It was a pretty quiet Friday, which was nice. I had turned in all the monthly reports earlier in the week.
I’m picture shopping. I actually want several things for the house. I’ve decided to get some new pictures for the bedroom, and I still need one for the living room. I’ve been waiting for almost a year now to find something I like to go over the fireplace, and still haven’t found it. Maybe I’ll wait on that until I re-paint in there. But in the meantime, I’m looking at all kinds of stuff for the bedroom. I’ve looked up information on, and pictures by, Fernando Botero, George Grosz, and Tamara de Lempicka, as well as doing more research on some of the old masters like Caravaggio; and I have again looked through all the Maxfield Parrish prints. I’ve seen some originals on eBay too; I’m certainly not married to a print. I’ve actually been leaning towards a copy or reproduction – returning to my desire for things that have been touched by people and interacted with, rather than just cranked out of a press. It’s fairly frustrating. Nothing is really bowling me over. I haven’t fallen in love, as I did with the picture I bought for the living room last summer. The upside is that I have identified some pictures in the house that I can get rid of, which is usually very difficult for me. And don’t even get me started on bear pictures. You can find really cool and artistic representations of almost any animal (by, say for instance by Franz Marc – whose stuff I LOVE by the way) except a bear. I did see a couple of cool-leaning paintings on eBay that I liked, but they were too small to hang by themselves, and I couldn’t find two that I liked together.
A big part of this, I suppose, is that I want to go back in time and buy a little picture I saw at a gallery in Asheville while Michael and I were dating. I fell in love with it, but didn't get it because it was $300. I wish I had bought the damn thing, which is of course long gone. I can't find anything like it either. I this picture thing is just one of those things that can’t be rushed.
I was at loose ends for tonight. Jason doesn’t arrive until tomorrow, and I had done enough around the house last week before he came that there weren’t any really glaring things that had to be done to make things presentable. Fortunately Russ called and said they were making hot dogs – which meant that he wanted me to make chili to bring over. He loves my hot dog chili, and I have to say, it is pretty damn good. He also wanted me to copy the recipe out for him since it’s going to be in the Kindred cookbook anyway.
I ran by the grocery store after work to get chili fixings. They were frying chicken. That rich, deep and buttery aroma hung as thickly in the air as Spanish moss - it brushed across my face like fur. It smelled so good I could have gone in the fryer after it. Fortunately, I had a veggie meal already planned, so I wasn’t tempted beyond my endurance.
I made the chili and took it over, and we had supper, eventually. Due to Russ’s and my late appearance we didn’t eat until almost nine. But that was fine. We hung out and talked and visited, ate lots of hot dogs, watched telly, and just generally enjoyed each other’s company. Lovely.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
A post in which I send the Mother's Day cards
I paid for last night. I felt like hammered shit when I woke up this morning, plus I was out of cigarettes, but there was nothing for it but to soldier on.
Temptation was everywhere today. I was trying to resist because I’ve had a pretty indulgent week. Fifty-seven pounds of Indian Food Monday night, and then Cinco de Mayo food for lunch yesterday (we got a free lunch, and I didn’t do too badly with it), followed up by seven thousand pounds of nachos last night. We had another free lunch today, but it was sliders (with no lettuce or tomato on offer), hot dogs, chicken strips, french fries, and slaw. Usually when they make hamburgers, I just make a sandwich out of the fixings, but that wasn’t an option today. I might have gone for some fries (indeed, I can always go for some fries), but after eating all I had this week, I decided to just forego the lot and eat my packed lunch, which I did.
When I got off work I was ravenous, but I had to go buy Mother’s Day cards, which I had uncharacteristically put off until the last minute this year. That accomplished, I seriously considered going out for something indulgent, the rationale being that I could address the cards at dinner and drop them by the post office on the way home. But again I uncharacteristically decided to resist temptation and go on home. I virtuously had a salad and some diet cheese toast, and then a pack of Pop Tarts to reward myself, which rather defeated the intent, although at least I didn’t spend money eating out.
Citizen Kane was on TCM, so I watched it. I’ve never made it all the way through that movie, but at least coming in mid-story allowed me to see the second half. Meh. I just can’t get excited about that movie, although the techniques were good.
While the movie wound down, I wrote out and addressed the Mother’s Day cards. I didn’t have to mail Lisa’s or Eve’s because we’re all having lunch for Mother’s Day this Sunday – at Larkin’s on the River yet. I took them to the downtown post office so hopefully they’ll make it to everyone before Sunday; nothing to do now but cross my fingers, since I really left it too late this year.
I drove home, crossed my fingers, and went to bed. And a damn good thing I did too. I am ready to drop.
Temptation was everywhere today. I was trying to resist because I’ve had a pretty indulgent week. Fifty-seven pounds of Indian Food Monday night, and then Cinco de Mayo food for lunch yesterday (we got a free lunch, and I didn’t do too badly with it), followed up by seven thousand pounds of nachos last night. We had another free lunch today, but it was sliders (with no lettuce or tomato on offer), hot dogs, chicken strips, french fries, and slaw. Usually when they make hamburgers, I just make a sandwich out of the fixings, but that wasn’t an option today. I might have gone for some fries (indeed, I can always go for some fries), but after eating all I had this week, I decided to just forego the lot and eat my packed lunch, which I did.
When I got off work I was ravenous, but I had to go buy Mother’s Day cards, which I had uncharacteristically put off until the last minute this year. That accomplished, I seriously considered going out for something indulgent, the rationale being that I could address the cards at dinner and drop them by the post office on the way home. But again I uncharacteristically decided to resist temptation and go on home. I virtuously had a salad and some diet cheese toast, and then a pack of Pop Tarts to reward myself, which rather defeated the intent, although at least I didn’t spend money eating out.
Citizen Kane was on TCM, so I watched it. I’ve never made it all the way through that movie, but at least coming in mid-story allowed me to see the second half. Meh. I just can’t get excited about that movie, although the techniques were good.
While the movie wound down, I wrote out and addressed the Mother’s Day cards. I didn’t have to mail Lisa’s or Eve’s because we’re all having lunch for Mother’s Day this Sunday – at Larkin’s on the River yet. I took them to the downtown post office so hopefully they’ll make it to everyone before Sunday; nothing to do now but cross my fingers, since I really left it too late this year.
I drove home, crossed my fingers, and went to bed. And a damn good thing I did too. I am ready to drop.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A post in which I inadvisedly celebrate Cinco de Mayo
I should have gone home tonight and gone to bed again. But then I have never been known for doing what I should do. I haven’t seen Billy and Russ in a while, so I texted them today to see what they were up to. I was thinking that tonight was as good as any to see them, plus it was Cinco de Mayo, and they might be going out for Mexican.
It turns out that they had plans (big surprise), but they said I could tag along. It was their friend Carol’s birthday tonight. She had planned a big get-together at the restaurant that used to be Molina’s on Wade Hampton. Well there were some difficulties. The restaurant isn’t Molina’s any longer. They’ve changed the name and the ownership, although the restaurant looks the same inside. Apparently Molina left, and took the staff with her. The only thing they kept was the annoying incredibly loud band, which is now no longer confined to playing on Thursday nights, as had been prior custom. Not to worry, the band unloaded copious amounts of equipment all evening, and was just doing a sound-check when we left, about 9:45.
You read correctly. Although someone had called to make reservations, they either didn’t believe she was bringing in 20+ people to eat, or were very inexperienced about staffing for such an event. There was no place for us to sit when we arrived. There was another large party that was seated, and not going anywhere, thank you very much. We cooled our heels and socialized in the parking lot, smoking and talking. Eventually rules were flouted and cocktails were carried outside.
After about an hour, we were finally seated. Then we started to understand why the other party had been in there for so long. We had one very harried and apparently disorganized waiter, who proceeded to take about a half hour to get our drinks. I will say that the restaurant was woefully understaffed, but the situation was not helped by the fact that the server just couldn’t seem to get organized. He spent an inordinate amount of time confusedly flipping back and forth in a book that apparently contained at least fifty open checks. He did eventually take three orders from our table, only to retreat to confusedly flip for another fifteen minutes, then come back and take all the orders again. Eventually, one of the guys at our table (another guest mind you, not an employee) got chips and salsa for us, and then went back and ran a couple of loads of dishes through the dishwasher.
After the orders were finally completed, we started the wait for our food. When I next checked the clock, it was about 8:30. I had ordered nachos, and surprisingly, despite the inadvisability of placing a special order, they came out correctly. But that was the only plate that came out for another twenty minutes. When the solo plate next to me came out, people started to leave. Eventually, people just started peeling off to go other places to get some food. After another half hour or so, Russ and Billy’s food came out. They ate, and then we started making plans to leave. This involved catching the waiter, who seemed to be working behind the bar at this point. They had apparently called in some backup help, but after checking with us once, the new help got beers and sat down at tables with friends.
Another birthday party who came in shortly after we were seated, finally just sat down with us to take over the vacated tables after an interminable wait. After standing at the register for a while, as the guy checking out the people in front of us tried to figure out what the heck was going on, Billy got to pay for his and Russ’s check. I was then ignored. By the time Billy paid out, the waiter had left again – with all the checks. I finally asked the guy at the register if I could please just pay him, and told him what I had. The band was tuning up, and I knew that shortly you wouldn’t be able to hear anything in there (not that you could hear much at that point anyway). After I paid, the waiter came back up and started doing the check-flipping thing again. I just left. I did not leave a tip, although Billy did. What a cluster-fuck!
I went back to Russ and Billy’s house and visited with them for a bit, but we were all pretty worn out from the ordeal of the evening. I have no time set to go back in that place!
It turns out that they had plans (big surprise), but they said I could tag along. It was their friend Carol’s birthday tonight. She had planned a big get-together at the restaurant that used to be Molina’s on Wade Hampton. Well there were some difficulties. The restaurant isn’t Molina’s any longer. They’ve changed the name and the ownership, although the restaurant looks the same inside. Apparently Molina left, and took the staff with her. The only thing they kept was the annoying incredibly loud band, which is now no longer confined to playing on Thursday nights, as had been prior custom. Not to worry, the band unloaded copious amounts of equipment all evening, and was just doing a sound-check when we left, about 9:45.
You read correctly. Although someone had called to make reservations, they either didn’t believe she was bringing in 20+ people to eat, or were very inexperienced about staffing for such an event. There was no place for us to sit when we arrived. There was another large party that was seated, and not going anywhere, thank you very much. We cooled our heels and socialized in the parking lot, smoking and talking. Eventually rules were flouted and cocktails were carried outside.
After about an hour, we were finally seated. Then we started to understand why the other party had been in there for so long. We had one very harried and apparently disorganized waiter, who proceeded to take about a half hour to get our drinks. I will say that the restaurant was woefully understaffed, but the situation was not helped by the fact that the server just couldn’t seem to get organized. He spent an inordinate amount of time confusedly flipping back and forth in a book that apparently contained at least fifty open checks. He did eventually take three orders from our table, only to retreat to confusedly flip for another fifteen minutes, then come back and take all the orders again. Eventually, one of the guys at our table (another guest mind you, not an employee) got chips and salsa for us, and then went back and ran a couple of loads of dishes through the dishwasher.
After the orders were finally completed, we started the wait for our food. When I next checked the clock, it was about 8:30. I had ordered nachos, and surprisingly, despite the inadvisability of placing a special order, they came out correctly. But that was the only plate that came out for another twenty minutes. When the solo plate next to me came out, people started to leave. Eventually, people just started peeling off to go other places to get some food. After another half hour or so, Russ and Billy’s food came out. They ate, and then we started making plans to leave. This involved catching the waiter, who seemed to be working behind the bar at this point. They had apparently called in some backup help, but after checking with us once, the new help got beers and sat down at tables with friends.
Another birthday party who came in shortly after we were seated, finally just sat down with us to take over the vacated tables after an interminable wait. After standing at the register for a while, as the guy checking out the people in front of us tried to figure out what the heck was going on, Billy got to pay for his and Russ’s check. I was then ignored. By the time Billy paid out, the waiter had left again – with all the checks. I finally asked the guy at the register if I could please just pay him, and told him what I had. The band was tuning up, and I knew that shortly you wouldn’t be able to hear anything in there (not that you could hear much at that point anyway). After I paid, the waiter came back up and started doing the check-flipping thing again. I just left. I did not leave a tip, although Billy did. What a cluster-fuck!
I went back to Russ and Billy’s house and visited with them for a bit, but we were all pretty worn out from the ordeal of the evening. I have no time set to go back in that place!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A post in which I go home and go to bed
Sorry folks, an unusual lull tonight. After the activities of the weekend and last night, I am pretty much all in. I haven't been taking care of my E-B like I should, and I just plain needed a night off.
I texted Billy this morning when I got to work, but his response was kind of lackluster. I thought that last night went so beautifully that I was kind of disappointed, but I'm trying not to read too much into it. I have read that Sagittarians like to be pursued, and indeed I have noted that he rarely initiates communications. He did say he would call tonight though.
I ate leftovers, fooled around on the computer, and did a load of laundry. Then I texted Billy that I was going to bed, and I did. He did text back to tell me goodnight, which was nice.
I texted Billy this morning when I got to work, but his response was kind of lackluster. I thought that last night went so beautifully that I was kind of disappointed, but I'm trying not to read too much into it. I have read that Sagittarians like to be pursued, and indeed I have noted that he rarely initiates communications. He did say he would call tonight though.
I ate leftovers, fooled around on the computer, and did a load of laundry. Then I texted Billy that I was going to bed, and I did. He did text back to tell me goodnight, which was nice.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A post in which I have a date with Billy!*
Paul called this morning to tell me that Cindy had gotten my message late last night. Apparently she had her phone cut off yesterday, which means she didn't call Eve. Paul told me that he didn't know if she would call Eve or not, but I suspect not. I manned up and called Dad to tell him that I had heard from Paul.
Tonight was my long-awaited meeting with new Billy. I wasn’t really nervous, surprisingly. I was tired though; but we’ve worked so long on putting this together that I couldn’t even think about changing the date, not that I really wanted to do so.
I didn’t give myself tons of time to fret or clean the house; it looked pretty good from the weekend anyway. Billy showed up on time, looking better than his pictures. We were comfortable together almost immediately.
I did the tour of the house, and we talked for a bit before deciding to go on out to supper. The chemistry was very good and very strong. We nipped out of the house just in time to get something to eat. I really wanted sushi, but like Jason this weekend, Billy didn’t want sushi tonight. We decided on Indian though, which is just as good. I adore Indian food, and seldom have anyone who wants to go eat it with me. Apparently Billy has the same problem. We decided on India Palace, more because of proximity than for any other reason, but I’m glad we did. It has been a while since I was in there, but the food was just as good as ever. They’ve finished re-doing the dining room and it’s beautiful.
I had several dishes that I know they don’t have at Saffron. My shrimp malai was better than I remembered it being, and the samosas were just as good as I remembered. The poori bread was fried to a delicate pouf of deliciousness. I need to eat there more often. Billy was very complimentary of the food, and we both ate a huge meal.
After supper we went back to my place and continued getting to know each other. No, chemistry was no problem at all. It was a great evening.
Tonight was my long-awaited meeting with new Billy. I wasn’t really nervous, surprisingly. I was tired though; but we’ve worked so long on putting this together that I couldn’t even think about changing the date, not that I really wanted to do so.
I didn’t give myself tons of time to fret or clean the house; it looked pretty good from the weekend anyway. Billy showed up on time, looking better than his pictures. We were comfortable together almost immediately.
I did the tour of the house, and we talked for a bit before deciding to go on out to supper. The chemistry was very good and very strong. We nipped out of the house just in time to get something to eat. I really wanted sushi, but like Jason this weekend, Billy didn’t want sushi tonight. We decided on Indian though, which is just as good. I adore Indian food, and seldom have anyone who wants to go eat it with me. Apparently Billy has the same problem. We decided on India Palace, more because of proximity than for any other reason, but I’m glad we did. It has been a while since I was in there, but the food was just as good as ever. They’ve finished re-doing the dining room and it’s beautiful.
I had several dishes that I know they don’t have at Saffron. My shrimp malai was better than I remembered it being, and the samosas were just as good as I remembered. The poori bread was fried to a delicate pouf of deliciousness. I need to eat there more often. Billy was very complimentary of the food, and we both ate a huge meal.
After supper we went back to my place and continued getting to know each other. No, chemistry was no problem at all. It was a great evening.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A post in which Jason goes home, and I do chores*
Since we were in bed sensibly early last night (as if good sense had anything to do with it) we were up fairly early this morning. I do like waking up in the new soft blue bedroom. With the blinds drawn in the morning light it’s quite lovely and airy.
After greeting the day in a suitably favorite Sunday morning fashion, it was time to get up and get ready to meet Miss Kat and dana for breakfast. We went to Golden Corral (which I didn’t even know did breakfast) and had a capital repast. dana introduced us to her friend Charlie, who I will say from the safety of my glass house is very fond of talking. He entertained us with ribald stories of his illicit past over eggs and biscuits. I had some kind of passion fruit juice mixture to drink which is apparently addictive.
After breakfast, we headed back to my place, where Jason decided to take his leave. It was really good to see him. He’s a sweetheart of a guy.
After he left, the combination of the busy day yesterday, along with the large breakfast and my continuing lick-and-a-promise approach to the E-B meant that I was way overdue for a nap. I took a good one.
When I woke up I still felt strung out and tired, but after I moved around for a bit, I felt a little better. Good thing – I had a bunch of stuff to do to get ready for the week. I had almost nothing in the fridge. I got the recycling together, and sorted through all the paper to get out the trash that James put in there last week. I loaded the car, hauled off the recycling, went to the bank, and then to the grocery store. I also went by the flea market for produce.
While I was out, I fielded the latest drama from my dad. Its Eve’s birthday today, and she had been hoping against hope that Cindy would call today. She didn’t. Dad called me to get me to call Cindy to implore her to call her mother on her 60th birthday. Sigh. I so want out of the middle of this. I told Dad I would do it only if he didn’t cross-examine me about it, or do a victory lap on how sorry they both are if she didn’t call. But I dutifully called and left a message for Cindy, trying to keep it as light as possible, asking if she would at least just call and say Happy Birthday.
When I got home, I started cooking. I made a big batch of veggie-roni (kind of like beef-a-roni without the beef) and packed up lunches for the week. I also sliced and mostly de-seeded a watermelon for fruit for the week. I cleaned up the kitchen, took out the trash, and changed out a load of laundry. I went to the store for garbage bags.
By the time I got all this done, it was close to time for bed. I did watch parts of the Fox Sunday night line-up while getting ready. It does feel good to get my ducks in a row after kind of drifting through all week last week.
After greeting the day in a suitably favorite Sunday morning fashion, it was time to get up and get ready to meet Miss Kat and dana for breakfast. We went to Golden Corral (which I didn’t even know did breakfast) and had a capital repast. dana introduced us to her friend Charlie, who I will say from the safety of my glass house is very fond of talking. He entertained us with ribald stories of his illicit past over eggs and biscuits. I had some kind of passion fruit juice mixture to drink which is apparently addictive.
After breakfast, we headed back to my place, where Jason decided to take his leave. It was really good to see him. He’s a sweetheart of a guy.
After he left, the combination of the busy day yesterday, along with the large breakfast and my continuing lick-and-a-promise approach to the E-B meant that I was way overdue for a nap. I took a good one.
When I woke up I still felt strung out and tired, but after I moved around for a bit, I felt a little better. Good thing – I had a bunch of stuff to do to get ready for the week. I had almost nothing in the fridge. I got the recycling together, and sorted through all the paper to get out the trash that James put in there last week. I loaded the car, hauled off the recycling, went to the bank, and then to the grocery store. I also went by the flea market for produce.
While I was out, I fielded the latest drama from my dad. Its Eve’s birthday today, and she had been hoping against hope that Cindy would call today. She didn’t. Dad called me to get me to call Cindy to implore her to call her mother on her 60th birthday. Sigh. I so want out of the middle of this. I told Dad I would do it only if he didn’t cross-examine me about it, or do a victory lap on how sorry they both are if she didn’t call. But I dutifully called and left a message for Cindy, trying to keep it as light as possible, asking if she would at least just call and say Happy Birthday.
When I got home, I started cooking. I made a big batch of veggie-roni (kind of like beef-a-roni without the beef) and packed up lunches for the week. I also sliced and mostly de-seeded a watermelon for fruit for the week. I cleaned up the kitchen, took out the trash, and changed out a load of laundry. I went to the store for garbage bags.
By the time I got all this done, it was close to time for bed. I did watch parts of the Fox Sunday night line-up while getting ready. It does feel good to get my ducks in a row after kind of drifting through all week last week.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
A post in which Jason comes to visit*
I knew I had to marshal my strength today, because I woke up still feeling tired and drug out. This E-B is a bitch. I had my coffee, and decided what I would do to get ready for the visit.
Although they really needed trimming, I had decided to leave the hedges for next week yet again. But while I was sitting on the porch this morning drinking my coffee, I decided to get out the nippers and just “get the worst of the sprigs growing up on the porch”. After I did that I went down to do the same in the front. Then I got out the clippers. Shortly after that, I had side-ways mohawks down the tops of all my bushes, and only the hard part was left to be done. It is just against my nature to leave the hard stuff to be done – I usually do it first – so I just got out the ladder and finished trimming the bushes in front of the porch. I did skip the privet hedge at the corner though.
After that I came in to straighten up the house a bit. I ate some breakfast, changed the sheets, vacuumed the rugs, cleaned up the kitchen, and washed my blanket. By the time all that was done, it was about time for Jason to show up. About the time I sat down to rest after my shower, he arrived.
We were both hungry, but ended up getting distracted at the house for a while before we went to eat. We went to Arizona Steakhouse, which I am pleased to say is just as excellent as ever. It has been a while since I’ve been over there (people are reluctant to take a veggie to a steakhouse, but Arizona has an excellent veggie plate). Jason surprised me by getting the veggie plate, so now at least two of their patrons know it’s there. I had a big Caesar salad, a baked potato, and one of their excellent prickly pear margaritas, all of which went down a treat. We ended the meal with their excellent apple cobbler – still the best I have ever eaten, anywhere. Needless to say after this huge lunch, we were pretty much comatose. I ran through Target to pick up a few things, and then we went on home.
We were vegging out watching TV when dana called. She and Miss Kat were at loose ends and were going to come by for a while. So we got up and made ourselves semi-respectable. Miss Kat and dana are just always good company. Miss Kat saw my bedroom finished for the first time, and liked it, for the most part. We ended up just sitting around talking and visiting for a while. They invited us to breakfast in the morning. They didn’t stay late, but between the big meal and the relaxing visit, Jason and I were all in. We turned in early with some Family Guy DVDs. It was a very nice day, but I was wiped!
Although they really needed trimming, I had decided to leave the hedges for next week yet again. But while I was sitting on the porch this morning drinking my coffee, I decided to get out the nippers and just “get the worst of the sprigs growing up on the porch”. After I did that I went down to do the same in the front. Then I got out the clippers. Shortly after that, I had side-ways mohawks down the tops of all my bushes, and only the hard part was left to be done. It is just against my nature to leave the hard stuff to be done – I usually do it first – so I just got out the ladder and finished trimming the bushes in front of the porch. I did skip the privet hedge at the corner though.
After that I came in to straighten up the house a bit. I ate some breakfast, changed the sheets, vacuumed the rugs, cleaned up the kitchen, and washed my blanket. By the time all that was done, it was about time for Jason to show up. About the time I sat down to rest after my shower, he arrived.
We were both hungry, but ended up getting distracted at the house for a while before we went to eat. We went to Arizona Steakhouse, which I am pleased to say is just as excellent as ever. It has been a while since I’ve been over there (people are reluctant to take a veggie to a steakhouse, but Arizona has an excellent veggie plate). Jason surprised me by getting the veggie plate, so now at least two of their patrons know it’s there. I had a big Caesar salad, a baked potato, and one of their excellent prickly pear margaritas, all of which went down a treat. We ended the meal with their excellent apple cobbler – still the best I have ever eaten, anywhere. Needless to say after this huge lunch, we were pretty much comatose. I ran through Target to pick up a few things, and then we went on home.
We were vegging out watching TV when dana called. She and Miss Kat were at loose ends and were going to come by for a while. So we got up and made ourselves semi-respectable. Miss Kat and dana are just always good company. Miss Kat saw my bedroom finished for the first time, and liked it, for the most part. We ended up just sitting around talking and visiting for a while. They invited us to breakfast in the morning. They didn’t stay late, but between the big meal and the relaxing visit, Jason and I were all in. We turned in early with some Family Guy DVDs. It was a very nice day, but I was wiped!
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