Much of a good thing

This morning I went to the supermarket to get some food for the day. I picked up:

- 1 lb of cherries
- An orange bell pepper
- A Fuji apple
- A bag of almonds
- a pack of multi-grain, low-calorie English muffins
- Some sliced turkey
- A cup of coffee.

Before 1 pm, I had consumed:

- All the cherries
- The apple
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1 English muffin
- The pepper
- Two slices turkey
- Two skinless chicken breasts from El Pollo Loco

Besides the poultry, I calculated that so far, by 1 pm PST, I had consumed 30g of fiber.

Bear in mind, will you, that the recommended daily allowance for a healthy person my weight is around 20 - 25 g of fiber.

I've been encouraged to "keep this going" and not stop now. I have like, 8 more hours ahead of me. Too much of a good thing? I guess I'll find out later.

Sleep in my head

I've been listening to Sufjan Stevens' Greetings From Michigan about nonstop the past few days. Other things on constant play:

William Orbit - Strange Cargoes
Four Tet - Rounds
Drums & Tuba - Mostly Ape (the song Brain Liaters puts me in a sexy mood)
A Pacific Model - Divisions (probably my most recent favorite album)

All of these albums are pretty low-key and moody, like a deep afternoon trip into the mind. Sometimes I like to put on music that just sort of harmonizes with the chords of my mood. Right now, at this instant, the 9 minute and 35 second jam of Unspoken by Four Tet is helping me space out while still tuning into the needs of the day.

Music and food. I think these are the two things I blog the most about.

And now the food...again today for lunch I had something called a "salad" that had no real business calling itself a salad. There was lettuce and some tomatoes, but that was about it. "Taco Salad" it was called. I really do get a kick out of ordering things that attempt to call themselves "Salads" but are really just bowls of chicken, cheese, and chips.

I'm going to the Gilroy Garlic Festival this year. Today I had a couple garlic herb french fries. Now, I cannot wait for July. Stay a good 50 yards away from me if you're downwind, folks. I have no self control.

Blissing out.

Check yourself

My brother had this website posted on his website, and I just had to click it:

Notice your nuts!!

If you're a guy, I recommend watching this.

And then watching yourself. My brother and many other men have their lives today because of their watchfulness!!

Friday random

I really really really really love Matisyahu. I could listen to "King Without a Crown" every day. Just check out this awesome chorus:

So what's this feeling?
My love could rip a hole through the ceiling
I give myself to you from the essence of my being
and I Sing to my God these songs of love and healing
I want Mashiach now so it's time we start revealing

Most reggae music, especially roots reggae and dancehall stuff, is about God. Its really not all about the weed, heh. A hassidic Jewish reggae star? That gets play on KROQ? Seriously people, it doesn't get better than this.

I had guacamole last weekend that I would probably commit violence for. It was *that* good. Lucky me, its just easily available at my local farmer's market, so whew - no violence necessary.

I got so excited yesterday at work, that I started shaking. It was weird. I think it was a combination of the following things: Too much coffee, not enough food; my lunch was spent walking 1.5 miles in 90 degree heat to get a peach smoothie; I got really good news from a cross-country friend whose excitement was infectious; I got good news of my own of two super-duper good grades in my classes. It was weird but thrilling.

I watched a television special on nuts the other day that was actually very entertaining. I had no idea that there was such historical significance to my pistachios.

Some things are just wrong.

Pickles are sacred. They are meant to be salty, sour, vinegary and sometimes spicy. Nearly any food can be pickled. The appropriate pickle color ranges from green to yellowish-green, unless the food being pickled was a different color to begin with (see: cherry peppers, giardinera, etc). The only acceptable exception are pickled beets, which are delicious and turn everything they touch a lovely shade of aubergine.

So when Dan showed me this today, I almost had a heart attack. This, my friends, is sacrelidge.



This? Is a Kool-Aid pickle. The New York Times has an article all about them. Instead of brining in the traditional salty/sour/vinegar mixture we so know and love, people are drowning perfectly good dill cucumbers in vats of KOOL-AID and giving them to CHILDREN. Because if there's one thing kids need, its MORE SUGAR.

Pickles, in the traditional sense, are a healthy and satisfying snack. Vinegar is an excellent appetite suppresant, and stimulates the digestive system. Cucumbers are a low-calorie and fiber-full part of a balanced vegetable diet. They accompany sandwiches and soups like nobody's business. Part of the pleasure of a picnic lunch is a soft sandwich, some iced tea, and a crisp, tart, sour pickle. Am I wrong on this?

No. I am not wrong. KOOL-AID PICKLES ARE WRONG.

First, they came for the Twinkies with the deep-frier, and I said nothing, because I don't eat Twinkies.

Then, they came for the pickles with the deep-frier, and I said nothing, because I was confused as to why someone would want to deep fry a pickle. Seems to defeat the purpose but whatever, America likes to fry stuff, go for it.

But this has gone TOO FAR. Here's a quote that perfectly summarizes the absolute horror that this instills in me: "The school sells Kool-Aid pickles from the popular red flavor family at its fund-raisers."

Say, NY Times, can you tell me what flavor that pickle is again? Oh that's right. It's RED flavor.

Red isn't a flavor, people. Red is a color. Colors do not have flavors. Pickles are not meant to be part of the "red flavor family". Pickles are PICKLE flavor.

Good sweet gherkins, it really is the apocalypse.

Oh, do not fly away

I really wish I could be a bird sometimes and just open up and fly around.

Baby, its hot outside

There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes, and California summers start early, start hot, and stay that way until well into October.

Its May 7, and for the past few days, summer has announced its arrival. Its 97 degrees outside right now. 97, for heaven's sakes. I went walking outside since I'm trying to get in shape for summer (ha) and I realized, doggone it, I'm too late. It IS summer.

I never wear shorts. Back in the day when I was in a lot better shape, I still didn't wear shorts. I have an interesting build that results in shorts cutting me off in a bad place on my leg, no matter how long they are. They ride up and look generally unflattering on me. Instead, I wear jeans, other pants, or more likely, dresses/skirts. Skirts are the best. Its like built-in classy air conditioning for your lower extremities.

Summer nights are the best, though. Lounging in bed with the windows open and the fan on, the air on your skin and a smile on your face. I like going for walks, runs, or really just hanging around outside on summer nights. I firmly believe that the world would be better and happier if we adopted a nocturnal summertime schedule. Everyone just sleeps during the day, wakes up around 7 pm to watch the sunset, and then goes out about their business. Cool, collected, rested, and refreshed. And, no more sunburns - skin cancer incidents drop!

Some things about summer heat are great. The freezing cold Pacific ocean actually feels good, for one, instead of like taking a bath in a meat locker. The days are longer, and the sunsets are later so I get to enjoy more of them. I love cold, ice-cube filled iced sun tea, I love cold crisp summer fruits and veggies, and I really just like wearing as little as possible around the house in an effort to cool off. Snowy sheds her fur; I shed my sleeves and socks.

Well, its definitely summertime then. Here's to the next 7 months or so of heat and sunshine. Baby, its hot outside.

Pork belly

Some days bring nice surprises.

Today, though I entertained three offers for lunch (that's right - not one, not two, but three serious offers for lunch) I chose one that brought me by way of Lucille's BBQ. I've been day-dreaming about BBQ for a while, so you have no idea how happy the idea of going to Lucille's made me. I felt so shameful ordering the "Texas Pork Salad" because the words "pork" and "salad" are never used together. The juxtaposition was enthralling.

I came back from lunch to find a dozen red roses waiting for me at the front desk. Holy moly! Surprise surprise! THAT was unexpected. And wonderful! And wow, ah jeeze. Heh.

Then I got a call from my cell phone company. I'm behind on my payments apparently, which is BS. But oh well, crap happens.

If someone isn't treating you right, why stay with them? Its the question of the day.

Tonight, I'm going to laugh until I cry. I need the exercise. Laughter works out the abs. My pork belly needs it.

I have

Random Thursday

I think Thursday posts are going to be just bits of random thoughts as they spring to mind. I can't always be deep and pensive.

I've had a special request to show off my dog, Snowy. Oooooh...you just had to put that big red button in front of me, didn't you. Such a shiny, shiny button.

*press*














Sigh. You asked for it. I need more pictures of her. I wish I had a real camera.

I don't understand why it takes women an hour to do their makeup. I have really put a lot of thought into this, and I still don't get it.

I ate shrimp last night, and every time I eat shrimp I feel like I'm reclaiming my lost youth. My parents insisted I was allergic to it for so many years, either in an effort to protect my health or perhaps their wallets. Finding out I actually have no food allergies was liberating. Therefore, when I eat shrimp, I feel slightly rebellious against my parents.

That said, I just realized I'm the wimpiest rebel in the world. Some kids go nuts and get tattoos, piercings, do drugs, run away, etc. Me? I colored my hair purple. Coming home with my aubergine head, my mom's first comment was "Oh you look so pretty! What a lovely purple color!" And later in my life, I eat shrimp. "Ha ha! Take THAT mom and dad!" Yeah, they're not buying it.

I always forget that a martini is really just a inverted-conicular glass of vodka. This realization usually comes after I've finished said inverted-conicular glass of vodka. Darn tasty though.

Cooked dumplings last night for someone. Special? Hm. I think so. :) Those things are painstakingly slow to cook, though. Well worth it, however. Very well worth the wait, as are many other things in life.

I just looked around my desk and realized its a mess. My car is a mess. My room is a mess. My kitchen however? I fastidiously keep it neat and clean. Something's gotta give, I suppose.

Is it wrong that its not even 10 am and all I want to do is listen to funk music?