Saved from myself.

1. Party planned-ish.
2. Sitter found.
3. Thought about writing a whiny email, but decided not to.

I feel a little better, pouty still, but better.

Live from the 8th dimension in which all french fries stay hot,
T.Clanger

The lame crybaby post.

My birthday is coming up and I hate how it's making me feel. Ok, ok...it really is just pms that's making me feel this way, but dudes, it's been a really crappy week. I feel like a really un-funny Larry David in almost every aspect of my life. From the people in the coffee line at Raley's that take 5 minutes trying to explain the drink they want to replicate from Starbucks when I only want a small, black coffee, to the puppy that will never have a concept of timely defication or that shoes are not food, to my family who drives me crazy with the humor they pin to my father's condition, and to work where I can't go into details about it but work is still crazy and I feel totally underappreciated. For the past 3 months I have worked super hard on a couple of big projects and have gotten almost zero recognition. At our monthly staff meetings they award an employee of the month, and last month they had to take a poll of who hasn't won yet. Super. Glad to know that it's down to us few that have to win sooner or later, whether or not we deserve it...

On Saturday Jens Lekman is playing in SF. I bought tickets yesterday and made reservations at Greens for dinner. We still don't have a sitter for the dog. She's so needy, I don't know if anyone is going to want to do it except maybe my parents. I am sure they will probably feed her chocolates and teach her to chew on shoes.

If I could have a birthday wishlist it would be: the day off from work, a milk shake and a foot rub. Maybe dinner at Benihana or some Thunder Valley action.

Taking a quick stock check, I have no birthday plans for Sunday, a party that was partly planned, rescheduled and then completely forgotten about, one crappy week, a good cry just begging to come out, and a credit for a spanking for being such a goddamn baby.

Lil' Jon, will you PIMP MY TEETH?

I haven't been the best at flossing lately, so when I started back on a regular regimen earlier this week, I got a little floss cut between two back molars. Ouch. It throbs and itches and feels pretty gnarly. I've been rinsing with anasceptic and trying to drink more hot tea to help ease the pain.

So any way, my birthday is coming up next Sunday. I was hoping to celebrate with friends on the Saturday night prior, maybe some good food, cake and mega-fun times! Well, I just so happen to hear today that one Jens effing Lekman is playing at Cafe Du Nord that very same night. I have to go! Does that mean that I have to miss out on a mega-fun birthday party in Sacramento? Probably. Is it worth it? It has to be. If I could clone myself, I could enjoy both events.

Who could resist...



this FACE?!

I come home every day for lunch to feed my puppy and make sure she goes potties 1 and 2. Today I had lunch with co-workers and came home a little later than usual for puppy duty. Heylove was so fiesty! As soon as I took her out of her crate and put her down outside, she bit my shoes, pants, hands, and barked at me repeatedly. The poor thing was inconsolable. I can only imagine that she was telling me off.

So, anyway...she loves this heater. She'll sit there until she dozes while still sitting up, swaying cobra-style as the heater whirrs.

Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Black Lily?



This flower is growing in our front yard. I've never seen (or smelled) anything quite like it. Wonder what it is...

Oh! It is a black calla lily. How'd it get there?

Quick red sauce.



From Alton Brown dot com. Quick veggie red sauce. Mmm, so hearty. I used bowtie pasta, but the sauce was so thick that I should have used rotini or something that could grab the sauce better. I also added mini red peppers, julienned, but I think that it added a little too much sweetness. Also pictured: steamed brocollini and spring greens with a light dressing and blue cheese crumbles.

Food Now.



Call: What do you want?
Response: Food!
Call: When do you want it?
Response: Now!

I made this food. Approximately stuffed crimini mushrooms, peas, potatoes and vegan gravy. Yes, that's a New Belgium wheat beer and glass of water off to the side. Nothing like a wintery wheat beer with an earthy meal.

More friends.



This is Busy Bee.

He was a present from one of Heylove's aunts. She loves to chew the wings but her mouth is still to small to get around the body. Good thing Busy Bee came with Boney, a small, white plush bone. It, like Busy Bee has a squeaker and is lots of fun to chew. Puppy toys are so soft. I wish I could have a suit made out of...what is this? Chenille? Yeah, that.