

fuck

2010-05-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

I get out of Sacramento for a wee bit and what do I get? Worst cramps I've had in years. And I'm out of Motrin. Screw you, Uterus. I'm tempted to have 19 kids like that Duggar broad so that you fall out.

Newest Addition

2010-05-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Ry and I stopped into Lowe's to get stuff for the sprinklers and would up walking out with this ceiling lamp (as well as some solar globes for the backyard that change colors which I cannot find a picture for but I am sure you all will see them in all thier glory, soon enough).

I'm stoked because Ry and I hardly agree on things but agreed on that one plus finally found one to replace the hideous monster that hangs in the dining room.

The color in the picture is a little off but its full for jewel tones: blues, greens with accents of red and orange.

Book Club List Pt 2

2010-05-22T20:49:00.001-07:00

Here is the booklist from the Gourmet Magazine Website. I left in the links to the book reviews, however you'll have to log into the website to see them. I recommend just searching on Barnes and Noble. They usually have reviews also. Also if anyone has suggestion, throw them out there.

August 2009: Rustic Fruit Desserts

Combining the authors’ love of baking with their passion for fresh, seasonal produce, their recipes for mouthwatering crumbles, tarts, and cobblers are incredibly easy and accessible.
Read Our Review
Rustic Fruit Desserts

July 2009: A Table in The Tarn

Created for a bed-and-breakfast in the French countryside, these comforting recipes will leave you swooning for more.
Read Our Review
A Table in The Tarn

June 2009: Quick & Easy Korean Cooking

Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee makes traditional Korean recipes accessible. We have a feeling these five flavorful dishes will find a place in your family’s regular repertoire.
Read Our Review
Quick & Easy Korean Cooking

May 2009: Falling Cloudberries: A World of Family Recipes

Tessa Kiros shares recipes inspired by her Finnish and Greek-Cypriot heritage and her travels throughout the world.
Read Our Review
Falling Cloudberries: A World of Family Recipes

April 2009: ’wichcraft

Every day ’wichcraft patrons across the country order upward of 5,000 sandwiches. What makes them so irresistible? A new cookbook reveals all.
Read Our Review
’wichcraft

March 2009: The Breakfast Book

Marion Cunningham’s guide to the seemingly humblest of meals will win you over with its good old-fashioned know-how and surefire favorites.
Read Our Review
The Breakfast Book

February 2009: New Orleans Classic Gumbos and Soups

This Mardi Gras season, get out your biggest pot and join Kit Wohl as she shares recipes from the Big Easy’s most beloved chefs.

Read Our Review
New Orleans Classic Gumbos and Soups

January 2009: A16 Food + Wine

Nate Appleman and Shelley Lindgren of San Francisco’s celebrated restaurant, A16, share their passion for honest country cooking and the emerging wines of southern Italy.
Read Our Review
A16 Food + Wine

Cookbook Book Club List

2010-05-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here is another list.

December 2008: Home Cooking with Charlie Trotter
In this modest-looking book, acclaimed chef Charlie Trotter elevates everyday cuisine with remarkably simple techniques.
Read Our Review
Home Cooking with Charlie Trotter

November 2008: Urban Italian
Chef Andrew Carmellini may be relatively unknown in the crowded field of superstar Italian chefs, but he and Gwen Hyman will impress you with their inventive and unpretentious recipes.
Read Our Review
Urban Italian

October 2008: The Art and Soul of Baking
Even if you suffer from fear of flour, Chez Panisse alum Cindy Mushet will soon get you thinking like a pastry chef.
Read Our Review
The Art and Soul of Baking

September 2008: A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes
David Tanis’s approach to cooking for friends at home is simple and thoughtful—but never boring.
Read Our Review
A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes

August 2008: Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone
Deborah Madison's modern classic features imaginative and delicious dishes and has been a kitchen essential for ten years.
Read Our Review
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

July 2008: Beyond the Great Wall
Beyond the Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid, offers captivating recipes from an enchanting part of the world.
Read Our Review
Beyond the Great Wall: Recipes and Travels in the Other China

June 2008: Fish Without a Doubt
Rick Moonen and Roy Finamore's book is inspiring, informative, and user-friendly—which is why we made it the first selection of the Gourmet Cookbook Club.
Read Our Review
Fish Without a Doubt

I think this is rad.....

2010-05-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

I 'd love to get together with a group of like-minded friends to do something like this, perhaps once a month. I recently discovered how easy and delicious homemade macaroni and cheese is. I think a group like this would force me out of my comfort zone and would result in my attempting recipes I wouldn't otherwise try.

Ruth Reichl
How to Start Your Own Cookbook Club

06.06.08

When my book, Tender at the Bone, came out ten years ago, I began getting mail from book clubs all over the country. I’d open the letters and photographs would come falling out. They were of people proudly presenting the dishes they had cooked from the recipes in the book. “We cooked your Aunt Birdie’s Potato Salad,” one began, “and it was just perfect with Claritha’s Fried Chicken. And my neighbor made the Lemon Soufflé for dessert.”

Sometimes they would go on to tell me about changes they had made in the recipes. “Have you ever thought about putting bacon in that potato salad?” one woman wrote. “It’s a real improvement. I bet Aunt Birdie would approve.” And every single letter told me what a great time the groups had cooking together.

Over the years I’ve corresponded with many of the people who have cooked from my books, and when we were starting the Gourmet Cookbook Club, I went back and looked at how they did it.

If you want to create your own cookbook club at home, these are their suggestions:

· Start with a small group of 6 or 8 friends; if the club is too big everything becomes more complicated.

· Don’t think that every member has to be a great cook. All you really want are friends who enjoy spending time in the kitchen.

· Ask each member to sample recipes from the Gourmet Cookbook Club selection during the month so that they can select a favorite dish to bring to the meeting.

· Be sure to have somebody coordinate the meal, or you might end up with three kinds of potatoes and four desserts.

· Ask one person to lead the discussion each month. You probably won’t need this, but it’s good idea for the first few meetings, just to get the ball rolling.

Favorite Questions:

· What is the one recipe in the book that you can’t live without?

· What was the most surprising recipe?

· What new techniques did the book help you conquer?

· What new tips did you learn that you can apply to other recipes?

· What was the one recipe you would never, ever, make again?

One final note: Don’t forget a camera. If you take pictures and send them to the authors, I can promise you that they’ll be thrilled. They might even write back. I always do.

Early Morning Thrifting...

2010-05-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Who is down?

Serrano Community Yard Sale

4525 Serrano Parkway, EDH

Gates Open @ 8:00am

Lst of participating homes will be furnished at village entrances.

Later on in the day they will have a chilli cook off and what not. But I prolly won't be around for that. Lemme know if you wanna go.

For the Kitchen....

2010-05-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

This is perfect for my kitchen, where we have Martha Stewart Blue mixed with Red.

This and other 11x13 prints available here: http://www.flowersinmay.bigcartel.com/category/prints

I guess if I ever lose my job...

2010-05-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

I could maybe make some money selling flowers on the side of the road.

Cowls

2010-05-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

I don't get them. I get them if they are attached to a shirt but otherwise I think they are retarded.

We get it, you can knit in the round or you are smart enough to sew together the sides of the baby blanket you've been knitting.

Know what a cowl says to me? It says, "I'm too lazy to make a scarf" or "I'd rather not craft something that is actually useful to people, like a hat".

Slowly but surely....

2010-04-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

... I am finding things for our very naked walls.

Both are from Etsy. I think both are pretty awesome.

Recently

2010-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Recently Attempted

Recently Concocted

Old TV Series We Recently Began Watching

Movie Trilogy Recently Completed

Recently Read

and

A Recent Dose of Reality

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=christopher-michael-harwell&pid=141824338

Once again, I was reminded how incredibly short and fragile life is. A lot of the people I saw at the funeral, I hadn't seen in years. The whole situation is incredibly fucked, especially for those who were closest to Chris. I felt really awkward at the reception, like I didn't deserve to be there. No one made me feel that way, mostly just me feeling guilt at another person gone and a whole lot of missed opportunities to keep up with those I spent so much time with growing up.

Chris was a cool dude. It seems like he was there at most of our collective group's shenanigans. I feel very sorry that I hadn't kept in touch with him after high school. Why some of us kept in touch and others didn't is beyond me.

I can't change the past, only change the direction of the future. To those I have become recently re-acquainted with, please let me know what I can do to help.

Adorbs

2010-04-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

Homebodied-ness

2010-04-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today, I cleaned and oil the bottom half of the kitchen cabinets. Them shits was dry.

A little bit of elbow grease makes a big difference.

Last night I planted to bellpepper plants, One orange and one red. Ry hearts bellpeppers. Last weekend we gave our Sweet Broom Plant a little buddy.

We added a couple more tomato plants to our garden after venturing to the Farmer's Market with the Steinerts.

I got this idea from an issue of Martha Stewart Living. I swear for the past few months, everytime we went to Home Depot I saw those pots, and wanted to do something with them. I finally did it last weekend. I'm kinda in love with that color green, if you couldn't tell.

A while a go we got a new head board. I meant to take a picture and post it but was super busy. No more mattress on the floor.

And to round out the night, I am attempting another recipe out of the Martha Stewart Cooking School Cookbook. Miso Soup! So I have planned to make some Teriyaki chicken, potstickers and white rice. I hope it turns out. I'll be making it on the regular.

More Eats

2010-04-08T12:12:00.001-07:00

No, this picture hasn't been manipulated at all. I couldn't get on the to Ethnic Gourmet Website to get the url for thier picture. So I, uh, improvised.

To tell the truth, I wasn't sure that I would like this. It had a lot of green in it, which was kinda scary for some reason. However, this shit is delish. For 4.5 grams of fat, you really can't beat it, especially for a microwave dinner. I mean even at full price, the 3.49 is still way cheaper than trying to eat something healthy, Downtown. I found these at Whole Foods and they had a coupon, Save two bucks when you buy three or something like that, which encouraged me to branch out and try the other indian entrees. I've read some other reviews on it, where it was dogged. But I am pretty sure these folks hadn't been eating "Smart Ones" and "Lean Gourmet" frozen meals, so they can suck it.

The one I will be eating next is the Palak Paneer.

Maytag and Martha Macaroni

2010-04-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

Today was an eventful day, to say the least. We cleaned house, then wound up going to the Home Depot and purchasing a new dishwasher.

It gets delivered on the 24th.

I also embarked on my first recipe attempt out of the Martha Stewart Cooking School Cookbook.

My macaroni and cheese was a success. It wasn't typical Mac & Cheese as ti was in Martha Stewart, so it contained non-traditional cheeses like Gruyère, Fontina (which smells like feet and is prolly the variety that coined the phrase, "Who Cut the Cheese?"), Parmigano Reggiano and Aged White Cheddar. It seemed like there were a lot of steps involved but actually it was really quite simple. The most difficult thing was making sure not to scorch the milk after making the roux. My brother and I like it. It has an Alfredo taste to it. Ry said it was not his cup of tea and that he would prolly like if I used more traditional cheese. But he did say that the noodles were cooked perfectly, which is enough for me. I think I have a new regular potluck dish! It seems like something that could be made the night before and then just popped in the oven.

While at the store, we also bought this. I tried it at Chipotle and thought it was delish! It is also very tasty on Mac & Cheese!

Eats

2010-03-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday during my day off I totally scored while at the Ross in West Sac. I found this cook for 10 bucks, which I think is a steal because it's big and hard bound. I went through it last night and put post-its on the things I wanted to try to cook. Two of them were Miso Soup and curry chicken. Perhaps I will atempt one this weekend.

Also, I am getting back on the bringing lunch thing, hardcore. Even started brewing my own coffee in the office. So, today for lunch I ate Chicken Tikka Masala by Ethnic Gourmet.

As I have been doing this for a few months now, I got tired of the stuff I was usually eating and had to branch out to find new things to eat. Thankfully, Trader Joes and WholeFoods have healthy options available which also coincide with my new enthusiasm for indian food. So far I have been impressed by the indian dinners that are tasty and that seem to be naturally low in fat and calories. I'll prolly be eating this one til I hate it.

effin' cute

2010-03-28T20:43:00.001-07:00

Health Care

2010-03-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

What are Republicans gonna do if the nation doesn't go to shit due to the passage of a health care bill?

Remember how all those people thinking things were gonna go haywire in Y2K? Remember how foolish they all looked when everyone woke up the next day and nothing happened?

I don't know if this is something conservatives would be able to just shrug off.

Just a thought.

The gods shined upon us this day.....

2010-03-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

For upon this unto us this new patio set. A set Ry had been eying since we saw the at Home Depot....for half price, which is a steal considering the the price was reasonable in the first place.

New Member of the Family

2010-03-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

Ta-Dah!

To be done...

2010-03-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

Paint this...

...the same color as this...

...and get rid of this...

Planted.

2010-03-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

I planted the tomatoes and the topsy-turvy-pepper-thing a couple of weekends ago. Yesterday I planted some garlic and onions.

You can't see'em yet but I planted some bulbs. In a couple of months we should see some Bleeding Hearts!

Uh, I Think this is an Azalea . We had a couple around the house, I bought one at OSH yesterday. There was already one in the planter. It looked lonely.

Two dwarf lime trees, installed.

Fin

2010-02-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Internal Revenue Service, you shall be receiving communication from me shortly, about my mother-fucking-house-money. I look forward to your reply.

Dear Franchise Tax Board, I have completed my 540 form. However, you will not be receiving it or the amount due until I have to. In other words, you ain't getting my money til April, bitch.

Love,

Douchebag

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...

2010-02-22T21:47:00.001-08:00

Frustration, I has it.

My Weekend so far...

2010-02-14T19:45:00.000-08:00

Finally unpacked the rest of the stuff Ry's folks brought over when they came over, which included these cute Pyrex mixing bowls.

Finally broke in the pizza stone, for our Valentine's Day Pizzas. Totally homemade.

Finally hung up these bad boys. About time, they've been laying around for months.

Organization! Went to Ikea to get boxes for my Expedit shelf.

Me and my Valentine, Melly Sue along with our chaperon (Theodore), went to Taco Bell and the toured Sacramento's finest thrift stores. We made out like bandits.

I also made out like a bandit at Joanns and Hancock Fabrics. President's Day Sales are bomb, yo.

List

2010-02-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

My list of things to accomplish on this three day weekend where neither me or Ry have obligations and he just recieved a new video game *for Valentine's Day (early).

1. Put buttons on the red coat I bought from Bows and Arrows....like, a month ago.
2. Continue to upload CDs to itunes
3. Continue to organize the craft room.
4. Clean the shit out of the house, yet again.
5. Thrift store shopping..by myself or with a buddy.
6. Make a hat, that was requested by Ted's buddy during firepit night.

I'm not sure what we are doing for V-Day. Probably nothing big. Last year we went to Ikea and had dinner at In N Out.

* Dear lady friends, I know that as ladies there exists a struggle between us and the video game. But when used wisely, say when you want to be left the fuck alone, that shit can be your best friend.

When I am a mom....

2010-02-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

I hope I am this kind of parent....
http://emailsfromcrazypeople.com/2010/02/10/crazy-emails-discipline/

Huh?

2010-02-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

1) I've noticed I've started to get more random ass comments on my blog posts...does that mean I am getting more attention? Did I become a blogger?

2) Doing this whole no fast food thing has decreased my desire for fast food. Except for my Taco Bell hankering. I doubt anything will kill my love of the Taco Bell.

3) Dieting and exercising have acutally made me feel better. I have more energy and have been in a better mood, allowing me to want to participate in extracurriculer activites. On the downside I have not dropped a satisfying deuce in weeks.

things that make me glad I left

2010-02-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dear State Agency to remain unnamed,

Please stop hiring fucking idiots. I called regarding my w-2, to see if had been sent out and how I could get it so that I can finally do my taxes, since I had moved. I find it astounding that the people who you hire are retarded. I asked if the W-2s had gone out yet. The head of the HR unit had no idea. How don't you know? I mean you work there and probably get w-2s, right? Also how don't you know that w-2s cannot be forwarded? You head the unit that deals with payroll and other matters related to people working and getting paid. Why is it that you continue to hire people who know less about their job than proably just about everyone else.? Seriously, you are paying them for not knowing anything.

So while I wait the two weeks the HR lady suggested to find out about my w-2, I have already called the Controller's Office where it appears the guy at the general line knows more than the head of HR at your agency.

From the Metro Market Collection from Robert Kaufman

2010-02-02T14:19:00.000-08:00

I hella dig this. It would be rad as an apron or for curtain panels in my kitchen! I've only been abel to findit at Beverly's Fabrics, online. Haven't got up the nerve to purchase.

Curtains

2010-01-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

We've been focusing on home projects lately. We've finally painted the hall and painted JR's room. We painted two of the walls red so clearly the old curtains weren't going to work. So decided just to make some. For anyone thinking of doing curtains I have one piece of advice:

Only make them yourself if you found some rad print. The ones I made were black...and similar to millions that you can prolly find at Target or Kmart or something....way cheaper.

Here are three that are finsihed. I'm going to make a fourth, but waiting on more black fabric. I fucked up on cutting. I went back to Joann's but they didn't have any black in the type I bought. I wound up having to order on line from Hancock Fabrics. So maybe I'll finish it this weekend.

Also, it might be helpful to have the curtain made before taking the old one down so that occupant of said room doesn't bitch at you for a week because he has no window coverings...for a room that faces the street. My bad....

Only nine...

2010-01-22T22:53:00.000-08:00

...more days until our free day.

I hella miss Taco Bell.

I ate...

2010-01-15T15:25:00.001-08:00

...some Cream of Wheat and one Morning Star Breakfast Patty for breakfast this morning. It was pretty good as I heart Cream of Wheat. But it ain't a breakfast sandwich....y'know what I mean?

As some of you may know, the Strellache household has been on a fast food free diet...with the exception of Subway, because it's not really fast food, it's a sandwich.

Usually I order this:

A Turkey on wheat with provolone cheese, no mayo or mustard, with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and sometimes banana pepper, with lots of vinegar, salt and pepper. I usally get combo with baked chips and an iced tea.

Today I got a footlong ham, with the same veggies and pepperjack cheese. No chips and a cup of water. While squinting at the menu while eating we disocverd that not only does Subway now offer breakfast items, they are way cheaper than the stuff offered in the cafeterias in the basement and on the 6th floor.

Most of them are around 300 calories.

God must have taken pity on me , I've been resisting the temptation to get a breakfast sandwich for two weeks now.

Look at these babies:

You can get them on sub rolls or on breakfast muffins. Best of all.....they serve them all day.

Here are some of the nutritional fact for the english muffins:

More nutritional info can be found here:
http://www.subway.com/applications/NutritionInfo/nutritionlist.aspx?id=sandwich

Guess who's going to Subway on Monday morning.....

next project

2010-01-11T11:50:00.000-08:00