Moving Day

I finally decided to move over to the new blog. Still tweaking with it a bit but it's starting to grow on me.

It would be way past bedtime if I actually owned a bed

So about three weeks ago I fell asleep in a completely wrong position. After a week and a half of pain, I went to the doctor. He determined that I strained a deep muscle in my neck/upper back. Being in Northern California, I had numerous friends ask if the problem could not have been solved by a massage therapist or a chiropractor. It probably could have but those solutions would have involved taking even more time off from work. I must say once more that I completely love Flexeril, the prescription the doctor wrote. Because I was in a great deal of pain at that time, he also wrote me a prescription for Tylenol 3. I'm saving that bottle for a real emergency. I would have needed them if it hadn't been for the Flexeril. The only thing I worry about is that the Flexeril runs out over this weekend. Does that mean that I will be wired for weeks? When I first started taking the pills, I was ready to go into coma sleep by about 4 p.m. (The earliest that I get off of work is 6 p.m.) Last week was hellish. This week is sooooo happy.

I guess I should head off to sleep now but if I leave now, I will be stuck with the sounds of Digital Underground doing "Freaks of the Industry."

Idle Hands

So I have a load of spare time on my hands these days it seems. Mainly because I refuse to deal with the mess that is the bedroom until I actually purchase furniture for that room. Don't worry though. It will happen soon. I have to have furniture in place in the room by mid-July at the latest. That means I have about a month and a half to deal with it all. Actually maybe I should shoot for late June as I am debating throwing myself a birthday party. I will be almost completely over the hill after all. (I must not think about that. I must remind myself that according to that lovely quiz, I act like I'm 26. Actually 26 was a good year so I think I'll stay with it as long as possible. Oh, and if I act like I'm 26, does that mean that it's still ok for me to date 21 year old guys?)

Enough of that. Back to the real topic -- spare time. I attribute the sudden gain in free time to the end of the television season. That's why I had to go to the library earlier this week. I recently realized that I wasn't completely happy with this blog and wanted to do some re-designing. However, there are limitations on what I can do with this. I have spent the last week or so trying to come up with a new look. Actually I have "finished" it; I just need to let the idea marinate a bit and see if I still like it. I figure that should be about another week or so. At that point I will post the link and hopefully see you all there.

On a quest for literacy

So this weekend I went to see Crash. We arrived in the area of the theater early, so we browsed through a bookstore. It's been some time since I've bought a book -- at least three months. I just can't stomach paying the outrageous prices they charge now for hardcovers though. Then I remembered that part of the appeal of my apartment is that it is within walking distance of the public library. Add to this the fact that the sun has decided to make an extended appearance this week and the fact that I got off work at 6:00. Well, it was just an outing in the making.

I ran into my apartment as quickly as possible so that I could change into something more casual (and cooler). I remembered to grab a tote bag on my way out the door to carry my finds home in. As I strolled along, I was greatly tempted to join the other fine residents of the People's Republic who were enjoying a cold one. Then I remembered I was on a mission. Not more than a block later I was tempted to stop to go shopping. Then I remembered my empty wallet and decided to continue on my way.

I finally reached the library only to discover that most of the books I wanted had already been checked out. I didn't leave empty-handed though; I got three. Even more important I got the first library card I've had in about ten years.

On my way back home, I remembered to stop in the Indian restaurant that's about three blocks away. I desperately needed a takeout menu because they deliver. (Yes, I realize they are only three blocks away and I could easily walk there. I've gotten my exercise for the week though. I did take the stairs in the library up to the fourth floor and back down.) Across the street is a taqueria. I was tempted to stop there too. Finally as I neared home, I saw a sign up at the French bistro around the corner from me. They now have cafe service in the morning. Guess what they're serving? That's right -- pain au chocolat. One day I'm just going to head out and eat my way through the neighborhood.

Another day, another dollar.

I'm sitting here at work and realizing that I haven't posted since last weekend. Actually I hope that I will be able to finish this post while at work. The new boss can be a stickler about certain things. Oh, and I do have a ton of work piled up that is begging me to come take a look.

The new boss is pretty much ok. I may not like some of her rules (like when I work on Fridays that I'm expected to be here until 5 and on Saturdays until 3). My old boss was pretty flexible on this kind of thing. Fridays I didn't have to stay any later than 4 and on Saturdays I could leave at 3. Then again she has been a consistent presence in the center since she began. Often I didn't know when the old boss was going to show up, if ever. Then her bosses would call and she'd expect me to cover for her. Hmmm ... maybe she needs that trust fund more than I do.

Looks like there's a new boy around, but he's already starting to irritate me. He called earlier this week because he said he had a few questions. I decided to just cut to the chase and said, "I already know what one of your questions is. You want to know why I didn't invite you to my housewarming." That was precisely the question. He was angry/hurt because I didn't. Mind you, I'd only met this guy three weeks before my housewarming. I told him that it was mostly family present. I just am picky about who gets to meet my family. His response? "Well it has to happen at some point." The last time some guy reacted that way to something I had said, the guy was planning our lives together. I keep wondering if these guys (yes, there have been quite a few of this type in my life) are this way all the time or do I bring out this obsessive quality.

Boy called this morning around 7 a.m. saying that he needed me to call him back at 8:30. He has jury duty and doesn't own an alarm clock. I get the feeling that this guy won't be around for much longer. Maybe that's the real reason why I didn't invite him.

Well, I'd better get back to work. I can't believe I still have four more hours to go.

Time to relax

I have just bid farewell to my final guests and as promised, I have pictures.


The spread

My friends and relatives were impressed, as always, by the food spread. A couple asked when I was going to give up the education thing and just start a catering business.



The Fig and Walnut Tapenade has always been a hit. My friend, Yvette, couldn't make it because she had no one to watch her daughter. She called her twin sister, Yvonne, during the festivities to specifically ask if I had made the tapenade. Yvonne told her that I had known that Yvette would make the request. Ten minutes earlier I had told Yvonne that she would have to take some home to Yvette because I remembered how much she had loved it before.




The Chicken Empanadas are another hit in Yvonne's family. Her other sister Monique couldn't make it because she is already dilated one centimeter. I said there was no need for Monique to attend. I mean, do I really want her water breaking in my apartment? Monique had already instructed Yvonne to inquire about the empanadas before Yvonne arrived. Yvonne said, "She may be starting labor but all she can think about is food." I had already set some aside for Monique. They aren't the prettiest ones I've made, but they're still tasty. (The empanadas were the last item I made and so I rushed in rolling out the dough. Oh, and Gloria, the dough is made from flour, cream cheese, and butter.)




Of course there was the requisite sangria to wash it all down. I am finishing the last of it as I write this. Well, I would if I could find my cup. That was one of my main problems today. I could never remember where I had left my cup.




I had told people that there was no need to bring anything, but we all know I really didn't mean it. Here's the loot I collected. Not pictured is the check that my dad gave me. It will buy my chairs at Ikea and then some. The tray (the box in the front) is from my stepmother. I was really surprised. She had already given me a check which enabled me to buy my lovely kitchen table from Ikea. Oh, and my dad is the one who gave me the lovely 6-pack of wine. In total I received seven bottles of wine and a bottle of Chivas. My friends say I have the start of another party.




This final image is from my hallway. Everyone was fascinated with it. I guess it's left from the old intercom system in the building.

I said it's time to relax, but let's get real. I still need to deal with the mess that is supposed to be the bedroom. I refuse to take more pictures of it until I have it decorated. At least now there is a path through the room.

I'm it.

I was tagged yesterday so here goes. I let myself marinate ... ummm I mean meditate ... with some Chuck last night. Here's my answers.

The Premise (pick 5):
If I could be a scientist…
If I could be a farmer…
If I could be a musician…
If I could be a doctor…
If I could be a painter…
If I could be a gardener…
If I could be a missionary…
If I could be a chef…
If I could be an architect…
If I could be a linguist…
If I could be a psychologist…
If I could be a librarian…
If I could be an athlete…
If I could be a lawyer…
If I could be an inn-keeper…
If I could be a professor…
If I could be a writer…
If I could be a llama-rider…
If I could be a bonnie pirate…
If I could be an astronaut…
If I could be a world famous blogger…
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world…
If I could be married to any current famous political figure…

If I could be an inn-keeper...
I'd have the kind of place that would make you feel at home. In fact you'd love it there so much, you'd never want to leave. Of course it would be impossible to get a reservation, it would be so popular. Oh, and the decor, food, etc. would make people say, "Martha who?"

If I could be a linguist...
I'd make more of an effort to travel more. Actually I did briefly toy with the idea of majoring in linguistics in undergrad. I've always been fascinated by language. That is how I ended up taking both Spanish and Italian in undergrad. (The linguistics department requires that you study at least two languages.)

If I could be a librarian...
I'd try to find ways to get kids away from their PS2's and to read more. I have always loved books. I am also picky about who gets to borrow mine. I think they should be treated with care and respect. Last year my classroom was directly across the hall from the school library. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

If I could be a painter...
I'd actually be able to draw what I see. Well, at least I hope so. The prof for the drawing class I took in college used me as an example once. "See how she has gone back over the work? She is not afraid to go back and try to correct what she has gotten wrong."

If I could be an architect...
I'd create affordable yet stylish homes for people around the San Francisco area. Why? Because I have accepted the fact that I will probably never be a home owner unless I get married. That is probably the only way that I will have the minimum income necessary to apply for a home loan given the current median prices.

So that's me. Guess it's my turn to decide who to tag next. I think I'll need more Chuck to make that decision. Guess I'd better run along before I'm late for work.