Dagnabit

I went to the mall and did Christmas shopping today. Got a lot of stuff. Forgot that my dad's birthday is next week and I haven't bought him anything. Phooey.

Sweet Romance

Remember the Dirty Dancing wedding dance a few posts back? Well, this wedding dance is more my speed.

Robot Domination

This is a pretty cool video of robots making cars. But what's even cooler is that I'm working on a news report about how these same robots are being used to diagnose and treat stroke patients. St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital is the only hospital in the world to test this device for neurovascular treatments. If all goes well, the robot could be FDA approved for use in hospitals.

Thoughts from City Council

I'm like Charlie Brown. Every once in a while, the councilmembers complete the agenda before Noon. Today they were actually done with all official business at 10:36am. I got all excited thinking I might get out as early as 11:00 or 11:15 at the latest. I failed to account for the fact that they have this wonderful (read torturous) thing called pop-off, wherein each councilmember has the opportunity to talk about absolutely whatever he or she wants...for seemingly as long as he or she wants. The agenda was complete at 10:36 but the meeting wasn't over until 12:01. I got my hopes up and fell for the illusion once again. Hope springs eternal.

In other council news, a cell phone belonging to someone in the audience went off during the meeting. The man who owned the cell phone jumped up and left the room, but not before I could detect the tune of his ringtone. It was the theme music from Sex and the City.

I also saw a man wearing a dangly earring...in the shape of a Christmas candy cane.

I think both these instances are clearly man-card violations.

Thoughts from the sick bed

I do some strange things when I'm sick. Things I wouldn't normally do. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the side effects of the various medicines I'm ingesting. When you're battling a sinus infection, it's not uncommon to take one drug that causes drowsiness in combination with another drug that causes jumpiness and nervous energy. You'd think these things would cancel each other out. But instead they turn me into a woman who wants to complete every decorating and cooking project in the Martha Stewart magazine while only having the energy of a wet noodle.

I also drink inordinate amounts of orange juice when I'm sick. I know it has vitamin C and it's good to get the fluids in me. But wouldn't a vitamin C tablet and a bottle of water accomplish the same thing? But for some reason, I feel compelled to drink OJ like it's going out of style. Half a gallon in 24 hours.

I watch TV channels that I religiously avoid when I'm healthy. What is it about HGTV that is so darn appealing when I'm in my jammies, prostrate on the couch with my blankie? I never watch HGTV. But yesterday I learned how to make styrofoam snowmen with felt hats and scarves. I also ended up parked on the USA channel for about three and a half hours.

I become A.D.D. I find myself watching TV, surfing the internet, instant messaging and flipping through a magazine all at the same time. The instant message conversation highlighted this phenomenon. No matter what my friend typed, my brain would come up with something completely off-topic in response.

I only eat foods that can be served in near-liquid form. I looked in the sink this morning and all I saw was cups, glasses and bowls. This would make sense if I was suffering from a stomach bug.

But all I have is a sinus infection.

Home. Sick.

Only My Family

Through some error of miscommunication,

we ended up with two and a half turkeys on Thanksgiving.

For ten people.

It was a dark and stormy night...

I'm not sure how I feel about this

The answers to life's persistent questions

Or at least the answers to my blog readers' persistent questions. This is to appease the ladies (and Phil) who have been pleading for more information on my dinner with a certain individual last week.

About the evening:

• He called when he was on his way (points for being so thoughtful)
• He picked me up, opened doors for me and treated me VERY well
• We had dinner and good conversation, the mood was lighthearted and fun
• He suggested we "continue this back at your place"
• I made sure he knew he wouldn't be getting an overnight invitation
• We went back to my house and talked some more and watched a movie
• He asked if he would see me over the weekend and we determined that our schedules would keep us from getting together
• He hugged me and since he didn't go for the kiss, I decided not to hit him over the head with my purse

About the guy:

• He's in international business
• He makes me laugh
• He loves Jesus
• He's smarter than I am
• He's handy (not handsy)
• He's VERY attractive
• He's not my boyfriend (that one's for Phil)

We want YOU as a new recruit!

No this isn't the guy who bought me dinner last week. But I did claim this guy as my own personal Lieutenant. The picture is kinda funny...looks like I'm giddy over the situation I find myself in. The reality is that a friend of mine had just called my name and I turned to see who it was and gave this huge grin. And right then, the picture is snapped.

Incidentally, every time I look at this picture I think "Dang, I'm really short."

Ask, and You Shall Receive

There were a number of things I had in mind to blog about today, but they were all trumped by a surprise twist of events. Little did I know that when I stated a felt need yesterday, it would promptly be answered.

Remember this statement? "What I need now is a date."
Guess what.
My cell phone rang after work last night and by about five minutes into the conversation I found myself agreeing to letting my caller take me out to dinner. And for those of you who may be thinking smugly to yourselves "it was probably one of her girlfriends" au contraire, mon amis. He's all man.

The End

Just another day in the life...

A professional stylist did my hair and make-up today. Then I had a photo shoot, complete with wardrobe change. I look fabulous. What I need now is a date.

Which reminds me...in Sunday School (excuse me...Adult Bible Fellowship) I distinctly remember the teacher, Bill, saying something to the effect of "girls, when that guy calls this week and asks you out for Friday night..." In fact, he referenced this idea two times in his lesson. So if I interpret this correctly, Bill has promised me not once, but TWICE, that a guy would call and ask me out this week. Well Bill, it's Thursday and guess what? No call.
I am seriously displeased.

Be Responsible

B is for Bread Pudding

I baked bread pudding this week. Technically that starts with a 'B' but I am not counting it in my A-Z Baking Challenge. After all, it's supposed to be a challenge and there is nothing challenging about bread pudding. I just happened to have some stale bread, plenty of eggs and milk...so voila! Bread Pudding!

So for anyone who may have been worried that I was shirking my higher calling, rest assured I am indeed still baking. I just haven't had much time for the really tough stuff. I have my 'B' recipe selected. But I need about a day to prepare it and about 8 friends to eat it. Volunteers? :)

Laurie's Bread Pudding

10 slices stale white bread, torn into pieces
1/4 butter, melted
1 tsp cinnamon
6 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups scalded milk (heat milk in saucepan until just before it boils)
nutmeg

Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish. Combine bread, butter and cinnamon; toss well and place into baking dish. Beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Temper the eggs by whisking about 1/2 cup scalded milk into the eggs. Whisk warmed egg mixture into remaining milk. Pour over bread mixture. Sprinkle nutmeg over the top. Let the pudding rest while you preheat the oven to 375. Bake for 30 minutes or until pudding is set and toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.

I topped mine with a drizzle of caramel sauce and garnished with fresh raspberries. You can also try any of the following variations.

Add 1/2 cup of any of the following:
Pecans
Almonds
Dried Cranberries
Dried Cherries
Raisins
Chopped Dried Apricots
Chocolate Chips

Blog Thoughts

I didn't plan to mop the kitchen at 10pm last night. But when I dropped the wet coffee filter filled with coffee grounds on the floor and the grounds went SPLAT all over the place, it became apparent I was going to mop the kitchen at 10pm last night.

Usually my dreams come in the form of suspense/thrillers or dramas. There's also the occasional slapstick comedy. Last night I dreamt in technicolor chick-flick. I was leaving church and a guy was walking out with me. He took my hand to help me down the steps and then he kept holding my hand as we walked out to the parking lot. Right as I was thinking to myself "does he realize we're holding hands?" he turned to me and smiled and asked me what I thought about the fact that we were holding hands. I replied "um, why don't you tell me what YOU think about it?" He said he liked it and liked me and wanted to know how I felt about that. Then we lived happily ever after. Ok, not really. But you get the idea.

I left the house early this morning, congratulating myself on getting on the road ahead of time and thinking with pleasure how I would be at the office before anyone expected me to be there. About 7 minutes into my commute I realized I left my lunch on the kitchen counter at home. Yes, that's right. I turned around and went back for my lunch. And lost all the extra time I had previously congratulated myself upon.

Best quote of the day:
"A naked woman is a naked woman is a naked woman. They just want them to be naked."

Because it's Friday

...and because red cups are out...and because it has been a week of looking back at the past...I give you...(drum roll please)...

The Friday Funnies!
Things that made me laugh this week:

"I'm pretty sure Troy will never have contractions."

Guy: "Well, Dora and I are going to do it this year."*
*Name changed to protect the "innocent."

"I remembered the toilet paper, which naturally led me to remember the ass."

"I wasn't feeling my loco. I don't even know how to do that."

Guy to me: "I don't remember when you were in my bed...I have a bad memory about these things."

They're Baaack!

Don't Drink the Water!

Isn't that what everyone has always told you when you travel to Mexico? Don't drink the water! You'll regret it if you do!

Here in the newsroom, we often get promotional items. Today we received a case of mineral water. From Mexico. Oh the irony.

Apparently they're now exporting Montezuma's Revenge.

This is how it works:
You're young until you're not.
You love until you don't.
You try until you can't.
You laugh until you cry.
You cry until you laugh.
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath.



No, this is how it works:
You peer inside yourself,
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took
And then you take the love you made
And stick it into
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again.

Befuddling

Please watch this video with your speakers on. Then discuss your theories and opinions on exactly what kind of mind-altering drug the singer was using when he recorded this song.

Goodfellas

This morning I was walking out of my office to head to a news assignment and I passed one of my older male co-workers in the hall.

Me: "Good Morning. How's it going?"
Him: "Oh, it's going alright but the day is just getting started. Plenty of time for things to go wrong."
Me, laughing ironically: "I suppose that's true. See ya later."

A minute later I exited the building and passed one of my younger male co-workers.

Me: "Hey! Good morning. How ya doing?"
Him: "Hey there. Doing alright. But the day is young and that could soon change."
Me: "Uh, yeah. That seems to be the general mindset. See ya."

I'm surrounded by defeatists.

Department of Shameless Promotion

Pushing Daisies is one of the best new shows on network television. Seriously. I don't watch much TV because there's not much TV worth watching. But this show is just delightful. I was intrigued by the critical reviews and the plot premise. So I decided to tune in to the episode premiere. I have not been disappointed yet. The show is a combination of quirk, whimsy, murder mystery and good old-fashioned love story. It's a sort of fairy tale for grown-ups. The characters are lovable, but flawed enough to not be sickening. The humor is dark and irreverent without being trashy, cheap or stupid. And the sets and special effects are as lavish, delectable and toothsome as a piece of pie. And I love that ABC provides all the episodes free online. So if I miss a week, I can watch the full episode on my laptop any time I choose.

Pushing Daisies has the Laurie Seal of Approval.

Requiem for a Song

Listening to commercial radio is depressing. Do you ever really stop and listen to the lyrics of the songs? I'm not talking about the raunchy stuff or the silly stuff. I'm talking about the songs that for all intents and purposes are supposed to be serious. Especially the ones that are about "true love."

Exhibit A:
"Take a look at my girlfriend
She's the only one I got.
She's not much of a girlfriend,
I never seem to get a lot."

Exhibit B:
"My girl's in the next room.
Sometimes I wish she was you.
I guess we never really moved on.
It's really good to hear your voice saying my name,
It sounds so sweet.
Coming from the lips of an angel,
Hearing those words it makes me weak."

Exhibit C:
"You're still a part of everything I do.
You're on my heart just like a tattoo.
Just like a tattoo,
I'll always have you."

It hurts me.

Get the Sensation

When I bite into a York Peppermint Pattie, I get the cool sensation of hiking to the peak of Mt. Everest and soaring down to the bottom by parachute while taking in the glorious views all around me only to realize someone else packed my chute and the idiot messed it up and now the chute won't release and I'm hurtling down thousands of feet while shrieking blood-curdling screams and wetting myself and I just desperately want my mommy but I'll never see her again and I'll never get to hear the words "I love you" or have children or grow old with someone and any minute now my body will be nothing more than a pile of pulp lost somewhere on the side of the mountain where no one will ever find it and 100 years from now a Sherpa will discover my skeleton and someone will write a novel about me based on how they think I may have died but no one will ever know it was Death by Peppermint Pattie.