Sunday, November 30, 2008

 

Why....?

Do washed out quarterbacks like Gus Frerotte play like geniuses when they're playing for teams I hate, but like three-fingered, uncoordinated sloths when they play for teams I LIKE?

Just a question.....

Friday, November 28, 2008

 

Shopping

Mother-in-law and I did our traditional up-way-too-early shopping trip today. I'm tired, my feet hurt, I should be asleep now. But my brain is awake, E and I are watching Sex and the City (well, I am, she's asleep) and I just feel like writing, even if it's bad.

Got the 6 kids at family Christmas taken care of, daughter of one friend, daughter and son of another, Dad is done, the name I drew at family Christmas, an aunt, sister-in-law. That leaves a few people. Some are easy--just need to find the right time to order so they don't get their presents next week--some are not. But I'm feeling OK.

 

Sous Vide

As defined by dictionary.com, "the technique of cooking ingredients in a vacuum-sealed plastic pouch, usually for a long time at a low temperature". My definition: it's a bunch of hooey. Oh, I know, technically, it's not hooey, it's science. But I find it highly contrived. It's a method that a home cook can never hope to replicate inexpensively and to me, that makes it elitist in the worst sense of the word. Eating, and thus cooking should be the most democratic (small d) activity in the world. There's no real reason that the average cook should find anything beyond his or her skill/interest level.

Sauteeing fresh greens and presenting them in an appealing way shouldn't be out of the reach of the average cook. You shouldn't have to train for years with a master chef to prepare dinner. One of my fav cooking-y things authors, Michael Ruhlman, is a big fan. Of course, he hangs out with Thomas Keller and Grant Achatz, who made the technique trendy (and I hate putting Keller's name and the word "trendy" in a sentence). I guess if I were buds with them, I'd dig it too. Or at least I'd say I did.

I'm not sure why this cooking method raises my hackles so much, but it does. I find it so freaking pretentious it's unreal.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

 

I am thankful

For a great many things this Thanksgiving Season. For things profound and silly, meaningful and fun. A list....not in any order

New boots. Smoking hot ones.
Just one pair of boots (I'm sure I'd be thankful for 2 pair, but in February, when I'm still paying Citibank, I might not be so thankful)
A good-tempered dog.
Friends who love me the way I am, but who will support me as I try to change my weight to height ratio.
In-laws who I really love and who love me.
Long lost friends who don't stay lost.
Opportunity....new ones, especially.
A church community of good folks.
Colleagues who have expressed kind thoughts (and some consternation) at me leaving.
Wine.

Monday, November 24, 2008

 

Hard work and new boots

Did a lot of random things today, working with a gaggle of teenagers at church today. We were putting together baskets to give away later in the day and while we worked hard, we also had a lot of fun. Our fearless leader, who seems much like a Pied Piper of teenagers, kept us going and mostly organized. Her words of wisdom to me "if you can get a kid to do it, don't do any unnecessary work yourself". So I corraled kids into picking up, breaking down boxes, recycling, building boxes, moving cans, etc. Got kids to load up a truckload of cardboard into one girl's truck and escorted her to the dump to recycle.

I went to check things out when we opened and was amazed. There were people lined up out the door, into the parking lot and we moved quick. As soon as I could unbox pies and organize packages of rolls, someone had come to get them. We caught a break and cleaned up our space. We were mostly ready to go when the last basket went out. As I noticed last year, teenagers are funny. Pied Piper has 2 sons, both incredibly tall, one incredibly cute. At times, he's one of our best organizers, making sure everyone has something to do, corraling those who are playing too much. Tonight, during our breaks, he ventured back to "typical teen". Playing a more advanced game of Rock Paper Scissors and the time-honored classic, Burnout (his brother got him a few times....and good). Our "serious leader" is still just a kid. A good kid, but a silly, goofy teen. I hope he doesn't lose that for some time.

When I got home, there were the replacement boots that Zappos shipped me. Mmmmmm. Both pair the right size and for all that they are supposed to be one pair black and one pair brown, both pair look black. Which leaves me in a dilemma. I love the toe of one and the heel of the other. I'm calling in a reinforcement tomorrow to help me determine if I'm color-blind or crazy. Hopefully, she'll also help me figure out if I'm losing my mind in other areas as well......

Thursday, November 20, 2008

 

Tragedy and triumph

The perfect boots arrived as promised. Earlier than promised and I was delighted. When I got home, however, my delight was as crushed as the shipping box. It looked like Godzilla sat on it from Kentucky all the way here. One of the shoe boxes inside was damaged and I was fearful. Upon opening, however, I found beautiful boots. More beautiful than I could have imagined. I tried one on my larger foot.

The news was not good. Too small. Not "maybe these will get a little bigger with wear" too small, but "oh my goodness, I'm losing circulation below the ankle" too small. Reluctantly, I packed up the boot and opened the other box. Again, incredibly lovely boots. I nearly needed a moment and a moist towelette. Again, way.too.small. Yes, I ordered the size I like to wear instead of the size I should have. In my defense, the first brand wasn't available in the size/color combination I really wanted, so I knew that was a gamble. But the second brand tends to run big and the reviews online recommended you go down a half size. Heartbroken, I headed to the PC to see what my options were for returning the lovely boots.

I checked out the "Live Help" and chatted with an agent. He emailed me a return label and asked if I wanted to make an exchange. An exchange. Why yes, yes, I would. The size/color combination for the first brand still isn't available, so I ordered a different color and larger size. The second brand was available in the desired color and larger size. To help alleviate my perceived stress, the agent is sending the replacement boots one business day AT NO COST!?!?! He is truly my hero. I will have TWO pair of boots on Monday. Two not identical pair. You see where this is going, don't you? I'll fall in love with both of them. I'll rend garments, gnash my teeth and tear at my hair deciding which one to keep. But they both need a good home. And I know they'll be dead sexy......

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

 

Interesting comments

I'm leaving Big Faceless Corp in a few weeks and I've started putting out the word. Comments back have been very interesting...

"Motherf*****! This is a disaster" Uh, not for me.
"You better call me right away" Right away? For a note I sent you 2 HOURS before you responded?
"let me know when your last day is--just want to get it on my calendar, so I know what day to cry when I get up in the morning." And that from a co-worker who is always rather distant. Awwww.
"What am I going to do without my EY?" Same thing you did before you met me, I'd guess.
"Oh my! I thought you were a lifer at BFC." Funny, I would have agreed with that until recently.

Lots of congratulations, lots of "you will be missed". It's interesting.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

 

Shoes

Things are looking up on the shoe quest. Zappos, as I should have expected, has come to my rescue with 2 pair of boots and a nice pair of dress shoes. No, I'm not keeping both pair of boots. I can't decide between them, so I ordered both, will compare them here Chez EY and send the lesser pair back. No, seriously, I will. I tried comparing the pictures, but they both look hot. I tried comparing my experience with the brands, but these are 2 really good brands (Nine West and Via Spiga). I tried going for the less expensive one, but one is $1.95 more expensive than the other. Seriously, for $2 difference, I can't write off a perfectly good boot.

So in 4-5 business days (I'm hoping for 4) I'll have lovely shoes....sigh.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

 

Shoe blues

I want a new pair of shoes. Boots, specifically. Tall ones with a decent heel and either a square or pointy toe. No round toes. No buckles, no straps, no fringe. Why is this such a hard thing to find? Perfect boots.....where are you?!?!?!?!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

 

Never fails

When I'm really tired, when I have a headache, I can guarantee that will be the day that the team across from me will have their team meeting via conference call with all the doors open. Three out of the six people have hard offices right across from me. Instead of them getting in one office to call in to their daily status meeting (can I say, I would kill my team if we had to have DAILY status meetings?), everyone sits in their own office with each phone on speaker and everyone YELLS into the call. Seriously, I wonder why they need a call in. The folks in other locations should be able to hear them from the row I'm on.

They seem to have no idea how loud and annoying they are. And when I have a headache, that just makes it all the more fun.

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