My boy asked me why I have been posting more lately (I think he suspects it's because a warning was sent out to all of the people at his office telling them not to use the internet for non-work related reasons and so now I blog since he won't read it). I think it has more to do with being caught up, but whatever keeps him on his toes :).
Anyway, I actually have lots to do today but I wanted to post this easy way to feed the hungry:
http://www.spreadthesharing.com/StoriesofSharing/TellStory.aspx
Just share a story of sharing and you've earned a meal for someone. Yay!!
Please, pass it on, write tons and help keep people fed.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
How Would You Know?
So I was tagged (that's the first time that's happened!). I am supposed to come up with 8 Random facts and then pass the tag on, placing the rules on my blog and then passing it on to 8 people. I think it's slightly amusing since it assumes that most of my blogs have a theme or a point and aren't just random accumulations of thoughts. It also assumes that I have 8 friends who blog. I think it may be giving me too much credit. . . .
Here are the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Here are my facts:
The thought that is first and foremost in my mind today is that I have an estimate of $980.50 worth of work for my car which is only worth, at best, $1500. My dad has said he'd help me out and pay for it (which makes me feel slightly guilty). My boy's father could fix it for less, but he's in PA, My roomie keeps insisting we could get the parts for less, and that we could put on the tires at the very least. I keep thinking, why is this car such a heartache every time I think about it and is every car like this? I keep thinking if we don't get the car fixed we'll be paying about $200 to rent a car to go to Philly next week, does that make spending the $980 better? Argh. . . .Then I think about how I don't have any money and how horrible I must be with money since I make a decent wage and then I think why am I not more dependent on God, why can't I be like the lily of the fields?
The only thing I lettered in in high school (beyond the honor society letter in a circle) was for volunteering. Everyone else in the world letters in some sport, but me, I letter in volunteering.
While I think I usually speak coherently, and write decently, I have no concept whatsoever of how grammar/punctuation really work.
Though I am terrified of heights/falling, I have always wanted to be a trapeze artist (and have seriously considered going to the Boston trapeze school in magical Jordan's furniture).
I love road trips and themes (and themed road trips) but I don't always plan them (though I also love planning). Sometimes I look back over what I've served at a "normal" party and realize there was a random theme running through, like cheese or mushrooms and pumpkins. . . . I also have sometimes gotten lost and had the best addition to a road trip as a result.
I have a box and a half of chocolate marshmallow rabbits under my desk from Easter. I am hoarding them and I slapped one out of my boy's hand at one point when he took one. They are one point a piece on weight watchers and I am terrible at following weight watchers, but on the off chance I do better, they're waiting there as my special "good" dessert (I have recently found out that the 100 calorie hostess cupcakes are also only 1 pt per little package I may start hoarding those next).
My favorite season is fall. I think it's because I never got to experience it much growing up in AK (perhaps that's why I've stayed in the fall capital of the country -- New England). My second favorite season is spring and I used to love experiencing it at the end of the year at college and then going home and catching it again. I also hate change, so I find it amusing that my two favorite seasons are the transition seasons.
My favorite number is 11 and not just because my birthday falls on the 11th of a month, but because it's so symmetrical and pretty. I love the time 11:11.
That's 8. I am not formally tagging anyone, if anyone who reads this is interested in sharing though, I'd love to read :).
Here are the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Here are my facts:
The thought that is first and foremost in my mind today is that I have an estimate of $980.50 worth of work for my car which is only worth, at best, $1500. My dad has said he'd help me out and pay for it (which makes me feel slightly guilty). My boy's father could fix it for less, but he's in PA, My roomie keeps insisting we could get the parts for less, and that we could put on the tires at the very least. I keep thinking, why is this car such a heartache every time I think about it and is every car like this? I keep thinking if we don't get the car fixed we'll be paying about $200 to rent a car to go to Philly next week, does that make spending the $980 better? Argh. . . .Then I think about how I don't have any money and how horrible I must be with money since I make a decent wage and then I think why am I not more dependent on God, why can't I be like the lily of the fields?
The only thing I lettered in in high school (beyond the honor society letter in a circle) was for volunteering. Everyone else in the world letters in some sport, but me, I letter in volunteering.
While I think I usually speak coherently, and write decently, I have no concept whatsoever of how grammar/punctuation really work.
Though I am terrified of heights/falling, I have always wanted to be a trapeze artist (and have seriously considered going to the Boston trapeze school in magical Jordan's furniture).
I love road trips and themes (and themed road trips) but I don't always plan them (though I also love planning). Sometimes I look back over what I've served at a "normal" party and realize there was a random theme running through, like cheese or mushrooms and pumpkins. . . . I also have sometimes gotten lost and had the best addition to a road trip as a result.
I have a box and a half of chocolate marshmallow rabbits under my desk from Easter. I am hoarding them and I slapped one out of my boy's hand at one point when he took one. They are one point a piece on weight watchers and I am terrible at following weight watchers, but on the off chance I do better, they're waiting there as my special "good" dessert (I have recently found out that the 100 calorie hostess cupcakes are also only 1 pt per little package I may start hoarding those next).
My favorite season is fall. I think it's because I never got to experience it much growing up in AK (perhaps that's why I've stayed in the fall capital of the country -- New England). My second favorite season is spring and I used to love experiencing it at the end of the year at college and then going home and catching it again. I also hate change, so I find it amusing that my two favorite seasons are the transition seasons.
My favorite number is 11 and not just because my birthday falls on the 11th of a month, but because it's so symmetrical and pretty. I love the time 11:11.
That's 8. I am not formally tagging anyone, if anyone who reads this is interested in sharing though, I'd love to read :).
Monday, June 25, 2007
I hear a symphony. . .
As a treat I won an auction for a pair of table tickets to the Boston Pops for my boy. The beauty of these tickets is that its dinner and a show. Since they were for the spring season and we just got them last week, we had to use them quick. We went last night for an edge concert (or something like that). This meant that there was a selection of dance songs from WestSide Story and then music from two new composers. The entire second half of the concert was The Cowboy Junkies accompanied by the Symphony which was a little odd.
They didn't have our tickets set aside at will call like they were supposed to so my boy spent most of the evening trying to figure out where we would have sat if they had, had our tickets (we ended up having to share a table though there was a completely empty row behind us we realized later) and what other name they could have been under. I was disappointed by how far back the seats were and that they only sold wine by the bottle. I couldn't go through an entire bottle by myself, I do have some standards :).
The music was nice and the evening pleasant, especially the walk home but I think we won't be going back soon (not the least because the season is almost over :)).
They didn't have our tickets set aside at will call like they were supposed to so my boy spent most of the evening trying to figure out where we would have sat if they had, had our tickets (we ended up having to share a table though there was a completely empty row behind us we realized later) and what other name they could have been under. I was disappointed by how far back the seats were and that they only sold wine by the bottle. I couldn't go through an entire bottle by myself, I do have some standards :).
The music was nice and the evening pleasant, especially the walk home but I think we won't be going back soon (not the least because the season is almost over :)).
Wedding Bells
Saturday my boy and I were supposed to go to a friend's wedding. My boy has no suit, and we weren't sure of the fit of the jackets he has. I imed him at 7:45 and told him to meet me at the mall at 9:00. I, of course (since I was dependent on a bus), was late. We got there around 9:30 and found that the store we'd planned on was closed. the only store that was open in fact was Sears. Sears had three colors for suits and only one option for style of pants. We bought a nice navy pinstripe. I searched for slacks to match that didn't have pleats but no luck. Four hours before the wedding with no stores quite open yet, we couldn't really be picky.
In the end, I think he looked quite nice. Maybe not as dapper as the best man always does, but much better than either my boy or I could hope to do usually.
We got dressed and headed over to the wedding. There was busing on the green line and we ended up having to get off at fenway and take a bus one stop. My boy was a little disappointed since we could have just walked from his house if I weren't wearing ridiculous shoes. They were sooo pretty though, I don't regret it. We met Megz getting off the train and we killed some time while she chased down the wrap she'd left on the train. Then we hopped on the bus and headed to the church. It was a pretty catholic church, and like most of them was well equipped to keep the eye busy.
The wedding was delayed by the arrival of the couple's pugs dressed in a black and white formal and a tuxedo. When it finally began, the bridesmaids entered in lovely light green frocks, those that were more tattooed than others had wraps. The bride looked radiant in a pretty unadorned gown with a 60s style veil and updo. The priest seemed very appropriate for the couple. He had emo style glasses and a goatee. He was also kind of an ad-libber.
All in all a lovely wedding. We piled into the best man's car and got mildly lost based upon the directions we'd been given. We made it to the town hall though in time to set up final details (though one of the caterers did say as we entered, "I hate it when people show up early"). It was a very pretty reception. Gorgeous flowers and the food was great (ok, the meat was a little over cooked, but the flavor was good). The cake was very pretty, white smooth fondant with little pink and green dots, sort of like candy buttons. There was a good range of music, played by a sufficiently odd dj and there was even some Irish clogging (the bride got up at one point and did some dancing, it was really cute). The favors were licorice scottie dogs with a note that a donation had been made the boston mspca.
The event was all very much like the couple, and so (from my point of view) was pulled off perfectly.
My boy and I caught a ride home with the photographers (wouldn't you know) and had a great time discussing some of the more interesting guests (the Elvira look alike, the woman who looked like she'd stuck her finger in a light socket, the tall girl wearing an extremely short dress, and the woman wearing a two toned cotton candy pink dress with molded bodice and chiffon skirt -- people watching was great at this event).
In the end, I think he looked quite nice. Maybe not as dapper as the best man always does, but much better than either my boy or I could hope to do usually.
We got dressed and headed over to the wedding. There was busing on the green line and we ended up having to get off at fenway and take a bus one stop. My boy was a little disappointed since we could have just walked from his house if I weren't wearing ridiculous shoes. They were sooo pretty though, I don't regret it. We met Megz getting off the train and we killed some time while she chased down the wrap she'd left on the train. Then we hopped on the bus and headed to the church. It was a pretty catholic church, and like most of them was well equipped to keep the eye busy.
The wedding was delayed by the arrival of the couple's pugs dressed in a black and white formal and a tuxedo. When it finally began, the bridesmaids entered in lovely light green frocks, those that were more tattooed than others had wraps. The bride looked radiant in a pretty unadorned gown with a 60s style veil and updo. The priest seemed very appropriate for the couple. He had emo style glasses and a goatee. He was also kind of an ad-libber.
All in all a lovely wedding. We piled into the best man's car and got mildly lost based upon the directions we'd been given. We made it to the town hall though in time to set up final details (though one of the caterers did say as we entered, "I hate it when people show up early"). It was a very pretty reception. Gorgeous flowers and the food was great (ok, the meat was a little over cooked, but the flavor was good). The cake was very pretty, white smooth fondant with little pink and green dots, sort of like candy buttons. There was a good range of music, played by a sufficiently odd dj and there was even some Irish clogging (the bride got up at one point and did some dancing, it was really cute). The favors were licorice scottie dogs with a note that a donation had been made the boston mspca.
The event was all very much like the couple, and so (from my point of view) was pulled off perfectly.
My boy and I caught a ride home with the photographers (wouldn't you know) and had a great time discussing some of the more interesting guests (the Elvira look alike, the woman who looked like she'd stuck her finger in a light socket, the tall girl wearing an extremely short dress, and the woman wearing a two toned cotton candy pink dress with molded bodice and chiffon skirt -- people watching was great at this event).
Beach Ball Birthday
Friday night we had the picnic at Hull Beach. It was an odd event but fun over all. We planned on sitting out on the beach and eating, enjoying the surf and sand. Instead it ended up being sort of gray and occasionally drizzly and we parked on the part of the beach where there were only rocks. Also, neglecting the importance of high tide vs. low tide, we got there just as high tide was going out, leaving wet beach behind. So we opted for a picnic just outside of the parking lot under an awning (like a wisteria or grape vine awning, not one that actually offered shelter, but one that gave the illusion of shelter).
We set up the picnic from sweet to savory (I will try and give a list of everything there):
malted milk balls
organic peanut butter malted milk balls
chocolates
lindt truffles
dum dums
tootsie roll pops
enteman's popems
brownie balls
ball cake (an Asian cookie)
chocolate bombe birthday cake
grapes
Rainer cherries
watermelon balled
cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto
tomato basil mozzarella skewers
shrimp balls
cheese balls (both a bucket and two bags)
wasabi peas (two brands for taste testing purposes)
rice balls
falafel (or as most of us ended up referring to it awful falafel)
meatball's
Ok, I think that was it, please feel free to fill in any blanks if you were there . Anyway, overall a good variety of items. We ended up quite full even if (despite it's shape) it wasn't the most well rounded of meals.
After finishing the meal and playing with beach balls for a bit, we headed over to the carousel. We had the requisite ride -- though there was some debate about how fast the carousel was (I thought it was really fast, my boy thought I was insane -- but then what's new?).
We considered mini-golf, but with 10 of us consensus took us to the arcade instead. We managed to get enough tickets for everyone to get a super ball and they were really super, very good bouncers. Almost as much fun as the last time when we got those little plastic frogs you can flick the back of and then raced them.
We piled into our cars to go home a somerville/cambridge/points north contingent, a quincy car and a boston/brookline car.
Suzib had never been to a dairy queen though so when we passed one on the way home our car turned in. It was quickly followed by the other cars and we had a quick rendezvous in the parking lot before we split up for good.
We set up the picnic from sweet to savory (I will try and give a list of everything there):
malted milk balls
organic peanut butter malted milk balls
chocolates
lindt truffles
dum dums
tootsie roll pops
enteman's popems
brownie balls
ball cake (an Asian cookie)
chocolate bombe birthday cake
grapes
Rainer cherries
watermelon balled
cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto
tomato basil mozzarella skewers
shrimp balls
cheese balls (both a bucket and two bags)
wasabi peas (two brands for taste testing purposes)
rice balls
falafel (or as most of us ended up referring to it awful falafel)
meatball's
Ok, I think that was it, please feel free to fill in any blanks if you were there . Anyway, overall a good variety of items. We ended up quite full even if (despite it's shape) it wasn't the most well rounded of meals.
After finishing the meal and playing with beach balls for a bit, we headed over to the carousel. We had the requisite ride -- though there was some debate about how fast the carousel was (I thought it was really fast, my boy thought I was insane -- but then what's new?).
We considered mini-golf, but with 10 of us consensus took us to the arcade instead. We managed to get enough tickets for everyone to get a super ball and they were really super, very good bouncers. Almost as much fun as the last time when we got those little plastic frogs you can flick the back of and then raced them.
We piled into our cars to go home a somerville/cambridge/points north contingent, a quincy car and a boston/brookline car.
Suzib had never been to a dairy queen though so when we passed one on the way home our car turned in. It was quickly followed by the other cars and we had a quick rendezvous in the parking lot before we split up for good.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Negativity Hangover
I started this blog way back when because I couldn't deal with all the frustrations in my life. I have actually been far less frustrated since I started this blog, but I feel like venting today.
I had a really frustrating night last night and I am trying to work through the frustration, and sadness left over from it. To that end, I am making a list of frustrations, hoping that that helps let them go.
1. last night's Bible study was very argumentative. Not debate, which I find interesting and engaging, fully argumentative. There have been nights like this before, but somehow last night it was worse than usual because most of the more vocal people were missing and so the fighting was limited to more one on one battles with some of the quieter folks timidly trying to enter the conversation and then bowing out. The leader I think felt attacked and actually said at one point, this may be the last study led by me (we're two weeks into an eight week study). I left the study feeling rather discouraged instead of encouraged -- never a good thing when you're about to go out and be strong and encouraging to people who are searching/downtrodden -- I mean even Jesus asked for a break once. . . .
2. A fight broke out in the line for coffee last night. The number of people out there has increased dramatically (we're running out of food and clothes by 8:30). We probably had about 30 or 40 people in line and somehow a fight broke out. I am not sure what it was about I could only see the remains of a cup of coffee on the ground, hear shouting and see the raising of fists. While the people in line tried to break it up and kept telling the guys, "not in front of the church people" I was frustrated that the guys who are in our group didn't even look up or stand ready should the fight spill over into any pocket of women from the outreach team (everyone on the outreach team has been instructed not to step into a fight, but there's a difference between stepping into a fight and maintaining safety).
3. When it started sprinkling (and mind you rain was scheduled for the evening) people on the team freaked out. They asked if we should cross the street and seek shelter there. They insisted that we circle up immediately and start worship/sermon etc. Even though it was 15 min early. I was annoyed by this because they should have been prepared for rain, I was also annoyed because it wasn't that hard, AND (as I am sure all you non-outreach members are thinking) the people we're serving have to sleep in the rain!!! We're going to woos (sp?) out when they're just stuck there?! Come on. Suck it up people.
4. All week I have been looking forward to singing a song we first heard at the wedding we went to last Saturday. It's a lively song with hand/body motions. It's easy to learn, a catchy tune and the sheer joy emanating from everyone doing it at the wedding was so contagious I really wanted to bring that out to the common. I mentioned to several people before we went outside how excited about it I was. I was so incredibly discouraged when people when we tried to sing the song and people were incredibly negative. The song was not sung with any of the spirit I had hoped for and 5 outreach members out of the 20 who were there did the motions. When suzib asked for an action word to put in the song one person said (with what I felt was a tone) "why don't you try pray, it's actually a lyric in the song." It was at that moment that I wanted to scream f you. F you all.
I worked hard to hold it together all night. To try and make comments during small group. To try and make the fight calm down, sending a guy over with coffee to replace the lost coffee, joking with one of the offenders to try and make him drop it. I was supportive of the plan to start the singing/sermonette early even though I thought we could handle staying outside. I was loud and exuberant through the singing while few people could even fake giving a damn. And when the singing was done, I shut down. I left the circle. I couldn't deal with the people on my "team" any more.
I am sure that this is not all their fault. That a good part of blame can fall on me. Heck, the bits of the sermonette I heard really were speaking to the turmoil I was going through (happiness is dependent on circumstances, we must strive for joy). I just felt failed by our group last night. I was angry and hurt and tired of most of them. . . .
On the other hand, the people on the common that I talked to were really encouraging. When we got out there one guy ran ahead and asked a person sitting on the bench we usually use if he could get up so the church people could set up to help the homeless. I liked that the people in line trying to stop the fight wanted it to end for one part because they respect us and don't want us hurt/scared. I like that one of the guys came up to me and was talking about how angry he got when people out there demanded stuff from us, and acted like we owed them something (there was also a funny moment where he slurred something he said and I thought he said "I hate those drunks" and I repeated it back as a question because he was obviously drunk and he said "no, not drunks, druggies, I'm a drunk.").
I was pained to hear the shock in his voice when the guy who had cleared the bench for me found out I was from Park Street. I was saddened when he said, "really, I would never have thought they would come out here. They seem like such an unfriendly church." I was pleased when he said that none of us out there on Thursday nights were unfriendly though, and I laughed when he described the bitterness of another outreach team that comes out where one woman actually said, "God, I can't wait to be done with this."
It was a bitter sweet night. I was so unhappy with my team and yet, so happy with the homeless. . . .
In other frustrations, the woman I blogged about once earlier, continues to wreck havoc and while I do feel badly for her, I am also tired of the same issues coming up again and again and that people aren't being warned so they can be prevented from being victims.
To balance the frustrations and turmoil they induce, I do have the excitement of a picnic on the beach to look forward to. My friend is having a birthday and she let me plan it. We're having a road trip to hull beach and then we're having ball shaped food as a theme, you know like cheese balls, mozzarella tomato skewers etc. I'll tell you everything people bring when I update about my weekend :).
Thanks for letting me vent.
I had a really frustrating night last night and I am trying to work through the frustration, and sadness left over from it. To that end, I am making a list of frustrations, hoping that that helps let them go.
1. last night's Bible study was very argumentative. Not debate, which I find interesting and engaging, fully argumentative. There have been nights like this before, but somehow last night it was worse than usual because most of the more vocal people were missing and so the fighting was limited to more one on one battles with some of the quieter folks timidly trying to enter the conversation and then bowing out. The leader I think felt attacked and actually said at one point, this may be the last study led by me (we're two weeks into an eight week study). I left the study feeling rather discouraged instead of encouraged -- never a good thing when you're about to go out and be strong and encouraging to people who are searching/downtrodden -- I mean even Jesus asked for a break once. . . .
2. A fight broke out in the line for coffee last night. The number of people out there has increased dramatically (we're running out of food and clothes by 8:30). We probably had about 30 or 40 people in line and somehow a fight broke out. I am not sure what it was about I could only see the remains of a cup of coffee on the ground, hear shouting and see the raising of fists. While the people in line tried to break it up and kept telling the guys, "not in front of the church people" I was frustrated that the guys who are in our group didn't even look up or stand ready should the fight spill over into any pocket of women from the outreach team (everyone on the outreach team has been instructed not to step into a fight, but there's a difference between stepping into a fight and maintaining safety).
3. When it started sprinkling (and mind you rain was scheduled for the evening) people on the team freaked out. They asked if we should cross the street and seek shelter there. They insisted that we circle up immediately and start worship/sermon etc. Even though it was 15 min early. I was annoyed by this because they should have been prepared for rain, I was also annoyed because it wasn't that hard, AND (as I am sure all you non-outreach members are thinking) the people we're serving have to sleep in the rain!!! We're going to woos (sp?) out when they're just stuck there?! Come on. Suck it up people.
4. All week I have been looking forward to singing a song we first heard at the wedding we went to last Saturday. It's a lively song with hand/body motions. It's easy to learn, a catchy tune and the sheer joy emanating from everyone doing it at the wedding was so contagious I really wanted to bring that out to the common. I mentioned to several people before we went outside how excited about it I was. I was so incredibly discouraged when people when we tried to sing the song and people were incredibly negative. The song was not sung with any of the spirit I had hoped for and 5 outreach members out of the 20 who were there did the motions. When suzib asked for an action word to put in the song one person said (with what I felt was a tone) "why don't you try pray, it's actually a lyric in the song." It was at that moment that I wanted to scream f you. F you all.
I worked hard to hold it together all night. To try and make comments during small group. To try and make the fight calm down, sending a guy over with coffee to replace the lost coffee, joking with one of the offenders to try and make him drop it. I was supportive of the plan to start the singing/sermonette early even though I thought we could handle staying outside. I was loud and exuberant through the singing while few people could even fake giving a damn. And when the singing was done, I shut down. I left the circle. I couldn't deal with the people on my "team" any more.
I am sure that this is not all their fault. That a good part of blame can fall on me. Heck, the bits of the sermonette I heard really were speaking to the turmoil I was going through (happiness is dependent on circumstances, we must strive for joy). I just felt failed by our group last night. I was angry and hurt and tired of most of them. . . .
On the other hand, the people on the common that I talked to were really encouraging. When we got out there one guy ran ahead and asked a person sitting on the bench we usually use if he could get up so the church people could set up to help the homeless. I liked that the people in line trying to stop the fight wanted it to end for one part because they respect us and don't want us hurt/scared. I like that one of the guys came up to me and was talking about how angry he got when people out there demanded stuff from us, and acted like we owed them something (there was also a funny moment where he slurred something he said and I thought he said "I hate those drunks" and I repeated it back as a question because he was obviously drunk and he said "no, not drunks, druggies, I'm a drunk.").
I was pained to hear the shock in his voice when the guy who had cleared the bench for me found out I was from Park Street. I was saddened when he said, "really, I would never have thought they would come out here. They seem like such an unfriendly church." I was pleased when he said that none of us out there on Thursday nights were unfriendly though, and I laughed when he described the bitterness of another outreach team that comes out where one woman actually said, "God, I can't wait to be done with this."
It was a bitter sweet night. I was so unhappy with my team and yet, so happy with the homeless. . . .
In other frustrations, the woman I blogged about once earlier, continues to wreck havoc and while I do feel badly for her, I am also tired of the same issues coming up again and again and that people aren't being warned so they can be prevented from being victims.
To balance the frustrations and turmoil they induce, I do have the excitement of a picnic on the beach to look forward to. My friend is having a birthday and she let me plan it. We're having a road trip to hull beach and then we're having ball shaped food as a theme, you know like cheese balls, mozzarella tomato skewers etc. I'll tell you everything people bring when I update about my weekend :).
Thanks for letting me vent.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Update
I figured after the last picture I'd posted I should add a couple more. These are from the day my boy made breakfast sausage.
Don't you see why he needs the kitchenaid food tray?!
He still managed to make quite a bit.
Don't you see why he needs the kitchenaid food tray?!
He still managed to make quite a bit.
mmmm!
Okay, that concludes our pictorial history.
Sweet (Italian Sausage) Nothings. . . .
My boy who seems quiet and unflappable is also extremely passionate. His passion is for meat. For his birthday I got him the meat grinder and sausage stuffer attachments for the kitchenaid mixer (I swear he's only dating me because I have a kitchenaid mixer -- an item I have now come to associate with barbie -- it's expensive to buy in the first place and then it needs all these freakin' attachments that are far too expensive, the sausage stuffer retails for $12.99 and it's essentially a giant frosting tip!! but this far too long already parenthetical phrase is a post for another time).
So far he's just made breakfast sausage, but the sausage making kit I got for him had natural hog casings which means that the sausage is a little large for breakfast sausage. He's been discussing this problem with me at various times and went so far as to print a 50 page sausage supply catalog that he showed me. Today he even sent me this link "for the next time we make breakfast sausage." I pretend to be interested and supportive, because, as has been pointed out numerous times, I obsess about seemingly insane things as well.
We're having a "laid back bbq" on the fourth --as in I have enough things going on in my life, let's for once not over-do it and just have something basic and chill. Today he's sent me a number of links for things that would make "our" grilling (another obsession of his) life better. He's planning on grinding his own beef for the hamburgers and so he sent me a link for the Kitchenaid food tray attachment something that would make meat grinding go faster. Then he began toying with the idea of making his own hot dogs. We have the seasoning kit for it. He thinks that the casings I bought might be too large though. He has spent all afternoon researching alternative casings. First he worried about using natural casings, asking if I thought people would be bothered by it if we used natural casings. I pointed out that most people have a don't ask don't tell policy toward hot dogs in general so he'd probably be pretty safe as long as he didn't bring it up in the first place. Then he asked if I think 3/4 of an inch diameter sounds about right for hot dog casings. I said I thought that most hot dogs were at least an inch, but I didn't know. That's when he let me know he thought he was going to go with this:
So far he's just made breakfast sausage, but the sausage making kit I got for him had natural hog casings which means that the sausage is a little large for breakfast sausage. He's been discussing this problem with me at various times and went so far as to print a 50 page sausage supply catalog that he showed me. Today he even sent me this link "for the next time we make breakfast sausage." I pretend to be interested and supportive, because, as has been pointed out numerous times, I obsess about seemingly insane things as well.
We're having a "laid back bbq" on the fourth --as in I have enough things going on in my life, let's for once not over-do it and just have something basic and chill. Today he's sent me a number of links for things that would make "our" grilling (another obsession of his) life better. He's planning on grinding his own beef for the hamburgers and so he sent me a link for the Kitchenaid food tray attachment something that would make meat grinding go faster. Then he began toying with the idea of making his own hot dogs. We have the seasoning kit for it. He thinks that the casings I bought might be too large though. He has spent all afternoon researching alternative casings. First he worried about using natural casings, asking if I thought people would be bothered by it if we used natural casings. I pointed out that most people have a don't ask don't tell policy toward hot dogs in general so he'd probably be pretty safe as long as he didn't bring it up in the first place. Then he asked if I think 3/4 of an inch diameter sounds about right for hot dog casings. I said I thought that most hot dogs were at least an inch, but I didn't know. That's when he let me know he thought he was going to go with this:
Yes, those are the sweet little nothings my boy sends me; not roses or love notes, piles of guts. I am blessed :).
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
FUN!!
This week I have gotten two random (but exciting) presents.
One was a Rachel Ray Cookbook and the other was a road side food book called Jane and Michael Stern's Roadfood. It looks REALLY fun.
Anyone planning to randomly send me the 3rd and 4th seasons of The Cosby Show?
Makes me feel a little bad that my father's day present for my dad is a book I promised him at Christmas and virtually writing my name on a card for pedals for his bike.
One was a Rachel Ray Cookbook and the other was a road side food book called Jane and Michael Stern's Roadfood. It looks REALLY fun.
Anyone planning to randomly send me the 3rd and 4th seasons of The Cosby Show?
Makes me feel a little bad that my father's day present for my dad is a book I promised him at Christmas and virtually writing my name on a card for pedals for his bike.
So Much Going on, So Little Inspiration
This weekend was a whirlwind. Friday night was spent making cookies and prepping stuff for sandwiches for the wedding we were going to. Sat am, early Suzib started assembling 50 cucumber sandwiches while I hovered around trying to help. We left the house loaded with cookies and sandwiches by 8:45 and were on our way to the wedding (I hate busing btw).
The wedding was great, informal and charismatic, but no snake charming or any other extremes that one fears after spending a bridal shower listening to spiritual healing talk that involves both voodoo heads swirling around on their own and people being healed while going through "evil" yoga moves. There was an incredible rendition of Amazing Grace, it was definitely the woman's own version, and she sang unaccompanied and very well (as far as I could tell).
The pastor had never officiated at a wedding before and so he was noticeably nervous (slightly amusing since he is a street minister who takes on far scarier things on any given night of out reach and who also happens to be six foot something and burly -- but oh so sweet). Anyway, he said the bride had asked for him to hurry the wedding along she wanted a short wedding etc. He said sorry, you're always getting me, this time it's my turn to get you back. I am not hurrying through this opportunity. They went through the ceremony and then when it got to the part about objections he paused and said, the bride specifically told me to leave this part out. She said just skip over it. I said I couldn't do that. I've never done a wedding before and it says in the instructions we have to do it. She insisted we skip. . . . No one wants to say anything right? At this point the bride turned around and looked at the audience. We laughed and no one spoke. The recessional was the entire church singing a lively song that's popular with their street ministry and it was so happy and fun.
The reception was great. The food was incredible (we even got the number of the woman who makes empanadas so we can set up a date and learn from her). Everyone was so obviously happy for the bride and groom. We left after a rendition of an interactive song: I strut, I strut, I strut I strut on Jesus side, I dance, I dance, I dance I dance on Jesus side (it goes on, come up with whatever verb you want :)).
My boy, who went to his usual soup kitchen instead of the wedding, came over when he was finished and we hung out till it was time to go meet his friends for dinner and a movie. We had a lovely walk (instead of taking the buses again) and ended up at the restaurant slightly early. After much confusion everyone ended up at the restaurant and we rushed through dinner and went to the movie. We saw Ocean's 13, I fell asleep through the first part and was so wiggly at another point that the woman sitting next to me got up. So it could have been a better evening for me. I went home tired and slightly cranky (but, as my father points out, what's new?).
Sunday I made pancakes from Bisquick while my boy gave me pointers (he's the pancake expert, I hate making them). Then he and I grabbed fruit at the store and I made creme anglaise that turned out a little lumpy and he made fruit kebabs (that looked beautiful) for me to take to the bridal shower I was going to that afternoon. We listened to the sermon from our church on full blast while participating in our activity.
The shower was nice. There weren't any horrible games and I actually won a prize on the fairly laid back game they did have. One of the women and I made a fairly terrible page for a scrapbook (before I found out that it was optional) and some of the women made truffles which was a fun activity. I skipped because I don't need any excuses to eat poorly and chocolate was not high on my list since it was so warm out. The food supplied was great (I know my faithful readers care about that). There was an excellent cheese plate, risotto balls, an avocado, corn, black bean salsa, and guacamole, a tortellini salad that got rave reviews and much more. Also, a lovely white sangria. The presents were fun ranging from slightly dowdy bathrobes and kitchen/housewares to a kit from the local sex shop and some how to books.
My boy met me back at my house after the shower but I had two hours to myself before he got there. It was wonderful. No one was home. There was just silence. I put a couple dishes in the dishwasher (big time for me, I hate dealing with dishes) and then I sat down thinking I would just sit in silence, maybe knit, maybe write a letter to one of our homeless friends in jail. . .. Then I remembered it was father's day. So I called my dad and he made me laugh as he described his latest home improvement project.
We had breakfast for dinner (eggs and toast and potatoes) and I fell asleep watching MASH the movie.
The wedding was great, informal and charismatic, but no snake charming or any other extremes that one fears after spending a bridal shower listening to spiritual healing talk that involves both voodoo heads swirling around on their own and people being healed while going through "evil" yoga moves. There was an incredible rendition of Amazing Grace, it was definitely the woman's own version, and she sang unaccompanied and very well (as far as I could tell).
The pastor had never officiated at a wedding before and so he was noticeably nervous (slightly amusing since he is a street minister who takes on far scarier things on any given night of out reach and who also happens to be six foot something and burly -- but oh so sweet). Anyway, he said the bride had asked for him to hurry the wedding along she wanted a short wedding etc. He said sorry, you're always getting me, this time it's my turn to get you back. I am not hurrying through this opportunity. They went through the ceremony and then when it got to the part about objections he paused and said, the bride specifically told me to leave this part out. She said just skip over it. I said I couldn't do that. I've never done a wedding before and it says in the instructions we have to do it. She insisted we skip. . . . No one wants to say anything right? At this point the bride turned around and looked at the audience. We laughed and no one spoke. The recessional was the entire church singing a lively song that's popular with their street ministry and it was so happy and fun.
The reception was great. The food was incredible (we even got the number of the woman who makes empanadas so we can set up a date and learn from her). Everyone was so obviously happy for the bride and groom. We left after a rendition of an interactive song: I strut, I strut, I strut I strut on Jesus side, I dance, I dance, I dance I dance on Jesus side (it goes on, come up with whatever verb you want :)).
My boy, who went to his usual soup kitchen instead of the wedding, came over when he was finished and we hung out till it was time to go meet his friends for dinner and a movie. We had a lovely walk (instead of taking the buses again) and ended up at the restaurant slightly early. After much confusion everyone ended up at the restaurant and we rushed through dinner and went to the movie. We saw Ocean's 13, I fell asleep through the first part and was so wiggly at another point that the woman sitting next to me got up. So it could have been a better evening for me. I went home tired and slightly cranky (but, as my father points out, what's new?).
Sunday I made pancakes from Bisquick while my boy gave me pointers (he's the pancake expert, I hate making them). Then he and I grabbed fruit at the store and I made creme anglaise that turned out a little lumpy and he made fruit kebabs (that looked beautiful) for me to take to the bridal shower I was going to that afternoon. We listened to the sermon from our church on full blast while participating in our activity.
The shower was nice. There weren't any horrible games and I actually won a prize on the fairly laid back game they did have. One of the women and I made a fairly terrible page for a scrapbook (before I found out that it was optional) and some of the women made truffles which was a fun activity. I skipped because I don't need any excuses to eat poorly and chocolate was not high on my list since it was so warm out. The food supplied was great (I know my faithful readers care about that). There was an excellent cheese plate, risotto balls, an avocado, corn, black bean salsa, and guacamole, a tortellini salad that got rave reviews and much more. Also, a lovely white sangria. The presents were fun ranging from slightly dowdy bathrobes and kitchen/housewares to a kit from the local sex shop and some how to books.
My boy met me back at my house after the shower but I had two hours to myself before he got there. It was wonderful. No one was home. There was just silence. I put a couple dishes in the dishwasher (big time for me, I hate dealing with dishes) and then I sat down thinking I would just sit in silence, maybe knit, maybe write a letter to one of our homeless friends in jail. . .. Then I remembered it was father's day. So I called my dad and he made me laugh as he described his latest home improvement project.
We had breakfast for dinner (eggs and toast and potatoes) and I fell asleep watching MASH the movie.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Weekend
So the quick re-cap for this weekend is:
Friday we went home and had a random dinner of a tub of bbq pork and a frozen pizza -- not our most shining culinary moment. We prepped food for the bridal shower I/we were co-hosting the next day. The menu for the shower was:
tea sandwiches (salami with an olive cream cheese, open faced heart shaped sandwiches with a blue cheese pate topped with two grape halves, and traditional cucumber watercress sandwiches)
tomato, basil mozzarella skewers with a basil/garlic oil
mini-heart shaped strawberry shortcakes (with whipped cream from one of those William Sonoma dispensers)
short bread spoons dipped in chocolate, and sugar cookies shaped like ice cream cones (store bought)
assorted truffles
madelines (made by our other hostess)
banana cupcakes with an INCREDIBLE cream cheese frosting (also made by the other hostess)
tea and a strawberry lime punch
(I think that was it, someone remind me if I am missing something)
Anyway, we held it at the library and everything looked lovely (I had to make a quick run to Crate & Barrel to pick up some things I forgot and a skirt was drenched in oil so suzib wore a towel for a good portion of the shower but by 1:00 we were all presentable and the table looked lovely thanks to the addition of a purple ribbon and some tea cup tealight holders).
Guests started arriving and the party seemed to be off to a good start. Then craziness ensued. Conversation about street outreach was light and interesting (also informative to hear what our friends are up to on other nights of the week). Somehow the conversation turned to spiritual healing though. I mean like revival tent type spiritual healing, as in throw down your cane and walk type healing. A little out there for the more conservative of us, but smile and nod, it's a bridal shower, make nice. . . .
Then Ernie started talking. She's one of the difficult people from my Wed. night group (she's the one in an earlier post who was chasing the other problem person around the kitchen with a dishcloth screaming what did you call me?). She is also the kind of person who keeps randomly saying "Thank you Jesus" as she spreads peanut butter and who truly mourned for Jerry Fallwell last month, because we've lost a great leader in the fight. I am conservative. She makes me look like a Unitarian.
She has a habit of taking over things. She talks and you have to agree because if you argue back she'll keep at you till you wish you had just agreed in the first place because she's not going to change her beliefs and you're going to have to suffer through an even longer discussion of it. She stood up and started talking about her work as a missionary, about how now more than ever Christians should not be divided and how we must keep in our prayers that marriage is between only a man and a woman and that we need to pray for those Christians who don't agree with everything we say so that they can see the truth (that's the point where I lost it, the other two hostesses had lost it already and one had to take a breather). Finally one of the women (such a good soul who I really need to write a huge thank you note to) stepped in and started moving presents and started to say "lets open. . ." When Ernie sensing attention starting to shift said, lets pray and started in on one of her interminable prayers. I walked out at that pt. I was in the hall talking to suzib when I heard the group start to sing. I said, "Oh, it's ok, you can come back, she'll make them sing it three times through and then we can move on" Sure enough, after the third time and much, thank you sisters, thank you jesusing she sat down.
Presents were opened and conversations concluded and everyone (including after much persuading Ernie left).
My boy came over to help with the dishes and then he, suzib and I went to an organ concert. It was good as organ concerts go. The woman was certainly incredibly talented. Not being one for music though, I was slightly bored till the last song (which sounded like a cross between some 60's pop song and a scary carnival). I realized half way through what a great place to pray so accompanied by stately music in a cute little church, I used some of the time to ask God to come in where all the people on my prayer list need him.
We were starving when the concert was over and so bowed out of the reception and dessert and headed into town for sushi (they were busing so it took a long time). We went to Suishaya, my favorite place for sushi in Boston and I ordered far too much, almost an entire roll was left behind :(. We got duk bo kee (a spicy Korean dish with rice cakes and cabbage and in this case crab), an eel appetizer (sizzling grilled eel) a Godzilla roll (basically like a giant caterpillar roll with crab inside --- YUM!!!!!!!!!), a caterpillar roll, a dragon roll, a redsox roll (sort of like a spider roll) and a tempura sweet potato roll.
It was so good and we were sooo full we went home and went straight to sleep.
Sun. I slept late again, not helping at the church picnic like I should have. My boy and I got there three hours after we had first thought to go. We had a good day though, mostly spent sitting on a blanket and talking to friends from the common. Friends from our outreach team and just hanging out.
We went to dinner at Fajitas and Ritas and after consuming a pitcher of ritas Suzib and I stumbled to my boy's house and then home, where again, we promptly fell asleep.
A good weekend over all.
Friday we went home and had a random dinner of a tub of bbq pork and a frozen pizza -- not our most shining culinary moment. We prepped food for the bridal shower I/we were co-hosting the next day. The menu for the shower was:
tea sandwiches (salami with an olive cream cheese, open faced heart shaped sandwiches with a blue cheese pate topped with two grape halves, and traditional cucumber watercress sandwiches)
tomato, basil mozzarella skewers with a basil/garlic oil
mini-heart shaped strawberry shortcakes (with whipped cream from one of those William Sonoma dispensers)
short bread spoons dipped in chocolate, and sugar cookies shaped like ice cream cones (store bought)
assorted truffles
madelines (made by our other hostess)
banana cupcakes with an INCREDIBLE cream cheese frosting (also made by the other hostess)
tea and a strawberry lime punch
(I think that was it, someone remind me if I am missing something)
Anyway, we held it at the library and everything looked lovely (I had to make a quick run to Crate & Barrel to pick up some things I forgot and a skirt was drenched in oil so suzib wore a towel for a good portion of the shower but by 1:00 we were all presentable and the table looked lovely thanks to the addition of a purple ribbon and some tea cup tealight holders).
Guests started arriving and the party seemed to be off to a good start. Then craziness ensued. Conversation about street outreach was light and interesting (also informative to hear what our friends are up to on other nights of the week). Somehow the conversation turned to spiritual healing though. I mean like revival tent type spiritual healing, as in throw down your cane and walk type healing. A little out there for the more conservative of us, but smile and nod, it's a bridal shower, make nice. . . .
Then Ernie started talking. She's one of the difficult people from my Wed. night group (she's the one in an earlier post who was chasing the other problem person around the kitchen with a dishcloth screaming what did you call me?). She is also the kind of person who keeps randomly saying "Thank you Jesus" as she spreads peanut butter and who truly mourned for Jerry Fallwell last month, because we've lost a great leader in the fight. I am conservative. She makes me look like a Unitarian.
She has a habit of taking over things. She talks and you have to agree because if you argue back she'll keep at you till you wish you had just agreed in the first place because she's not going to change her beliefs and you're going to have to suffer through an even longer discussion of it. She stood up and started talking about her work as a missionary, about how now more than ever Christians should not be divided and how we must keep in our prayers that marriage is between only a man and a woman and that we need to pray for those Christians who don't agree with everything we say so that they can see the truth (that's the point where I lost it, the other two hostesses had lost it already and one had to take a breather). Finally one of the women (such a good soul who I really need to write a huge thank you note to) stepped in and started moving presents and started to say "lets open. . ." When Ernie sensing attention starting to shift said, lets pray and started in on one of her interminable prayers. I walked out at that pt. I was in the hall talking to suzib when I heard the group start to sing. I said, "Oh, it's ok, you can come back, she'll make them sing it three times through and then we can move on" Sure enough, after the third time and much, thank you sisters, thank you jesusing she sat down.
Presents were opened and conversations concluded and everyone (including after much persuading Ernie left).
My boy came over to help with the dishes and then he, suzib and I went to an organ concert. It was good as organ concerts go. The woman was certainly incredibly talented. Not being one for music though, I was slightly bored till the last song (which sounded like a cross between some 60's pop song and a scary carnival). I realized half way through what a great place to pray so accompanied by stately music in a cute little church, I used some of the time to ask God to come in where all the people on my prayer list need him.
We were starving when the concert was over and so bowed out of the reception and dessert and headed into town for sushi (they were busing so it took a long time). We went to Suishaya, my favorite place for sushi in Boston and I ordered far too much, almost an entire roll was left behind :(. We got duk bo kee (a spicy Korean dish with rice cakes and cabbage and in this case crab), an eel appetizer (sizzling grilled eel) a Godzilla roll (basically like a giant caterpillar roll with crab inside --- YUM!!!!!!!!!), a caterpillar roll, a dragon roll, a redsox roll (sort of like a spider roll) and a tempura sweet potato roll.
It was so good and we were sooo full we went home and went straight to sleep.
Sun. I slept late again, not helping at the church picnic like I should have. My boy and I got there three hours after we had first thought to go. We had a good day though, mostly spent sitting on a blanket and talking to friends from the common. Friends from our outreach team and just hanging out.
We went to dinner at Fajitas and Ritas and after consuming a pitcher of ritas Suzib and I stumbled to my boy's house and then home, where again, we promptly fell asleep.
A good weekend over all.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Make Me a Servant
So last Tuesday night my small group discussed gang violence, and homelessness, two topics that I think are pretty important for an urban church (even if it's not in the middle of Roxbury, Dorchester or Mattapan -- the three neighborhoods identified as being the worst).
The "study" was really good. We had productive conversations about the needs we see, though not great resolution as to what could be done (probably why one of the guys from my Thurs. night outreach said Park Street doesn't do anything but pray -- not true, but I can see why he gets that impression).
I handed out some sheets with info on places offering free meals in the city every day of the week though, so that was a start toward helping fix the problem, I thought.
I sort of monopolized the conversation and probably turned it more into a lecture than a discussion, but I've been bothered in the last week by various congregants being upset with obvious homeless people in our services. . .
I am so glad that the 20 somethings group is focusing so much on volunteering this month. If you get a chance please pray that through these studies our church culture changes slightly so people aren't as bothered by the obviously homeless in our midst. Please pray that the minority of people who are frightened of them have their hearts softened and see what we see on Thursday nights, or even better, what Jesus saw. . . . Pray that the conversations in the other small groups were just as productive, and that hearts are moved to serve.
Also, tonight is Large Group. I wanted to go so badly, one of my favorite pastors is speaking on something I am passionate about. I have a prior engagement though. So please, if you're free and you're in the area (and by some fluke you're reading my blog) GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The "study" was really good. We had productive conversations about the needs we see, though not great resolution as to what could be done (probably why one of the guys from my Thurs. night outreach said Park Street doesn't do anything but pray -- not true, but I can see why he gets that impression).
I handed out some sheets with info on places offering free meals in the city every day of the week though, so that was a start toward helping fix the problem, I thought.
I sort of monopolized the conversation and probably turned it more into a lecture than a discussion, but I've been bothered in the last week by various congregants being upset with obvious homeless people in our services. . .
I am so glad that the 20 somethings group is focusing so much on volunteering this month. If you get a chance please pray that through these studies our church culture changes slightly so people aren't as bothered by the obviously homeless in our midst. Please pray that the minority of people who are frightened of them have their hearts softened and see what we see on Thursday nights, or even better, what Jesus saw. . . . Pray that the conversations in the other small groups were just as productive, and that hearts are moved to serve.
Also, tonight is Large Group. I wanted to go so badly, one of my favorite pastors is speaking on something I am passionate about. I have a prior engagement though. So please, if you're free and you're in the area (and by some fluke you're reading my blog) GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, June 4, 2007
catching up against all odds (read in shifts)
ok, I don't remember everything we did the weekend of the 13th-the 16th. I know that on the 14th we were in charge of cooking at the Chelsea Soup Kitchen. We made jambalaya and except for the fact that most of the rice was undercooked, we had plenty of food and most things turned out right (I did get a lecture the next week telling me that we should have cooked the rice separately when I pointed out that the thing that made jambalaya jambalaya was that the rice was cooked in it he started over at the beginning explaining I should have cooked the rice separately like I was a big dolt).
That Sunday (the day before Patriot's Day or maybe it was on the Monday of Patriot's Day) we went for a Greek Easter dinner. It was great. It deserves more recognition, but I have no time.
Friday April 20 was our churches big dinner. It was a very fancy affair at the Copley Westin Hotel. Sadly, they didn't have enough wait staff to serve the number of people who showed up (huge delays in the first being served and the last). Also, some of the donated flowers impeded the view. We had a very pleasant table though. With three lovely couples and my friend's parents who had come in from their own church's retreat. Her parents are actually stellar people able to talk to any number of weirdos (which is good since a good number invariably show up at large church events -- oh, wait, have I mentioned that I am a bad Christian?). Anyway, good event.
That Sat. we helped in the soup kitchen in the morning then my boy went to a crosswalk event and I went with friends on a route one road trip. This time we managed to find Costco (though it did take two passes) and we went to the mini golf place where the dinosaur had been vandalized the week before (he'd undergone a gang beating). We managed to miss a good number of other fun sites though, so another road trip is definitely in order!
Sun. we went to costco and ran other random errands ending by picking up a friend and taking her all the way to the 'ville to get dumplings at wangs. It was good (I LOVE their cucumber salad so garlicky and light and good).
That brings us to April 28th -30th or the Boston Independent Film Festival (the same festival where I saw chalk last year and am still anxiously awaiting it's widespread release -- go contact them, tell them we all want to see it over and over again!!!!). We saw several great films that weekend. We saw Eagle v Shark which is a New Zealand film combining elements of Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine.
The next day I watch Low and Behold an insurance film (of course) it was quite good and it turned out that the creators had been through hurricane Katrina And one of them had been a claims adjuster. It was quirky and a pseudo-documentary. I recommend it.
My favorite film we watched though was the King of Kong, we randomly ran into a friend in Harvard Square shortly before the movie and convinced her to join us (which made it even more fun) The King of Kong was just exactly the kind of fluff documentary I LOVE!! It reminded me a lot of Cinemania (if you haven't seen that you totally should) and a little of Trekkie's (another must see!). It was just such a good movie with good v. bad and suspense and lovable wackos. So good. I can't wait to see it again. I am so glad I chose it as my random third choice.
Ok, that brings us to May (YAY!!! aren't you excited we've made it this far?). On May 1st I randomly ran into the gang I usually ride the redline home with (sans two very important people). The four of us tried to ride home but due to a random fire, we ended up stranded in Lechemere. So we decided to hoof it home from there. It was a lovely (if long) walk. I am sad I can't remember all the amusing things we talked about. I do know that after we'd made it all the way to Harvard Square I convinced John to go with me to Unos and we both convinced Suzib to get out of bed and join us. It was fun and good practice for my upcoming walk.
May 5th we went to Chelsea and then rushed to a farewell picnic for two of the people leaving our small group. Then I rushed to meet my old roomie for a pedicure at Bella Sante. It was great (it's only now fading slightly and only b/c my nails have grown) nice to catch up and good to be pampered. After the pedi, we convinced my boy and my current roomie to join us in Roslindale for dinner and an HDTV version of a devils game. We stopped at Viva Mi Arepa in West Roxbury (the food there is amazing -- you MUST try the garlic sauce and the owners are really helpful/nice) on the way back to the house. It was a lovely evening except I started to fall asleep and the devils weren't doing so hot. So we headed home for a fairly early evening good since we had to be up early for the walk the next day.
May 6th was the Walk for Hunger. Thank you all for your incredible support. I have been meaning to write a good post and take pictures of my shirt and mug and sticker and everything, but I haven't had a chance yet. Anyway, I made it to the end and my boy was incredibly encouraging and it wasn't so tough if you kept breaking it down into small steps. I am only walking to Brookline. I am only walking to Newton etc. I will try and write more, but I think that sums it up.
May 12th was my roomies special day (it was the day she was adopted). We spent the day pampering her. We started with a manicure (for me) and a pedicure (for her) at the Square Nail Studio. We then went to breakfast next door at Johnny D's and then headed over to Harvard square where we got her a new nose ring and searched high and low for a breast cancer pink ribbon pin. We didn't find one. We found a breast cancer t-shirt, pen, mug, scrubs, but no pin. We finally gave up and came home. I tried curling her hair but it fell out. I told her that my sister could have made it stay, but she didn't believe me (I think that's a challenge, you should come visit now Lea). Anyway, she rushed off to her benefit and my boy came over and we watched tron (which apparently has two actors who went on to Babylon 5 -- I only recognized one).
I can't remember what we did May 13th. . . .
May 18th was women's night in at my house. It was sort of done in shifts. we made taco fixins and gin punch and then consumed them at 9:00 or so when we traded women (one came and one left) there was lots of punch left because no one was at the top of their game. We had a good time though and talked and watched Friends (hence why my mood improved on May 18th).
May 19th my boy and I were in charge of cooking for Chelsea. We did extremely well this time with the incredible help of one of the women from my tues. night small grp and one of the guys from my thurs. night small grp. Our plan of peach muffins didn't work out so well (too much baking powder in the mix I swear the batter almost started to foam over the side). I improvised with dinner rolls drizzled by butter and raspberry melba sauce (not sure how that went over). We made spaghetti and meatballs with a side of spinach and incredibly yummy garlic bread made with garlic we'd roasted on the grill. That got great reviews (and let me tell you they're a difficult crowd). Probably their favorite part was that we had so many leftover meatballs. So many in fact, that my boy was eating meatball sandwiches for days afterward. . . .
My boy and I went back to his house after the soup kitchen and I promptly fell asleep. I was out cold for two or three hours. I woke up and we discovered the bread dough we'd brought home was bursting out of the bags it had been placed in. We went on an adventure to find a baking sheet. It was a lovely walk to the fenway Bed Bath and Beyond (where we also picked up a rib rack). When we got home I was hungry and so we ordered bad Chinese food (bad in a fairly good way). As we were dealing with the bread it got to be too much. We finally just stuck a giant loaf in the oven and struggled to stay awake till it was finished.
I don't remember what we did May 20th.
May 25th was my boy's photo show. It was a lovely affair good music, interesting conversation and a good display of artwork. My boy's was a shining example. He also looked very nice in a great pair of jeans (suzib and I helped him buy them) and a pretty blue striped shirt (and you could hardly notice the little seaweed salad spot he'd gotten on it at suzib's new favorite sushi place -- she like it b/c it has karaoke).
May 26th was my boy's birthday party. He managed to lose his mp3 player in one of the zipcars but other than that and a mishap with a missing zipcard it was a pleasant evening at the decordova sculpture park. People seemed to enjoy themselves and my boy was happy. Our picnic featured, ants (on a log), lady bugs (on honey dew melon) and snakes, and was terribly yummy. People didn't even notice they were being slipped healthy brownies (they're still healthy if the only thing good for you in them is the eggs and the whole wheat flour right? even if they're covered in chocolate and marshmallows).
May 27th was my boy's actual birthday. We attempted Church but after an hour and a half driving, we ended up dropping a delivery at church and then going out for happy meals where I treated everyone. For dinner my boy grilled incredible ribs with a marinade and bbq sauce he'd made from scratch the night before. I quizzed my roomie on CNA related questions while my boy finished up the grilling.
May 28th I was planning on taking my boy out to a special breakfast, instead we went to one of our usual weekend spots b/c we overslept. I was taking him skating (not an easy feat in the Boston area in May). I had researched it and was very excited. It required taking a train and then a bus (which I hate). We made it though with few mishaps and we were putting on our skates when my boy realized one of the worst mishaps you can have happen. His wallet fell out on our bus. It took us over an hour to catch another bus (two of them passed us by) and then much hassle which I just can't go into again asking around for the wallet until we gave up and went back to his place to cancel credit cards etc. It took us all afternoon. We were not happy campers when we ended up at the Memorial Day bbq we'd been invited to (an hour late). The food there was good though and the company comforting. I think it was good that we got out among other people again.
June 1 we stopped at the butchers for meat and then came straight home so we could listen/watch my boy's AHL team play for the Calder cup (more on the game he took me too later -- it was on a wed. night not a weekend -- hitting the highlights here people). My roomie watched a sox game at the same time. I was so distracted by both I didn't watch either. Both games ended up lost I think.
Saturday we went to the soup kitchen and then came home and relaxed before we went to a friend's engagement party. There were some false starts (I put a glaze on my boy's pineapple upside down cake and while we walked to the train it leaked all over him so we had to go back home and start over again). We finally made it to the party. It was so great. The hostess had an incredible eye for design. There were beautiful lanterns, lights, candles and draping of swags. The dessert table was gorgeous, a two tier affair with a mirror top and hurricane candle. It was very nice. The couple we were celebrating looked ecstatic the whole evening flitting from group to group. One awkward moment was when a couple of women came up to me and my boy and said, isn't this lovely? My boy and I nodded and then the other woman said, so when are you two going to have one? The first woman said I am glad you could see where I was going with this. I think, perhaps I am being a little sensitive, especially since it does seem like something I might say, but my first thought was we've been dating slightly less than four months people!!! Calm down!
June 3, I slept and slept and then slept some more. My boy was surprisingly supportive (he doesn't usually tolerate that sort of laziness. He gets bored with it and wants to go out and do something. He was oddly compliant though. Around noon he started grinding meat for homemade sausage. We took a break to get a new toilet seat (long story) at home depot and then we went to church and came home and replaced the old toilet seat and my boy finished making sausage while I posted two craigslist ads. So all in all a very lazy day.
Let the record show, I am officially caught up!!!!!
That Sunday (the day before Patriot's Day or maybe it was on the Monday of Patriot's Day) we went for a Greek Easter dinner. It was great. It deserves more recognition, but I have no time.
Friday April 20 was our churches big dinner. It was a very fancy affair at the Copley Westin Hotel. Sadly, they didn't have enough wait staff to serve the number of people who showed up (huge delays in the first being served and the last). Also, some of the donated flowers impeded the view. We had a very pleasant table though. With three lovely couples and my friend's parents who had come in from their own church's retreat. Her parents are actually stellar people able to talk to any number of weirdos (which is good since a good number invariably show up at large church events -- oh, wait, have I mentioned that I am a bad Christian?). Anyway, good event.
That Sat. we helped in the soup kitchen in the morning then my boy went to a crosswalk event and I went with friends on a route one road trip. This time we managed to find Costco (though it did take two passes) and we went to the mini golf place where the dinosaur had been vandalized the week before (he'd undergone a gang beating). We managed to miss a good number of other fun sites though, so another road trip is definitely in order!
Sun. we went to costco and ran other random errands ending by picking up a friend and taking her all the way to the 'ville to get dumplings at wangs. It was good (I LOVE their cucumber salad so garlicky and light and good).
That brings us to April 28th -30th or the Boston Independent Film Festival (the same festival where I saw chalk last year and am still anxiously awaiting it's widespread release -- go contact them, tell them we all want to see it over and over again!!!!). We saw several great films that weekend. We saw Eagle v Shark which is a New Zealand film combining elements of Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine.
The next day I watch Low and Behold an insurance film (of course) it was quite good and it turned out that the creators had been through hurricane Katrina And one of them had been a claims adjuster. It was quirky and a pseudo-documentary. I recommend it.
My favorite film we watched though was the King of Kong, we randomly ran into a friend in Harvard Square shortly before the movie and convinced her to join us (which made it even more fun) The King of Kong was just exactly the kind of fluff documentary I LOVE!! It reminded me a lot of Cinemania (if you haven't seen that you totally should) and a little of Trekkie's (another must see!). It was just such a good movie with good v. bad and suspense and lovable wackos. So good. I can't wait to see it again. I am so glad I chose it as my random third choice.
Ok, that brings us to May (YAY!!! aren't you excited we've made it this far?). On May 1st I randomly ran into the gang I usually ride the redline home with (sans two very important people). The four of us tried to ride home but due to a random fire, we ended up stranded in Lechemere. So we decided to hoof it home from there. It was a lovely (if long) walk. I am sad I can't remember all the amusing things we talked about. I do know that after we'd made it all the way to Harvard Square I convinced John to go with me to Unos and we both convinced Suzib to get out of bed and join us. It was fun and good practice for my upcoming walk.
May 5th we went to Chelsea and then rushed to a farewell picnic for two of the people leaving our small group. Then I rushed to meet my old roomie for a pedicure at Bella Sante. It was great (it's only now fading slightly and only b/c my nails have grown) nice to catch up and good to be pampered. After the pedi, we convinced my boy and my current roomie to join us in Roslindale for dinner and an HDTV version of a devils game. We stopped at Viva Mi Arepa in West Roxbury (the food there is amazing -- you MUST try the garlic sauce and the owners are really helpful/nice) on the way back to the house. It was a lovely evening except I started to fall asleep and the devils weren't doing so hot. So we headed home for a fairly early evening good since we had to be up early for the walk the next day.
May 6th was the Walk for Hunger. Thank you all for your incredible support. I have been meaning to write a good post and take pictures of my shirt and mug and sticker and everything, but I haven't had a chance yet. Anyway, I made it to the end and my boy was incredibly encouraging and it wasn't so tough if you kept breaking it down into small steps. I am only walking to Brookline. I am only walking to Newton etc. I will try and write more, but I think that sums it up.
May 12th was my roomies special day (it was the day she was adopted). We spent the day pampering her. We started with a manicure (for me) and a pedicure (for her) at the Square Nail Studio. We then went to breakfast next door at Johnny D's and then headed over to Harvard square where we got her a new nose ring and searched high and low for a breast cancer pink ribbon pin. We didn't find one. We found a breast cancer t-shirt, pen, mug, scrubs, but no pin. We finally gave up and came home. I tried curling her hair but it fell out. I told her that my sister could have made it stay, but she didn't believe me (I think that's a challenge, you should come visit now Lea). Anyway, she rushed off to her benefit and my boy came over and we watched tron (which apparently has two actors who went on to Babylon 5 -- I only recognized one).
I can't remember what we did May 13th. . . .
May 18th was women's night in at my house. It was sort of done in shifts. we made taco fixins and gin punch and then consumed them at 9:00 or so when we traded women (one came and one left) there was lots of punch left because no one was at the top of their game. We had a good time though and talked and watched Friends (hence why my mood improved on May 18th).
May 19th my boy and I were in charge of cooking for Chelsea. We did extremely well this time with the incredible help of one of the women from my tues. night small grp and one of the guys from my thurs. night small grp. Our plan of peach muffins didn't work out so well (too much baking powder in the mix I swear the batter almost started to foam over the side). I improvised with dinner rolls drizzled by butter and raspberry melba sauce (not sure how that went over). We made spaghetti and meatballs with a side of spinach and incredibly yummy garlic bread made with garlic we'd roasted on the grill. That got great reviews (and let me tell you they're a difficult crowd). Probably their favorite part was that we had so many leftover meatballs. So many in fact, that my boy was eating meatball sandwiches for days afterward. . . .
My boy and I went back to his house after the soup kitchen and I promptly fell asleep. I was out cold for two or three hours. I woke up and we discovered the bread dough we'd brought home was bursting out of the bags it had been placed in. We went on an adventure to find a baking sheet. It was a lovely walk to the fenway Bed Bath and Beyond (where we also picked up a rib rack). When we got home I was hungry and so we ordered bad Chinese food (bad in a fairly good way). As we were dealing with the bread it got to be too much. We finally just stuck a giant loaf in the oven and struggled to stay awake till it was finished.
I don't remember what we did May 20th.
May 25th was my boy's photo show. It was a lovely affair good music, interesting conversation and a good display of artwork. My boy's was a shining example. He also looked very nice in a great pair of jeans (suzib and I helped him buy them) and a pretty blue striped shirt (and you could hardly notice the little seaweed salad spot he'd gotten on it at suzib's new favorite sushi place -- she like it b/c it has karaoke).
May 26th was my boy's birthday party. He managed to lose his mp3 player in one of the zipcars but other than that and a mishap with a missing zipcard it was a pleasant evening at the decordova sculpture park. People seemed to enjoy themselves and my boy was happy. Our picnic featured, ants (on a log), lady bugs (on honey dew melon) and snakes, and was terribly yummy. People didn't even notice they were being slipped healthy brownies (they're still healthy if the only thing good for you in them is the eggs and the whole wheat flour right? even if they're covered in chocolate and marshmallows).
May 27th was my boy's actual birthday. We attempted Church but after an hour and a half driving, we ended up dropping a delivery at church and then going out for happy meals where I treated everyone. For dinner my boy grilled incredible ribs with a marinade and bbq sauce he'd made from scratch the night before. I quizzed my roomie on CNA related questions while my boy finished up the grilling.
May 28th I was planning on taking my boy out to a special breakfast, instead we went to one of our usual weekend spots b/c we overslept. I was taking him skating (not an easy feat in the Boston area in May). I had researched it and was very excited. It required taking a train and then a bus (which I hate). We made it though with few mishaps and we were putting on our skates when my boy realized one of the worst mishaps you can have happen. His wallet fell out on our bus. It took us over an hour to catch another bus (two of them passed us by) and then much hassle which I just can't go into again asking around for the wallet until we gave up and went back to his place to cancel credit cards etc. It took us all afternoon. We were not happy campers when we ended up at the Memorial Day bbq we'd been invited to (an hour late). The food there was good though and the company comforting. I think it was good that we got out among other people again.
June 1 we stopped at the butchers for meat and then came straight home so we could listen/watch my boy's AHL team play for the Calder cup (more on the game he took me too later -- it was on a wed. night not a weekend -- hitting the highlights here people). My roomie watched a sox game at the same time. I was so distracted by both I didn't watch either. Both games ended up lost I think.
Saturday we went to the soup kitchen and then came home and relaxed before we went to a friend's engagement party. There were some false starts (I put a glaze on my boy's pineapple upside down cake and while we walked to the train it leaked all over him so we had to go back home and start over again). We finally made it to the party. It was so great. The hostess had an incredible eye for design. There were beautiful lanterns, lights, candles and draping of swags. The dessert table was gorgeous, a two tier affair with a mirror top and hurricane candle. It was very nice. The couple we were celebrating looked ecstatic the whole evening flitting from group to group. One awkward moment was when a couple of women came up to me and my boy and said, isn't this lovely? My boy and I nodded and then the other woman said, so when are you two going to have one? The first woman said I am glad you could see where I was going with this. I think, perhaps I am being a little sensitive, especially since it does seem like something I might say, but my first thought was we've been dating slightly less than four months people!!! Calm down!
June 3, I slept and slept and then slept some more. My boy was surprisingly supportive (he doesn't usually tolerate that sort of laziness. He gets bored with it and wants to go out and do something. He was oddly compliant though. Around noon he started grinding meat for homemade sausage. We took a break to get a new toilet seat (long story) at home depot and then we went to church and came home and replaced the old toilet seat and my boy finished making sausage while I posted two craigslist ads. So all in all a very lazy day.
Let the record show, I am officially caught up!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)