Shots of Vinegar

I've just found out today that I'm not sensitive enough. I thought that being an engineer was a license to be somewhat insensitive, but I suppose not. The vagina debits completely override any engineer credits as far as sensitivity balances are concerned. All that being said, I think those who know me well would say that my fault is perhaps being a bit too sensitive.

More about me....

1) I am a bad bad blogger. I'm wondering if anyone is still reading me cause I give up blogs after more than two weeks. Or just under. Still the same.

2) I've lost 9.5 lbs, 3 inches on my waist, 1.5 inches on my bust, 0.5 inches on my hips, and about 1.2 other inches in other places. I've been working with a personal trainer from 24 Hour Fitness. Her name is Kim, and she is fun. And she's a good trainer. If I were a real blogger, I would put up a neat status chart and little progress meter, but I've proved over the last two weeks that I am a bad blogger, so don't expect much (especially when my works in progress table has works that I am no longer working on).

3) I'm listening to these new bands: The Gossip, The Arctic Monkeys, and Cat Power. The Gossip is a punk/soul band. The Arctic Monkeys are part of this alt-punk, post-post-British-Invasion Invasion (how's that for wannabe musical-know-it-all speak... I love amusing myself). They are a lot like The Subways, but better and a bit more mature. Cat Power is amazing and if you've never heard her, you should listen now. Immediately. (If you really think my music info is dumb, then I'm sorry, but I'm so stoked with all the new music I'm finding lately)

4) I'm about halfway done with the first blossom of the lotus blossom shawl. It's beautiful. My Colinette Wigwam should arrive tomorrow, and I will post about it as soon as I get a chance (this week being hectic with multiple trips downtown during rush hour).

Why I love My Best Friend:

I'm K; she's A.

K: "Are you cheating on me?"
A: "No. Why?"
K: "Why didn't you tell me about Lollapalooza?"
A: "Well..."
K: "Are you going with someone else?"
A: "No."
K: "Do you know who's playing?"
A: "I heard about the lineup, but I wasn't sure..."
K: "Red Hot Chili Peppers, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, Ween... You know I LOVE the Flaming Lips and Ween... Sonic Youth..."
A: "We are going to see Sonic Youth at Bonnaroo!"
K: "[outraged] SO!? [pause] The Shins... you love the Shins... Broken Social Scene, The Subways, The Go! Team, and Ryan Adams, don't you love Ryan Adams?"
A: "No"
K: "I know, I'm just kidding. Are you at the website?"
A: "No"
K: "Go to the website, immediately."
A: "OK!" [pause]
A: [Distractedly] "Ok, I'm buying tickets."
K: "Now? I was merely suggesting we think about it, I don't want to force you."
A: "No, I want to go."
[More discussion about our awesome taste in music... we love talking about that]
A: "Ok, I bought the tickets."
K: "Ohmygod, I love you! You are so fun."
A: "It's a dollar a band, you can't beat that!"
K: "No you can't.... Well, now that I'm coming in August for Lollapalooza, do you still want me to come in May?"
A: "Ummm, yeah."
K: "You are so fun. I love being your friend."

Shots of Vinegar:

I told my co-worker that I was losing weight. All my clothes are falling off and these new items are materializing in my wardrobe (and everyone is familiar with the frequency of my shopping trips... read: almost never... so they must be either needed or old... old is what they are), so I'm sure he noticed, but the penis and being an engineer give him lots of sensitivity credits. He asked how, I said, "You know, eating right and exercising." And he said, "You don't have to take shots of vinegar?" Disgustedly, "SHOTS of vinegar? Ick. No, I would never take shots of vinegar." He says, "Oh, my wife was on a diet where she had to do that." I would rather have heart disease at the age of 30 than take shots of vinegar. And that's all I have to say about that.

Hobby Update

Music

Since I know everyone completely admires my hip taste in music, I'd like to share ... ok, I can't even finish the sentence without laughing at myself uncontrollably.

Here's what's new on my iPod.

The Subways, Young for Eternity: I recorded their appearance on Letterman on Friday after hearing about them on a couple of blogs I read. The performance sounded good, so I downloaded they LP from iTunes and quite like it. They are the kind of light, ultimately forgettable, fun Britpop that can pick you up if played really loudly. Probably targeted at an audience about 10 years my junior, it's fun enough for me not to care.

Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene: This is an indie Canadian band with a rotating cast of 15 members whose music is varied in the way you would think a band with 15 people in it would be. I really like it. In fact, this may be one of those bands I may start to obsess about. We shall see. Oh, how'd I find them? Click click click...

Stars, Set Yourself On Fire: Ok, so I'll be honest, I haven't actually heard any of their music. But reviews of their live shows basically go something like "They were so good I peed my pants," so I figured what the hell and bought it. They are on the same label as Broken Social Scene and are, again, Canadian. Their little disc should arrive in my mail this week.

Knitting

I finished chart 2 on the Lotus Blossom Shawl. That puts me row 96 of 165. I should finish in a month. I freakin' month. Damn, I'm moving slowly. Thumb status: sore but still better. I probably knit too much yesterday. The acupuncture is keeping it loose.

One of the men in my company's London office is bringing me 1.1 kg (11 skeins) Colinette Wigwam in Moss when he comes over for our conference. The yarn is 5.70 pounds in the U.K., which is about about $10 per 100g. Compared to the $22.00 per 100g we pay over here, that is a radically less expensive yarn. And, seriously, the U.S. is the only place Colinette.com won't ship to at this lower price. You HAVE to go through Unique Kolors, who marks it up 50 percent. Oh, and even better, Unique Kolors doesn't even sell it on their website, you HAVE to find a retailer. All that just pissed me off enough to find another way to get it.

Baking (also known as My Never-Ending Quest to Acheive Martha-like Perfection in the Kitchen)

I made her caramelized lemon tart on Thursday (though mine, and the one pictured in the February issue of Martha Stewart Living looked different than this one). I even bought a butane torch and caramelized the top like a creme brulee. It was so pretty, and I forgot to take a picture.

Unfortunately, it was too runny. However, I have to say, looking at this recipe, the instructions are a bit different than in February's magazine. Maybe these would have been better. It still tasted great, but it was more like Caramelized Lemon Soup in a Homemade Pain in the Butt Crust.

Yes I'm bragging...

I'm so happy. My new furniture finally came. I'm just going to let it speak for itself.

The photo is crooked not the floor. That's Moss Green UltraSuede American Leather Lisben Sofa. It's like ordering a latte. I'd like one non-fat, no whip carmel syrup, Moss Green UltraSuede American Leather Lisben Sofa please.

Boomin' Table. Action shots follow.

So yeah, I like the table. But if your table could rotate 360 degrees, you would post lots of pictures of it too.

Now, the piece de resistance. The knitting chair. Notice easy access to yarn drawers on my right. Lamp preventing blindness on right. And swift/yarn baller quite close just so I can continue to love them. That table with the lamp in the bottom right hand corner, they don't really belong there.

Ahhh, but it's more than a chair. It's a recliner.

I love it. LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. I'll stop shouting. I LOVE IT. Now I will.

LOV.... Ok, I've stopped. What I don't love...

The old sofa wasn't really ready to leave. It was feeling a bit down that I was throwing it out with such glee. I told it to get over itself and to stop talking to me.

PS Amanda, sorry for neglecting you... I don't have your email address anymore, and your blog it links to an old one (I think). Anyway, I'm probably going to be a bit out of sorts (read: hung over) on Saturday so it's out for knitting. I can do Sunday afternoon or maybe next Saturday...

Update: Seriously no more than five minutes after posting this did my neighbor come over to take the old sofa. Voila my room.