All about food

I just got back from a marathon grocery trip, which is what happens when you never go to the store. Since it was 9pm they were rolling out flats of plastic wrapped boxes, stacking them high in front of the aisles, preparing to restock. On the plus side, it wasn't crowded.

For fourth of July I'm busting out my Best International Recipes cookbook and cooking a variety of Mexican dishes. Drunken beans, Mexican rice, street corn, guacamole, and two kinds of enchiladas, chicken and pork. Also a cheese dip thing with a poblano chili, once I find a poblano chili. That was the only un-success of my trip. The kitchen is full of onions, avocadoes, garlic, cilantro, and corn. It's almost like I know how to cook or something.

I'm also making margaritas and a pineapple/orange cake. Mmmm.

I should be sleeping; I have a 6am call tomorrow. Except I've chosen to watch House Hunters International instead. It's fun to dream.

My life these days is pretty much about work. Sometimes I read on the way to work. I went to happy hour last week with C Ro, which was a nice change. No news on the house.

Editing photos and a new motorcycle

I spent the morning editing photos of my two-year-old niece. I'd set some photo time aside for this weekend so that was a good use of it. If MommaJen is reading, 24 prints are being drop-shipped from the photo lab to you early this week. They turned out awesome, if I say so myself. :)

About 2pm yesterday Jer and I rented an F150 from U-Haul and drove out to Bellevue. We met Jer's co-worker at his condo and took possession of a Yamaha Virago XV535, which we promptly dropped off at Seattle Cycle Center. It's been sitting for awhile and doesn't start at the moment.

If they can get it working -- and after he takes a class in motorcycle handling -- Jer is planning to start commuting by motorcycle. He's trying to get me to take the class too and I am considering taking the scooter version. I gotta admit though, it makes me a little nervous.

window into my life

Strangest thing I said in a meeting today: "Your hydroponics can suck ass."

For the record I am not against hydroponics. I am against a certain book about agile methodology that fills me with anger, and the cover image involves a branch in a glass of water.

I feel as if the book was written by someone recording the exact same process problems I am experiencing without offering any real solutions. Great. I could just read my notes instead. Also the tone of the book is very developer-centric, which is my nice way of saying it is anti-what I do.

I'm not a fan of discussing work here, but if you have any suggestions on agile or XP books -- especially ones that talk about the process of improving legacy code PLEASE let me know.

Hydroponics is killing me.

machinery versus millinery

My messed up brain felt guilty about taking the 8:10am water taxi to work... until I remembered I worked 11 hours yesterday (and in the end today). So rolling in a little "late" wasn't a problem.

Yo. I wear so many hats I should open a millinery.

In other news Jer is likely getting a motorcycle. It doesn't technically "start" yet but that's what mechanics are for. Am I right or am I right or am I...

Monday update

I'm feeling a bit better today. Every so often my mood takes a dive, that's all I can say.

Our lunch with the seller went well. He cooked us pasta with a pine nut, garlic, and olive oil sauce. I brought asiago pesto bread from Great Harvest Bread Company, which was gooey and fantastic. I also made brownies, er, employed my super box mix skills.

Someday I'll have a reason to cook again. I dragged out a few cookbooks and set them next to me. Something about artichokes and goat cheese and chicken. I don't know. In reality I microwaved some frozen chicken enchiladas and stuffed my face with a handful of Flaming Hot Cheetos.

The sun is glinting orange on the black Bank of America tower. The horizon is peachy pink. I will miss this view.

Being unreasonable

I've been avoiding kvetching about my first world problems. These include: being out of my comfort zone, a lack of guidance, and a general sense of feeling sorry for myself. You'll note that none of these problems involve not having shelter, food, or clean water to drink.

You'll note that won't you?

So all this awesome stuff is happening. We're buying a house. My job challenges me -- sometimes more than I'd like. And my retirement funds aren't looking so flimsy now that I have a 401(k) again. We're all reasonably healthy.

I slept for 12 hours on Tuesday night. 6:30pm to 6:30am. And I was still tired when I finally got up. This is representative of my week.

It probably shouldn't be a surprise. When I get stressed, I get sleepy. (Where's the evolutionary imperative in that?) And buying a house is one of those high stress situations everyone tells you about... except there isn't anything tangible to be stressed about. We've been saving for 9 years, 5 of them steadily. I've been reading books on the subject for three years, web sites for just as long. I'm mentally prepared! Or maybe not. I think it's the 30 year mortgage that's doing me in. I have to keep doing what I'm doing for 30. More. Years. I'm not sure I can -- oh look GRANITE COUNTERTOPS.

The seller is cooking us lunch at the house today. That's a little weird, isn't it? He's preparing pasta; I'm bringing brownies. After lunch we'll wander through the house so we can pick out stuff we want since he's going somewhere furnished. I may secretly scrape some popcorn off the ceiling so I can have it tested for asbestos. Or not so secretly. I haven't decided how important it is for me to have it removed. I'd rather replace the siding, and put new tile in the downstairs bathroom, and build a pantry out of the closet. Oh I have plans.

Anyway. To make myself feel better I just bought two sets of towels on sale from SmartBargains.com. They're a bamboo/cotton blend. Very soft.

I don't want to be too controversial, but I am pro-bamboo. There. It is out in the open.

For some reason it doesn't help my mood that the house I loved first and mentioned here went back on the market and is now listed for 15k less than before. I love the house we're buying more, so it's all very unreasonable to be affected by it.

Stay on target, Christy. Closing is only a month away.

Sunless Sunday

I've stumbled onto "Sky High," which is apparently about superheroes in high school. One kid is throwing balls of fire at another kid. That does not seem at all safe.

Hey. Wonder Woman just walked onscreen, after Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald and Bruce Campbell. Maybe this movie isn't so bad.

And... that's enough of live blogging the movie I randomly turned to after overdosing on HGTV.

An important follow-up to the last entry: I just ate a slice of chocolate peanut butter pie and it was good. Thank you for everyone who believed.

This weekend went fast. We met some new friends Friday night for a great dinner, hence the pie, and then I spent Saturday hungover on account of consuming massive amounts of vodka, tequila, and two kinds of wine. My life, she is glamorous. Also slightly concerning. And maybe too honest.

Patience

I just made a pie. It's chocolate and peanut butter. 3 1/2 more hours before I can eat it.

I would very much like to eat it.

When I obsess, I obsess

Look at me. Addicted to HGTV. I keep a laptop on the coffee table in front of the TV, and as I watch I search for keywords like "Hardiplank," "fiber cement siding," "waterproofing crawl space."

I am so ready to get on with the next phase. Well, skipping the packing and transport of boxes phase, I am ready for the living in a house phase.

I'll miss this view, fer sure. The sun is out today, no jackets needed, beautiful blue water and sky. I do get a kick out of eavesdropping on certain conversations on the water taxi. They point out the complex I live in and wonder aloud how expensive it must be to live there. At least once a week I hear someone say that and every time I smile to myself and think, not so expensive. You just have to be willing to rent.

I'm not rubbing it in. I'm just pointing out that what you think is beyond your reach might be completely reachable. Don't talk yourselves out of it, strangers on the boat.

Playing tourist

Over the weekend we showed off Seattle to our lovely sister and brother-in-law and their adorable daughter. Fremont Troll, Gasworks Park, Snoqualmie Falls, um, Underground Tour, Children's Museum at Seattle Center, Pegasus Pizza, Museum of Flight, and... more things I can't remember. It was a lot of fun.

I don't have much else to report. Still moving forward with the house. Should probably go grocery shopping and maybe do some laundry. Happy Monday.

Epiphany of the day

It is probably not healthy to watch this much HGTV.