Boss-STONE

Hello lovers.  What a weekend!  Boston was just amazing, and very tempting at that.  As in, it tempts me to live there.

Friday I left work at 11 to meet Schmate to catch the 42^nd Street Crosstown bus, then into the bowels of the Port Authority to find Schmillie and catch our noon Peter Pan to Bean Town.  The bus ride was uneventful, minus some amusing accidental racist crossword puzzle answers, a long discussion of whether the name Kerry is pronounced differently than Carrie (apparently I’m the only one who thinks they’re the same), and an a scare at the Roy Rogers/Mobil stop where we thought we were getting left behind.  Then smoothly into Boston, where Schmauren picked us up at South Station and we went back to her roomy and lovely abode for a delicious spread of cheese, bread, dippy things, grapes, etc.  Yum.  After some relaxing and enjoying my first pumpkin ale of the season, we headed out in Cambridge to Shay’s Pub.  We scored a nice-sized table on the patio and proceeded to drink our faces off.  I was sampling a local New England brew called Narragansett, which I quickly dubbed “Nancy,” and began asking the curt waitress for “Another Nancy, please!”  Oh, I am all class.  Schmillie’s college gay was there, and Schmauren had a friend meet up, and then one of my softball friends came out as he was in town for a softball game.  It was a grand old time.

Mind, I was protesting loudly before my softball friend Spike showed up, insisting there was no romantic interest there.  My friends were skeptical of that, as they should be whenever I have a male friend, but he’s got quite his own drama after getting married, having an affair that was discovered, and now being divorced and dating the girl he cheated on his wife with.  (We were softball friends so I didn’t feel the need to break up our buddy-ship based on this.)  Also, I don’t find him attractive.  Of course, he proceeds to text me after we girls returned to Schmauren’s that he wanted to ask me back to his hotel room…  Nice.  I ignored it, but WHAT IS WITH these married men?  Or married/divorced with girlfriend men?  I’m trying not to be pessimistic about the whole gender, but REALLY?!

Anyway, after the lovely night out, we stop in the big grocery store Shaw’s to stock up on late-night snax, and in addition to two frozen pizzas, grab a very large bag of peanut butter M&M’s.  That bag was like the fifth Muncher this weekend, I tell you what.  Also, I may have been overly friendly with the cashier and freaked her out, but whatever, I like to relate.  I’m a people person, especially when I’m drunk.  So snax, silliness, then bedtime.

Saturday we woke up to a gorgeous day and yummy bagels that Schmate and Lauren went out to get.  Then we all four set off to rent very affordable bikes, and off we rode!  We probably rode around 15 miles (would you say?), and all over the town.  It was a great tour, especially of Schmate’s alma mater and the other college campuses in the area, and so relaxing to see the river and ride on some of the side streets with big old houses.  We eventually stopped for a late lunch of Mexican joy, then home for rest and shower time.  At night we sat on the back deck of Deep Ellum with Schmauren’s like-minded, beer-loving friends, and enjoyed the dusk and the company.  I also enjoyed the chicken & apple wurst, with sweet potatoes and beets!  It was almost my perfect combination.

We were all tired early, so took a cab home around 10 to snuggle into pj’s, pass the pb M&M’s, and watch another round of Aziz Ansari’s stand up.  (“Raaaaaaandy!”) 

Sunday it was up bright and early for Mama Schmauren to drop us off at South Station and get on our 10 am bus.  The ride was as quick as it could be, and I do love being back in time to have Sunday evening to decompress.  I caught up on my Netflix (Mad Men and Cougartown!), ordered Chinese, and got mentally ready for another work week.  All in all, I loved getting back up to Boston, and this time with my dearest friends to make some new memories (to replace the ones from last time, when I went with Mex.)  It’s such an approachable city, full of cute boys and smaht kids.  I would really like to live there someday, though I don’t think that day will be too soon.  I’m not quite ready, but it’s nice to think about.  And a big thanks to Schmauren for being an impeccable and generous hostess!  You know how to treat us right.

I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore

As in, I just can't work anymore today.  I am worked out.

So, last night was our first (and last) softball playoff game of the season.  It was a fun game, and went into extra innings, but as we were the away team, we didn't have last at-bats so when they scored 3 to top our 2, it was dunzo.  Still, it was exciting and a good way to go out, I think.  And also the air was thick and soupy, and I realized that I'm not so sad about softball being over with, though I enjoyed this season more than I thought I would.  But now I have more free time, that just may translate into gym time.  You know, we'll see what happens.

Tonight is Veggie Pick-up (and it's a fruit week, I think!  I love the bi-weekly fruit pickups!  I'm so bi.)  Then it's home for inventive cooking, laundry (maybe), and my upstairs lady neighbor invited me up to join her and friends for potluck and a movie...but I think she's kind of weird and I want to skip it.  I'll see how the guests seem when they show up by looking out my peephole.  Good idea, right?  I think she is weird because:
1.  She is dating and has moved in with my landlord, a diminuitive Latino with anger problems who likes ballroom dancing and shortie shorts.  He is also much older than she seems, as she is probably my age, but you know the appeal of a man with property...
2.  I saw her wearing the same professional outfit (ugly printed skirt, ugly pastel shell top) two days in a row to work this week.  Why?  It's certainly not a uniform.
3.  That's mostly it -- she's usually nice, but I don't want to be buddies.

Also, I've been so tired this week that I may want to go to bed at 8 pm.  It's true, I'm on my way to becoming a shut-in.

In other fun news, Schmillie and I planned a trip to visit Schmauren in Boston in two weeks!  I can't wait!  I even am leaving work early on a Friday (like everyone else in the world) so we can beat the traffic. 

Before Diabetes went on vacation, at some point when we were talking in his office he showed me how a shelf on his bookcase was "broken."  I just pointed out that one of the pegs (that holds it up from underneath) was in the wrong slot (so dirty) but he didn't want to fuss with it, so I said that I'd fix it at some point.  I realize this was very butch of me, but I can't help it!  I like to fix things.  So I just fixed it now and put a Post-It on the shelf that says "Voila!" with a smiley face and "-S."  I'm so lame with my romantic overtures, but I've accepted this.  Also, the only co-worker who knows we have a flirtation (the paralegal girl in my office) is encouraging me to text him and ask how his vaca is going.  She says that he clearly wanted to hear from me as he gave me his number.  I feel like a character in a romantic comedy -- the one who makes all the wrong assumptions, actually.  But I'm considering it, too.  Advice?

Stormy Weather

So it's yet another softball game day with another storm in the forecast!  This one sounds promising though...1 inch of rain?  And it's already cool and cloudy?  I could use a normal night tonight, one in which I stock up on some groceries, hit the gym, and get to bed early. 

Monday night I met Schmauren for drinks at Sweet Afton to discuss her impending (devastating) move to Boston in a few weeks.  I mean, I am very happy and excited for her, so it was good to hear about her plans and possibilities.  Then we were joined by her roomie Schmarie and friend Schmess (haaa).  And the very cute bartender named Matt (or "Tom" as Schmarie and Schmauren decided to call him) gave us whiskey shots with a pickle(juice) back, which was the weirdest thing I've ever put in my mouth, and that is saying something.  The place is a gastropub and feature local pickles on the menu, so the juice was really spicy and briny and strange, but hey, it took away the whiskey aftertaste, that's for sure.  There was some texting with the Drummer, which contained some very awkward flirting coached on by Schmauren.  (Sidenote:  I still think he was just being mean!)  Then we met some Astoria fireman (who are mostly all from Long Island) and mingled with the very guido-esque group.  I talked to one of them the most and gave him my phone number at the end of the evening -- he wants to take me bike riding!  How sweet and not fitting with my stereotype!  Of course, as he drove away, past us walking on the sidewalk, he called out the window "Goodnight Samantha!...I mean Stevie!" so that wasn't so great...but it was funny.  He called last night (during Glee, so no, I did not answer) and left a nice voicemail, so I think I'll call him back tonight.  I mean, while I'm not sure I could imagine going on a date with him, why not see what happens?  It's a new type for me...sorta.  It's my rebound type, I think.  Here's my new bumper sticker:  Feeling blue?  Try blue collar!

Yeah, I'm a snob, but you probably already knew that about me, so I'm not worried.

Anyway, I'm learning that I can meet men and socialize, so obviously the next step is meeting men I connect with, yes?  In time, my friends.  Last night I was pretty beat after staying out on Monday till midnight (not late normally, but on a MONDAY?) so I went home from work and Skyped with Britch for nearly 3 hours, which was amazing and much-needed, and then made supper and watched Glee with the roomie.  It was very restorative, except for the part where I made a mess of everything I touched.  As in, the fish I was baking somehow dripped on the bottom of the oven, despite my aggressive foil-lining of the pan, then the smoke set off the very sensitive detector, and I'd tried to shower while the fish was baking so I was naked, fresh out of the shower, fanning a dishtowel in front of the kitchen smoke detector to shut it up.  I couldn't pull over a chair to stand on to reach it and press the button since the dining room chairs are all blocked by the big AC on the floor, waiting to go into roomie's room.  Then I accidentally threw couscous around while trying to stir, then I spilled the garbage while trying to tie the bag, etc.  I was a mess and I don't know why...maybe it's hormones.  I finally quit and went to bed.

So today I was bad again and didn't pack a lunch, as I didn't have any lunchmeat.  (TWSS.)  I will probably buy some low-cal soup since I did a salad yesterday, but that doesn't make today's plan very interesting.  Dinner will be chimichurri mahi-mahi and couscous, though -- leftovers from yesterday that hopefully I don't dump on the floor.  And I need to weigh in again, though I'm a little uncertain this week.  I should try in the morning, though.  And that's the haps, folks.

The Green Monster Recap and What I Ate

 Happy belated Easter, little bunnies!  How were your sunny weekends?

I had an amazing time in Boston!  Mex's family were all warm and welcoming and generous, and I was very comfortable around them.  It was a great mini-break, and I felt truly relaxed and rejuvenated after the visit.  Here are the highlights.

Thursday:  Traffic in Connecticut due to a car accident.  Arrive in Boston around 11:15 pm, Mex picks me up at the bus/train station, we head back to the house for dinner leftovers they'd set aside for me, then the comfy bed.

This artwork hung in both Mex's dad's house and his mom's apartment.  I only found on on Sunday, due to his mom's adorable bragging, that Mex drew this in 2nd grade and it was chosen to be part of a Boston Globe ad campaign.  (He also won the all-Boston science fair in 7th grade, and played the wooden recorder and the saxophone quite well.  He hadn't previously admitted that recorder part.)

Friday:  Up mid-morning for a healthy oatmeal breakfast, then bike ride with Mex's dad R and his long-term, live-in girlfriend C.  So much beautiful nature, then a tour of some Victorian houses in the neighborhood (of West Roxbury), then we stop at a sandwich place for lunch.  Mex's sister, her husband, and their one-year-old baby meet up with us for lunch around a picnic table.  Then we ride back home for a nap and shower (so my sunburn can develop), then out for dinner with Mex's old friend V.  After dinner it's back to V's apartment for Wii and quarters, and bonding over dessert.

Part of the decor at Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, our Friday night restaurant of choice.  The animals occasionally spoke and told jokes.  It was amazing.

Saturday:  Up late again only to hear a brunch invitation shouted upstairs by R & C.  We head to a diner where I finally satisfy my weeks-long craving for French toast.  Then Mex & I drive into the downtown area for free parking (at his mom's work) and then walking on the very-crowded Newbury Street, through Boston Common and other wandering areas, then back to the car along the scenic river.  Sweaty and tired, we take a short driving tour around Cambridge and Harvard, then head back to the house to put on sweats, open a few cold beers, enjoy the grilled hamburgers and hot dogs (courtesy of R), and settle in for some basketball.  It was a homey night all together in the living room (with the two cats, too), then a reasonable bedtime.

Walking along the scenic (and very blue) Charles River.

Sunday:  After a long and frustrating search on Saturday afternoon for a Protestant Easter service nearby that would be done in time for brunch, we arose early and made our way to St. Paul's Episcopal in Brookline.

St. Paul's Episcopal in Brookline, MA

It was everything I'd wanted out of a church service, as it was very celebratory, in a beautiful sanctuary, and we got to all sing the Hallelujah Chorus at the end.  (Oh, and it was the first time I saw a transgender mother with a nuclear family in a church.  It was Mom, Dad to Mom, and two kids.  And they fit right in, which was great.)  The 9:00 service ended around 10, so we drove to Beacon Street in Brookline for me to pick out some lilies for Mex's mom, then to her lovely apartment for brunch.  Mex's aunt and uncle were there, too, and we all sat around talking for awhile, then they took off, which left us some better bonding time with just his mother.  She is very smart and a bit more reserved than his father, but we bonded over our love of the same reality TV shows (Top Chef, Project Runway, and the guiltily enjoyed Real Housewives) and she was quite lovely.  She also spoke of getting me to a Red Sox game (as she has season tickets) and about when she'll see me in New York in June.  Then it was quickly time for Mex to drive me back to the bus depot, but I was so sad to go.  I wanted to stay and nap and then maybe live there forever.  I had an uneventful bus ride back to the city, and he was off to the Red Sox season opener with his dear mom.

I ate well, I was active, and I was/am very happy.  It was a big step in the relationship, and a wonderful one, and I feel a bit lost this week without something to fret over.  But that's a very good feeling.

Today's eats:

B - TJ's Honey O's, coffee, milk - 4

L - Chick & Swiss sammy, yogurt - 5

D - Chicken meatloaf, salad with feta and dressing - 5.5

S - two small tangerines, TJ's Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup, granny bar - 5 (And let's be honest, probably some Easter cookies because my roommate made tons and they're just sitting there, taunting me.)

Total - 19.5

Activity - Walking home, weather permitting

Doesn't Seem Like a Maundy Thursday and What I Ate

For those of you who love Jesus and/or are taking off tomorrow to give yourself a long weekend (I qualify for at least one of those), happy almost-done-with-work!  I've spent my afternoon cleaning up my desk, scheduling my upcoming snacks, and listening to Jared Leto's Bad Romance over and over, with some minor breaks to listen to The National song that Schmauren posted on my FB account.  (It talks about Ohio and is awesome...so I'll share it with you!)



So last night I was a machine, and while you may think it's crazy that I take so long to get ready for a weekend trip, I've decided that I feel most relaxed after I've micromanaged everything I possibly can.  To wit:  I got home from work, tried on three pairs of jeans to make sure I was taking the proper two (one on my body today), tried on work outfits for today, laid out all clothes on my bed, then winnowed down my travel toiletry selection, all the while charging my iPod, cell, and camera batteries.  I finally managed to pack the puzzle all together (including a pair of boots and a hairdryer, which are hard shapes to fit into a rectangular, oversized shoulder tote.)  Then it was supper time, with Lost and ANTM.  Mex called around then once his bus got in (yes, he beat me by about 24 hours), and I asked all my plannery questions (Is there anything specific I'll need?  Any plans that I should be prepared for?  Will we be walking a lot like tourists?  Did you bring flip flops?) and he responded with the verbal equivalent of a grunt and a shrug.  Then I painted my nails (and I got a compliment from a stranger on the subway this morning on my polish color*!) and then bathed, shaved, showered, masked my face, tweezed, waxed, called my mom, and got in bed to watch the end of Man vs. Food, then sleep.  Whew.

*Polish color is Metro Chic, though it looks grayer on my nails than in this pic, by OPI for Sephora:

Food for today:
B - Special K, coffee, milk - 4
L - sammy, 3 tiny tangerines - 4/5
D - sandwich or wrap, chips (en route) - ?
S - butternut squash soup, fat free honey greek yogurt - 4
Activity - fretting, keeping my balance on bus while trying to get to the bathroom for nervous peeing

I know I'm over in points, but it's the easiest dinner to bring with me, and I don't care too much.  All of my other choices have been ok and I didn't want to get hungry in traffic on the highway.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter with your friends and/or family, and I look forward to reporting back on all the weird details of someone else's kin.  And his childhood bedroom, which I plan on investigating.  Boston, here I come!

Beer and Bacon and What I Ate (that May Kill Me)

Well, I guess that's a bit of foreshadowing, idn't it? 

Another gloomy spring day, but the best part about this week is that it's gradually going to get sunnier and warmer as we approach (and into) the weekend!  I'll gladly take a rainy Tuesday for that.  So last night after choosing way too many library books and lugging them home, then eating, I actually did begin packing for Boston.  I said so yesterday as a joke (and if you know me, maybe not so much of a joke) and then was getting stressed about it last night so I laid out some clothes.  I also realized I am sick of all of my clothes, but oh well.  I needed to start because tonight I have plans (more on this soon) and then tomorrow night I need to pack AND buy some host/hostess gifts (thanks for the advice on that one, BY THE WAY), AND do my nails, AND it was overwhelming me.  So now I'm slightly less overwhelmed...though not looking forward to lugging a hairdryer and 3 pairs of shoes in my weekend bag.  Dang you, packing for every occasion.

So tonight, tonight, the world is full of light, etc.  Tonight is the Beer & Bacon Tasting at Rest-au-Rant in Astoria, which is one of my favorite local date spots, though tonight my date is with about 13 friends and their friends.  Yes, smokehouse beer and bacon and cheese may not put me in fighting form for a trip to Boston, but I'll have two days to recover and this seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, doesn't it?  I do plan on pacing myself (as opposed to gorging) and also leaving at a reasonable hour, to promote self-control and so I can watch Lost tonight when I get home.  (I mustn't let anyone spoil it for me tomorrow before I've seen it!) 

Illustrative clip art courtesy of Schmauren:

Mex still hasn't gone up North yet himself, as he's trying to finish grading his kids' midterms before he leaves, though his plan is either to take the ark today or first thing in the morning tomorrow.  He said at this point he's considering just going up with me, but I'm encouraging him to get there sooner so that he can have a longer "vacation" and so that he'll feel adjusted before I arrive.  And he said that way he can pick me up at the bus stop.  I realize this is insane woman talk, but even him saying that he was thinking of riding up with me gave me that "Oh, so he does want to spend time with me!" feeling.  I know that I know he does, but it was one of those small things that made me realize that oh yeah, he likes me, and his purpose in life is not to mess up and hurt me.  (I'm overstating the case, but do you know what I mean?  I have been more defensive than usual lately and I'm now beginning to relax into this again.  Knock on wood.)

Anyway, FOOD:

B - Special K, coffee, milk - 4

L - Turkey & Swiss, apple - 5

2nd L - the bomb butternut squash soup - 2

D - fat, grease, alcohol - ???

S - granola bar if needed - 2

Activity - attempting self-control

Cowboy Casanova is Really Catchy and What I Ate

Welcome to another gloomy Monday.  The good news is that my Pandora station ("Stephanie at Work") slipped into a major country mood for a few songs, and I am beginning to really enjoy Carrie Underwood.  (Well, is that good news?)  We're back to Paul Simon now, so don't panic.  The other good news is that quite a few work folks are away on vacation this week and it's very quiet here, ESPECIALLY because the well-intentioned-but-highly-irritating older gentleman bookkeeper is away ALL WEEK.  Ahh, peace and quiet.  He just doesn't stop talking and/or telling me things I already know, which is my worst pet peeve.

How were our weekends?  Mine was great, though I wasn't as well-behaved as I'd intended.  Friday night started out quietly with Chinese food (chicken & broc, don't worry) and tv on the couch, only to hear from Mex later on with an invite to meet up for pool.  I can't resist some pool, so we headed out for a late but fun night.  Saturday Schmate came to pick me up and we headed out to discover the Trader Joe's in Queens -- and once we got there, it was amazing!  I realize I'm way behind the times with this, but I don't usually shop at TJ's, since the one in Union Square is just way too packed for my taste, and the other times I've been inside one, it's been while traveling (like on a weekend trip to Boston), and so I couldn't exactly stock up.  That said, my new goal (other than living in a bit more suburban of a place than I do now, and having a car) is living somewhere where I can regularly shop at TJ's.  And Schmate and I were up to our old tricks, having fun and yelling out in appropriate things.  At one point, surveying my jars and jars of goodies, I exclaimed, "Man, it's like I'm shopping for the Holocaust!"  Only to immediately realize I meant "apocalypse," and stare at Schmate in horror.  Something tells me had we been on the UWS, I may have been ejected from the premises.  Later Schmate made a similar crack about autism, so really, we were in fine form.  We came back to Astoria and then ambled over to Schmauren's apartment for DELICIOUS dinner, with cheese & bread appetizer, then amazing steamed mussels and broiled shrimp on rosemary skewers and green bean salad.  Yummm.  We ended with ice cream and cookies, and it was just a fantastic day and evening.  I went back home and then met up with Mex for more pool, however, as I am a glutton for punishment.  (Really, I just want to win so bad that I keep playing until I'm ahead, which is sort of rare.)  Then home latish again, and a pretty bleary Sunday morning.  He left to get some work done so I indulged myself and laid around watching tv and movies in bed.  Have you seen the new Jamie Oliver show?  I know it's sort of overproduced or gimmicky, but I can't help it, I love him and the show made me cry and rage.  So it's good.  Finally I got up the energy to work on my freelance book proposal project, then headed to bed at a reasonable hour.  It was a great weekend but after cutting back on the drinking for awhile, I did go out and spend more than I should've.  I also smoked, but I'm back on the wagon, don't worry. 

I've been fighting hunger in the late afternoon with my current food plan, and Schmauren made a good suggestion to eat two lunches, sort of--i.e. to have a bigger snack in the afternoon, and I think I can swing it.  I bought some great soups at TJ's that I can keep at work, and there's four cups in each box, so I'll just have one cup each afternoon instead of yogurt.  And then maybe move the yogurt to dessert at night, since we do need those active cultures!  We'll see if this arrangement tides me over.

Food today:
B - Special K, coffee, milk - 4
L - turkey & swiss, apple - 5
2nd L - Butternut Squash soup - 2
D - chick meatloaf, salad with feta - 5.5
S - granola bar, yogurt - 3
Total - 19.5
Activity - walking to library and back to return books

Yeah, I just haven't been able to make myself hit the gym lately, since when it's nice I want to be outside, and when it's rainy I don't want to do anything.  I guess I may be motivated after walking to the library, but we'll see how it goes.

And it's time begin the countdown to Boston!  Whoo!  Maybe I will begin packing tonight -- I'm concerned about a) what to bring and b) how to pack lightly.  :)  Oh that reminds me, what do we think is a good hostess gift for Mex's dad?  He has a live-in girlfriend, and he likes to cook, he's a high school English teacher, and he has a house.  So rather than flowers (which seem more mom-appropriate), I was thinking of like a fancy vinegar or something cook-ish like that that would travel well.  Is that too weird?  I'm very open to suggestions!  Shoot, had I planned ahead, I could've asked one of my Harper friends for a copy of The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate!  Wait, I may have one at home...is that better?