Finally, just me and the Bees.
Finally, had a drink in a while.
Finally, listened to the podcast.
Finally, and i bothered a lot about this one. When rainbaby posted about trying to quit i deleted the idea over and over. i hadn't had a cigareete in over 48 hours either, several more, and thought, hey, i won't have a cigarette until you have a cigarette, but she would have to mail me right away so i culd have a cigarette, but it seemed like i was rooting for her to smoke.

1. I slept later than I've done in ages today. I needed it.

2. I've vegged out and done hardly anything today except TV, reading and computer. But it's raining and windy, so there's nowhere I wanted to go anyway.

3. I made apple crumble and custard today. It was yummy.

Sorry for the typos. The drink is kicking in and the bees is exploring.
Sleep is good, jan.

1. Got hammered with Hugh Janus last night
2. Chillin' on the porch today
3. Ben & Jerry's S'more's flavor is really tasty.

Well I had to cyber-stalk you through your past posts, mud, but I finally found your story about the origins of the Cute Girl. There is really nothing better than flirting that actually goes somewhere, is there?

My weekend update? Friday-Saturday, I chaperoned some high school kids to the State Solo and Ensemble competition in Austin. Today is a day off (recovery day, lazy day, whatever). Tomorrow, which I have off from work, is a guilt day after not doing anything today. I really want to do some stuff in the yard, but the rain is giving me every excuse not to.

1. Had weekend with the in-laws, but they are gone now
2. Trying to digest all the food eaten so far this weekend
3. Reading up on bridge stuff for a tourney tomorrow

Weekend Update:
He's Chevy Chase and I'm not.
Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.
Incredibly unproductive weekend for me; at my current rate of progress should have the apartment clean in 3 weeks, the websites updated and running in 4 months. Got a good article idea, but it would require much research, and being incredibly unproductive means never having to say "I'll get this done". Okay, naptime again.

I chaperoned some high school kids to the State Solo and Ensemble competition in Austin...

Now THAT brings back memories.

Obligatory anecdote: My sophomore year on our trip down there, some kids put a sign on the back window of the school bus that said "Help! Call 911, we're being kidnapped!"

And people called.

We got pulled over outside of Waco. DPS had been following us in unmarked cars and they had a SWAT team in Austin loading into a helicopter to come rescue us.

The rest of the trip, another 1.5 hours, was absolutely silent.

When we got off the bus at the hotel, the band director said "I'm not laughing about this now, but I will be in a few days."

My mother was a chaperone on that trip, and she'll verify every word of it.

Friday: Worked till 7:00; came home, watched half of "History Boys" and turned it off (too stagey and precious by half).

Yesterday: worked overtime; went out to dinner with best friend/coworker, then went to my sister's house to hold down the fort (kids were in bed) while my brother-in-law drove sis to the airport (she's chaperoning a group of her students to India for three weeks!).

Today: back in the office, working overtime. Planning on dinner and a movie with scodyboy tonight.

Tomorrow: as god is my witness, I am taking the holiday off! (Maybe we'll drive up the coast and have a picnic.)

That's a great story mudpuppie! Your band director took it well.

I took a long (long!) walk around downtown Athens Saturday - nearly five hours, wearing sandals - and my feet still hurt. I actually found a bookstore with used books in English. Wowee!

Today I had a visit from an ex-student of mine, and spent the entire rest of the day reading "Lolly Willowes" (found at the aforementioned bookshop); it was unputdownable. I love the Lolly Willowes. Now I have to find everything else by Sylvia Townsend Warner.

Also, bean soup. T'was good.

I made apple crumble and custard today. It was yummy.

Yummy, indeed.

Just today I discovered that my local grocer (here in Boston) now carries Bird's Custard.

Time to resurrect recipes from the school dinner desserts I had as a kid in Scotland: Apple/Rhubard pie with Custard, Custard Trifle ... and at holiday, Christmas Pudding & Custard.

I've slept in scandalously late the past few days. Been getting regular emails from my sweetie in Japan. He bought me a gift--so thoughtful! And his last email closed with "And needless to say, I miss you, too." So I'm falling in love and he's not even on the same continent. Haven't studied for the bar nearly enough, but I'm taking the weekend off to be lovesick. Had some great conversations in IRC. Going to a meetup tomorrow night with mullacc and rainbaby. All in all, a totally unproductive, but totally great weekend.

I've been eating a LOT this weekend, must be replacing whatever I lost when I was sick last week. Not my normal diet either, much more meat than veggies, and usually it's the other way around. But, whatever, YUM.

Slept. Slept. Slept.

Ate a little. Ran in Central Park.

Slept.

Ran some errands today. I was thinking about going to an Olympic Weightlifting class at CrossFit but I wasn't sure they'd be offering it on account of the holiday weekend. I was also feeling sore and not up to lifting gigantic amounts of weight over my head.

Went back to bed and slept some more.

Ran some errands. Got a haircut so I wouldn't look like a shaggy Anarcho-Bolshevik.

Probably do some reading later on.

Friday: Went to the beach with the kids, and with a friend and her little boy. Stayed forever, had a great day.

Saturday: A whole lotta nothing. I did a ton of laundry and hung around the house.

Sunday: Went to Deleon Springs with my kids, parents, sister, and nephew for a picnic and swimming. We all had so much fun.

Sister and I ordered take-out from Outback Steakhouse for dinner tonight. I couldn't hardly eat much. I forgot how heavily marinated and salty the steaks are. My mouth was burning. Yuck.

Watching Apocalypto with husband tonight. Last night I watched Casino Royale for the first time. Loved it. Loved Daniel Craig even more.

Tomorrow: Going to the beach early to stake out our spot.

Had some people over for a BBQ on Saturday. Sunday, worked through all but one of the 20 jobs on the list of things do do before The Shed (aka home) is finally complete. Mowed the grass (3 and a half fucking hours behind a mower - I could hardly walk this morning).

What an exciting life I lead.

Many things, lots of time spent with my girls and our friends.

Oh, and today, I saw a mudpuppie.

1. It feels like I have ants in my hair from trimming the trumpet vines out back this afternoon.

2. Went to a small dressage competition this morning in Southern Pines, NC. 'twas breezy and warm, but the breeze was waning and heat was building as we left.

3. Yesterday mrs chewie and I painted the nursery for some friends expecting a little girl in October. It was a green and pink stripe on a yellow background that was an enormous PITA to tape - the painting probably took 30 minutes after 3 hours of taping. It turned out looking pretty cute, I gotta say.

4. :) mudpuppie.

Slept. Drove north aimlessly just to see what was there. Watched tv. Slept.

* Shopping in Japantown on Friday for my miso-glazed cod dinner that night, which was scrumptious.

* Slept late on Saturday, then ikkyu and I attempted to do a Memorial Day grill thing. Which would have been fine, had it not been foggy, windy, and freezing. But it was fun to be outside and make fire.

* Pirates of the Caribbean last night. Yay!

* Gym this morning. Then a few lazy Sunday-morning hours. Then I got a craving for pho (it's still foggy and freezing) so I went to Clement Street and had soup, then wandered to Green Apple books where I not only found the new Donna Leon but also bought A Wrinkle in Time and A Wind in the Door, because I've been wanting to reread both of them, and all three Dark Materials (is that right?) books, because there was a preview for The Golden Compass last night and it looked so gorgeous that I wanted to climb into the screen.

Of course, it turns out that when ikkyu whispered, "You'd probably like those books" during the preview, there was an implied "I own them and I'll lend them to you" that I missed. Ah well. Now we have two copies in the house.

And I'm getting all excited about tomorrow, which I'm taking as a total Me Me Me day -- yoga, lounging with my new books, and a MASSAGE. Woot!

Oh, and I also bought a new window-attached hummingbird feeder today. The first customer just flew up, got confused, and flew away, so we'll see how that goes...

occhi: are you and ikk gonna get married? I like you two together. (apologies if I sound like your grandma or something)

I'm enjoying living in sin for just now. But I promise you'll be the first to know of any future developments in my personal life. :-P

(And thanks, I like us together, too.)

Friday: went out to dinner, played LOTRO.

Saturday: looked at vehicles 'til the cows came home, got my prescriptions refilled, bought a new headset (now I can talk in LOTRO), went out to dinner, really wanted a nap but didn't get one, played LOTRO.

Sunday: finally got all the plants planted, hung around, read, really wanted a nap but didn't get one, ate the mister's wonderfully prepared dinner, currently reading Metachat and will be listening to the Mefi podcast as soon as I'm done here.

Friday: Many errands were run: Trader Joes, Pavilions for food and alcohol (we have Bailey's now, and I have a new favorite drink!), Blockbuster to rent the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Got home around 8, inhaled some frozen food (okay, we defrosted it first), then a bit of reading and bed.

Saturday: coined wanted to go to a gaming convention, so off he went for most of the day. While he was out, I ruthlessly reorganized the kitchen cupboards and took a stab at making pumpernickel bread, which...turned out less well than one might hope. And I read through most of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (I'm rereading them all in preparation for July). Then there was a bit of Warcrafting and we watched the first Pirates movie. And then there was some horrific itching of my skin, for no good reason, so I took a shower and anointed myself with foul things and took a truly absurd amount of benadryl before collapsing into sleep.

Sunday: More Harry Potter (I just finished Order of the Phoenix--yes, I read fast), more Warcraft, some eggs in pita pockets, and probably the second Pirates movie tonight. MmmmmJohnny Depp. I'm debating whether or not to start reading Half-Blood Prince, but I doubt I can resist.

Yep, it's big**

still not smoking, ethylene



** The Grand Canyon, in case you think this song is about you.

BONUS: wondering if the heat and the not smoking is making me sound ethylene-esque.

I'm enjoying living in sin for just now

*lights candle in church*

;>

I'm enjoying living in sin for just now
If you aren't having sex, is it still living in sin? I, um, have a friend who wants to know.

Friday: was planning to hit some leather bars in SF's SOMA district, but I bit my tongue on my way out of the apartment, which would have made it unsafe to engaged in certain activities I was hoping to engage in. So I cursed my clumsiness and stayed home, intending to watch a movie, but quickly fell asleep. So maybe it's best I didn't go out.

Saturday: birthday/going away party for an acquaintance of mine. I didn't know many people at the party, and felt pretty awkward and sensed that people were picking up on me feeling awkward and that made them feel awkward which made me feel even more awkward and so on. Came home feeling somewhat defeated yet proud that I actually had the nerve to go.

Sunday: my partner was participating in this year's Carnival parade, and wanted me to film him. After he left (I knew it would be a long time before the thing actally got started), I forced myself out of bed, ate some cereal, found the video camera, and ventured out. Was NOT in the mood for a parade. The streets were too packed, the costumes were too bright, and the music was way too loud, and I'd had far too little sleep. I felt very dissociated, like I was still asleep and dreaming. Got some coffee. Not a good idea, as coffee can really make my anxiety worse. Had some very panicky moments waiting for his troupe to pass by -- but I managed to ride them out, and was (am) very proud of myself for having done so. After filming, went home and took a much deserved and needed nap.

Tonight we've got a birthday party to go to, and I don't feel the least bit social. My partner's invited several of his friends to go with us, and I'm dreading keeping them company. Ugh. But they're good friends, and my friends too, so I shouldn't complain too much. And my dread of socialization is usually much worse than the actual socialization itself.

Tomorrow: lots and lots of sleep. And I want to make some good, healing food. Hummus. Swiss chard with a yummy pseudo-pesto dressing that I recently concocted. Maybe some gazpacho-like raw veggie soup. Mmmm.

If you aren't having sex, is it still living in sin?

Yes, but instead of going to hell, you go to heck, which is kind of like Florida in the off season.

Sounds perfect. I'll tell my friend to continue not having sex.

Mudpuppie: Greatest band story.

EVAR.

Took my daughter on a date yesterday, which consisted of some shopping and we bought some plants for the garden. Before coming home, we stopped at a frostie for a hotdog and some fries. I bought some black wrought iron deck chairs which I painted green, then Mrs. Plinth and I did three hours of work on the backyard fort.

Today, we went to church, came home for lunch, then went to the park. Got home and while my daughter slept, put in the tomatoes and eggplants. I thinned the lettuce, arugula and bee balm. Also planted some morning glories, zinnia, and nasturtiums. Played with my son after dinner and then watched Pirates of the Carribean 2.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I'll be playing with the community band in the local memorial day parade.

Went for an 8 mile hike with my wife, scrubbed and painted the trim on the house, made sausages and vegetarian brochettes on the grill, drank some Chimay, listened to lots and lots of Creedence Clearwater Revival and taught myself how to play the Guns of Brixton on guitar.

Most of the weekend was dark and rainy which suited my depression. I did some work on the porch that needed doing and now the weather is lovely and I am sitting out back drinking beer and listening to the Detroit Electronica Festival wafting in from downtown.

Friday: Herzog films, bought grapes and perfect carpet, dinner at Picholine--white asparagus, veal (I'm picky about cheese, so I gave the cheese in the dish to my cousin after trying it) and grapefruit tasting--I put up my hair, wore a dress and brought out my opals, but my father's camera wasn't working. I found opera size stay-up thigh-highs at stockinggirl, but they pinched too much...I'd also bought the regular ones, but I didn't have time to fiddle with a garter belt and it was too hot for pantyhose.

Saturday: Went to brunch at my father's friend's daughter's place, her baby daddy brother seems to care about his kid. Russian tea house, documentary about the 2004 Ukrainian election, drink on LES; when I came home the doorman told me the main elevator was broken and I'd locked the blank deadbolt on the back door, so I had to spend the night at a hotel and had my first proper bath in months (the one bathroom with everything working properly in my place only has a shower).

Sunday: Slept till 1, came back and changed, bought sinks and faucets for the kitchen, sushi and more Herzog.

ericb, you can make trifle using Vanilla Pudding - I made trifle at Christmas in Ohio using it and it was great. I used a little less milk than the directions said so it was thicker and set properly.

I saw Pirates tonight. With three teenagers. $40.00 before popcorn, etc. It was looooong. I hadn't seen the first two so had no idea what was going on.

Friday I went out dancing at an 80s night. I had just gotten a new dress in the mail, 1980s 50s revival, so that made me happy. (Meaning cheap synthetic fabric, circle skirt, and a peter pan collar on the matching jacket. But it looked great on me.)

Saturday I went to lunch and the grocery store with my roommate and his sister. Neither of us drive, and the store in our area is closed pending remodeling, so getting a ride is always time to go hog-wild. Can't carry 40 lbs of cat litter on the bus! That night I hung out with a friend of mine and had some much-needed conversation to sort some stuff out and he took a bunch of pictures for me for some project or another. Then after he turned into a pumpkin I went to join my roommate, who was drinking some beer on a friend's porch about five blocks away. Once the temperature dropped at 4-ish we headed inside and watched Bottom on DVD, which he had just gotten.

Yesterday I worked on a new sundress most of the day (circle skirt in purple with grey and black small bats, black middriff band, more bats over a gathered bustline, with halter straps that have nonfunctional bat buttons on the front), and then went to a BBQ at night. I was sleepy, since allergy season this year is roundly kicking my ass, so I had only one beer (knowing two would put me to sleep). It was pretty crowded, and I only knew maybe six people there, so I was kind of edgy and not feeling good and tired, so I hiked home at 1:30 or so with the roommate, who (poor thing) works today.

Today I got up in time for my train to work. And cursed my internal alarm clock.

Jane you ignorant slut.

I was drinking champagne mimosas in the back yard.

Friday: Got off work, and proceeded straight to the nearest McDonald's outlet (there are only two) to fill myself up on a quarter pounder with extra cheese, a coke and fries. And then finished it off with a refreshing bar of Twix.

Saturday: Got up late, took my mom out for a cup of coffee, and took her to the hospital to visit a relative of ours.

Sunday: Again, got up late, and spent most of the day indoors, except for the evening, when my mom and I went to an aunt's place.