Wellbutrin... I hate you and you can suck it.

I loves me my Jonathan Adler... this is not new territory here on this blog. I am tempted to make a JA tag, just to see how much I mention him.  But last night when I opened Hanukkah presents from my Brother and his wife, I nearly peed my pants.  Not only was it from my third favorite place in the general Phoenix area (haus) but something distinctly Jonathan Adler that I didn't even know existed.  I have decided that I need to rearrange my dressers now to accommodate its fantasticalness in my bedroom.  Seriously.  So freaking cool. Or maybe in the bathroom.  Better.  Magic.  Anyways.  So exciting.

And my parents... totally amazing, they are gift giving geniuses. I was so crabby and miserable (damn to Wellbutrin... you suck and I am not taking you anymore), it was just torture to give them the giftcard printout laziness that I printed.  This Wellbutrin sucked the life out of me and my gift giving energy this year.  I thought it was just a general malaise about the economy but really it is the fact that again, in my quest to quit smoking and put off my seasonal effective disorder annual freakout, I made things worse.

So I have been off the meds for 24 hours which cold turkey is not the way to go, but holy shit I feel better. It might be pyschological but holy crap, happy today.  For the first time, genuinely happy, in like three weeks.  The next time I think about Wellbutrin someone take the pill bottle away from me like I am on some Judy Garland / Liza Minelli freakout wannabe pill popping show-o-rama because seriously... that shit sucked.  Auntie Pickles is a little better and that is what matters. 

When I was downtown a couple of times for the DNC this August, there was talk around and about discussing the Code Pink contingency.  Mostly in my circles because they were passing out condoms that were supposedly pink and branded with their "make out not war" jargon.  Fun right?  So I didn't give it much thought, I didn't get any condoms from the Code Pink group, got a couple pictures of a group of ladies that were coming from the Convention Center when I was on my way to the Buell the night F so awesomely got me into the ETown taping. 

So I am cleaning yesterday afternoon, it really helped me in about 100 million ways by the way after I got home from my parents....and accomplished far more than I intended.  Anyways... so I find this sticker that I was handed.  I go to their site today... lo these months later and I have to say, kinda impressed with some of their action items.  I really honestly thought that they only mobilized to get involved around the conventions but really they are quite the PAC. 

See? Looking at political stuff, looking to cooking some good food this week, actually finishing holiday cards (yep I am sooooo going to do it!!!), maybe even hitting a couple of stores?  Gosh it is really good to be back.  Holla.  I am been going through the motions of happy and largely faking it outside of a couple of conversations with Valentine and G so girls... I am back.

Things are good...

So the gift giving season is officially upon me.  Yesterday I was completely freaking out because I totally thought Chanukah was on the 12th this year.   Then when the holiday didn't show up on my Google Calendar I was really whiggin'. But I am a goofball... Oops totally looking at 2009's calendar. So PHEW, I didn't totally under estimate how much time I had to shop, but now I am actually totally on schedule, I am actually far more ahead of the game than I usually am.  I have only one more, no wait, three more stops to make. 

I have a couple more gift cards to get, one stop at the mall and one other stop (look at me being all vague, but I don't really know who reads this and can't give my secret shopping joy away).  So I am totally way ahead of my game. 

Went to dinner last night at the original Pasquini's on Broadway.  It was so delicious and I have to admit the pizzetta was delicious this morning for breakfast even though I wanted it for lunch, breakfast was so much better.  I thank you F for treating me. I haven't been back at that location because it was the first place I went after WH died and I think I always associated it with that really bummer of a memory.  But you (F) made me remember Wilco and then I realized I need to break out those files and listen again because they are really good and I know that.  Then just as I sent him the links for the Colbert Report appearance he was watching it.  Funny. 

Oh and I shopped off list at Target last night and only forgot one thing. My dishwasher is not functioning (meaning the latch won't close, it isnt' worth spending 185 dollars to pay someone to come and fix it when I can get something that uses less water, makes less noise and is more energy efficient if I save for a couple of months and buy a new one).  So a 9 dollar dish rack isn't a bad investment but certainly not something that I absolutely need and I think that is why I didn't remember it, but it is on the list.  Pleanty of people survive with out a dishwasher, I can too for a little while.  F reminds me he survived with one bowl for years.  UM that totally freaks me out, but I can live without a dishwasher. 

I got some great work to do at the office today too.  I feel like I am making myself known for quality and dependability and that is what I want.  After so many years of feeling invisible and scared that I wasn't valued at the other places I worked (The Island and The Firm... for those of you following along all these years), I feel better finally about my job.  I actually very much like going to work and know how completely lucky I am that I am able to say that I am going to work daily.  This is a great company and really a pretty great group of people.  Lucky Lucky Lucky. 

I have turned on the fireplace because it is friskily cold outside.  It is really comforting.  And so is the result I just got from my Magic 8 ball. 

I have this coupon for Borders basically, buy one get one half off.... but see here is the deal, I haven't even read the McSweeneys yet  (I have all issues except number 4) so how can I go and buy more books?  I went looking to see if there was something that I couldn't live without on my wish list or whatnot but seriously... no.

I have four boxes of books that I haven't read in my storage locker that I know of, so time has come today to break out some fiction and get to readin'. 

Thanks for the offer Borders, but um, I will take a pass.

But there are six things that I am loving big time today (outside of the fact that I am skipping the remainder of the DIFF, we already established that):

Hint Water - I might have written about this when I got my IPhone (they had it for those in line waiting, which I thought was so awesome)... so yummy... and I am dehydrated beyond all belief right now, so this water thing is very important.

Lady Bug Push Pins - They are making my bulletin board cheerie, mine came from Paperchase though

The smell of well made microwave popcorn - when its overdone its miserable but WS just made it perfectly and its really nice.

The fact that I am leaving the office early hopefully today

Our recycled rulers made out of jeans and yellow pages, I think this is my next favoritest of the swag.

The fact that the Franks Wild Years album has come up twice in my Media Player today (without even being prompted)

music and passion are always in fashion...

I have been listening to these downloads of a South American fan club for Tom Waits that I got online last week.  They ARE the MAGIC.  That is all. I will post more later, I just wanted to make note that I am also really  pysched to watch Big Time which I also got.  I was trying to figure out how I was going to watch it but F totally hooked me up and told me all I have to use a VLC player (which I have for the FLAC files of the shows we went to) so I was golden.  I might crank up the music (I also updated the settings on my laptop and don't have to use external speakers to listen to the stuff while sitting right in front, I can now actually have the speakers on and hear music in the kitchen which is awesome.  I might have to get some remote speakers though.  I am amassing quite a collection of music.

And some of the music today has really made me happy. I have skipped through alot of it.  I am looking for lots of atmospheric stuff and altered images isn't what I was thinking.  So far the music that has made me the happiest is some imported Grinderman tracks from a Argentinian bootleg, Tindersticks and of course the Tom Waits, especially the Tom Waits.  The leaves are turning, the clouds are rolling in, its just perfect Tom Waits music looking outside.  There is something about autumn that screams "you must listen to this music right now all the time".  I don't know if it is the meloncoly of the seasons changing, some of my personal history with autumn and the memories that always seem to spark in my head but this is just a perfect soundtrack for me right now. August is Chet Baker for some reason.  September to November is Tom Waits.  December to about March I would easily associate with The Clash (just keeps me going and I remember walking about Convention CRANKING it), Spring would be....hummmm lets see... maybe Lamb?  All I know I have been really happy with Tom Waits today, especially today. 



 
 

So I have this gene. Lets call it the dishwareglasswareconsumption gene the recessive DGC gene, if you will. It runs thick and strong on the X line of my Genetic Code. It hasn't been a problem for about 6 months really. I haven't given it much thought, nor have I let it be an issue, its just been dormant. I have dealt with its problem bearing issues on my bank account really well actually for longer than that. I haven't in about 2 years bought any glassware or tableware of any kind, and that is saying something.

But color me completely freaked out when I read I think on (yep) Apartment Therapy that the Duralex company was possibly going out of business and the mercurial "French Bistro Glass" was going to be no longer. I have coveted these glasses since I was 16 and on my trip back from Israel for the four hours we left the French Airport and took busses into some square somewhere in Paris for like five minutes (ok it was like 45) only to have to load back up onto the busses and bust back, and first saw them. Saw and wanted them.

But I could find them here, wasn't an issue....

Now I knew that Cost Plus always had them. It was like a nice little comfortable touchstone to see them on the shelves, knowing when I had room or cycled out my anchorhocking pink glasses that I would be good and could go and get them at my leisure. So it was a mad dash to Cost Plus tonite. What a stinkin' pleasure to have them. They have these carrying things that are like big 6 pack containers made of sturdy cardboard which makes storage in the pantry like a breeze, the guy ringing me up was a treasure and to totally top it off, they even had the new chocolate flavor pez... don't worry Bro... some are on the way to you. Oh and the Snow White I was looking for.

The guy ringing me up made a really good point about possessions (which was funny coming from a disposable design joint like Cost Plus...I don't mock because j'adore...really) owning the person. So in honor of his very very VERY valid point, I asked the girl across the hall if she would like some highball glasses that I have buried in my cabinets, she came over and looked at them and was so happy. Which makes me happy and without any regret giving them away. Now if I could only do that without the buying something first part I would be golden.

And because the glasses are pretty... go and watch the video below.... its pretty too.

I hope to put the gene back to rest and into dormancy...let it's ugly head rear itself up only in desperate times. Lets hope that Duraflex can pull itself up and out and that they survive the economic times they face. Let it be a beacon for us all.

My OCD is in complete overdrive today... and I am airing my shame at my hording tendancies right here for all to read about.

I was on the phone last night talking with Valentine about my pantry and the chaos that it was in and seriously all I did was think about it all night. Grrrr. So I have started the overhaul. I actually woke up before noon today and got started. How about dem apples?

I haven't started with the pantry... not just yet. Baby steps. Linen closet, under the sinks, the laundry room and THEN the pantry. That is my modus operandi' for this little challenge.

I started with the linen closet this morning. Do you realize that I have over 25 washcloths? What is THAT? Crazy consumption is what that is my friends. So ... in cleaning out the linen closet, I found 3 pillow cases that do not go with any bedding I have or have had, where did they come from? I do not know. Its weird. I must have bought them at some time for something but what? I found about 100 little teenie tiny samples of lotions and potions. Some of them came from Sephora and L'Occitaine so at least I know where they came from, but honestly not really when. I put all these samples in baggies and am going to use one a day, maybe. But I wrote an expiration date on the baggies so if I don't use them by March 1, out the door they go.

I found a 100 hour vanilla candle that I got at HW Home probably two years ago, since they don't sell that brand anymore. It hasn't been lit yet. I love this candle company and the candle smells so good. Why I had it hidden unused in the back of the closet it beyond me. So I lit it and am using it right now. I have seven or eight other large candles too that I have to use. Two from Anthropologie (and what a hoot they are selling our furniture for double, no triple what we paid for it) which weren't cheap in the first place, but are wasted if they go unused. Right?

I was going to take pictures and post them here (Valentine they are "behind the cut" on flickr, so you can see what I was talking about) but its really embarrassing to me that I am such a hoarder. It isn't like my house is full of stuff and I need an intervention like Clean House but I see how easily it could happen to someone. I am really glad that I catch myself before I let it get more overwhelming than it is right now.

I filled two large garbage bags with shredded docs and other things yesterday. Not the kitchen size, the leaf and lawn size. Scarey. I still have binders upon binders full of old docs from years ago and other things too. Its bad. We have a shredding company that comes to the office so I need to just take my stuff there. It is too much for my home one to handle. Plus the service recycles which is awesome. This morning I filled two kitchen size garbage bags with stuff that I either knew I would never use that can't be recycled or passed forward (like the gummy candy from Halloween), tea with no taste (I went on a Steep Tea company kick for a while and now its all bland) and other trash.

Oh and you know what is really the most completely bizzare in the find in the linen closet? A holga starter kit. I already have two cameras, with one out on the bookshelf on display with my other small and medium format cameras, but when did I get the starter kit? I really honestly do not remember. I mean sure its a treasure and all, but really? In the linen closet?

goin' green the Danny Seo way...

Well..... sorta. But it goes to say that I am trying to do my part even if it is a small part. It goes back along way. My Uncle was always a huge proponent for Solar Power and alternative energy development so its always been in the back of my mind. My Bro has recycled for as long as I can remember, I worked on recycling what I could. I have always been a reuser of plastic, that comes from my Grandma D. She instilled that in my Mom who passed that on to me. I mean I have cool whip containers that are probably more than a few years old (ok like five) which I stuff left overs into. Its not huge change but something as a family we always have done. We use paper bags in our trash bins, and reuse the bags back and forth if we are able. I use the newspaper bags my Mom gets for Herschel. I have had a programmable thermostat for five years. I'm just saying. Its not hard and its been a habit for like ever.

I have been waiting to write about a really kick ass experience that I had with Method. I have used Method's cleaning products since their inception. Seriously. I remember hearing about their products and thinking "if I can make my house smell like bamboo sign me up". Now sadly since the bamboo has been discontinued (I have one bottle left) my house smells like grapefruit when I clean. I remember trudging through Albertsons because they were the only ones that carried their products in Denver back then. Finally they marketed to Target and all my cleaning products are made by them now. So I read on Apartment Therapy in October that Method was teaming and working with Danny Seo and producing a reusable bag that played a little bit on the Anya Hindmarch "this is not a plastic bag" bag , but really appeared to be more sturdy and honestly more fashionable (no funner, you know bright and more sturdy...I don't know useable) to me.

I use the Trader Joes bags everywhere and my Ikea bags too, but since I needed laundry detergent and some other items I figured I easily can spend $20 bucks and sending my receipt to them for a bag is super rad. So I went to Target on my way home and got me my supplies. I was so pysched that I accidentally sent my forms to Canada's fulfillment center.

Oops.

I was so sad, I was so worried that I wasn't going to get my bag. I emailed the information email listed on the site. In two hours I got an email from Felicia. She felt my pain, empathized, laughed with me at my foolishness and said if I don't get the back by the beginning of December she would make sure I got it, even if it came from their stock. I hadn't gotten the bag by the middle of December and emailed her to tell her. Two days later... I got it from her in the mail. I loved that Felicia made sure that my love for Method wasn't diminished. Not that it would have honestly but I would have been sad. I emailed her to thank her and she was so awesome about it. I really appreciated all the effort she went to, making sure that I am a happy puppy customer.

I was in Target the other day with my bag and someone offered to buy it. Nope. I have given away Trader Joes bags willingly (I find it weird that people ebay Trader Joes items by the way), but this is my TREASURE. I felt badly telling that lady no, but I kinda had to.

I am so excited to see read in Danny Seo's blog (see above) and about his partnership with JC Penney. Look at how freakin' gorgeous his bamboo sheets are. I really am excited to see a major retailer working to bring these products out. I have spent the last two months trying to find them locally and affordably. I now apparently only have to wait until Spring. Its an exciting time for consumers to be a little more eco-friendly.

And just as an aside... I have always hated my fireplace. Its rocks and I have thought really ugly. I wanted to white wash it or cover it up, but his exuberance about his new fireplace which nearly looks the same changed my mind. I am easily influenced, lets be honest.

Ok. So I didn't get ONE, not a single, nada, not a trickortreater at all at my house. Ended up leaving at 6:30 and went to my Mom and Dad's hoping that at least I could give out my candy there. Nope. They only had two little gals being driven around by a parent. Lame. But I will concour with my Mom... I hope that the the candy manufacturers don't catch on because the candy is so great this time of the year.

I gave away more candy at the office today because I sent it home with my boss for his kids. I hope that his wife isn't too pissed because I sent home some of these. See I think its really funny.

I am already looking at the Oriental Trading catalouge for the next cool stuff I need to buy. But I also need to wait until December because I have gone over my junk crap silly stuff budget for October and I have the moolah set aside for November. Just being practical and economical with my complete pointless purchases.

Hope you had more trick or treaters than I did!

Just came back from Steve and Barry's. I know it is total sweatshop clothes and I am sure the 8 year old Malayasian kid that made my jeans is not understanding at all of how completely appreciative I am, but seriously.... I got a decent pair of jeans, with some style, with some stretch, with the right length for like 10 bucks. It is crazy and I totally know how they do it, but I can't fault them for it. Its a great concept and I walked out of there with the aforementioned jeans, two sweaters, two shirts and a necklace for (without tax) under a hundred dollars. OH and a dress, sorry forgot about the dress.

Who needs Macy's 500 dollar jeans that don't fit but are "branded". Nuh uh... no thank you. I tried on a pair of Seven of Mankind jeans the other day... 200 bucks... I could not get them over my thighs (ok that is an exaggeration but still) and they were probably the largest "size" they had. No thank you. Who spends that kind of money on jeans? Why would anyone spend that kind of money on jeans?

In other news from my world... worked all week on this out of office meeting for three days. It was great but exhausting. I learned alot which was really great, but seriously it takes it's toll on me. I wanted to lounge around in bed all morning but my cousin called and that forced me into action. I was really hoping to be rolling out of bed right about now actually but no worries. I got great clothes instead of rest.

I have a dinner event tonite for a friend's birthday. I thought there would be family drama with it because it is my Grandma's birthday today too (even though she isn't with us anymore, I am sure my Mom has it on the front of her mind) and even though everynight we go to dinner this would be different of course, but so far she hasn't said anything about it. I think the tide may be turning emotionally which isn't a bad thing at all. I am glad because I can have a night of deliciously prepared wonderfulness without feeling guilty at all. Its a really good thing.

Good job vibes go out to someone special by the way... thinking really good job vibes dude.

Oh and it happened. The paths are beginning to diverge. At some point they are going to cross and I think... I think honestly that I might be prepared where as before I might not have been. I got the first glance in that I know of and I can say with sincere honesty... I am not concerned. Sorry to be so cryptic, but this is all public and whatnot. Just know... I am going to be all ok when it does happen.

"Shrug" almost hit me with his car yesterday too. Totally blew through a stop sign. Missed me walking to my car by like 5 feet. He got out and was completely apologetic but dang dude....then he asked me out. What? Is? That? He was swarmy, funny I don't remember that when we went out before. He has my number, he can call. And he will, I just don't think I will say yes because it wasn't all that good. I wonder how his dog is though. I didn't even ask. I guess we have that to talk about if I go.

OK off to fold laundry and catch up on some tv. Happy weekend y'all! I will be hopped up on Ethiopian coffee should you need to find me later...

So after 10 or 15 years, Cherry Creek in Denver got its very own Nordstrom. Well I can't say its really honestly as big a deal as the Denver media is making it. Why? Well... not 10 miles to the South there is one at Park Meadows. And the tax rate is less expensive by about 1/3rd so if I am going to spend the money on say a $1300 St. John Couture sweater (as if and HIGHLY unlikely) I am going to seriously going to want to save on the tax. Every single one of the sales people were friendly and chatty and its very uncomfortable. No one is used to that anymore.

When I worked for Fashion Bar in the 80s it was something we had to (and I loved to) do. We had to engage our customers, so I understand the rationale, but there isn't a store that does that anymore. So it was slightly uncomfortable.

Another throw back to the "good ole days" of retail enjoyment is the cafe. All the department stores used to have restaurants. And the Park Meadows store has one too. Its really so interesting that they do this. But people don't spend a day shopping, its a short term experience anymore.

I love Nordstrom's philosophy but can't do their clothes. I looked. I really did. Maybe it is because I have a closet completely jam packed with clothes already. So buying anything new would be completely insane. So maybe that is why I am not in the mood.

They cosmetics department was busy as all get out though. One thing that I did notice and completely appreciated was that the MAC counter was not pumping music so loudly that it was oppressive and obnoxious. I hope that is a new trend. But I didn't walk through tonite, just didn't have the energy to mix with the masses. But its nice to see a cosmetic's department busy.

Oh and the mid line jewelry was awesome. I saw a ring that I might have to go and see if I like it as much tomorrow as I did tonite. I think I might, it was a Lucite ring that was really cheeky, but huge, which might over power my hand. But a gal can not have too many pieces of jewelry, but maybe too many sweaters I am beginning to think.

Supreme Beings of Leisure...

Wee... this makes me happy. It isn't like I don't have all the episodes already on vhs, the original and Bravo editions. But when I was in the process of re-recording them years ago, four episodes into Season Two my free cable went away thanks to the assmunch that lived on the other side of me who worked for Dish Network and called AT&T (the Comcast of the day) and said "hey I have cable and shouldn't so they came and shut all of us down). I was also in the process of watching the re-runs of the first two years of Sopranos episodes and that bummed me out even more. DiDi taped them for me but it wasn't the same. I had to wait for her. I am not patient.

I think that is one reason why I won't cancel HBO, sure I talked the talk a couple days ago, but I can't even though there isn't a series on now that remotely interests me at all. I suppose I wait patiently for FOTC to round the bend again. Hey JSnM makes me totally think of you baby....

So why does this bring me to Twin Peaks? Well... I have both seasons on dvd already. Collectively I have spent about 100 bucks on the set, including the Japeneese version of the Pilot. I think Mateo burned that for me a while ago... I can't remember, but I thank him if he did. So I am sticking the whole thing on Craigslist once I dig out everything from my dvd pile. I think in a effort to just get 20 bucks maybe, but I am scared of Craigslist. I don't want to deal with the crazy calls, the can I come over and look at the discs... no either you want it or you don't... go away. I suppose it could take the bite off of having to spend another damn 70 bucks on frikken David Lynch. Masterpeice or not. Don't make me try to explain Lost Highway. I was completely confused, I think I didn't really care at the time the movie came out and I had to be all motivated. We screened it and I wasn't in the mood to be there. OH MA GAW... damnit... really why is everything coming back to this full circle b.s.? Anyways. I remember though that I was litterally paid to wear this really stupid outfit by this local designer, she was really sweet and trying to get out from having to sell her things at UZI (Mary was so awesome) and gave me these pants... that split while we were working. It was horrible. Lesson learned... Matching underwear to your bra and pants... not just for Victoria's Secret models, but semi urban pleather wearers whose clothes are literally hand sewn. Hee. That is actually a funny memory that only talking about something related to David Lynch could make me remember. I don't want to deal with Craigslist. I am going to make a sidebar...schmutzlist... the crap that I am going to sell. Wanna buy my stuff cheap? I think I am just almost serious about it too. Give me a couple days to ruminate on this little braineppes and see if I really want to commit.

I have been planning events all day and honestly if I don't get a cocktail in my system tonite I am going to go insane. I just was asked if I could plan a happy hour, which is fine but seriously... can we go now?

Pandora has been all about The Crystal Method, Garbage, Morcheeba and The Clash today, yesterday it was Cannonball Adderly, Ella Fitzgerald, Coltrane and Nine Inch Nails. I am not supposed to stream at work but I don't care, I mean why should I when this is the kind of thing I get to listen to all day. Its so brilliant I can't stand it.

I have the night off from dinner out. So here is the plan... shopping at Borders for a birthday present for my Grandfather. At 94 its hard to buy for the guy. But I think I have it figured out. It absolutely isn't anything super inspired or anything but it will do I suppose. I also have a coupon so he will be really proud that I haven't spent my money foolishly. I really think that he thinks I am a spender with out limit.

The one thing that I am so not spending my money foolishly on anymore I think is HBO. Seriously. I might give it up. I haven't watched or dvr'd a movie in months. Once the Sopranos went away so did I. Sure Curb Your Enthusiasm is funny but the library gets all the tv on dvd releases, so I can wait. I am so not at all interested in Tell Me You Love Me. So what is the point. I think I might have to make the call. But what really scares me is that if I make the call to cancel that Comcast will screw it up, which really is worriesome because they have a reputation of being not so wonderful with these kind of situations.

OK I am back from Borders. I want to tell you I so am drinking the Borders kool-aid. They always have what I am looking for. And if they don't they will call another store and find it. It is really nice. Jackie at the store in Park Meadows made sure the cd I needed was at the Arapahoe store and on hold for me before I even headed out of the store. She couldn't have been nicer. It was a pleasure to spend my money and they loaded me up with good coupons too.
I only bought what I went in for and no books. I am really so very proud of myself because I really was worried I would walk out of there spending a bunch on books that won't get read for a long time to come, but I didn't, I was so good.

Speaking of books, I have one I need to pay attention to.

Have a wonderful day!

I am back from my corporate trip. It takes two full days for me to recover from this type of thing. I posted pictures on my flicker account sorta. I can't say they are all that great but I was super busy working this trip. I really worked. And it starts all over again now, which is so completely awesome I can't even begin to explain how great it is. I went over to HR today to get my badge reprogrammed today and was talking to this gal that works there and I got this goofy "I love my job" feeling. I am so fortunate right now that this is what I get to do every day. I thank every place I have been up to now because really this got me to this place. I might have kvetched about the firm, but it taught me some valuable lessons and I am really lucky. Really and I know it.

I am glad to be home though big time.

I haven't watched any of the new shows yet but Steevoh has them in a holding pattern for me which is great. Wednesday is the most problematic for me because each network has a show on that I want to record, but that is why I still have a vcr and I can watch online too.

I have spent the last couple of days getting my house back in order from unpacking. I literally packed four of six grocery bags into my carry on with Trader Joes. So finding places in my teensie little pantry to put things has been grossly problematic. But I am getting there. I am still going to take a little road trip to Sante Fe in order to get the frozen foods that I really truely miss. But I am stocked for the other stuff right now which is not a bad place to be.

The highlights of the trip were:

• Having "Rainbow Connection" by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes cranking on my brand new media player.
  
• Watching a bride get ready to walk the aisle for a really elaborately catered wedding
• Getting treated to some really great coffee by someone that appreciated my joy in good coffee
• seeing my friend S even if it was only for about an hour, even though the lame ass characture artists weren't into sticking around for one more portrait... the guy was an ass about it too... I told his boss...hey I am the one that ultimately makes sure he gets paid... I would have added a little something something but you loose ass tard.
• Trader Joes and finding treats...honestly I really do enjoy going places where there is a Trader Joes because it makes leaving town worth it.
• seeing the lady who plays an anchorwoman on CSI reporting news on an actual news broadcast...who knew, I thought she was just an actress
• not going to the Strip and spending money on touristy stuff (no matter how fun it really is, I spent -not including Trader Joes- less than 35 bucks the whole trip)
• Kvelling on puppies with one of our participants and his wife, we love our pupsters and it was fun to talk with him about that.
• coming home

I am getting tired and ready to turn in... sleep tight little internet buddies, sleep tight.

Ate dinner tonight for my Dad's birthday. It was really so very nice. Went to Bravo, in the Adam's Mark. It used to be our go-to special occasion restaurant and its been at least a year since we were there. It was delicious. Our waiter Steven had the most amazing voice (they sing) and really seemed to enjoy the song he did (On The Street Where You Live, which I also loved because it was from My Fair Lady which is one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn (even though Marni Nixon ((yes I had to look it up to see who sang, I couldn't remember )) movies, I mean Rex Harrison is dreamy and the story is timeless...) which was great. I usually try and go for a meat dish of some kind because they usually accent with a really great starch accompaniment. I ordered the rib eye, medium rare (and it was cooked PERFECTLY even a little on the rare side which I love) but instead of potato they did a celeriac galette that was divine, I don't know if they roasted the celeraic but it was almost sweet, like parsnip... wow would that have been delicious. The rib eye had a poached crab meat which was fine but really unnecessary I was thinking. It was good and buttery but really.... not all that important to the grand feel of the meal. I thought it really could have been a great addition had they seasoned it at all, but it was literally lump crab meat piled on top of the steak. Even the fat had a nice roasted melty facet to it which I ate a little of. The sauce for the dish (on mine) was a butter something, but my Dad's had a nice demi glace probably (since he ordered his without the crab) which I think would have been better.

I wanted to take pictures but my Mom doesn't understand that it is ok to take pictures of your food now. She and my Grandfather had the potato crusted halibut with a pea risotto. Hard to tell if there was much potato really encrusting the fish or not, we have done it with the starch surrounding the fish, this looked like a traditional crusting not enveloping. I don't think they liked it very much. I had a taste of the risotto. It was good. Nice and cheesy. It had a nice Parmesan sourness, there were whole peas in the rice which the one that I caught was a little crunchy which was weird. The plate was dressed with an almost fushia vinegar (probably cherry) that was also unnecessary. I liked the little bite of uber sour that hit the bottom of the risotto but not what made the dish and it was its undoing in my mom's pallete I think.

We had a Vahlrona chocolate cake with raspberry sauce for dessert, the waitstaff came and sang quite a rousing birthday song which was quite surprising in its layers (each person sang something different it was a nice little round but shocking because it came out of nowhere) . They had a desert on the menu which looked really interesting...lavender infused strawberries with shortcake. I need to try that. It just sounded good, but no one else thought so. So chocolate cake it is. I really have to say that I sincerely appreciate that they didn't try to sell anything "molten" and thankfully I think that food fad is over as I am seeing it less and less... who needs a half cooked chocolate cake on a plate anymore.

I was talking to my friend H who I really need to get to the restaurant she works at Cafe Star in the next week. The chef Rebecca Weitzman there is leaving to go back to New York (which I had read about on Chow but didn't confirm until this morning) and I still haven't been there and need to go or I will be sadly missing out.

I had some fun shopping today. Went to Steve and Barry's, which was interesting. Really everything in the store is under twenty dollars for the most part. I got some really great shirts, things that I can casgh down or dress up for work. The credit card machine was down and some people were unhappy because they couldn't buy their shirts. One gal was really upset, her total came to $12.48, she didn't have it in her checking account. Yikes. I happily wrote the check for $66.68 for the two sweatshirts, 2 pink sweatshirt coat like things, one white ruffle front shirt, one black ruffle front tshirt, one pique short sleeved pink tucked shirt, turquoise polo shirt and one multi colored pin tuck shirt with embroidered placqutte top. I mean seriously, you shouldn't be shopping if you don't have thirteen dollars in your checking account girlfriend. The kids behind the counter probably had seen it all day but still it was shocking to me. I asked if I could call periodically to see if the items they show online are available in the store and the guy who was ringing me up was so nice, he said "of course, we would love to hear from you again". How nice is that to hear from some disaffected 17 year old retail slave? They have a customer in me that is for sure. Yes my boy friend Isaac Mizrahi still holds my inexpensive fashion heart, but Steve and Barry are my back ups I think.

Ran to Super Target over by Southwest Plaza too. It is interesting because in the past week I have been to 6 different Targets and each one carries different stuff. It is weird. This one had all the Halloween candy and stuff out. I love this time of the year because it is all about grossout candy and skulls. It was fun. But all I needed was wrapping paper. I ended up buying a headband, rhinestone bracelet, sunglasses (since mine broke in the car), mini tootsie pops (it might be a good cigarette substitute), some clearance coral decorations (which I put in my glass fish, but don't like so I have to come up with something else) for two dollars and the wrapping paper (all for under fifty bucks, which believe me is VERY good for me in Target).

Tomorrow I have a couple other little errands to run, I need to get something to wear to shul for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper that is appropriate and nice and decent shoes. I have to get some casual pants that are nice enough for this resort we are going to in Vegas. I also really would like to find a swim suit as well (I am going to have to go to Swim and Things and pay through the nose I think since I waited way too long and the season is sooooo over here I think).
Its difficult to believe that it is only Saturday evening. I feel like I should be getting ready to go to work already. I am so thrilled to have one more day of this glorious weekend. I look forward to enjoying it. I hope you do too.

I am watching The Italian Job on FX. It happened to just be on and I hate to say this because I remember all the hype, but seriously, this is a petty terrificly entertaining movie. Ok at least what I have seen. Which honestly is only the last 29 minutes. And I have to say the little red, white and blue mini's make quite a little advertising statement even now. How expensive was it to pay for those street permits, is all I want to know. Wow. Expensive, they are allllll over LA, straight up in the day... not night for day or day for night, we are talking day...light. wow.

I decided to agree with my Mom. On what you may ask? Well I hunkered down all weekend with piles (2 1/2 feet high worth of piles mind you) of magazines. While I bought the Vogue, I have to say .... meh. Everything including the ads were dark, you couldn't see the clothes it wasn't wonderful. So my Mom gave me her InStyle. Sure Ms. Stefani (who isn't my favorite person at all, when we interviewed her she was crabby - she had a cold so I get it, but seriously it would have been nice if she hadn't been so snotty - no pun intended at all - because its all I remember about her, that she was yucky) is on the cover (and I do know someone that knows someone that knows her and she probably is super nice, but meh anyways) but really honestly, so much brighter. You can see the clothes and there are ALOT of them. You can actually see them. And there are a ton that I want to get. Of course nothing seems to even remotely be available yet online (even the accessories) which is annoying but it will make the hunt worthwhile I suppose. But the best part of my whole InStyle experience was looking up Steve and Barry's (yes, there is a Bitten coat that I kind of want and the sheer turtleneck wouldn't be bad) and finding that there are four stores in Colorado. Who knew. You know where you might find me on Saturday. Thank you bright and shiney magazine touting consumption I appreciate your direction since Ms. Wintour likes to force the idea that a Prada skirt that you can't really see in an advertisement is worth coveting...no... I am interested in the 20 dollar turtleneck thankyouverymuch.

Shop for a cause...

Now we all know how much I loves me my Jonathan Adler, and would love nothing more that a complete set of the "Addicted to Contrast" but what I affectionately call the "Vice Jars " or the fantastic giraffe lamp but really just can't afford them right now... but I might have to buy something because JonathanAdler.com is having a fundraiser. A fundraiser for what you might ask? Well... his pottery and peices are worked and made by hand with love and care in Peru and his studios and workshops were badly hit, so he is donating 10% of his proceeds from anything bought until August 31st to help with earthquake relief. I would venture to guess that there is much more being given and donated from his company and him personally (I don't know him, I don't venture to guess to know him at all, but there is a charitable streak in us Jewish people that runs as deep in our memories as dropping change into a tzadakah envelope at religious school or putting change in the pishka sitting on the counter at Grandma's house - maybe you still do that, I don't know) but this is a fun way to open up your wallet for a good cause and buy something wonderfully happy chic for your abode.

If you can't afford to buy something at Jonathan Adler, you might want to consider what you would have bought, figure out what 10% would be and make a donation to any of the legitimate charities that are helping with the efforts to help the fine and wonderful people of Peru. Just a thought for a Tuesday morning while we sit in our comfortable surroundings relatively safe and definately happy.

I am really tired tonite. I was going to try and bake cupcakes tonite but really got completely unmotivated the second I walked in the house. I ran to Target to get desk candy but that is as far as the errands

So I was out running errands today. Went and finally bought a tv stand. Wee! I am really pleased. I can get the tv off the outdoor furniture I have in my living room. I went to American Furniture Warehouse. Honestly I have to say, they had exactly what I wanted for under 50 bucks.

Brilliant. Brill Yant. The first guy to "help" me wasn't so great and didn't really try. He wasn't willing to work to help me. I was annoyed. I totally could tell too. When I first walked in he was the only one NOT working with a customer and no I totally know why. He (and this is super judgemental and mean but here goes...he) was creepy. So he wasn't willing to look of the number of the item, which I had by the way, said that it didn't exist, yet the print out that I had from the website clearly gave the number. "oh that is isn't a real number". It was when I called two weeks ago.... so I walked through the bedroom area, found Tim. Now Tim was totally willing to find out that yes, the number I had was for the tv stand, called to make sure that they had the color I wanted and even high fived me when I didn't have to wait for pickup because they had it in stock. So now... I have one more errand. And I can say yippie yaah hoo for the little redo of some fixtures in my house.

I had to come home and print the coupon, because thanks to my Bro and Sister (in law) I am going to order my light fixture for my dining room.

mmmm this is my kind of cupcake

Seriously... I have to go to Sur La Table anyways... why not pick up a little something extra special and extra awesome while I am there. Cupcake Pan. I haven't had time at all to check my reader but I bet alot of the people that I read got the same email blast and have posted it all over their blogs.

All I know it this thing could pay for itself or be a ginourmous space taker upper, but I still want one.

this is the best that I can do right now...

So Target thinks everyday is halloween apparently... freak out your roommate gear . And really? What dorm room is large enough to house this? Surely mine wasn't. I seriously would consider getting it for my cube though, if I could get away with it. People probably wouldn't think it was funny. I think it would be great. There is a large sence of no humour allowed around here. In fact this morning there was a ruckus about a delivery of promotional goods that kind of took over the lobby in boxes. What astounded me, was that my solution to move the boxes out of the lobby and into an unused cube fell on deaf ears but it was easier for the three other administrative staff to kvetch and freak out about it than to solve the problem quickly and easily. It was just ridonkulous. I shrugged my shoulders about it and went on my merry little way. I offered a valuable option but it was more important for them to stew. Really so dumb.

I have been fending for myself doing the job of another person for the past two weeks. At first I totally freaked out, but I will say honestly, I hope that my boss doesn't find anyone to hire, for a while, because I really like doing this work. I was left alot of work with absolutely no proper training on how to facilitate it and I can honestly say that I am kicking ass and taking names damnit getting it done. I am learning all the work processes and seriously, it isn't that hard and for the gal who was doing it before me and left my opinion of her remains the same. Simple. She was simple. I don't mean that in a vicious or unkind way, because she is the nicest woman around, but simple. I don't know why she couldn't do this work. Seriously. But I really do love that I am getting to.

Last night I watched the first half hour of Victoria Beckham Comes to America (or whatever it really is called). I have to admit... and I am more than a little embarrased by this... it was not as bad as I thought it would be. The lady is funny. "Would Posh answer her own door?"... "I don't have a Mercedes, I have a Bently and its topless" to the DMV guy? Brilliant. And apparantly I am not the only tv watcher that also thinks it was funny. If I have the energy I will watch the second half. It was about midnight when I got around to it last night.

All I know is I might have to break down and drink a soda pop in a little bit. A litle TaB sounds rightly delicious about now.