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October 27, 2005
Breaking wind in the Windy City
Somebody mentioned some team won something that they hadn't won in, like, forever. I was so excited that I immediately purchased tickets to Chicago to celebrate. We leave on Friday.
I guess that many Canadians view Chicago as their Mexico, what with its balmy weather and dramatically southern latitude. At least, I think that is why Derrick's cool Canadian friends live there. This is the same couple that let me stay in their place on my summer roadtrip. They were out of town, so I still haven't met them, although their neighbors got quite a thrilling view of me due to a shower curtain malfunction.
What with the fun I've had drinking with his other friends, we'll see if full exposure is in the cards for this trip.
Thank heavens my boyfriend doesn't have a digital camera.
Posted by G at 10:19 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
October 26, 2005
HeeHeeHee, HuuHuuHuu
All summer long, Derrick has gloated about his tolerance for heat. The temperature would soar in the apartment to 85 degrees and 100% humidity. He would be sitting there without a drop of sweat; I'd be pouring gallons off of my skull. I really, really resented his heat tolerance.
Oh, the tables have turned! Poor little Canadian boys are all shivery and cuddly, and I feel fine. He's wearing every article of clothing he can find, and I'm still wearing shorts.
This will probably only work for about another three weeks, then I'll be really glad he's a heat generator.
Posted by G at 09:52 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
October 24, 2005
Lost
Can I just say that Lost had better have some hot shirtless time for Matthew Fox soon? In fact, I'm recommending to the writers that a plot twist occurs where all the men have to jump slo-mo into the water nekkid, then maybe wrestle. Fox first, then the hobbit, then the Sayid character.
If the plot twist requires it, I'm even cool with Hurley, because I think he is my favorite character. I'd like him even more if he convinced Matthew Fox to strip.
I'm just sayin'.
Posted by G at 09:25 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
October 22, 2005
Cutting Edge Technology
Anyone who eats with me knows why I like finger foods and dipping.
I can't handle my knives. Even the most basic slicing and dicing is beyond me. I've put more of myself into meals than most people would care to know.
I changed all that on Thursday. I am now the proud graduate of Knife Skills 1 at the Institute of Culinary Education. The last time I saw that many people wielding knives, it was outside my old school in Bushwick. I learned that I was holding knives wrong, slicing wrong, and dicing onions is easy.
Norman, the knife god, loves puns. He and I were bantering back and forth. He told us he was scoring the side of a chicken. "Six points." I responded with "Score? Shouldn't that be 20?"
I can now effortlessly slice anything from an onion to a watermelon. The only queasy moment for me was his demonstration of deboning a chicken, which reminded me of the sounds my knee made when it exploded in Uzbekistan.
I am SO taking Knife Skills 2. I heard it finishes with the finale of Michael Jackson's Beat It video.
Posted by G at 09:30 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
October 19, 2005
Burf Day
Poor, poor Derrick. He's a sweetheart for cuddling in a supportive way for a few nights last week. I kept having these panic dreams about dying, dreams of things fading to black and ceasing to exist. I would wake up just trying not to scream.
Welcome to my annual birthday buildup.
I don't really like birthdays, even though last year was so nice. Mentally, I figured I had used up all of my birthday karma, and birthdays are weird for me since Mom died.
I was definitely not looking forward to this one. Then my aunt just called me a few days before and asked me if I wanted a surprise on my birthday, just me and a few friends. It turned everything around. Derrick organized everything with her, I sat back, and the curiosity killed the morbidity.
We showed up, Simon, Derrick, Kieran, and I, on Cornelia Street. I've lived here for almost 4 years, and I had no idea that the street existed. Once you get below 14th, things get a little random.
Right on schedule, this appeared.
Rest of the story on the extended entry
An incredible 1975 Chevy Caprice Classic convertible rolled up in front of us. We loaded up into the mammoth vehicle and went on a tour of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Everything looks different from a convertible that is as massive as three of my last cars.
We went across the Brooklyn Bridge.
We went to China Town to avoid haircuts.
Afterwards, we walked 40-odd blocks to my aunt and uncle's place for the BEST MEXICAN FOOD I'VE HAD IN YEARS. The chili rellenos were better than any I've ever had, and she also understands that no matter what, velveeta with Ro-Tel kicks ass.
I was so happy and am still chuckling.
Now I'm just terrified what is going to happen next year. Doom, I just know it!
Pics of the rest of the night here.
Posted by G at 08:33 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
October 16, 2005
Academic's Wife
I really must learn how to drink moderately.
Last night we went to Stefan's birthday party. Derrick knows Stefan from Columbia, plus there were lots of other good folks from the university. I really had a great time, I met some great new guys, plus I had numerous glasses of wine.
It was only when I got home, drank two glasses of water, and went to bed that I discovered how buzzed I was.
The bed was spinning. Apparently sipping wine can be a problem if the glasses are tiny, the conversation is lively, and the party extends for almost 5 hours.
I really need to learn how to intersperse water that is kept away from Jesus.
Thank the gods that my new digital camera can give me a record of the night. Click the link to see all the pics.
Posted by G at 09:56 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
October 13, 2005
Latest Jewish Holiday
I love that I benefit as an educator from a religious/ethnic group without subscribing to the beliefs and traditions of that group.
Yom Kippur? Woo! Thursday free! Wednesday night socializing and drinks, with no fasting or atonement!
Went and saw Curse of the Were-Rabbit with Eric and his DP. Eric was feeling a bit under the weather, but was able to commiserate with my problems with the wicked copy lady at work. The DP was absolutely charming. He will be glad to know that there is a videogame of the movie.
I've loved Wallace and Gromit for years, and I think that the Wrong Trousers is one of the best films (it won Oscars). This current one isn't quite as good, but it had some really funny moments, and the small touches are wonderful.
I see a lot of myself in Wallace, and most of my friends are Gromits. They see that I'm gifted, but not in a terribly functional way. They are the common sense and support that keep me from accidentally killing myself or starving to death. I usually picture my friends furrowing their brows in consternation/confusion as Gromit does when I do something a bit illogically. Things that seem perfectly sensible to me really need someone else to frame in non-crazy terms. I really like cheese, and the true existence of Stinky Bishop cheese makes my mouth water.
I also like the motto of the Tottington family inscribed in Latin on the manor house, which translates as "Manure Liberates Us All."
I think that is pretty deep.
Posted by G at 09:52 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 09, 2005
Deep thought of the day
So I'm as gay as the day is long.
Does that mean that I get really butch by the winter solstice, or is it the only day where women will have a chance?
Posted by G at 11:19 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
October 05, 2005
Friendly resources
Things bother me. That's why it is so nice to have friends like Hugo and Kathy.
The Whole Foods store in Union Square was bothering me. I couldn't find any loading docks, and I really couldn't imagine them doing loading from the front entrance. Hugo understands how things like this become an obsession for me, so he specifically emailed me to tell me of a hidden loading dock all the back on 13th Street. Whew. I sure as heck didn't want to get arrested lurking around the back of their store like a bald, gay Nancy Drew.
Then my aunt sets me on another quest. She sent me the link to this little gem:
Apparently it is in Flanders, NY. I MUST GO THERE. It is obviously a sign of intelligent design, yes?
Posted by G at 11:01 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
October 04, 2005
Fill in the blanks
Bless the Jews and their holidays. I don't work Tuesday or Wednesday because of Rosh Hashannah. Back in Texas, I would have thought it was a Jewish version of the ShaNaNas.
Sipping coffee this morning, I innocently opened a link from
Paul.
Thank you, Paul, for making me shoot coffee through my nose.
Posted by G at 09:33 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
October 02, 2005
My little circle
I can't help obsessing about the fact that my boyfriend called me monomaniacal....
Posted by G at 01:30 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack