CAt Hair and Knitting

This is probably why I have cat hair in my knitting.

Hello, India

I am back.  Trip # 16 and India feels like home.  I don't even notice the cows.

Flying is truly entertaining anymore.  Some people find it horrifying, I find it a sociological petri dish of human potential.  Some times what grows is charming and other times it elicts the WTF thought process.  Mostly I keep that process flinging around quietly inside my head, sometimes not.

Like yesterday.  I boarded the flight from Chicago to Delhi, ready to settle down to 15 hours of being captive in a tube, which isn't all that bad. There are no cell phones, no cats screaming for attention and no husband trying to fix the toilet AGAIN with no luck.  Peaceful.

The guy in front of me--in business, by the way, decided it was a lot easier to throw his winter coat, brief case, duty free shopping and shoes in the overhead above his seat and then he put his too big roller suitcase in the overhead above mine--longwise.  That way only his could fit because of the big ass wheels on his case.

Hmmm, I thought.  That was rude.

So, I calmly (really) said 'I was just headed towards that overhead'.

And you know his response?

'I got here first.'

THAT clanged the WTF bell in my head.  Seriously dude--are you eight?  I almost started to laugh at the immaturity of it but was too stunned to do any thing but gape with the dog head--you know the one where the dog cocks his head sideways because it has just heard a pitch it can't process- look on my face.  Fortunately the gentleman on the opposite side of the aisle stood, gently took his big ass bag and said' I think it will fit better on this side that is made for these larger cases.'

So, all in one encounter, the petrie dish produces shit and shine.

January 1, 2011

Bountiful Baskets

Oh--this is wonderful.

Bountiful Baskets is a fruit and vegetable co-op that is well run and fun.  I picked up my first basket today and it was brimming with wonderful things:

All of this for $15

There was also a nice pineapple that I immediately turned into this:

About to be pineapple infused vodka

And those bananas?  They turned into banana bread.  Using a recipe I have used since I was 19.  I love the recipe because it tenders such nice memories of my first real cooking lesson.  I still take out the eggs to warm, along with the buttermilk and I line the pans with wax paper after spraying it with Pam.  Into the oven and then oh, so good bread. 

 

Forgot to take a picture of the finished bread--it is already gifted to a neighbor....with one little slice missing.

Number 12

I am on my way again to India tonight. Trip number 12 (--or is it 13?) is starting well with my new Executive Platinum status upgrade having come through. This means I am in Business Class not cattle. SO much better.

And, there is a secret lounge in Chicago just for Executive Platinum--the 'Flagship Lounge' with 'free' booze, fresh food and quiet. It will probably be the last quiet I will have for two weeks--and the last raw veggie's I am going to feel safe consuming. Seriously, this place is really hidden in the airport--it is a 15 minute walk to my gate from here. I am looking for George Clooney to appear--and that really would make my night.

Two weeks away from home, with all kinds of work in between so it will go fast. It is sometimes lonely on the road, swimming through the cultural differences. Good to go, good to come back.

Love this t-shirt I spotted walking through the airport. Made me laugh.

When Listening Works

Me: 'I really like that woman's boots'

Him: (quick response) 'Me too'.

silence

Him: (using newly learned reflective listening) 'What do you like about them?'

Me: 'The size, and the colors. I thought about asking you to buy me a pair for Christmas but they are really expensive.'

Him: 'Really? You did? Why would you want those?'

Me: 'Well, they are so Texas and they look totally cool. The handmade ones are really soft and it would be nice to have a new pair.'

Him: long pause and look of concentrated thinking

Him: ' You know, this reflective listening thing really works.'

Me: eye brow cocked. 'Why?'

Him: ' I thought you said boobs.'

New Years Resolutions

Well, I have been struggling with putting my New Years Resolutions together...and since it is January 7, I think the expression 'screw it' fits the situation best.

Still, I like having goals.

Then I read Wendy Aarons resolutions and decided with just her first one she had it covered. Closely followed by 3 and 10. I do have my own version of 11 and 12 but neighborhood niceness and safety (aka shut your mouth at parties) might be a resolution to include--lord knows I need that in my repertoire.

So, for right now, my resolution is to write my resolutions and the first one is going to: 1) Laugh more.

Wendy is going help with that, I bet.

I like to Laugh

OK, this made me laugh. And I like to laugh. Wendi's writing is sharp and she finds just the right amount of sarcasm to compliment the meal. How can you not appreciate the line “It’s both decorative and practical".

If you like this one then read this one. ROTFLMAO every time I read it. It has just the right amount of truth and anger to get her point across. Maybe you have to be female to really understand the razor wit that cuts to the point but it works my humor with every rereading.

I commented on her blog last night and she wrote me--that amazed me -- like a star had responded to my goo goo fan letter. I have to admit I had a silly grin on my face when I read her nice email.

And, without a doubt I need to laugh right now....I need something decorative and practical in my life, just not a tattoo in that location.

Yeah, Right.

Movie Reviews

Creation, Redux

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?"

And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food Cake ."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.


Thanks to S. for sending this on to me. I needed the laugh