i mean, seriously

Douchebag chem teacher cancelled date TEN HOURS before said date was to commence.

Fuck him, fuck dating, and fuck ramen noodles.

shoppin'

Did you know that a fella published a book of discarded grocery lists? It's true.

He even created a site whereby you may download and print off the "ultimatest" grocery list for your personal use. You are instructed to leave it in your cart (or here in NYC, I assume he means your basket -- most grocery aisles ain't big enough for no buggies) and s/he who finds it is to mail it to the P.O. box listed.

This got me thinking of my own grocery list that I wrote a mere two hours ago. Read it and weep:

* raspberries or blueberries
* broccoli
* cherry vanilla yogurt
* luna bars
* gala apples
* string cheese
* frozen meals
* all-purpose flour
* soy margarine
* silken tofu
* brown sugar
* cocoa powder
* plain soy milk

What about you?

pigskin

Tonight is the first night o' college ball in KB's Pick'em and I've got my money on LSU and Oregon State.

Fingers crossed!

two years later

channeling dr. huang

In my constant quest for knowledge (and to make everyone declare exasperatingly, "Now, wait just a minute. Last week you wanted to be a pastry chef!"), I've decided to take a course in forensic psychology at CUNY in October.

Knowing me, upon completion of said course, I will be heading to the NYPD recruitment office or some shit.

Hey, listen: it's not that I don't know what I wanna be when I grow up, okay?

It's just that I wanna be too many things.

r.i.p. devi

The restaurant where I celebrated my 30th birthday with KM, KB, SM, Scarny (who was celebrating his 28th), and my bro is officially DUNZO.

What a shame. This means that KB and I will have to do our $100 tasting menu outing somewhere else, I suppose.

baby doll

I honestly think you're very sweet, lil'-co-worker-who-sits-behind-me, but I really don't care about the fact that you're spending your lunch hour buying skinny jeans and knee-high boots for your 4-year old daughter.

In fact, it sort of scares me.

more things to-do

Here and here.

to-do

What is on your list?

On mine...

* Take a tap-dancing class on Broadway
* Eat a hot dog at a New York MLB game
* Bake sourdough bread from scratch
* Eat street food in Thailand
* Sunbathe in St. Tropez
* Bake my grandfather's lemon meringue pie
* Sell a photograph
* Finish "Infinite Jest"
* Kayak the ocean waters around Kauai
* Eat lobster in Maine
* Publish an article
* Knit a sweater
* Drink cafe au lait in Paris

...among others.

mais oui

Je me demande si ces applications de traduction fonctionnent vraiment ou si je parle dans quelles quantités au Français cassé?

The Fortune Cookie Application on my Facebook page told me today that my "relationship status will soon change".

That's laughable.

(Do I, however, still need to follow that fortune with "...in bed"?)

Why am I even on Facebook? Can't remember who invited me. The constant upkeep of multiple social networking sites is exhausting. I've even been suckered into Twittering now and we'll see how long that lasts.

Moving on.

Yo yo yo, more "Wire" talk: I can't even belieeeeeeeeeeeve that Stringer Bell (who is hot as a whore in church) had the audacity to...

Um.

(Those of you who have seen Season Two know what I'm talkin' about. Damn, son.)

More work completed on beret. Check.

More resumes sent out. Check check.

More chit chat with the chem teacher. Checkmate.

Tra la la. Aujourd'hui était une bonne journée.

En toute langue.

throwin' down ain't nothin' but a thang

My dad has always echoed Aaliyah in his assertion that "age ain't nothin' but a number" (and it helps that his wife is 20 years his junior), so it doesn't surprise me to see him out on the race track this past weekend.



Not too bad for an old(er) gentleman!

i am not illiterate; no, not even a little bit

Contemplated trivia tonight but in light of the chilly weather, decided to hibernate instead. (Plus, Porkchop, Colleen argues that trivia is more of a fall activity and I'll just agree with her. Let's reconvene in autumn.)

I'm not regretting this decision (though some face-time with friends would be nice):

a) I'm halfway through three episodes of the second season of "The Wire" (I love this show I love this show I love this show and I want to hug Omar and light his cigarettes).

b) I'm working on a knitted beret to celebrate the brisk air.

c) I've now got two job interviews confirmed for the next week and a half (I'm jinxing myself, I know it).

d) I was recently asked out by a cute high school chemistry teacher (oh, Lord, am I jinxing myself).

Things is, y'know, a'ight tonight.

Oh, and right now, it just doesn't get any better for me than this.

I mean, seriously.

amour dans la cuisine

Summer's basically kaput.

Autumn's arriving shortly.

More importantly, however: Christmas is coming up in, oh, a little over four months, and thus I am giving everyone ample time to purchase les cadeaux pour moi.

I bought this back in January. I want more like it. Lots more. I want half ones and full ones. I want frilly ones. I want gingham-printed ones. I want to wear a different one every night as I whip up (veggie?) meatloaf in my kitchen while wearing 3" heels.

I want to decorate cakes in it. I want to bake brioche in it. I want to make overnight French toast with caramel walnut topping in it.

I also want many kitschy sets of these.

Merci, mes amis!

bueno

Taco field outing -- finally!

Went with KM, Jendy, and Pau and ate a chorizo huarache as big as my face. (No, I did not finish it all.) Washed it down with a fresh watermelon lemonade.

More pics here.

And for info on the DOH/Red Hook taco drama, go here.

What a serious shame it would be to shut down these vendors, some of whom have been selling papusas, huaraches, and tacos for thirty years at this corner.

It's some of the best street food in the city -- and this city is known to be home to some of the best street food in the world.

how to smile

Walk 2.5 miles home, drink wine, eat dinner, knit, text friends, paint nails, surf Internet, smoke cigarette, watch "Larry King Live", remember that you used to be interested in politics, remember that you used to frequent the gym, remember that you used to knit more often, remember that you used to not be addicted to the Internet, commit self to very little IMing for a while, commit self to very little MySpacing for a while, commit self to sending out myriad resumes on daily basis, watch "The Four Seasons", crush on Alan Alda, read hippie classic "Das Energi", journal, blog, think of something hilarious, laugh.

"When life hands you a lemon, put a slice of it in a PBR (as I learned from [KM] at the Annex), and just roll with it. It could be a lot worse." -- T.Rich

I have wise and wonderful friends.

vote with your life

Had great time having dinner and drinks at Joya with T.Rich last night, but y'know, that's a given. She completely normalizes me and I'm lucky to have her around.

She and I actually discussed me returning to my old company. Not to the job that I left, now, but rather to something different. It's a definite possibility. It would be nice to be able to hit up H&M on my lunch break again and there are old co-workers I miss seeing around.

I don't know.

Have you ever felt like something in life had to change and it didn't really matter what?

you're at least worth a little bourbon

Had a really good time with AC last night -- and as I know that he reads this site semi-regularly, I'll refrain from qualifying that with "surprisingly", though I'm sure he'd know what I meant.

We had three drinks at three separate establishments and ended the night splitting a Punjabi samosa with chickpeas, eaten while standing.

(I mean, it ain't no red wine prunes with marscapone, but not every evening can be so um, over the top. Thank God.)

In frowny and/or brow-furrowing news:

School is still up in the air. There are many, many pros and cons. My brother suggested to me yesterday I simply stay a student forever: a law degree, become a Registered Dietitian, take pastry classes... I'm pretty sure the money would run out quickly, however. (By "money" I mean "loans".)

I played hooky from work yesterday because I couldn't bear doing nothing for the 1000th day in a row. Oh, and when I say "nothing", I mean "nothing": even the frequency of my Gchatting has dropped off. Can't say I didn't see it coming.

Thought about going to see my Mom this weekend, but just received a text from KM: "Might be the last weekend for Red Hook tacos!"

Guess I'll stay in town.

Must get out of funk.

AC, maybe you should move back. We can eat Punjabi once a week together.

let it marinate

I'll be honest with you: I don't really want to finish "My Left Foot" and so I won't. I'll fall asleep tonight to a Google Video episode of "Charlie Rose".

Met Pau -- the Barcelonian version of Josh -- and he takes pictures of food, too! (Which reminds me, I should start taking pictures of food again. I should also reacquaint myself with the gym. I should also find a new job.)

KM and I split a dinner tonight of PBR and peanuts.

Tomorrow brings a drink with AC.

Think I want to be a baker and not a chef. A pastry chef, maybe, but not a run-of-the-mill-I-work-on-the-hot-line-at-a-New-York-restaurant-chef.

Think if I go away every weekend for the rest of the year, I'll be okay.

briefly

Friday: Loads of laundry, wine, texts, train to the 'burg, more wine, cigarettes, conversation, the Country Club, whiskey, Barcade, spinning, car home, kidnapping fears, lost way, stir fry, sleep.

Saturday: Freeman's, bacon, Bloody, Scarny, Beer Club, full bar, plans to nap, no napping, train to Clinton Hill, beers, chorizo, cigarettes, Garett, Paul, others, conversation, the Cherokee tribe, laughing, ice water, frowning, piggyback ride, walk, sleep.

Sunday: Walk, train to Park Slope, Clemen's, Key Foods, loads of laundry, Hot 97, phone calls, "The Wire", "My Left Foot"...

you are what you eat, teacher, one year later

Occupation:
Teacher/night school teacher.

Relationship status:
Single.

Location:
Athens, GA.

What did you eat yesterday?

Breakfast:
1/2 peach/kiwi smoothie, one piece of Wasa, coffee.

Lunch...
Soy cheddar and tomato sandwich with olives and banana peppers on Luna whole wheat bread, one lime Primal Strip and a banana.

Snack...
Low sodium can of V8 and a hickory smoked Primal Strip.

Dinner...
House salad with tofu from The Grit with a side of honey mustard dressing and a PBR; a glass of Merlot later and a small piece of Dove chocolate.

What do you never eat?
Meatloaf, hamburgers, beets.

In my refrigerator, you can always find:
Soy milk, whole wheat bread, jars of pickles, oatmeal, dark chocolate, yellow BBQ sauce, cheese and soy cheese as well as a random assortment of fresh vegetables.

In my freezer, you can always find:
Veggie burgers, coffee, frozen vegetables.

What is your favorite kitchen item?
My cast iron skillet.

Where do you eat out most frequently?
Athens' various assortment of Mexican and other Latin restaurants.

World ends tomorrow. What would you like for your last meal?
Soto's non-existent 17 course prix fixe dinner.

i am what i eat, one year later

Some of you will recall that I filled this out over a year ago.

Please feel free to email me your own updated answers.

(I've realized that since leaving my job as a nutrition educator, my eating habits have become horrid.)

Occupation:
Population Health Management Coordinator.

Relationship status:
Single.

Location:
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

What did you eat yesterday?

Breakfast...
Extra large coffee from Dunkin Donuts with skim milk and three Splendas.

Snack...
Nothin'

Lunch...
Go-Lean bar in Cookies 'n Cream flavor.

Snack...
Handful of cereal.

Dinner...
Whole wheat pasta, black beans, tofu, broccoli. Water.

What do you never eat?
Buffalo wings.

In my refrigerator, you can always find:
Sriracha sauce, Frank's Red Hot, dijon mustard, Brita water, tofu, salsa, shredded cheddar cheese.

In my freezer, you can always find:
Frozen vegetables, coffee.

What is your favorite kitchen item?
It's a definite toss-up between my tangerine KitchenAid stand mixer and my kiwi Le Creuset dutch oven.

Where do you eat out most frequently?
Trout in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

World ends tomorrow. What would you like for your last meal?
Street food from Thailand, a slice of Giordano's pizza from Chicago (yes, it's a chain, and yes, I live in New York, but so what?), a spicy brat on a bun with kraut and mustard, and red wine prunes with mascarpone from Frankies 457 for dessert. And a big bottle of wine.

...

Can this quote truly be attributed to James Brown?

I mean, was he really the first person to say this?

dinner bells

Are vegetarians truly in the most basic category of finicky? (Doubtful.) Is being a carnivore more attractive? (Doubtful.) It's true that I've added a bit of meat to my diet as of this summer, and this spoke to me.

("Everyone wants to be the girl who drinks the beer and eats the steak and looks like Kate Hudson.")

Watched two episodes of "The Wire" last night and if you haven't jumped on that bandwagon, kid, you gotta do it. I'm almost done with Season One, as I haven't been chained to the Netflix recently -- unlike back in late May and early June (post-"Lost" finale), when my queue was a topic of daily conversation.

Also have "My Left Foot" per a recommendation but wasn't in the mood to watch it last night. Instead, spent some time chatting with Paul about modern cinema and attempting to stay cool in my blazing apartment.

The immense expense of culinary school is starting to truly weigh heavy on my heart. Food is my passion and but incurring the debt suffocates me. Advice is welcomed.

Saw a woman on the train this morning, dead asleep, mouth agape. Funny and vulnerable. Sad.

I wonder if I look that way when I sleep.

toons

blown off

Morning commuting chaos (and a possible tornado).

Said goodbye to AB last night after Mexican food on Court Street. Was so good to spend time with her; cannot wait for the next trip. We weren't able to meet up with Paul, despite his being in the neighborhood and calling us. Was he willing to buy us all drinks? Oh, sorry, I'm back in Staten Island. Boo.

Working on organizing this cookout but, predictably, most people have plans already. Shall be at Rope in Clinton Hill. Time unknown. Could end up just a cookout for four or five -- which in that case, is it worth it?

If bacon-wrapped burgers are available, then yes.

ahhhsum

Last night I met up with AB, KM, and Dave at Abilene and had nice candlelit conversation over a few beers. (It's beginning to feel like AB lives here, and oh, do I wish that were true -- J.Ro, think about it!) Was home by midnight, which was a refreshing change of pace. Feel good today. Feel broke today, but good nonetheless.

Still haven't completely unpacked from the cruise and haven't done laundry in I-don't-know-how-long. Running out of things to wear, as is evident in my choice in clothing today. Feel like I need a few days to get my shit together.

LL and I are possibly in the prelim stages of getting a group together for a cookout or something of that sorts this weekend. You in, son? I'll bring something yummy for you to eat. Spread the word. Prospect Park? Rope in Clinton Hill? Let's drink beer and eat meat (analogues) and enjoy the summer.

Because, you know, the summer is winding down...

(That was for KB and P'chop, of course.)

curiosity

The question of the day:

If you could rewind to any point in your life, what would you want to relive?

this is how we call it a comeback

Many High Lifes saw Josh off to Pennsylvania (and then on to Spain) on Friday night. Started things at KM & Josh's place with some beers, Scarny came out, Dave drove us all to Trout. AB got to meet a bunch o' folks: Porkchop, Garett, Colleen...

Got a big table under a tin roof -- which was quite helpful when the sky opened up. Smoked too many cigarettes. Ate too much chorizo. Was in charge of the close-to-$300 bill with no drama.

Ended up at the Carroll Gardens Diner (which I had no idea even existed beforehand) near 4:00 AM eating grilled cheese-and-tomato sandwiches and discussing parallel universes.

Woke up and gathered KM, AB, and Scarny for brunch at Great Jones Cafe. Two spicy Bloodys and jalapeno cornbread! Itty bitty jean shorts! Yesssss! Walked around to work off the meal. Oh, it's hot as hell. Let's get on water? Um, yes: Staten Island Ferry!

(On our return trip, the captain hit the dock and we had to disembark. It was nothing like this, though.)

The night brought pizza and girl talk. Slept deeper than I have in weeks.

The summer is winding down...

(In other news, waiting to hear about money for school. If anyone would like to bankroll my dream, please email me. I need funds. I will cook for you.)

it's in the vault

Last night brought a beer at the Beauty Bar (where I hadn't been in almost a year, I believe), a Cubano Nuevo at Curly's (mmmm, how I've missed you!), a couple of pitchers at GYC, and AB finally meeting Josh.

Now, tell me: do you think that all the truly great acting performances have been given by men? Also, do you think that easy access to Internet pornography encourages men to be turned off to sex with actual living, breathing women?

Just some conversations I had yesterday while at work...

(On Gchat, silly; I only speak to my co-workers about work.)

it's just fresh information

Met AB at Crossroads last night and she was looking gorgeous, as always. Dragged her luggage down Prospect to my hot and humid apartment. No A/C in the joint. Sorry. Jumped on a train and introduced her to Trout, where we split a pitcher of Sierra Nevada and were shortly joined by KM. Noreen was nice enough to comp us on some PBRs.

After the pre-dinner drinks came dinner, naturally. Joya was packed (odd for a Wednesday, no?) and so Em it had to be. Perfect portion size of spicy basil mock duck. (See, though I'm technically a meat-eater now doesn't mean I always have to eat meat!) Spicy spicy spicy. Guzzled plenty of water. Water doesn't help with the heat. What does? Milk? Yuck.

Said goodbyes to KM and off AB and I went to Manhattan City. Hit up the Mercury Lounge for my brother's show, where AB was introduced to many friends (Monique, Vedette, Devang, Mike, Bob). I'm always proud of my bro; he mentioned it not being his best effort (a bit sloppy, sound problems, blah blah blah) but I still had a good time. Didn't love the 1990s. Pretty standard. Interesting what garners an 8-point-something on Pitchfork these days.

Oh, we're so tired. Let's go home.

Ran into Carol on the way to the train. NYC is so small sometimes. It's nice running into somebody that you actually like.

Hit the sack. Woke up. At work. Thinking of hot dogs and baseball.

AB's out there navigating the city with Scarny and I wish them cool, dry weather.

"Why-o why-o why-o did I ever leave Ohio?"

Paul: Your feelings are stupid, woman.

Me: you are stupid.
jerk.

Paul: Women can't drive.

Me: men can't have babies.

Paul: Thats a good thing because it makes you weaker

Me: men are emotional infants.

Paul: Women are just over-emotional.

Me: men are cold and selfish.

Paul: Women are bitchy and bleed out of their vaginas, which attracts
wild animals.

Me: men start wars.
because they are insecure about the size of their penises.

Paul: and finish em too
Women are envious about our penises

Me: women could give two shits about a penis, honestly.
we don't need 'em.
we just keep men around so that we don't have to fix our sinks and
kill roaches and shit.

Paul: More things men can do over women, you're not helping your case

Me: i didn't say we couldn't do them; we're smarter than you because
we manipulate you into doing them for us
ah ha!
I WIN.
stop looking at my blog.

Paul: You're dumber than us because you say things like "I WIN!" and
expect that it makes it so.
And I will look at any blog I please.

it's my second hand wonder

I had no idea Mark Ibold has been a bartender at Great Jones Cafe for the last seven years. I wanna be served by him.

(They have wicked good spicy Bloodys and serve their jalapeno cornbread with honey. Scarny and I went there once for Brunch Club...)

don't get them in the wrong order

I'm going to try the one-meal-a-day-plus-cigarettes-and-coffee-and-Diet-Coke diet for a while because after the cruise I feel like Jabba the Hut. (Yes, I do recognize that this is terribly unhealthy, but I've got a degree in Health Behavior and am a professional so shut up.)

Speaking of food, I've got a coffee "date" (serious air quotes there) with the ol' personal chef.

Some of you will recall that for my 30th birthday, my brother had his acquaintance, a personal chef named Rob, come to my kitchen and teach me a few things (knife skills, how to make a roux, etc.). Now that I've sent off my app to FCI, my brother encouraged me to get back in touch.

(Yeah, okay, Jase, whatever -- I see through this completely.)

So, sure, I emailed him for some advice and Rob suggested a coffee outing. AB will be here for a week, so late next week it will have to be.

(Rob flies to St. Bart's once a week to cook for some secret celeb client. Very swanky.)

In other news: I can't sleep at all.