Podcasts. I got the Google app that will download them to your phone automatically, and am loving my commute now listening to a bunch of short little podcasts every day on the train or in the car. (And thanks to the kind bunnies who hooked me up with some good new ones to try... I'm digging 'em.)

I'm in the midst of restructuring my workday. I'm starting earlier, not taking a lunch break (although I do eat lunch) and finishing by 2.30 or 3. It's working out well because I am procrastinating less through the day too.

although, lookie, here I am!

I honestly don't think I have.

I sport a fake mustache in the play I'm in right now.

I hate to admit it, but I think it's kind of hot.

I am currently trying out cooking (soaked) dried beans in the slow cooker, which I have never done before. I also ordered a bunch of heirloom beans I'd never heard of before from Rancho Gordo, so I will soon be trying some new beans.

And I am holding onto the belief that my current obsession with Arctic char is new, but ikkyu2 has informed me that every time we go out for sushi I say, "I've never heard of Arctic char! We should try that!" and then I rave about how we should get it all the time, so I guess that's more of a beginner's-mind / fish-amnesia thing than an actual new thing. (But it's still yummy. Roasted some for dinner last night.)

too many things to list, really.

Producing sold-out shows, creating an album in 28 Days, moving to a new town in three weeks, helping other people who are as jobless as me keep their spirits intact and on-point, and applying for work as a Mentor/Peer Counselor/Youth Advisor.

Oh, and I DJ-ed New Year's Eve out in public for the first time.

The moral here? Shut Up and Dance.

I'm going to try making a pizza tonight! Inspired by the pizza thread the other night. Goat cheese and asparagus-I bought a premade shell (baby steps!).

Letting sunlight in my house on the weekends. (Normally, I avoid opening any of my shades or curtains because I'm afraid of advertising when I'm home or not since I live alone.)

On Sunday, I'll be the assistant minister at my church which means standing up and singing in front of everyone. I really don't do singing in front of other people well so it should be a good time.

Nothing really. Same old.

I am not a bad cook (I had to resist the temptation to type "I am not a cook!"), but when I attempted to make Bird's Custard, I failed SO BADLY.

What gives? I made the paste just like they said, maybe a little more liquidy although still fully mixed, and then I stirred it when I poured the rest in. And then it was just a big lump of starch covered in scalding yellow sludge (that had sludged itself all over the damn microwave, no less).

Hormone treatments. For several years, my endocrine system has been completely haywire. Finally found a competent specialist. I feel better than I have for years.

I made crackers for the first time recently.
Also trying out neon, traffic cone orange nailpolish and liking it.
Oh and jojoba oil. It's too greasy for my face but it's been good on my legs. I added rose oil to it so now it smells nice.

Polenta. Maybe I cooked it wrong. I thought it was ok, but my dinner companion put most of it down the garbage disposal.

Hand-sewing a liner for a scratchy basket. Next time I'll use the machine, but this was the poof-of-concept, since I didn't have a pattern or anything. Kimono fabric is just the right width and is pre-finished on the long edges, excellent!

How funny! I recently tried polenta too (from scratch, that is - I usually use the tube). IN contrast to Twiggy's companion, I took one taste and my knees buckled. Damn, it was good. "Why don't we eat this more often? Can you believe how rich this is when it's just cornmeal and water? How can this taste so amazing?"

We put a topping of sauteed kale with sausage, garlic, tomato and chickpeas over it and slarfed it down. Wow! Polenta!