Sunday, July 30, 2006

Pet Peeve: Skinny Women Who Think They're Fat

For years people have made jokes of the dreaded question no one wants to hear from a woman: "do I look fat in this?" I have a few friends (most of whom I don't see that often these days since I'm out of the school scene) who are obsessed with their weight. Their weight can fall around 110, 115, 120, or 125, and they always say the same thing, "I'm so fat." Usually they say it in a squeaky, whiny, babyish kind of voice. Are they fat? Certainly not. Do they actually think they are fat? Maybe in their minds they think they are. I think there might be something more to it. The squeaky, whiny, baby voice tells me that they are just looking for attention. They want someone to flatter them. They want someone to say, "oh, no, you are not fat at all, you're absolutely beautiful." Every woman loves to hear someone say that she is beautiful, but, in my opinion, the phrase "you're beautiful" loses its meaning when someone tries to force it out of you. It should just happen. It should be spontaneous and it should be meaningful. The irony is that these women who think they are fat are also the ones who try to project an image of independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. In my opinion, they fall short of all of those three things. As far as I know, a truly confident woman doesn't need to ask these questions. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful woman--one who loves herself, who is proud of herself, and who is comfortable with the way she looks. I'm far more attracted to this kind of woman rather than the one who is trying to be cute with the squeaky baby voice. It might be mean, but the next time one of these friends says that she is fat, I really want to just say, "you know, you do look much fatter than the last time I saw you..."

Current music: Tori Amos

Friday, July 28, 2006

Pet Peeve: Grammar Issues

While watching some TV before work I surfed to a channel where a woman was speaking. "The best thing about John and I's relationship is our ability to communicate." I guess grammar isn't part of the communication. I'll admit, I have my own little idiosyncrasies when I speak or write. Everyone does. But there are just a few things that really get under my skin. The word "I's" uttered by the woman is one of those things that drives me crazy. "I's" with an apostrophe+s is not the right way to form the possessive of I. We have happy little things called possessive pronouns that can do the job just fine. Let's review the possessive pronouns: my, your, his, her, our, their. Good! Notice I wrote their not they're! Would you dare say, "the best thing about we's relationship"? I doubt it. Nope, you would say, "the best thing about our relationship." Want another grammar pet peeve? How about, "there was a great discussion between Jack and I." Sorry, kids, it might sound fancy and "educated," but, really, it isn't. It's wrong. The preposition "between" requires an objective case not a nominative case. Would you say, "just between we" or "just between us"? I think you would say "between us" because "between we" just sounds lame. Do people even know what a case is these days?

Sigh. It's sad. What is even more frustrating is when you hear the educated, the powerful, and the famous saying these things. Because these people speak this way, the rest of the world assumes that it's right. But in this high-tech world of television, computers, instant messages, and, yes, even blogs, little phrases like these spread like wildfire. What can we do? Who knows? Maybe we should actually try to teach grammar in schools. Personally, I think that we should bring back mandatory Latin (or ancient Greek) classes in our elementary, middle, and high schools. When you are forced to look at a highly intricate and structured grammar, you will really begin to learn and understand grammar.

Current mood: aggravated and amused

Thursday, July 27, 2006

The Virtues of Grey Goose Vodka

I'll admit that I buy several different brands of the same type of liquor. Let's call them grades. I might buy three different kinds of Merlot, and each has a different price and a different quality. The same rule applies with all of the alcohol I buy. I might have my "regular" vodka, but I also have a quality vodka. I've had an unopened bottle of Grey Goose sitting in my little liquor cabinet for months now, and, because I ran out of my "regular" vodka, I decided to open the Grey Goose. I've made Peach Martinis for myself many times, but tonight's Peach Martini tasted especially good. Maybe it was because I chilled the glass for an hour before making the drink. Maybe it was because I put the right amount of ice in the shaker. Maybe it was because I poured the right measurements. Maybe it was because I shook (not stirred) it just the right amount of time. Maybe all of these things come into play, but I think the Grey Goose had something to do with it.

So why do I even bother buying several versions of the same things? Well, it's all a matter of situation and money. If I'm at home alone and I want a glass of wine or two, I don't really need to open the $20-$30 bottle of wine. A $10 bottle will just do fine. And when you are drinking cocktails, the ingredients can get quite expensive so you have to make you sacrifices and err on the side of price over quality. So, why do I buy the expensive things? Well, in general I tend to save the high quality and more expensive stuff for my "special guests" who are visiting me. The special ladies get the special drinks. Some people might say that that makes me shallow, but say what you will. Put simply the depth of my love determines the extent of my sacrifice. With me there is a difference between having a friend and being in love. But that is another blog...

Current drink: Peach Martini
Current mood: relaxed
Current music: Beth Waters "Blue and White"

Pet Peeve

I'll admit it. I love fonts. I love a variety of fonts. I play with them in Word documents when I'm writing something that is not related to work. And, since I've been expanding my "typesetting" skills by dabbling with InDesign, I've really been playing with fonts. I do have one major pet peeve, though. I really don't like it when people try to use the Greek sigma for the letter E. I know that the uppercase sigma looks really cool and ancient and classical and all that, but it's just plain wrong. Take the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" for example. Cute movie, but it annoyed me because I kept reading "My Big Fat Grssk Wedding." Maybe I'm extra sensitive after reading ancient Greek for nearly ten years. The moral of the story, people, is please don't do this. It's lame and it's annoying. And it frustrates the small portion of the population who read ancient Greek.

Current music: Tori Amos "A Sorta Fairytale"

Current drink: just water. It's too hot for alcohol right now. I'll have to wait until it cools off later tonight.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

I Hate the Human Race

The only thing I hate more than bad drivers on the roads are bad shopping cart drivers in the grocery store. Honestly, people, is it that difficult to be considerate. Do you have to leave your shopping cart in the middle of the aisle while you walk up and down the aisle browsing at the food? The shopping carts I really hate are the SUV shopping carts for parents and their five kids. Those carts are just plain dangerous! And, do you have to leave your cart at the checkout stand while you run throughout the store to get some last minute dozen items? Not to mention the fact that those extra items push you over the limit in the "express" lane. What I hate most is when people are on their cell phones while trying to drive their carts through the store. No, that's okay, really, you were on your cell, I'm sure you didn't see me standing here and accidentally and unfortunately crash your cart into my leg, don't worry, it is only bleeding a little, I'm sure my insurance will pay for a severed Achilles tendon, I won't keep you from your conversation, I'm sure it's costing you minutes. IDIOTS!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Why Can't People Drive These Days?

The other day a friend and I were talking about how bad people seem to be driving these days. We wonder what the problem is. Maybe the heat and hot sun are melting the normal brain functions. A few days ago when I was leaving my apartment to go to work, I was pulling out of my street and getting ready to turn on another street when a woman came zipping around the corner to pull into my street. Had I been a foot to the left or pulled out a foot more, she would have hit me head on. That's how tight she cut the corner. But here is the picture. Between her left shoulder and her left ear she was attempting to hold up a cell phone. All at the same time she was holding a coffee mug in her left hand. I suppose she was steering with her knee and trying to shift with her right hand. Bitch! Today, when I was going out everyone seemed to be driving extremely slow. And when I say slow, I mean driving 50 in the left lane of a freeway without a clue of knowing that people slamming on their breaks behind. And when a horse trailer with four horses is passing your Subaru Outback (the standard car that everyone in Colorado drives), you are driving too slow. Stay home people! And stay off the roads if you can't drive!

Current drink: Jamba Juice's Strawberry Nirvana

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

A New Phase

While spending the evening tonight with Laura E. having dinner and drinks I ran into a few of the Classics grad students. As my luck would have it, I ran into to the last two people I would care to see. Both are drunks, and one needs to just grow up and one needs to cut the cord on CU. "Ego" is a Greek word that means "I" and that is all that these guys care about. They asked me how I was doing, but before I could explain much it was back to them. It quickly turned into "this is what I am doing" and "what have you heard about me." Quite frankly, I haven't heard much because I have been out of the loop with the Classics class. I graduated two years ago and I have moved on since then. I have distanced myself because it just isn't my scene anymore. I'd much rather have a nice dinner and drinks with a good friend as opposed to watching a bunch of acquaintances get drunk and stoned out of their minds. I don't want to deal with the gossip. I don't want to deal with the drama. I'm over that. That chapter of my life is over and closed. I have new friends, a new life, and new love. Grad school was fun while it lasted, but it is over. I'm a different person and I have a different life.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Watch Out Martha Stewart

I will be the first to admit, I am not a domestic goddess. Hell, I'm hardly a domestic pleb. There are some things I just have problems with, one of these things is trying to fold a G-damn fitted sheet. I've read books, I've looked on the web, I have seen all of the instructions, but 99 percent of the time my folded fitted sheets look like an oblong mass of wrinkles and irregular folds. What the hell? This must be the season of miracles, because I just folded a fitted sheet and it looked absolutely perfect!! Hallelujah! I kind of wonder if it had to do with the quality of the sheets. Today I was folding my $40 Bed, Bath, and Beyond sheets v. my other $19.99 Target sheets. Not that there is anything bad about the Target sheets. I'm probably just incompetent and inept. But, today I had the perfect fold! Wahoo!

This is all very lame, but I have to rejoice in my small victories. If only I had a bottle of chilled Champagne I could bathe in...

Roasting

I think it was about a week or two ago when I kept writing about the weather. It was raining all weekend and the temperature was in the 50s and 60s. In true Colorado fashion the weather has changed dramatically. It is about 102 degrees right now. And, no, my little Passion Cabin apartment does not have air conditioning. My apartment faces north and south, so I suppose it is cooler because of that. At least I don't have the sun beating through the window.

I just went to the laundry room a few minutes ago, and I am jealous of the guys in my apartment complex. At least they can walk around with their shirts off for some comfort, I can't exactly do that without attracting unwanted attention. And how would they feel if they had to wear a sweaty bra?? Ugh!

Current mood: wanting to strip naked and bathe in a pool of ice water
Current drink: Twisted Pine Honey Brown Ale
Currently reading: Donald Mastronarde's Introduction to Attic Greek (just brushing up)

Friday, July 14, 2006

I Look Fabulous

In an effort to tighten my financial belt, I have put myself on several budgets. I have a grocery budget, a eating out budget, an alcohol budget (only $100 a month!), and a "pamper myself" budget. The pamper myself budget includes all of those things that I buy for myself that aren't absolute necessities in life, things like CDs, clothes, stuff like that. This month's pampering expense went toward a trip to the salon. I just love getting my hair done. For one thing I think my head is somewhat of an erogenous zone. Sounds strange, but it's true. I love it when people play with my hair or run their fingers through my hair. And I just love the head massage and getting my hair washed. So a trip to the salon is a special treat. My stylist, Sarabeth, is just plain awesome. I'm the type of person that will just let my stylist have fun with me. I'll let her do what she wants and I'll let her experiment. Sarabeth has been having lots of fun with my hair. The colors alone are dramatic. I went from naturally jet black hair to having red and blonde highlights with bronze throughout. Very dramatic. Sarabeth says that she went for the "rock star" look and, well, everyone knows I'm a rock star.

My most recent cut (from yesterday) was just plain amazing. So amazing that when I woke up the next morning, my hair still looked fabulous. When I wake up I usually look like I was on the losing end of a wrestling match with a polar bear. Not this morning. My hair looked so perfect it was awesome. I definitely had that tossled, slept-in, rock star look! I love it!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Lemonade 50 Cents?

The other day I was watching the news, and to be honest with you I couldn't tell you the real purpose of the particular story, but one thing in particular caught my eye. The reporters were talking to a group of kids who were selling lemonade at a roadside stand. Since when has the price of lemonade climbed to 50 cents a cup?? When I was a kid, lemonade was only 10 cents a cup! That's how much money I spent when I bought lemonade and that's how much money I charged when I sold it. What in the world? Pre-pubescent, capitalist little punks. Oh the good old days...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The Virtues of Cognac

When I was at my former job, well, let's just say that I self-medicated a lot. We all self-medicated. Wine, martinis, sex on the beach, B-52s, I've had just about everything. One thing I started to drink a lot was whiskey. Yes, I know, it's classic alcoholic behavior to shoot whiskey. Reminds me of the drunks in old westerns. But it was quick, effective, and relatively cheap. Now that I have a new job, I drink a lot less which is a good thing. I'm sure my liver appreciates it. But when I do drink the quality is always good. I'm back to my roots of drinking an occasional glass of cognac at night. Makes me wonder why I ever drank whiskey. When you bring the glass to your lips and inhale you feel that nice burning sensation in your nose. When you take a sip you feel the inside of your mouth tingle. And, of course, you feel the warmth going down your throat and spreading across your chest. It's warm but smooth all at the same time. It's nice. I have yet to convince many of my friends that cognac tastes good. Most of them just don't like it. Maybe it is just an acquired taste...a taste I seem to have acquired at seventeen.

Still, I have to be good in how I drink cognac. I can't slam it every night like I did with the whiskey. Cognac is much more expensive at about $40 a bottle. I do believe, however, that the day will eventually come when I will be able to buy the Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac. It is about $2,000, but someday...


Current drink: Remy Martin V.S.O.P Cognac

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Mmmmm....Marinade...

To be honest, I'm a decent cook. I wish I could say that I was a great cook like my friends Julie and Michelle T. who can both whip up a gourmet meal without breaking a sweat. And I'm not nearly as good as my Ma, but let's face it, no one is. But, since I've been living alone for these past four years, I've been trying to teach myself to cook. I wanted to do more than the Ramen and Kraft Mac and Cheese meals (thought those are good at times and have their own charm and merit). I've had my disasters, and I have to admit that there was even a time when I actually screwed up a baked potato. Fortunately Martha W. came to the rescue and told me how to bake a darn potato. All in all, I've been getting better. In general pasta is my thing and I can make a mean vodka cream sauce, but I'm trying to branch out.

I'll have to admit, I love meat. Sorry to all my vegetarian friends. I love red meat, I love chicken, I love pork, I love seafood. When I cook these things I usually just season the meats, whatever it is. It's usually just a dry rub/marinade whatever you want to call it. Tonight I tried something new for my chicken, more of a wet marinade. Like my Ma, I don't measure anything, I just throw things together so you'll have to do what works best for you. My little chicken marinade consisted of olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, Kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, thyme (I used dry), and Dijon mustard. I used a lot of Dijon mustard and I think that made the difference. I let it marinade for the day, then just cooked it up in a skillet. With garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli on the side, it was yummy! I'd say it was a success!


Current mood: full with a happy tummy
Current drink: Ravenswood 2003 Napa Valley Zinfandel
Current music: Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way

The Rain Continues

The rain started Friday night and it has been raining steadily ever since. We've had a few breaks here and there, but those breaks didn't last long. Usually in Colorado, we get those afternoon bursts of thunder storms. They start at around 3:00 p.m. and stop at around 5:00 or 6:00. I can't even remember when we've had a rainfall that has lasted this long. It's good because we need the rain to reduce fire danger, but I hear that it is bad because this much rain is starting to cause floods. Still, it is nice from my little cabin in Boulder.

I realize that I have been writing about the weather a lot lately. It might be boring to the average reader. I don't know, the weather has always amazed and intrigued me. Two days of rain might depress most people. I like it. I find it comforting and it puts me in that pensive and poetic frame of mind. It creates a mood. Right now it's almost noon and I have all of my candles lit...all 30 of them. I'm listening to Loreena McKennitt. If it was later in the evening I would be drinking a glass of wine. All in all, I'm feeling good.

Current mood: peaceful, pensive, and poetic

Current music: Loreena McKennitt

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Summer Season, Spring Weather

I think today is going to be one of those lazy days. I've done some things around the apartment and have been working on a little freelance project. All in all it has been quite a relaxing day. I think the weather is helping with that feeling. It started to rain last night, and it has been raining all day. It's not a downpour, just a nice, steady, light rain. It's good for the state. We need the rain. The temperature is about 65 degrees and everything smells clean and fresh. For some reason, this feels like California. I don't know what it is or how to explain it. The only difference is that there is a huge, beautiful mountain range rising over my apartment.

Current chore: laundry

Current mood: relaxed
Current drink: root beer
Current music: Loreena McKennitt The Book of Secrets

Friday, July 07, 2006

Drowning

Evening storms
Blue lightning that blinds
Thunder that cracks, shatters, and shakes
Cold winds that silence the flames of the candles
We fall into bed and swim between wine colored sheets
With hungry kisses
Clothes are shed and lay scattered on the floor
Rain begins to fall hard upon the roof
Hands begin to wander and search
Kisses and lips linger and stray
Flesh and skin melts under hot tongues
Voices rise above the thunder
Ecstasy washes over us in waves
Seizing the senses
Numbing the limbs
Feeding our desires
Drowning in this Passion
Together we lie, weak in the wake of this flood

Current mood: in the mood
Current drink: Remy Martin V.S.O.P. Fine Champagne Cognac

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Relaxing Afternoon

It is after 3:00 which means that the storms have started. So far this afternoon storm has been dry. Just a lot of lightning and lots of thunder. This is the loud thunder, the rumbling and cracking kind. It is nice and comforting to listen too. Every now and then some idiot drives by in his tiny car with one of those extra loud mufflers and the sound of his car disrupts the moment. As annoying as the guy is, I just assume his pseudo-sports car and loud muffler are trying to make up for whatever inadequacies he suffers in the lower regions.

Still the storm is nice. The breeze has picked up and I expect the rain will eventually follow. The lightning is getting closer and the thunder is getting louder. Afternoons like this are nice, and just the way I feel now feels nice. These past few months I've been feeling like a new and different person. Two months ago, I was in a very bad work situation and my direct manager was a complete moron. It was physically and emotionally draining. Now that I have a new job, things are definitely better. I look better. I feel better. I'm more at peace and more relaxed. This is all a wonderful feeling.

Current mood: at peace

Current music: random songs from my iTunes library, currently James Taylor
Current drink: Catena 2003 Mendoza Malbec

Saturday, July 01, 2006

More Storms

This is another afternoon where we have our afternoon thunderstorm. The lightning and thunder have been relatively mild and quiet. It is one of those strange storms where it is still very bright outside, there are still patches of blue skies, but it is still raining relatively hard. The nicest thing about this right now is that the rain and winds are starting to cool things off. It's been hot lately, so the rain brings some relief.

It is still too hot for wine, but beer will do just fine. Now it is simply time to drift away and just dream...

Current mood: relaxed

Current drink: Twisted Pine Honey Brown Ale
Current music: Sarah McLachlan