I've been doing what I can to eliminate animal products in the snacks and peripheral foods (e.g. pasta sauce) I buy. That's not to say that this hasn't had its share of annoyances. I like doughnuts! And apple puffs! And waffles! And Bisquick sucks! All these things contain at least an egg and/or milk. It's not that I won't eat these things anymore...if I'm served some at a gathering or whatever, I'll happily chow down on 'em. Like I've said, it's about limitation, not elimination. Thankfully, there's enough "happens to be vegan" snack foods out there that I don't feel like I'm missing too much.
The other day, I had to buy spaghetti sauce and read the ingredients only to find out that they contain meat and/or cheese so I'm like, "Oh, I can't get this, can't get the vegetable one cuz it still has cheese, etc." I was happy to have finally stumbled upon marinara sauce which seemed to be what I was looking for and then I blithely went to the frozen foods aisles to pick up beef and cheese tortellini to make with this sauce. I feel like the stereotypical fat man ordering the diet coke to go with his feeds four dinner...*mocking voice* cuz he's trying to watch his weight.
I did look for a bag of ready-made veggie "meat"balls to mix half and half with the real ones to see if I'd notice, but my supermarket doesn't sell any so that experiment will have to wait. My feeties hurt after a week of walking and standing at work so I'm not exactly eager to go travelling about my area on my days off to look for that does sell those things. :-)
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 7, 2009)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
IKEA
Is it possible to assemble any piece of Ikea furniture without
putting on at least one piece backwards? At least this chair didn't have
dowels and cam bolts.....so I guess that's a plus.
And for those of you keeping score, it was $39.99 plus tax.
Your Malm's box
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 7, 2009)
And for those of you keeping score, it was $39.99 plus tax.
Your Malm's box
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 7, 2009)
Monday, January 5, 2009
STUPID LIBRA II
I'm just doing this off the top of my head instead of what I usually do which is prepare :-)
Despite recent rants, my Best Friend has been my friend since I was a senior in high school back in October 1995. We've got a lot of history. We've had our assorted ups and downs and we've had many adventures together. In addition, we've also become quite adept at getting on each other's nerves. This is not a recent development brought about by our new lives together in this apartment. I have memories of hanging up the phone on her back in college. We had one fight so bad that I didn't talk to her for about two months (much easier to do when you're not living with each other). I don't even remember how we started fighting that time, but I do remember hanging up the phone on her as it was quite satisfying. Our argument devolved to the point where my Best Friend was telling me things like, "Why can't you talk like Pulp Fiction does (a friend of hers at the time)? Why can't you give advice like Pulp Fiction? Pulp Fiction always gives good advice. Why can't you be deep like Pulp Fiction?" and so on like that until I got so frustrated that I said, "Then why don't you fucking call Pulp Fiction?" and hung up on her. Back then, I was furious. In hindsight, I find it hilarious. We've always had this unwritten rule that whoever hangs up on the other is automatically "wrong" and must be the next one to call. We've each hung up on each other numerous times over the years and it's always been like that. I've always liked that approach. I always looked at hanging up the phone on someone as the rough equivalent of turning over the checkerboard when you're losing. You flip over the checkerboard, you have to do the make-good. My Best Friend and I have that mutual understanding and I've always appreciated that about her.
When she's in a good mood (which is more often than I let on), she has this charming goofiness about her that I personally find adorable. She's truly a joy to be around when she's feeling carefree. And it's always the most silly stuff -- out of context TV quotes, verses from obscure songs ("Banapple Gas" anyone?), odd drawings (some of which are actually funny -- I remember one she drew of a girl getting caught cheating by her boyfriend. She says to the boyfriend, "But honey, I swear I was thinking of you the whole time!"), etc. Since living with her, I've also learned that she likes singing in the shower. Not for real singing, just occasional lines of verse done without a care as to who's listening. I don't care nor do I know if it's in key or not, but it makes me smile and/or giggle to hear it.
This one's dumb, I admit, but my Best Friend's also the only person I have ever met who remembers a television show called Turkey TV which aired on Nickelodeon back in the mid-80's. It was also fun singing the theme to Hey Dude! together.
My Best Friend values my opinion and my advice (when she asks for it at least! :-D) and not just because I'm the easiest to get a hold of. This isn't something she's ever told me. This is one of those things I've found out about by happy accident such as overhearing a phone call to someone who's never met me and hearing her praise me for listening and giving her advice she's actually putting to use. I've even overheard her defending to those who have met me. We fight a lot, but she also knows me quite well. Even at times when my Best Friend had more friends than she could handle, she would never forget about me and back when we lived far apart, she would make sure that I met her friends whenever we were together. Admittedly this has been difficult since I've begun working overnights in retail (who has off on Mondays and Tuesdays to hang out?), but whenever an opportunity arose, she made sure I was there like her birthday last year.
I also really appreciate that my Best Friend wants me around for even the most mundane of outings like window shopping at the mall or even just to hang out a little bit while her car's oil gets changed. This is one of the few things that have never slowed down during our long friendship. Many days I've felt lonely and unwanted and never told my Best Friend that I was so and was secretly made happy that she was in the area, would give me a call, and asked if I would like to accompany her to the mall (or some other store) and bring some emotional relief to an otherwise depressing afternoon. I was always happy to be included as I've spent far too many days not being. How many people have I spoken to since moving back to New Jersey? It's been almost ten years and again, I've yet to break into anyone's circle of friends. I've yet to get a casual invite anywhere. If I don't say hello first to the people around my age, I never hear anything. The only people who talk to me at all are either married or are in committed relationships. Otherwise, I get the perfunctory hello from those who work my shift and that's it. That's how it's been. The single girls are always curiously silent at work and the guys my age have no interest in having me hang out with them either. The Security Guard seems to like talking to me so I should watch my tongue; but we've yet to hang out despite casual promises to do so (I've heard that several times before from several different people so my hopes are not up). But I could always call my Best Friend.
My Best Friend and I also tend to hate many of the same things. It's an odd way to bond, but I must admit, that it's a very satisfying one. We have very vicious ways of looking at certain things, and knowing that she doesn't get turned off by the worst of my thoughts (nor does she judge me negatively for them either) is very comforting. I truly appreciate that I can share the blackness of my soul with her and I also appreciate that she trusts me with the dark side of her soul as well.
I also like that I've known her so long that I have to actually remember that there was a time we didn't know each other. I'm proud to have such thoughts. It's wonderful to experience that kind of forgetfulness!
My Best Friend and I are truly siblings, if not by blood then by heart. The greatest comfort of all that she gives me is that no matter how much we fight, we know that we'll never abandon the other. Every one of you who has a brother and/or sister should know what I'm talking about. With my Best Friend, I'll take it all. Believe me, I'd much rather have the good be greater than the bad and I'd rather not complain about her as much as I do, but she's still my friend...warts and all.
That's what I've got off the top of my head. I'll add to it later if I feel like it.
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 5, 2009)
Despite recent rants, my Best Friend has been my friend since I was a senior in high school back in October 1995. We've got a lot of history. We've had our assorted ups and downs and we've had many adventures together. In addition, we've also become quite adept at getting on each other's nerves. This is not a recent development brought about by our new lives together in this apartment. I have memories of hanging up the phone on her back in college. We had one fight so bad that I didn't talk to her for about two months (much easier to do when you're not living with each other). I don't even remember how we started fighting that time, but I do remember hanging up the phone on her as it was quite satisfying. Our argument devolved to the point where my Best Friend was telling me things like, "Why can't you talk like Pulp Fiction does (a friend of hers at the time)? Why can't you give advice like Pulp Fiction? Pulp Fiction always gives good advice. Why can't you be deep like Pulp Fiction?" and so on like that until I got so frustrated that I said, "Then why don't you fucking call Pulp Fiction?" and hung up on her. Back then, I was furious. In hindsight, I find it hilarious. We've always had this unwritten rule that whoever hangs up on the other is automatically "wrong" and must be the next one to call. We've each hung up on each other numerous times over the years and it's always been like that. I've always liked that approach. I always looked at hanging up the phone on someone as the rough equivalent of turning over the checkerboard when you're losing. You flip over the checkerboard, you have to do the make-good. My Best Friend and I have that mutual understanding and I've always appreciated that about her.
When she's in a good mood (which is more often than I let on), she has this charming goofiness about her that I personally find adorable. She's truly a joy to be around when she's feeling carefree. And it's always the most silly stuff -- out of context TV quotes, verses from obscure songs ("Banapple Gas" anyone?), odd drawings (some of which are actually funny -- I remember one she drew of a girl getting caught cheating by her boyfriend. She says to the boyfriend, "But honey, I swear I was thinking of you the whole time!"), etc. Since living with her, I've also learned that she likes singing in the shower. Not for real singing, just occasional lines of verse done without a care as to who's listening. I don't care nor do I know if it's in key or not, but it makes me smile and/or giggle to hear it.
This one's dumb, I admit, but my Best Friend's also the only person I have ever met who remembers a television show called Turkey TV which aired on Nickelodeon back in the mid-80's. It was also fun singing the theme to Hey Dude! together.
My Best Friend values my opinion and my advice (when she asks for it at least! :-D) and not just because I'm the easiest to get a hold of. This isn't something she's ever told me. This is one of those things I've found out about by happy accident such as overhearing a phone call to someone who's never met me and hearing her praise me for listening and giving her advice she's actually putting to use. I've even overheard her defending to those who have met me. We fight a lot, but she also knows me quite well. Even at times when my Best Friend had more friends than she could handle, she would never forget about me and back when we lived far apart, she would make sure that I met her friends whenever we were together. Admittedly this has been difficult since I've begun working overnights in retail (who has off on Mondays and Tuesdays to hang out?), but whenever an opportunity arose, she made sure I was there like her birthday last year.
I also really appreciate that my Best Friend wants me around for even the most mundane of outings like window shopping at the mall or even just to hang out a little bit while her car's oil gets changed. This is one of the few things that have never slowed down during our long friendship. Many days I've felt lonely and unwanted and never told my Best Friend that I was so and was secretly made happy that she was in the area, would give me a call, and asked if I would like to accompany her to the mall (or some other store) and bring some emotional relief to an otherwise depressing afternoon. I was always happy to be included as I've spent far too many days not being. How many people have I spoken to since moving back to New Jersey? It's been almost ten years and again, I've yet to break into anyone's circle of friends. I've yet to get a casual invite anywhere. If I don't say hello first to the people around my age, I never hear anything. The only people who talk to me at all are either married or are in committed relationships. Otherwise, I get the perfunctory hello from those who work my shift and that's it. That's how it's been. The single girls are always curiously silent at work and the guys my age have no interest in having me hang out with them either. The Security Guard seems to like talking to me so I should watch my tongue; but we've yet to hang out despite casual promises to do so (I've heard that several times before from several different people so my hopes are not up). But I could always call my Best Friend.
My Best Friend and I also tend to hate many of the same things. It's an odd way to bond, but I must admit, that it's a very satisfying one. We have very vicious ways of looking at certain things, and knowing that she doesn't get turned off by the worst of my thoughts (nor does she judge me negatively for them either) is very comforting. I truly appreciate that I can share the blackness of my soul with her and I also appreciate that she trusts me with the dark side of her soul as well.
I also like that I've known her so long that I have to actually remember that there was a time we didn't know each other. I'm proud to have such thoughts. It's wonderful to experience that kind of forgetfulness!
My Best Friend and I are truly siblings, if not by blood then by heart. The greatest comfort of all that she gives me is that no matter how much we fight, we know that we'll never abandon the other. Every one of you who has a brother and/or sister should know what I'm talking about. With my Best Friend, I'll take it all. Believe me, I'd much rather have the good be greater than the bad and I'd rather not complain about her as much as I do, but she's still my friend...warts and all.
That's what I've got off the top of my head. I'll add to it later if I feel like it.
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 5, 2009)
Friday, January 2, 2009
ADDENDUM
I wasn't looking forward to coming home...dealing with the inevitable and all, but...she wasn't home. Win! Now I'm merely delaying the inevitable. :-)
I also found $10 at work. Double win!
So...I guess that means 2009 has started with a wash. :-p
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 2, 2009)
I also found $10 at work. Double win!
So...I guess that means 2009 has started with a wash. :-p
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 2, 2009)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
I'M STARTING TO THINK SHE'S THE WICKED QUEEN...
I'm being punished right now. I was invited to my Best Friend's grandparents (by her parents) for a New Year's Day dinner. Instead, I'm composing on That Other Journal while eating Ritz crackers instead of the planned turkey dinner. About a half hour before we were supposed to leave, my Best Friend was showing me pictures that she had taken last night with her new friend Tank Girl trying to get my opinion, but not of whether the picture is good, well-taken, properly lit or framed, or anything artistically critical -- no, the goal was whether or not she (Best Friend) was the best-looking in the picture. That went expectedly -- no real arguments. Thanks to Tank Girl, my Best Friend got exposed to the kind of wealth and status that she feels she deserves...good for her to finally have a friend she can use with useful connections. Somehow, me telling her about how I'm uncomfortable around that kind of wealth and saying that I'd probably never visit her if she lived in the kind of mansion she described morphed into her putting down my Brother's Fiancée (there are definitely some steps leading up to this...I can't remember them all...I remember it having to do with beauty again). My Best Friend has a problem with girls in general and is especially jealous of girls who get a lot of attention but aren't as pretty as she is. She's kinda okay with being compared to Little Doll as she finds her of comparable attractiveness. She, however, finds my Brother's Fiancée decidedly not so.
I didn't exactly defend her wisely, I'll admit. But still, by putting my Brother's Fiancée down, she's putting my Brother down and I'm not gonna stand for that. After my Best Friend criticized her looks and personality (all from one meeting during my birthday), I pointed out that my Brother's Fiancée's personality is much better than hers and that a strong personality trumps looks (like my Best Friend's) every time. I said that if they both went out together that while initially my Best Friend would probably get the attention, that by the end of the night, my Brother's Fiancée would be surrounded (and that she would be alone -- never got to get that part out as I would now be getting yelled at until the front door slammed -- I say front door like we have more than one way out of this apartment). I do admit to saying that my Best Friend has a horrible personality (by which I meant that she's way too into herself, selfish, and ungiving -- never got to explain that either...not that it woulda helped anything).
I think at this point, all her words would be yelled at me and that I was silent. She told me she doesn't need friends like me (I bit my tongue and didn't tell her that I'm her friend, but that she's not mine -- I can't talk to her...I don't ever remember being able to) and that because of what I had said, that I would not be going to her grandparents' home for dinner (like she was the one who invited me) so I got undressed, back into my pajamas, got some Ritz and a Pepsi, and started this entry.
ADDENDUM: I never got my computer chair for Christmas. I doubt I'll ever get one now unless I pay for it. Before today, though, she didn't want to get the ones she was looking at because they were expensive (that is, over $100). She, to my face, said that she was gonna get something cheaper (never mind that I paid almost $170 for a camera, which was practically extortion money to begin with as I was tired of her using mine and that she has only once ever gotten me anything for Christmas).
And since I'm mad, anyone interested in defending her should note that my Best Friend has insulted each and every one of you here. I'm not gonna repeat it here but you should be able to infer it. So to all my weird, ugly, loser friends...and the married one whom I'm having an affair with, goodnight! (oh did I just say that?)
One of these days, I'll make an entry about the things I actually like about my Best Friend even to this day, but not today.
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 1, 2009)
I didn't exactly defend her wisely, I'll admit. But still, by putting my Brother's Fiancée down, she's putting my Brother down and I'm not gonna stand for that. After my Best Friend criticized her looks and personality (all from one meeting during my birthday), I pointed out that my Brother's Fiancée's personality is much better than hers and that a strong personality trumps looks (like my Best Friend's) every time. I said that if they both went out together that while initially my Best Friend would probably get the attention, that by the end of the night, my Brother's Fiancée would be surrounded (and that she would be alone -- never got to get that part out as I would now be getting yelled at until the front door slammed -- I say front door like we have more than one way out of this apartment). I do admit to saying that my Best Friend has a horrible personality (by which I meant that she's way too into herself, selfish, and ungiving -- never got to explain that either...not that it woulda helped anything).
I think at this point, all her words would be yelled at me and that I was silent. She told me she doesn't need friends like me (I bit my tongue and didn't tell her that I'm her friend, but that she's not mine -- I can't talk to her...I don't ever remember being able to) and that because of what I had said, that I would not be going to her grandparents' home for dinner (like she was the one who invited me) so I got undressed, back into my pajamas, got some Ritz and a Pepsi, and started this entry.
ADDENDUM: I never got my computer chair for Christmas. I doubt I'll ever get one now unless I pay for it. Before today, though, she didn't want to get the ones she was looking at because they were expensive (that is, over $100). She, to my face, said that she was gonna get something cheaper (never mind that I paid almost $170 for a camera, which was practically extortion money to begin with as I was tired of her using mine and that she has only once ever gotten me anything for Christmas).
And since I'm mad, anyone interested in defending her should note that my Best Friend has insulted each and every one of you here. I'm not gonna repeat it here but you should be able to infer it. So to all my weird, ugly, loser friends...and the married one whom I'm having an affair with, goodnight! (oh did I just say that?)
One of these days, I'll make an entry about the things I actually like about my Best Friend even to this day, but not today.
(originally posted to That Other Journal on January 1, 2009)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
NATHAN EXPLOSION AIN'T GOT NOTHIN' ON TREY PARKER...
Okay, I thought I was going to Mom's straight after work. I was wrong so
I will be online (at least until my sleeping pill kicks in!) today. In
the meantime, please enjoy the following. This has become my new
favorite Christmas song.
This is easily the most brutal song I've ever heard. It's both totally true and worth heeding and oh! is it uncomfortable. Enjoy!
"Dead Dead Dead" by Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics
Merry Chris'mas everybody!
(originally posted to That Other Journal on December 24, 2008)
This is easily the most brutal song I've ever heard. It's both totally true and worth heeding and oh! is it uncomfortable. Enjoy!
"Dead Dead Dead" by Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics
Merry Chris'mas everybody!
(originally posted to That Other Journal on December 24, 2008)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
I'M SURE YOU KNOW THE FEELING...
I've been sick since this past Tuesday, but I don't think it's the same sickness. It's like I've been "trading up". I've gone from a sneezing sickness to a fever/aching sickness to what may turn out to be Bronchitis. Beautiful.
Whatever's attacking my body is acting like one of those bosses that just won't die in a video game. Usually they get just three incarnations so that's what I'm hoping for. :-)
(originally posted to That Other Journal on December 21, 2008)
Whatever's attacking my body is acting like one of those bosses that just won't die in a video game. Usually they get just three incarnations so that's what I'm hoping for. :-)
(originally posted to That Other Journal on December 21, 2008)