And also

I just remembered that I dreamed last night that I had a receding hairline.  It was gross and worrisome.  Poor men.

Begging for a Snow Day and What I Ate

It is miserable outside.  There is just too much rain mixed in with our snow, and therefore my snow-loving self doesn't know what to think.  I can't bring myself to open up my umbrella, since it's snow, and (being a good Midwesterner) I mock those who use umbrellas in the snow -- yet, I keep getting soaking wet.  That said, our office manager at work keeps talking about how he doesn't think we'll be here much longer, and perhaps tomorrow will have to be a snow day, etc.  While he has no authority over such things, he is GETTING MY HOPES UP, so all I can do is plan how much wine I want to drink with dinner and think about sleeping in.  Sigh.

Last night I went to the gym, and since the upright bikes were all taken, I used one of the bikes where you pedal out in front of your body.  I've read up on the comparisons between the two styles, and apparently they're pretty similar effectiveness-wise, though it seems easier to do the one where you're more relaxed with a backrest, so therefore I think it's less of a workout.  But I made do, and I have decided that my butt feels decidedly exercised, so perhaps there are butt benefits to that style.  I need to pump up my butt -- if you've seen it, you know I'm dealing with a sort of flat/heart-shaped box o' chocolates back there.  (EW, that just got grosser than I meant it.) 

Tonight Mex is coming over for dinner, and I bought a ton of meat on sale at the grocery store last night, so we'll be having $2.19/lb London Broil with baked sweet potatoes and salad.  And wine, maybe a lot.  I've been marinating the steak overnight in garlic, worcestershire, salt, pepper, rosemary, and dijon all mixed together, so I think it'll be delicious.  And not terribly bad for me with the health benefits of a sweet potato and salad greens, yes?  I will also have to talk to him about my ending tolerance for this stage of our situation, so I hope that goes OK.  I feel all mad, which you know, happens, but I can't exactly unleash a tirade, as that will be very unreasonable and unproductive.  And then we will watch ladies' hockey, or as he called it, "US Canada chick-fairy hockey."  It's a joke, so don't be offended.

Oh, so those of you who know me well know that I read Gawker obsessively.  It's my go-to blog, but I tried to give them a "tip" today and I think I'm getting into a fight* with another commentor (I keep wanting to say commentator, which is more fun.)  I will reproduce the exchange for your benefit, though it's not for those with delicate sensibilities:

ME: I am way behind the times on this, but thought it a bit curious: Pre-Precious release, I read the NY Mag review of it which said that the mother genitally fingered the daughter. Based on that mental image, I declined to see the movie, finding it too disturbing. However, a friend finally saw it last night and informed me that there wasn't any shown fingering -- there was only implied sexual abuse by the mother. Why report it if it's not true?

OTHER COMMENTOR: You are expecting a screenplay to be a documentary?

ME: When the review said "She’s also sexually molested by her jealous, welfare-cheating, gross, and sedentary mother, although the genital fingering might seem preferable to the verbal and physical abuse," I thought it would be shown. I'm not criticizing the movie; I'm saying I was perhaps dissuaded from seeing it because of the review. I take it you find my discomfort at seeing such imagery to be backwoods, so I can only wish you well on your quest for incestual pornographic imagery. To each his/her own.

I mean, COME ON, leave me alone, too-cool-for-school internet person.  Though I realize I asked for it by trying to participate.  I should remember my late-high-school mantra:  don't participate.

In other great news, I was chatting with Blackbeard a few minutes ago.  One of the bosses here is named Ian, and often callers will ask me if it's pronounced Eye-an or Eee-an.  So I asked Blackbeard if he's ever knew of an Eye-an, because really, that's silly, and he said "Well, other than that Ian guy from 90210..." and he melted my heart EVEN MORE.  I was visibly excited that he referenced Ian Ziering.  I mean, it's clear we're soulmates, yes?  Maybe every time we have an awkward conversation, he's as upset about it as I am.  It's so romantic.

Anyway, clearly I'm avoiding this Excel spreadsheet like the plague.  I've been wondering today what the maximum row limit of an Excel spreadsheet is -- does anyone know?  I like to believe that it goes on for infinity (which is something I should discuss with Mex, the master of infinity theory), but I doubt that's realistic.  The real question is, has anyone ever reached the end?!

Oh, another charming thing today was that I overheard a UPS delivery man trying to quickly explain Lost to an office building super.  It was clearly too difficult of a task, so he gave up, but the conversation went something like this:

UPS guy: Did you see Lost last night, man?
Super: No, I can't keep up with that sh*t.  Didn't they crash on an island?
UPS guy: Well, yeah, but it's much more than that.
Super: What do you mean?  Why doesn't someone come and rescue them at the end?
UPS guy: Let's put it this way:  The island is alive.
Super: With what?!  Monsters?  Animals?
UPS guy: Spirits, man.  That's all I can say.  Right?
[At this point he knew I was listening and smiling, so he tapped my arm, looking for affirmation.  I gave it.]

Ok, ok, food:
B - coffee, Special K cereal, skim milk (5)
L - low-salt turkey and muenster on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - steak; sweet potato; salad with tomatoes, cukes and feta (?)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); granny bar (2); wine (?)
Total - a little extra
Activity - crying and/or cuddling

*This "fight" may only be in my head.  What do you think?

(Not) Humping Day and What I Ate

Oh dear, I'm like a neglectful lover, aren't I? When I'm expected to work at work, it really gets in the way of my internet time.

Well, I'm happy to report that after two full weeks of no gym time, I still lost weight. I weighed myself Monday morning and I'm down another 1-2 pounds! Miracle of miracles. I believe it has to do with generally eating better and less, as well as less beer consumption as my nights out have been reduced. Last Friday BSH graciously invited me to be her plus one to see Kathy Griffin at MSG Theater, and it was funny and exciting, as we were in the 9th row and I saw Andy Cohen (from Bravo) and possibly Meredith Cho, though I think that sighting was debunked. I also ate a grilled chicken sandwich from Roy Rogers beforehand for sustenance, which was made edible by lots of lettuce, tomatoes, bbq, pickles and onions. Afterwards I met up with Mex but we just grabbed sushi to go (Miso soup and shrimp dumplings for me), then watched the Olympics. Saturday night was similar, though I made The Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa (which is delicious, easy, and makes a ton so I froze a lot!) and used that on taco salads! They were fantastic, if I say so myself. We also watched "Four Christmases", which was meh, but fine. It was great how they decide to get married and have a baby. I refrained from shooting him pointed glances, don't worry.

I also made it to the library where I picked up more novels to feed my renewed love of fun books. I've finished Unaccustomed Earth, which is REALLY good, and then finished Mary Gaitskill's Veronica, which was a bit too abstract for me, but still well done.

This week is pretty quiet, though I signed up myself and the roommate for another summer of our vegetable CSA , and this year we're doing bi-monthly fruit shares as well. It was a wonderful (gross, cold, rainy) night to think about fresh summer produce! I love having to figure out how to cook whatever they give us, and I especially love the idea of fruit. I have to learn how to make jam before then, I think. Any willing tutors?

I'm looking forward to a yummy brunch and then Target/suburban shopping trip with Schmauren (aka Literating) this Saturday, and I'm sure to see the Mex over the weekend, too. I think our situation will be changing in one way or the other soon, as I've reached my tolerance limit for the gray area. It was fun, but I don't think I can be fancy free now -- too much thinking and worrying on my end. So there may be some decisions made soon, but we shall see.

Sometimes I see fancy free people who just roll along and enjoy life and whatever it gives them, and I get very jealous. I wish I knew how to do that. I was thinking about this at the gym on Monday because a song was playing on my iPod that I really love, but then I kept thinking about how it was going to end and should I repeat it or just take whatever comes on next? But why am I worrying about when the song ends as it's still playing? I am terrible at being in the moment and all that hooha.

Today's goodies:
B - coffee, Special K cereal, skim milk (5)
L - low-salt turkey and muenster on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - veggie lasagna; salad with tomatoes, cukes and feta (7)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); granny bar (2)
Total - 20
Activity - biking, raging against the machine

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down and What I Ate

This morning I received an e-mail from a co-worker (with whom I'm friendly) with the subject line "Do you get ashes today?" She was asking if I wanted to go with her to mass this afternoon, which was a lovely offer, but that made me laugh. I did explain that while I (probably confusingly, to her) attend mass at Christmastime, being Protestant, my family never did much of the ashing on this Wednesday...though granted, some Prots do. It is confusing, I realize. We never even gave up anything for Lent, though some of my friends growing up did -- and I just saw someone on FB giving up FBing, which seems like a good pick. Are any of you sacrificing for Lent, and if so, what? I like the concept of doing without for awhile, so I'm considering it. But I'm also terrible with self-discipline, and the fact that I accept that means I'm very set up for failure. Hmm.

In body issues news, I weighed myself last night just to check in (as I usually weigh in the morning, before food, after bathroom), and I hadn't lost all the ground I've achieved so far, which was a relief. It was at about 147, then I used my "end of day" math, which means I subtracted 2-3 pounds, and I'm about even to where I was two weeks ago. I think all the walking this past weekend had to help, and I'm not overeating lately, just eating richer foods. Anyway, that was reassuring, as all weekend I'd felt like a blimp. I think it has to do with lady time, but I was also having neurotic dreams. In one, a male "friend" (in the dream, but I don't know who he was) commented on how I was gaining weight again, then in another, I caught Mex buying perfume for another woman, and then in a third, my mom had somehow gotten a hold of my cell phone and I was in trouble for driving her car to a party without permission. (Obviously that dream was occurring circa 1998.) I think my subconscious is being quite mean to me lately, but thankfully, last night's dreams were just weird but not bullying (i.e. I was wearing a frilly nightgown and a bonnet with ribbons in one.)

Today is very quiet at work, and I did take a short walk at lunch, though it's too cold out to walk for long. I'll move a little more after work, as we're having dinner at Schmate's house and we'll walk there, where she's making her famous Chicken Cups (which apparently have a less-than-great name but are delicious.) I can't wait to try them. I did NOT go to the gym last night, as I walked home in a wet, snowy, slushy world and only wanted to stay inside once I got there. Instead I called my mom, took a bath, started a new book (The Unaccustomed Earth) which I really like so far*, made a healthy dinner, and watched Lost, which was amazing. It was a mental health night, as if I needed another.

*I didn't pay a lot of attention to the cover copy on the book, so I'd forgotten it was long short stories instead of one novel. I was so attached to the characters in the first story that when it ended, abruptly to me, I was really sad and had to put the thing down. But I think that's a good review, right?

Today's eating:
B - coffee, Heart to Heart cereal, skim milk (5)
L - roast chicken and muenster on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - Chicken Cups, which are supposed to be quite healthy (?)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); glass of wine (1)
Total - In range, I think
Activity - walking, laughing, typing, whee

Fat Tuesday and What Didn't I Eat: Tuesday

Hello world! Happy Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, Presidents' Day and Fat Tuesday.

It's a disgusting wintry mix outside today, and as much as I love snow, I do not enjoy the rain mixed in. While I'd begun the day with high hopes for a much-needed gym session tonight, the weather, my malaise, the fact that it's Fat Tuesday, and the fact that I have the apartment to myself this evening are combining to seriously threaten my commitment. Maybe I can ease back into healthier behavior (after this weekend) by just eating well today? Oh crap, wait, I already ate two Krispy Kreme donuts this morning. Perhaps Fat Tuesday should just be celebrated and I'll revisit the regime tomorrow.

That said, I had a wonderful weekend. On Friday I met BSH at Columbus Circle and we bought some snacks (cheese, fig spread, baguette, salad) at Whole Foods, then off to her new apartment in Lefferts, Brooklyn. It was so great! Granted, it was only moderately unpacked/moved into, so I can't wait to see it with lamps and a kitchen table, but it's a really great space. We henna-d, wined, dined, and watched Sweeney Todd (which somehow seemed much worse this time than when I saw it in the theaters), using the subtitles as karaoke prompts. After all the merriment and cheese, I headed back to Astoria and met up with Mex, who had just returned from an impromptu trip to New Haven, CT to watch the Yale/Harvard basketball game. I was impressed with this adventure, and he suggested we go together on Saturday and stay over. And I do love a spontaneous adventure--if by spontaneous, I mean I can at least plan ahead and pack and make a reservation.

So after staying up late playing pool, we woke up Saturday morning, booked the New Haven Omni, and off we went on an afternoon train. We got to town and checked into our fancy digs, then explored and had a snack and went to the Yale/Dartmouth (his Alma mater) game. I loved all the campus architecture -- it was very Gothic and reminded me of Oxford. After the game, which was fun and full of heckling (from us), we headed to a nice bar/restaurant called The Playwright to eat, have a few drinks and watch a little soundless Olympics. Once that place started turning into a nightclub with a Mardi Gras party, we just walked back across the street to the hotel. So convenient!

So Sunday we woke up late (12:00 checkout is fantastic), had some rolls and coffee in the room, then headed out for more exploring and souvenir buying. I got a Yale Women's Rugby t-shirt and he bought some Yale sweatpants. (Unfortunately, they only say Yale on the leg, not the butt.) Then off to find the famous pizza joints across town, but sadly one was closed and the other had a very long line, so we just found another NH Little Italy restaurant and had a perfectly nice lunch of pizza and salad. Then back to the train, back to the city 2 hours later, and we took a break for napping and time apart to get cleaned up.

Which brings me to our Valentine's dinner! I already told you where we were heading (and obviously we didn't watch a Celtics game, as there wasn't one and we made other plans), but our romantic dinner was everything I'd hoped. The restaurant was very dark and lit only with candles (in a good way), and we had our little table for two that felt very private. The first course was beet hearts (literally, they cut them into heart shapes) with goat cheese and walnuts inside, then fire-roasted tomato soup, then chile-rubbed shrimp with corn avocado cocktail (me) and baked clams oreganata (him), then lamb with roasted balsamic winter vegetables (both of us), and finally a mocha mousse with peppercorns (both of us). All delicious, though the lamb was the best course, and each with its own wine pairing. Plus, he doesn't like seafood, but tried and ate everything, which (as I'm a hater of picky eaters) impressed me. We stayed for a little more wine and then headed back home, mushy and hand-holdy all the way. It was just lovely, and I'd had my worries after we'd spent the whole weekend together already that perhaps things would be stale or we'd be sort of boring by that point, but nope. He also explained that he intended to bring me flowers, but then left his house too late because of Olympic figure skating and so he will give some to me some day this week as a surprise. And while that might sound a bit worrisome, it's leagues better than last year, dear readers. Plus, now it's a surprise as to when I'll actually receive them, and it'll be cheaper for him post-V Day! (Yes, I'm a miser.)

Monday we watched The Hangover and then he left and I caught up on freelance work, reading, and The Tudors. To quote Schmate, it was a long weekend that felt like one, and it was fantastic. I think a change of scenery, even for 24 hours, helped me feel very refreshed, too.

Now I just have to get back to being disciplined after eating like I've been on vacation for awhile, but this will definitely happen this week. And I'm out of time (and you're probably out of interest) so I'll cut this off here, but I hope you all felt as loved and relaxed this weekend as I did.

Henna Party and What I Ate: Friday

Well, it's finally Friday, though I have been spoiled by only working 3 days this past week, and next week will only be 4. I've also been pretty steady with work to do at work, which makes the day go by so smoothly! Except for now, of course, but I think I can kill 45 minutes.

My hair cut last night was very enjoyable, and I'm liking the choppy shorter look, though it's much like cuts I've had in the past. I'm feeling a bit like it's shaped like a mushroom today, however, but once I style it myself, I think that'll fade a bit. I also liked how the stylist didn't chat too much, so there was no small-talk pressure. Although we bonded at the end, as I was explaining my weekend/V-day plans, saying "Well, we broke up, but we're hanging out again," and she was all interested and encouraged because apparently she had a very similar break up recently, except without the reconnection. Though I don't know how my own situation will work out, I told her she should kiss a lot of boys...and generally just when you're forgetting about the relationship, things have a way of resurfacing. Right? And if they don't, by then, who cares?

Speaking of Mex, of course, it's probably pretty unclear what's going on there, and that's OK, because it's not entirely clear to me, either. We're acting like we used to, though some things are better, including his displays of affection and efforts to call/be in touch/check in, which I appreciate. That said, the last time we talked about what was going on, we said "Yeah, we'll figure it out soon." So that was probably 2-3 weeks ago, which in my book, isn't soon anymore. While I won't bring anything up this weekend, I think we're approaching time for a reminder and perhaps a more firm window. The main question for me is whether he's willing to address the reasons we broke up in the first place, i.e. his unhappiness and skepticism about marriage. He'll say things about how he's rethinking that position in passing conversation, but obviously there are some root problems I'd like him to attempt to get counseling on. So that's my big beef, and we'll see if he's strong enough to try. Until then, I'm sort of enjoying it while it's there. I can't really imagine life without him, but if I have to, I will. I just hope we can find a way to work things out.

So tonight is Henna Party with BSH, and I can't wait to see her new studio apartment! I also can't wait for the wine and the catching up and trying this new henna I had to buy today, which hopefully doesn't make our hair fall out. Note the order of that list. I also just got The Hangover from Netflix, and the next disk of The Tudors is arriving tomorrow, so I think this weekend will be a good combination of social events, romance, and laziness! And probably some of my own hangovers.

Food today has so far been the usual, but we'll see what tonight brings. As BSH apparently might have a stress fracture in her foot/ankle region and is now sadly be-booted, there wasn't a lot of food prep, so we'll get something delivered...something delicious. It's the weekend, right? Let me eat cake. (And at least I'm walking to Columbus Circle to meet her after work, so that'll be a few burned calories.)

Also, Blackbeard is leaving tonight for a week's vacation, heading to Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam with his sister. This makes me happy despite not seeing him for a week, as a) he has good taste in vacations and b) he's going with his SISTER which likely means there's no lady friend in the picture. Too bad our interactions very from awkward to stunted and giggly (on my part.) I am still working on that Phase 2.

No other news here, but happy long weekend to you all, and be sure to romance yourself a little. And maybe someone else.

Hibernate and What I Ate: Thursday

I'm not dead, don't worry! This week has been a bit strange, so I apologize for abandoning you, world. Monday I had to stay home sick, so I wasn't really on the internets much, then Tuesday was busy at work and Wednesday we had a SNOW DAY, which was amazing. I stayed home with Mex and watched movies, read our respective books on the couch, and baked Chocolate Shortbread and drank tons of coffee. It was lovely.

That said, my food lately has not been the healthiest. I think I'm stuck in this hibernation mode of sleep and comfort food, and it's been hard to break. I think I should probably weigh myself tomorrow morning for a slap in the butt to get disciplined again, though as we approach the weekend, I'm sure I won't get totally straight until next week. But hey, let's rejoice in the comfort food while we can, ok? Last Saturday I had delicious enchiladas (Pioneer Woman recipe) made by the talented Schmauren, as well as a cheese plate appetizer and then ice cream and cookies for dessert. We burned some of those calories playing Scrabble and Bananagrams at her roomy new apartment, though, I'm sure. Sunday I wasn't feeling so hot, so avoided major SuperBowl parties but did stay in to drink some Miller Light and make Pioneer Woman hot & BBQ wings with Mex...and they were amazing, if I say so myself. And so easy! I don't know if I've ever had better at a restaurant. Then we shared a small tub of Cookies & Cream ice cream for dessert...mmm.

So anyway, I won't get into all the transgressions of this week, but today I'm mostly on the ball. I am getting a spontaneous haircut after work (spontaneous because I only decided today) so hopefully I can be tided over with a granola bar until I get home for a healthy dinner.

The weekend should be fun if caloric, too. Tomorrow night I have another Henna Party with the Brooklyn Sea Hag, which usually means wine/cheese/guac/chips, and then Sunday is a big Valentine's extravaganza. These are the plans as they stand: In the afternoon, Mex thought it would be nice to go to one of our local bars, Sunswick, where we had our first official date almost two years ago. The Celtics are playing as they were on that first date, which is an added bonus for him, and while my first thought was "V-Day basketball? Wah wah," I realized that I will get the romantic stuff later when we go to a lovely 5-course sharable dinner for two with wine pairings at Rest-Au-Rant, another of our favorite date spots. Here is their menu for the occasion. We're eating late as I want to get prettied up for dinner, and after beer and sandwiches in the afternoon, we may need naps, but all in all it should be a lovely day. Here's hoping it all works out... (Yes, I'm skeptical. Who can blame me?)

So I'm not going to tell you what I'm eating today because it's the same old stuff, but I will get back to behaving for longer stretches of time soon, I promise. Or maybe it's more entertaining to tell you about the sinful things I'm eating instead? :) Too bad.

FRRRRIIIIDAY and What I Ate: Friday

Yes, I know it's repetitive, but I'm excited. Though also ready for a nap.

Last night's dinner with Mex was very romantic and fun, PLUS while I didn't order the best stuff health-wise, I didn't overeat, which is big for me. We went to Sanford's on Broadway in Astoria, which is a great date spot. We ordered a Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad and Rigatoni with Veal Meatballs and shared them, but brought home half of each, so really I ate a quarter of each entree portion with two beers. It was delicious and now we'll have weekend leftovers. And ew, I keep saying we.

But what can I say, I'm enjoying this period of romance. There was hand-holding across the table, mooney faces, flirting, and lots of kissing and cuddling once we got home. The affection and romantic thoughtfulness was something missing during our actual relationship, or at least not always as present as I wanted it, and it's pretty great. I'm trying not to overthink/worry about things and just enjoy the good parts right now, as the time to figure the sh*t out will come soon. And I also have quite specific Valentine's Day plans now, which I'm hoping go off without a hitch. (I'm still gunshy of some of his promises, as is normal, I think.)

Anyway, you're probably puking in your mouth now, but it was a great night and I am looking forward to lots of fun weekend plans, too, as well as SNOW! I think the WW diet will go off the rails this weekend, as tonight I'm having drinks & din with Schmauren and Shammi and maybe Schmate at Sweet Afton (which specializes in delicious burgers and mac & cheese) and then tomorrow seeing the Mex and then Sunday is the SuperBowl, which requires beer & wings. But it will be a good time! I'm very much looking forward to catching up with the girls tonight, especially in a very cute hipster-boy-friendly neighbhorhood location. I can be a monk during the week again next week.

So it's futile, but:
B - coffee, Smart Balance, skim milk (5)
L - roast turkey and cheddar on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - TBD, but I will try not to stuff myself sick
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); beer
Total - TBD
Activity - laughing
Flex points remaining - Let's just forget this, shall we?

Double Scoop and What I Ate: Thursday

This is going to be a shorty, because I have bunches of work today, but I wanted to make sure to report like a good girl.

Today I had lunch with Springsteen (aka former work crush) and it was lovely. When I see him, I think there's no way I could date this person, but I just want to sit here and look at him. That's OK, right? He was wearing a man's sort of old-fashioned shaped hat (I don't know what those're called) and a scarf and pea coat and RED TENNIS SHOES and actually looked like a young Dylan with his longer hair. Swoon. We ate in an atrium and then walked around and talked for awhile, then he kissed me goodbye ON THE CHEEK (which is fine) and asked if I'd be around this weekend. I am actually all planned up, and I said something like "Unfortunately I have lots of plans, but let me know what you're up to!" I'm so mysterious, right? But this time it's true. Also, see above re: don't want him to be my boyfriend. A corollary of that is I think if we spend too much time together, the magic will die. But anyway, squee, cute boy.

And so tonight I have dinner with Mex, who asked me ON MONDAY. If you know my love of advanced notice, especially from boys, you'll know how this made me very happy. Of course, yesterday he thought it we'd decided on yesterday so tried to plan a meet up time, and I had to remind him that we said Thursday. It's clear he just couldn't wait to see me. (Eye roll...) But we'll be going somewhere with darkened lighting and a table, as opposed to big TV screens and sitting at a bar, so I'm looking forward to it.

Plus there is a full and fun weekend coming up, with a snow bonus on Saturday, I believe. More about that tomorrow, but foodwise, here we go:
B - coffee, Smart Balance, skim milk (5)
L - roast turkey and cheddar on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - TBD, but not too heavy
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); mozz snack maybe (2)
Total - TBD
Activity - making out
Flex points remaining - 35

Delinquent and What I Ate: Tuesday & Wednesday

I was very bad and skipped yesterday, as you may have noticed. (Though probably not.) I'm sorry! I somehow was busy at work and then when I wasn't busy, I was braindead. I think it was the self-imposed task of telling you about my weekend that was daunting me. (Can we use daunting as a verb that way? I actually don't think so.)

Anywaaaay, I'm slightly perkier now, so let's get this show on the road. First of all, something's going on recently where I am always tired, usually hungry, and really hope I get sick so I can have a guilt-free sick day. I also have been making lots of social plans and am feeling stressed about that, because as I've aged, I've grown to really enjoy my alone/unplanned time, especially now that I don't have as much because I'm a regular worker again. So when I feel all booked up, even if I'm not, it makes me cranky and anxious. And that's happening today, so I may go hermit tonight, as it's my last chance for awhile...but I have to go the gym, too.

Let's talk about the weekend. On Friday I met Ax for "two beers" which I think was four or five, and then Mex came and met us and we all hung out for a bit, then Ax headed home and Mex and I decided to play a little pool before going home ourselves. So we played pool, and ran into some acquaintances at the bar we knew from around the neighborhood, Flip and Charlie. Apparently Flip was leaving to do some DJing at a couple of bars/clubs, and he talked us into going with them, as all the drinks would be free. At this point we're feeling adventurous so we all get in a cab, stop by Flip's apartment (in the projects) to get the address of the first bar, then off we go. When we get there, Flip hits up Mex for the full cab fare (after already milking us for some beers at the first place), and then inside asks me for tip money. At this point we're getting skeptical that the drinks are on the house, especially as Flip isn't even DJing, but we have fun, dance, etc. Some guys had done a body art show there earlier in the evening and I ask them to decorate me, so they "tag" my chest (above the tank top line!) because I remember how much I loved getting my face painted when I was younger. Or now, really. So it was like that...and when I upload pictures, I will show you. One of the pictures may have been a Narwhal. Then things seem to be winding down and we don't want to get hit with the tab after all those drinks were flowing, so we duck outside "for a cigarette" and take off down the street. We eventually found a cab and got home just fine, though I had to wash off the body paint before bed because it was a bit permanent and not fully dry yet. All in all, an adventurous night, but I am a little afraid of Flip. He has a temper and the uncanny ability to blame us for stuff, so this might come back to haunt us. As in, hopefully we won't get shot, but we'll see.

Saturday was a recovery day, and we stayed inside watching TV and movies, especially as it was FREEZING out. Then Sunday Mex left (I know, shut up) and I did my laundry and grocery shopping, then headed to my normal nail salon for a mani/pedi. I arrive when the lady told me she could fit me in, but she wasn't there yet, so I sat on the couch to wait. I noticed that the little room in the back has a sign on the door that says "Joseph's Spa." Creepy. Also, it appeared Joseph was sitting in the main room at one of the mani tables showing a teenage girl something on a laptop. Then the owner aka my nail lady aka Simone comes in, and starts screaming at him, "You can't be in here! Get in your room!" There was lots of yelling, and I gathered that he had signed a contract to rent/run his business out of that back room, but wasn't to be in her main room (which is understandable -- nobody wants a creepy Latino man haunting their nail place.) He wouldn't leave and was calling her crazy, so she said "Fine, I'll go in your room then!" at which point he pushed her down onto the couch and knocked the mirror off the wall and things were just very dramatic. Her 4-year-old daughter was watching this whole thing, and I asked the other worker to take her outside, but apparently she just brought her to the opposite end of the room. Nice memories for the kid. Anyway, I went outside but watched, and the older son of the owner called the cops, and then I said I was leaving and he wanted me to stay as a witness, but I decided there were 4 other people in the salon, and I didn't ask to be part of a crime scene -- I just wanted a relaxing spa treatment. So I left...and after 2-3 years, I may not go back there. I mean, come on...enough that her daughter always plays and yells and distracts everyone while they're working, but now there's violence and 911 calling? No thanks. I went to a nicer-looking place and paid $5 more, but it was worth it for the quiet (and the lady who put on my shoes and socks and zipped up my coat like an Asian Mom!)

Those were my two Irish Goodbyes in one weekend, and I realized I'm not entirely comfortable with the process. Also, I just learned that phrase recently and while I realize it's probably racist or something, I don't really see how it's negative. It just means to leave without telling anyone (or saying goodbye), usually from a party or social engagement, and I think it's funny. Except when I get all awkward about doing it.

My eating yesterday was mostly on track, though I was starving after work and had to stop at the grocery store, and so that hunger combined with a recent craving for seafood (I know, weird) and I bought a quarter pound of grocery store deli seafood salad. Doesn't that sound like the worst? But it filled the empty hole in my tummy. Also I did not go to the gym, but I Skyped with [insert London friend nickname when I think of one] for a long time and we got all caught up. Then there was the adrenaline rush of Lost...

Today's food:
B - coffee, Smart Balance, skim milk (5)
L - roast turkey and cheddar on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - roasted veg lasagne; salad with tomato, cuke and feta (7)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); mozz snack (2)
Total - 20
Activity - biking at the gym, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 35
Weight - 144/45 again. Plateau! But I haven't been as strict, either.

So tomorrow I have a lunch date with a work crush from my former job (let's call him Bruce, as he looks like a young Springsteen) and then dinner with the Mex, so it won't be the best food plan day, but it will be full of boyz...

The Mondays and What I Ate: Monday

Yay, it's that special day again! And sadly I waited to post until the afternoon, which means I am sleepy and brain dulled. That doesn't bode well...so I will probably tell you of my weekend adventures tomorrow. They include two different (and necessary) Irish Goodbyes, one before the cops came to my nail salon, and the other before Mex and I got stuck with a crazy bar tab that we did not sign up for. I also got "tagged" on my chest (above the bosom!) and then later realized the pens were sort of permanent paint, and managed to not leave the house on Saturday. Overall a good, if too quick, weekend. Though now I'm afraid to revisit a few places in Astoria.

How were your weekends, pets? I want to hear.

Foodwise, I didn't do very well. Friday night I had lots of beer but only a few bites of a Cobb salad for dinner, then leftover sausage & potatoes at 4 am. Saturday I shared Indian takeout (so at least didn't gorge) and then for dinner, Greek salad and half of a Chicken Parm hero. Sunday breakfast was one fried egg and the rest of the sausage and potatoes, which were at this point, mostly potatoes, and then I ate leftover Chana Saag (spinach and chickpeas) with rice, then I made bruschetta for dinner which was AMAZING but had quite a bit of mozz. Naughty me, but it was all so good, and I didn't feel fat this morning, plus my pants fit loosely. So this is life.

In the small things that make me happy category, I had ordered six soy jar candles online last week from a lovely woman on Etsy, and they arrived today. I ended up paying about $9 each (including shipping) but they're 10 oz and should last awhile, since they're soy. AND one scent is "First Snow." It's still winter so I can burn holiday-ish scents, right? Also, Mex brought me back a jar candle from Baltimore last week, so I am stocked up again on good smelly things, which bring me much joy. (I like how his idea of a souvenir isn't a cheap keychain, like mine, but something nicer. I think that's good, though it's not really a souvenir, since it was made in Brooklyn.)

And the Grammys were fun to watch last night, if alternately frustrating/amazing. (I yelled at the TV a lot.) I won my bet for best single, but lost for best album, as Gaga was robbed. Also, Taylor Swift is adorable, but singing off key with Stevie Nicks (my namesake) might turn me against her permanently.

Today's special:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - roast turkey and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple(5)
D - Chana Saag with Basmati Rice, salad with tomato, cuke and feta (9-10)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); mozz snack (2)
Total - 21/22
Activity - biking at the gym, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - Let's just pretend these don't exist...since I rarely have any remaining.

More tomorrow, and maybe pictures of my chest tagging...unless they're too creepy.