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Saturday, July 26, 2008

fear factor: cat edition

Worked up a better sweat today. Karen and I hit the town today in our afternoon finest.

First up was Powell's. Karen wanted to get this book about cupcakes (titled 500 Cupcakes). They barely had any Cupcake books but had a whole section devoted to soy/vegan bread making. Well, that's Portland for you. I rounded out my Sedaris collection with some sweet on sale items. On the way to the mall I read out of Me Talk Pretty Some Day. Karen has never read any Sedaris but that has changed as I lent her some. She sent me a message saying that she was loving it. Good for her.

At the food court we got some munchies. My pot stickers are so much better, I seriously need to make another batch.

At Old Navy we investigated jeans and sweaters. They had a beautiful selection of red and white striped stuff (where were they when I was making my Waldo costume?). I tried on two sweaters. One was too sheer, which was disappointing because it was a very cute design. The other was a very radiant Kelly Green that had great stretch and length. I picked up a pair of jeans as per Karen's advice (did you know that pants come in several lengths? I no longer have to walk around with trousers in need of hemming! Also Karen has worked in retail for years and knows her stuff. I trust her opinion and she seems to trust mine). There were also some cute shorts on sale. It will all be on super sale because Karen used her employee discount (she works at Gap but Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Gap are all owned by the same company) for 20% off. Yaay! She rocks.

We parted ways, she to work and me to home. I got some ice cream on the way back. Caramel Turtle, mmmm. Reading Sedaris on the Max Ride made it go by so quick. I love the last couple paragraphs to his story "Baby Einstein".

The rest of the day was spent watching tellie and relaxing with the kitten. Which brings me to...

Holly Update!


She woke me up in the night and we cuddled for a bit before I put her back in the bathroom. She is a little too rambunctious at night, she needs time to adjust. We had a good purr-filled cuddle in the morning. I took off her collar so that she could clean herself. She manically licked all over but when she got to the stitches I put it back on.

She has the major run of the house right now. Ibanez hates her/is afraid of her. He runs into his room when he sees her. I don't like keeping him in his room for so much but he can take it.

Holly seems to be in a better mood. She is very playful and friendly so I guess she is taking the separation fairly well. She isn't all about cuddling with me yet but it has only been one day.

Friday, July 25, 2008

introducing Holly

Jen and I met up to see The Goonies at the Flicks on the Bricks. Last summer I saw Batman with a bunch of people that I don't really hang out with now(we run in different circles). Jen arrived at about 6:30, very early. I met her about fifteen minutes later with pillows and blankets in hand. She had acquired a good spot on the amphitheatre part. Now all we had to do was wait. Her friends Brittany and Tim joined us before it got too crowded. Tim is going to Antarctica for a few months. I told him to look out for Sully, Lindsay's friend that is also going there soon.

The movie didn't start until nine. Until then we shared a large cheese steak sandwich from the cheese steak guy, gabbed about the times, I had a BlueNilla(blue berry/vanilla) flavored ice cream treat, and oodles of popcorn. Some piggy little kids came back with armloads of popcorn.

I haven't seen Goonies in years. I remember it but not in full. I certainly didn't remember a youthful, attractive Josh Brolin in it. It was nice campy fun. This kid a few people away from me was having a riot, the type of riot you couldn't have in a theatre because some one would scowl at you.

I walked Jen to her bus stop. She really needs to get a bike.

Earlier in the day I had a really pathetic workout. I guess I was still exhausted from the many miles I rode yesterday. 20 minutes of weak treadmill total. I broke a sweat but it wasn't much of one.

I cleaned up the place. It doesn't take much to make it look good, just a little tidying.

Holly Update:


I cleaned up the place in preparation for the couple Weeks in which I will be taking care of Chelsey's not-quite-a-kitten, not-quite-a-cat Holly Golightly. At a little after four I went to her place at 19th & Irving to pick up the lovely little thing. It was a slow trek back with all her things. I was sweaty all over again (I always misjudge the weather). I dropped the stuff off and we went to the vet to get her stitches checked out. She just got spayed, poor little thing. Everything was okay. Chelsey gave her some sad last minute loves before she departed. I promised to keep posting an update for her with pictures.

Right now she is wandering about, checking the place out. Ibanez is in his room because he is scared of her. She tried to get up on my window ledge but couldn't quite make it due to her collar. Holly is a sweet little thing.

up hill both ways

I got lots of rest today in preparation for the long trek out to get my Food Handler's permit. I was looking up the place and was horrified that it was out on 34th & Powell. On the East Side. Across the river. And it was sunny today.

So I hydrated, got some directions, and left. It was a quick zoom down to Naito and across the Hawthorne Bridge. The directions said I should take Ross Island but I knew that it was no place for bicycles. It was fine and dandy on Hawthorne Boulevard. I turned on 11th and went along that for quite some distance. Eventually I came to Powell and that is when it first started going wrong. It wasn't bike safe at all. It was a busy road that went under ground. I turned off it, hoping to go parallel but the street I was on was curving off in a very non-Portland way (that is, not on a grid). I turned back towards Powell and went up back towards Division. I turned on Clinton instead, which I remembered from my Map to be very bike safe. It was low traffic and the streets were lined with cute cafes and colorful houses. I found it to be a very nice area with just one problem: heading East was one big steady hill. Up and up I went. 15th became 21st and I still had a ways to go. 26th went by, some better bikers on lighter bikes passed me. The turn on 33rd presented me with yet another incline. Eventually it went down but not soon enough. Getting to Powell was a cinch then. It took me a half an hour of fairly hard bike riding but I made it to the Multnomah County Health Place(not its official name).

I drank lots of water. I asked where the Food Handler's Permit test was and the kind security lady showed me where. I reviewed the test booklet and filled out the form but I had to go to an ATM to get cash. A Plaid Pantry was nearby. I bought some sunflower seeds and an ice cream bar that I gobbled down. The booklet makes the test look like it is harder than it really is. All it takes is common sense. Something I have a little of, I assume. Anyway, passed it no problem and once I felt up to it, I left to return to the Goose and collapse into an afternoon of Carnivale.

I pretty much took the same route home. West on Powell, North on 33rd, West on Clinton, North on 12th, West on Madison, cross the Hawthorne Bridge, West on Main, South on 5th, West on Jefferson, South on 14th, East on Clay, and stop before 16th. Home again home again and sweaty in places that I never knew could sweat.

Can't believe I have one and a half episodes of Carnivale left. The seasons are far too short and I dread the end of this one. I know there are other things I should be doing but my motivation is at a critical low. I haven't been this inactive in years.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

caketrastophe

So I called the Heath Department about getting my Food Handler's Permit and I got a message about how they are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Well, it gives me an extra day to study the very obvious material for the test.

Lindsay has started packing her things. Boo! She is leaving just like that. So quick.

I wanted some cake so I whipped out some cake mix. Something happened to it when I tried to make it. The mix includes pudding to make it soft but the pudding seemed to settle upon baking so the bottom was thick and the top part was fluffy and bland. It did not work at all. Had to toss the whole pan's worth.

One thing that irks me about Carnivale is the slow build up. You watch it and it is interesting and then you realize you have about 6 episodes left and then the series is over. Things are slow to happen and the seasons are so short.

The problem with blogging everyday is that you really become aware of how pointless and empty some of your days are.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Stahl-ed

Went to the school ask about some financial aid stuff. The lady who helped me was really tan and had drawn in eyebrows. She was really nice. Afterwards, I loitered in the library. They had Carnivale season 2 in their new DVD section and I snapped it up. I watched the first season ages ago, so excited to watch the new one. It is a supernatural story set in the time of the depression. It's good watching.

I met up with Jim after the library. We chatted over drinks at Urban Grind(the nearby coffee shop). We have both seen Dark Knight twice now. How many movies inspire people to see it repeatedly in only a couple days? It was a great little visit.

Today was cold so I had to wear a sweater. Good old Pacific Northwest summer.

I started watching Carnivale. I'm a little lost because I forgot some of what happened in the season finale but my memory is coming back to me. Karen and I worked out but my stomach wasn't feeling right so I only went for 15 minutes. We chatted over book later in the evening. She has her brand new Ikea bookshelves in. They are marvelous and almost go up to the ceiling.

Tomorrow I am getting back on track for waking up early. Also I plan to see about getting my new food handler's permit. That's my main goal.

many marvelous meatballs

I'm so bad at getting numbers. There was a cool, cute guy in front of me during Dark Knight. We chatted a bit (in a sort of group) about comics and whatnot. And I just said bye after it all. Argh, should have gotten his number!

Karen, Adam, Adam's friend Tony and I saw Dark Knight. It is just as good the second time around, maybe even better. There are some bits that need attention and I was able to give it better this time. Loved seeing the trailers again. There was a guy sitting down from us that was a little tipsy during the movie. He was a little over enthusiastic about moments. Nothing too bad but blimey, it made sense that he was drunk.

Slept in after a restless night. After I showered Karen invited me to a quick trip to Ikea. I'm a sucked for meatballs so off I dashed to the Max. I just barely got on it. There was a moment of panic when I saw that a ticket checker was at one of the stops but he didn't get on the train. They need the ability to buy tickets on the train itself, like the streetcar.

We devoured some food and set off through the store. Karen wanted to buy some Billy, shelves that is. I don't have my receipt with the cool names on it on hand so I can't share the cool Swedish names of the products I acquired. In simple terms I bought a spatula, an orange towel, and a big bag of frozen Ikea meatballs. Yum yum! I wanted some shoe storage things to hang off the door so imagine my shock that Ikea had no such thing. It barely had any storage solutions for doors!

There were ticket checkers on 82nd but they only talked to people who left the train. Guess they grab more people that way.

After the shopping excursion, I went to school to return some library materials and check out some more. Soon they will have Deadwood in their circulation, I can't wait. I bought some cheap folders and folder holding boxes from Office Max. I needed something to put all my various paperwork in. My "piles around my room" method is not so effective. Ibanez really liked the boxes.

I didn't get much time after filing to relax before it was time to leave for the showing. We were first in the theatre and got our pick of the seats. They were pretty great. Cute boy in front of me... Pioneer Place has a very severe slant to it's floor so you never get someone obstructing your view.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Agent Cooper, style icon

I left the house today. Amazing, I know! Had to get some things. Those things were at Powell's. It was crowded but not so bad. It amazes me that people buy baskets full of books. Sure I buy a lot of books but I get them over time. I don't acquire a reading pile all at once. I picked up Interworld by Neil Gaiman, now that it is in paperback.

I also bought an issue of Psychology Today because I like their tidbits and articles. I read a lot of PT in my library days when I would work on processing the magazines. Did you know that, "80 percent of moms over 65 said they have a favorite among their grown children"? It goes on to say that it is okay as long as the children have the preference explained and do not feel that it is unfair. It is a good read. Miles away from the crap that is US Weekly that, through an online registration mishap, comes to our mailbox every Friday (stars are just like us because they prop open doors with their bums, OH MY GOD!). Seriously those celebrity gossip magazines are a blight and should be ended. Think of all the trees that would be saved! I also like the concept art and photography that accompanies the articles in PT, it is a nicely designed magazine all around I think.

Worked out a little longer today. Really no fun without Karen. Hard to keep going after the first length.

Drew a little as well. Just a couple tiny portraits. Didn't watch any movies.

Trader Joe's has some really good pre-made mini tacos. You throw about nine of them on a cookie sheet and 10 minutes later you have a delicious well rounded people. Shame you only get about 3-4 servings out of a box. I'm out now. Dang. As much as I would love to run out and buy more food, I am trying to get through what I currently have. I am buying more than I need and while it isn't spoiling before I get to it, I should really work on what I have. So, more oatmeal, cake, and eggs in the coming days.

I set my alarm to 10:00 so that my body doesn't get too adjusted for sleeping in. Sure I go back to sleep but I think it is enough of an interruption to my overall cycle that it keeps me from staying up till 4:00am. Good idea? Setting the alarm? Yes/no/maybe so?

Averie's birthday is tomorrow. Actually it is today because it is 1:05am. She hits the big Two-Oh. The last of the Pedersen kids in their teens. That Averie, she is a superwoman.

Mom and Rubie's birthdays are nearer to the end of the week. Big month for Birthdays. Celia and I have the winter holidays all to ourselves.

In Bust magazine they have a fashion photo spread inspired by Twin Peaks. I quite like the looks but a whole shoot devoted to an early 90's Pacific Northwest Horror/Mystery David Lynch cancelled too soon television series?

Sunday, July 20, 2008

shut in

Karen is visiting Washington this week so I don't have any incentive to get up and work out. I still ran for about 25 minutes but that is shorter than normal.

Sort of a cool day. Almost had to put on long sleeves.

Worked some more on the drawers. I think I'll take a break till next First Thursday rolls around. I have cards left but my selection is not that great.

Watched Helvetica this afternoon. It is a documentary about the type face but it also includes a general discussion about visual art and design in the world. It really goes to show how if people are truly passionate about what they talk about, it isn't boring. A wonderful documentary, I recommend it highly for everyone.

Ibanez was all lovey dovey and whiny at the same time. I think I'll have to find something to do tomorrow to get me out of the apartment.