Harumph, family

For those of you that do not know my younger brother, Nathan, and do not read his blog...I will share with you his reply to my question about what he might like for Christmas:

"knowledge, recordings of argentine folklore (that's music), a book you'd think I'd like or graffiti, things vampire related, a knife of the maximum legal size.""you may teach me a difficult skill you have in lieu of a present.but you graduated from liberal arts college so I am not sure you have any."

Anyway, now you see how hard my life is. Also, I've been sick since I posted about toilet seat covers... the revenge of the germs?

$3.99 I'm going out of my mind.

A few weeks ago I did two things in the wine aisle of Whole Foods that I try never to do: buy wines that cost less than $7 (because then you can't just grab something from the rack to take to a friend's house) and buy wines because the label is cute (because that's embarrassing).

But this label was so cute, and not cute like penguins! Just a tiny smidge of tasteful cuteness that suggests a real wine for real grown-ups.

See?

And, it's $3.99. However, you probably don't think it's cute, and Bill already said it tastes "interesting."

See also my messy counter? Stop judging. I swear the wine is good.

Holidays!

I don't like this late Thanksgiving, it makes the rest too cluttered. Only a few weeks, for instance, to buy Candy Cane Joe-Joes.

My coming weekends are full, and I don't know when I will find the time to make cookies, or for elaborate truffle-making projects like last year. Which is probably for the best, because though my truffles were tasty, they were not especially attractive (fine motor skills are not my forte), nor were they cheaper than the store-bought kind.

Yes, I am distressed because there is simply not enough time for holiday eating* this year. What of it?


*Please note, I did spend a full 40 minutes at the gym today, exercising. That must buy me several pounds of stilton and chocolate.

Against Toilet Seat Covers

I do not believe that toilet seat covers do anything, save soothe the neuroses of germ-a-phobes, create unnecessary waste, and perhaps clog toilets.

When I hear the rustle made by these immaterial materials, I think unkind thoughts about your evident disregard for the earth, your sexual proclivities, and your mental capabilities.

Did you miss the day in the 3rd grade when we talked about how itty-bitty bacteria is? Do you think paper you can see through keeps your bits safe? Would you consider wrapping a dick in tissue paper to be a step up from going bareback? If you are surrounded by ants, do you think putting up a chain link fence might help keep them away? Do you hate trees, or perhaps your plumber?

The answer, my friends, is "no." No to substituting a colander for a goldfish bowl and no to toilet seat covers.

November 5th, 2008

The day Ruth spent sitting at her desk, getting teary-eyed while reading about old black people who voted for Obama.

Public transit, why suck so hard?

I don't want to own a car. I currently own a totaled car that will someday soon turn into a check from an insurance company.

Bill has a perfectly nice car, a flexible schedule, and a kind heart. I have a perfectly nice carpool to work several days a week, and an interest in living without a car.

After experiencing the wonders of Philly Car Share with Margaret last year, I thought, oh, maybe there is a car just a few blocks away from me that I can grab from time to time. Alas, LA does not have a similar program save an unhelpful zipcar program through the universities.

I then rethought the bus or bike route to work. Bicycling frightens me as I'd have to ride down a strip of high traffic, bike-laneless road before arriving to work, plus I don't want to be sloppy or smelly at work (anymore than I am now, anyway).

I could take two buses to work, but that would take me nearly two hours.

My best idea so far? Ride bike 3 miles, take bus 45 minutes.

I live, by the way, just 7 miles from work.

Yikes!

Smell

Someone I used to know in grade school recently sent me a friend request on Facebook today, and, upon seeing his name, I instantly recalled how he smelled-- wrong, sweet, different, pungent.

Kind of amazing, as I haven't thought of him for a decade plus, and I didn't care for him at all when I knew him. Obviously he wasn't my favorite classmate, being so smelly and all.

Of course I accepted his friend request, because he was good-natured and besides, I was probably mean to him. Accepting his friend request is my ticket to redemption.

Jury Duty!

I've lived in LA for over two years, voted in numerous elections, and hadn't been called for Jury Duty. Plus, my employer pays unlimited Jury Duty, so it's really no skin off my back.

Finally, my summons came yesterday.

I. literally. cannot. wait.

I have been smiling all day about the fun I will have. I know, apparently I might not even have to go in. You are "on call" for a week. And even if I go in, I might not get picked.

If I get picked (aka win), I promise you, County of Los Angeles, that I will be the best juror EVER. And in the meantime, I hope to enjoy at least a day at the downtown courthouse, catching up on my reading and heading to Little Tokyo for lunch.

Autumn!

Today is the first day of Fall. Not only does that mean I will be less likely to find the outdoor temperature unsatisfactory, it means that it is almost time for my most favorite of snacks:

Candy Cane Joe Joe's from Trader Joe's. Minty cookie, I love you.

Sarah Palin

Every time I read something about Sarah Palin (which has been rare in the past week or two-- I'm officially over her), I think to myself "...is bringing the LOLZ." And then I wonder if I've understood that internet expression properly.

And even though I've been officially over Maureen Dowd for several years, I've found myself reading her column again as of late.

But tell me, these quotes from Dowd's column yesterday are surely bringing the lolz:

1) "The latest news from Alaska is that the governor keeps a tanning bed in the Juneau mansion. As The Los Angeles Times pointed out, when Palin declared May 2007 Skin Cancer Awareness Month in Alaska, the press release explained that skin cancer was caused by 'the sun and from tanning beds.'"

2) "I talked to a Wal-Mart mom, Betty Necas, 39, wearing sweatpants and tattoos on her wrists. She said she’s never voted, and was a teenage mom 'like Bristol.' She likes Sarah because she’s “down home” but said Obama 'gives me the creeps. Nothing to do with the fact that he’s black. He just seems snotty, and he looks weaselly.'"

Chocolate Souffle

It is my assertion that the Chocolate Souffle is the greatest dessert of all time. The textural pleasure: molten center meets toothy crust. Rich bittersweet chocolate, unblemished by flour. It is a dream come to life in chocolate.

drrrrrrrrrrama

Ahh, apparently we moved in next to the sort of bachelor who leaves the oven on and takes off for the evening, which causes the smoke alarm to start going off at 10:30.

Said bachelor also leaves his door slightly ajar, which allows Bill to walk on in and unplug the aforementioned smoke alarm. Leaves girlfriend on the couch to wonder if this is all just a little bit too weird and if the north side of the building was perhaps the safer (saner?) side.

New apartment!

Bill and I have, after a summer of searching, moved into a two-bedroom apartment in our current building!

Stay tuned for exciting blog posts about the hunt for a file cabinet and the joys of two bathrooms.

Busy

The past few months have been pretty insanely busy.

I will tell you what I've done for the last few weekends:

Vegas
Peru
Peru
Dad visit
Dad visit
Friend visit
4th of July weekend in LA, party-central
Cousin wedding in Nebraska
Friend visit
Brother graduation in Kansas City

Also, our fridge broke while I was in Peru, so now we are living out of a friend's old dorm fridge.
And, Bill & I both have colds.
And, Bill started at USC today.

Now, I am watching the Hills (thanks, Netflix!) with no plans to stop.

Machu Picchu!

Well, folks, the rumors are true: Machu Picchu is awesome.

Incans must have been short people with absolutely amazing asses, as that place is STEEP.

Peru!

I am arrived. I had the worst airplane food ever, courtesy Copa Airlines, I visited the Panamanian airport, trekked across an endless airport parking lot in Lima following the guy who purported to be my ride to the hostel (he was, after all), I wandered the fancy limeño neighborhood of Miraflores in which I am staying, returned to the hostel, made friends with a Dutch girl traveling solo, ate dinner at a crappy Italian place with said Dutch girl (no wooden shoes, folks), and then returned to my hostel, took a surprisingly pleasant hostel shower, and then stubbed my toe so hart it broke the skin!

Anyway, now I am going to read my book and prepare for bed. Upon awaking tomorrow, Veronica and Margaret will be arrived to my hostel and I will hopefully convince them to go to a chifa with me, which is a Peruvian Chinese restaurant!

So much for daily updates.

Tomorrow I leave for Peru.

I got some Cipro, just in case...

meat.

Bill's mom sent him some Omaha Steaks for his birthday. We documented their consumption.

Now I present that documentation for your consumption.

Bad Pizza Tragedy

Sorry, no pictures today. I spent way, way too much time working today and I am tired.

As a result of all the work (!!) I did, I was lacking in the energy needed for cooking and so Bill & I walked the block or so to the new neighborhood pizza joint. Which sucked. A lot.

I'm definitely an "if you put cheese on it, I'll come" sort of girl (heh), and I'm afraid this pizza just couldn't make it happen.

Too bad, because I have been excited about it for months and months. Sigh. At least I have Tokyo 7-7.