Let it be released from the mind

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Lasso my Tasso

I'm so bummed that Tasso ham is so expensive. It's over $9/lb. at Whole Foods. They're trying to bring me down for my authentic New Orleans dinner, but they can't. They won't.

I'll just have to order it online. Nothing like 5 lbs. of ham arriving at your doorstep. Enough to make a woman weep.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Definition of awkward

You're in the car with your boss, and there's a lull in the conversation. Then "Let's Get It On" comes on the radio, and they turn it up.

Friday, February 24, 2006

The Chili that bites (your tongue)

Today's chili cook-off will hopefully be dominated by my chili, the chili that bites (your tongue). You all know I like it hot hot hot, so we'll see how the wusses can take it.

As usual, I had no recipe and relied on wing-dinging it. It was crazy, there were symbols all over the place. My kitchen was a wreck this morning.

Some secret ideas include using 5 different chili peppers, including the serrano in raw form, and in dried and subsequently ground form: new mexico, guajillo, chipotle, ancho and that simple bottle of "chili powder" which I have no idea what chili it is.

My office smells like a smokehouse, but that's okay. Dammit, it's chili cook-off day. What dreams are made of.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

stretch it real good

Do you know that feeling when you get a really good stretch, usually both arms overhead with fists, and you actually lose the ability to grip things? I was holding a Starbucks in my hand (Grande 2% extra hot no whip Cinnamon Dolce Latte--I'm so disappointed with myself for having this lingo down now, allowing my once a week splurge, and buying into the monopoly of this small-business salt of the earth hater) and nearly dropped it as I reached the climax of my stretch.

Think about it next time. If you don't understand me now, you may at some later time.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

long weekend delight

Sounds like an extra special dish at a Chinese massage parlor/all-you-can-eat buffet.

The weekend started off on Friday with a pork chop superbly stuffed (if I do say so myself) with sauteed spinach, parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes and garlic. Sundried tomatoes are so '90's, I know. But it rocked regardless. Meg so graciously joined us and a feast was had. Then we began that ever so popular game of Texas Hold 'em, and believe it or not (...George isn't at home...)I won the second game. Fancy that we made a bet beforehand that winner gets one drink from each loser, so I get drunk for free next time we all go out (January, 2008 to be exact).

Saturday I continued on my exercise kick and went walking and running on the Paint Branch trail. I definitely saw an albino donkey/deer/unicorn too. I swear my right eye is doing much better... To better exercise my brain I had a feats of strength contest to knit furiously (which stimulates) and watch my first ever Nascar race (which depletes). Don't give me shit--I was only half watching, with my bad eye, and it was only the first 20 laps and the last 20. After dutifully sitting at the computer for 3 hours trying to plan my upcoming vacation, I changed into my "club attire" and headed to Crazy Christina's in Dupont for caiparinha's and Baccatta's (spelling could be very botch-erous) and samba dancing in the most opportune place--Heritage India. So Buddha, Felicia, and I, and throngs of other lower-half fast-moving European individuals samba-ed the night away.

So what is samba you ask? Basically moving your feet and butt as fast as you possibly can for about 5 hours and then waking up the next morning and relinquishing the ability to walk down stairs.

I honestly can't remember any great details of the rest of the weekend. Perhaps its because my ears didn't stop ringing until Monday night. By then I was shrouded in a cloud of dust and Laika hair from cleaning all day. But no one wants to hear about that.

Friday, February 17, 2006

well isn't that just a kick

Isn't life and all of its little sexual harrassments just so funny. (sarcasm) It's a small world, isn't it?

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

I'm an ambi-turner.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

so why do we just follow along--because they tell us to

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Thank you, History Channel, for clearing this up. It's so imperative that we take hold of such an important celebration of love--that is actually completely shrouded in mystery.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Help me !

For Cosby show fans, what was the pin that he always used to wear on his Cosby sweaters? I think it was black and small and round, and had letters on it, possibly an S and a P. And I'm not talking Standard & Poor's. Does anyone know what those letters stand for?

Friday, February 10, 2006

why is it

I feel like I'm rapping that "Funk dat" song from the early '90's when I start by saying "Why is it..." I know you know what I'm talking about.

Why is it that when people are thinking about a date that they look at a clock, or vice versa when they're thinking about a time they look at a calendar as if it will give inspiration? I know you know what I'm talking about.

Why is it that the NKOTB song that has this line in it "Didn't I blow your mind this time, didn't I?" just popped into my head? Other than that I think about NKOTB literally every 5 minutes since 1988. That is literally the only verse I can think of in the whole song, but I keep saying it over and over again. I guess it did blow my mind.

so you think you know, but you don't

Well, maybe you do know. I was thinking about all those words that you constantly second-guess yourself on and feel stupid about saying in public for fear of incorrect usage.

drank, drunken, drinken
got, gotten
lie, lay, laid

Any others you care to add?

(As Felicia has pointed out, drinken is a stupid word. Sure, I don't use it often, but I'm positive it's revealed its ugly head on more than one drunken occasion)

Thursday, February 09, 2006

overview

So I watched the Grammy's last night for the first time in a few years. It's basically a concert now, with about 5 presentations of Grammy's, and 32 lifetime achievement awards. Actually, I won a lifetime achievement award last night. Thank God for TiVo and the fast forward button.

Highlights include (in order of my excitement):
  • Kanye West performing with Jamie Foxx. I hate them both, but Kanye is always fun to watch.
  • Jay-Z wearing a John Lennon shirt and then having Paul McCartney and the Linkin Park dude that sings high sing a tribute to John
  • Madonna's kickin' body
  • the train wreck everytime Bono spoke at the microphone (minutes before I had proclaimed him king of the world, only to revoke his title upon hearing he speaks as eloquently as George Bush)

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

and it continues for the week

I'd rather not talk about how Under Armour raped me yesterday. Not with their tight-fitting clothes, but with the dramatic drop in their stock price which lost me $750.

It would be beneficial for me to focus on the positive things happening this week. Well, one positive thing occurred at least. Props, Gary. Props for 349 wins.

Another plus is I will continue to make myself fatter by eating Chipotle today. In their ridiculous marketing scheme they have coerced me to basically buy 2 burritos to get 1 free. Bastard yummy food in a shiny package.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

It can happen to you too

I don't know how, but some s.o.b. knows my info. They know two of my credit cards, both under the same company, they know my mother's maiden name, my in-laws names, my address. And they know how to quickly charge $1,800 over a weekend (sneaky, when I'm not looking) and then try to pay it off by actually paying on my account.

Did I mention that they called the credit card company, answered whatever security questions there were, changed my passcode, and requested express mail cards to be sent to them? Oh yeah, and they used my family member's name to take out money.

And I'm careful with this stuff. Thank you (unnamed) credit card company for not charging me these things. I say unnamed and use little detail in case they're watching me now. I can't be sure anymore. Oi vey.

There is a fine line between passion and psychosis. Who determines where the line is?

Friday, February 03, 2006

V, the Dickie

I prefer writing it this way to further accentuate my anger towards the man the NCAA world knows as Dickie V. Everyone knows he's annoying, that he must have some sort of payout for compliments to Mike Krzyzyzyzyzyzwski every week, and that he looks like a chicken. That's old news.

What I did begin to wonder several nights ago, is if Duke fans hate his annoying voice and overusage of the word 'trifecta' and 'baby' as much as the rest of the world? Do you think that Duke fans hate that he is the announcer for every damn Duke game there is, and they have to listen to that s--t at least 2 times a week from November to March?

I forgot to mention that when Duke recently played Maryland (although it was a show of a game and I hate to mention it) prior to the game Dickie was actually giving Maryland compliments left and right. Too bad his mike wasn't working the whole time. Convenient, eh? Coach Krzyzyzyzyzyzywski must have paid the lowly microphone guys too.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Don't let the door hit you in the ...

I feel like I've spent a decade trying to decide what I truly love listening to. In the last year or two though, I've become so lucky because great bands have been emerging and playing great music. I realized I love that Brit pop genre that's so popular right now. Thank you for bringing back that '80's tinny rock sound. Thanks to bands like Kings of Leon who make me appreciate Southern Rock for the first time.

I love that ultra chill indie pop sound too, and have just started exploring these bands like mad. Thank you Garden State sound track (yes, that's sad that it was my entre, but so what) for opening this door. I can't get enough. I want more more more.

Thank you Amy for opening my eyes to bluegrass, which I never much thought about until now. I've just peeked through this door, but it's bound to swing wide open. Thanks to Pat and Felicia who allow me to borrow and copy countless CD's that I'd never heard or thought of.

I hate admitting that Daniel gets excellent reviews from Maxim mag. about music. How would've thunk it?