08 September 2009
22 June 2009
"should"
I did not intend for my first post back to sound like this, but I guess I gotta start somewhere, right?
I am not one who challenges the status quo just for the sake of doing it. I don't even want to offer my opinions most of the time because I simply do not have the need to broadcast every single little aspect of my personality to every person I encounter... Which is probably why I don't have tattoos.
So I will just say, grabbing onto what you believe to be socially acceptable behavior and expecting to be praised for it qualifies as shallow in my book.
I am not one who challenges the status quo just for the sake of doing it. I don't even want to offer my opinions most of the time because I simply do not have the need to broadcast every single little aspect of my personality to every person I encounter... Which is probably why I don't have tattoos.
So I will just say, grabbing onto what you believe to be socially acceptable behavior and expecting to be praised for it qualifies as shallow in my book.
20 February 2009
cop out
First blog entry in two months, and it's a meme? FAIL.
What are your middle names?
My middle name is now my former surname, which I kept so it would be easier for me to prove who I am once I changed my last name. BF's middle name is Alan.
How long have you been together?
We started dating in the spring of 2002.
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met on 15 June 2001, his first day of work.
Who asked whom out?
He asked me out and we went to the Long Beach Grand Prix on what turned out to be our first official date (i.e.: we totally had sex afterward, and possibly made out for a couple hours in public like teenagers). We went out before then, but only as friends.
How old are each of you?
I'm 28, he's 50. I don't even notice the age difference anymore, except when he tells me a story or anecdote and it begins with something like, "I was living in England in 1987 with first wife and two kids," and I can't help but yell out "I WAS SEVEN" Tourette's style.
Whose siblings do you see the most?
My sister. His brother lives all the way in Florida; we've never met.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
This is tough... I think it would be my inability to communicate properly nor in a timely manner. Or maybe it's those times when I'm 'disagreeable' and he asks me, "So, are you depressed or whatever right now?" because that's my favorite.
Did you go to the same school?
No. He went to Texas A&M and I attended community colleges in SoCal.
Are you from the same home town?
No. BF is from Houston, TX (born in Abilene) and I'm native to Orange County, CA.
Who is smarter?
He is for sure, but he claims I give him a run for his money.
Who is the most sensitive?
A couple years ago I would have said I am, but now I think we're tied. We're sensitive in different ways.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Kendall's Brasserie, adjacent to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Otherwise, we can be found at our favorite place, our home kitchen.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
The Mediterranean, off the coast of France.
Who has the craziest exes?
HE DOES. The end.
Who has the worst temper?
He lets it out more often, but I wait until I go nuclear.
Who does the cooking?
We both do. I make a larger variety and he sticks to what he knows. I try new things more often, but when he decides to do something new he really goes out on a limb.
Who is the neat-freak?
We're both utter slobs and work our hardest not to be. Okay, we don't try, but we keep saying that maybe one day we might give a crap. Thank goodness for the housekeeper.
Who is more stubborn?
It's a draw. We're just stubborn about different things, thankfully. And when we are stubborn about the same thing, we usually are on the same side.
Who hogs the bed?
He claims I do, but I always wake up in the exact same place I remember falling asleep so I'm sure he's just making it up for kicks.
Who wakes up earlier?
He does. I'm not a morning person.
Where was your first date?
The Long Beach Grand Prix. Flirted, started drinking margaritas in the hot sun at 9AM, had lavish meals, followed by cocktails. I think we may be going again this year.
Who is more jealous?
He is. Definitely.
How long did it take to get serious?
We were serious from date #1, and were planning our lives together by Day Two.
Who eats more?
It's a draw. On the days I work out I eat more, on the days I don't he does.
Who does the laundry?
The Fluff-n-Fold by my office. I seriously couldn't be bothered to waste my time on it. But I'm the one who schleps it around.
Who's better with the computer?
Being that he was a programmer for the USAF for 10 years and a web designer for several years after that, I would have to say he is.
Who drives when you are together?
Usually he does, but he simply doesn't have the patience for LA traffic, where I grew up with it. But since I got my new car in December, I've been doing most of the driving.
What are your middle names?
My middle name is now my former surname, which I kept so it would be easier for me to prove who I am once I changed my last name. BF's middle name is Alan.
How long have you been together?
We started dating in the spring of 2002.
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met on 15 June 2001, his first day of work.
Who asked whom out?
He asked me out and we went to the Long Beach Grand Prix on what turned out to be our first official date (i.e.: we totally had sex afterward, and possibly made out for a couple hours in public like teenagers). We went out before then, but only as friends.
How old are each of you?
I'm 28, he's 50. I don't even notice the age difference anymore, except when he tells me a story or anecdote and it begins with something like, "I was living in England in 1987 with first wife and two kids," and I can't help but yell out "I WAS SEVEN" Tourette's style.
Whose siblings do you see the most?
My sister. His brother lives all the way in Florida; we've never met.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
This is tough... I think it would be my inability to communicate properly nor in a timely manner. Or maybe it's those times when I'm 'disagreeable' and he asks me, "So, are you depressed or whatever right now?" because that's my favorite.
Did you go to the same school?
No. He went to Texas A&M and I attended community colleges in SoCal.
Are you from the same home town?
No. BF is from Houston, TX (born in Abilene) and I'm native to Orange County, CA.
Who is smarter?
He is for sure, but he claims I give him a run for his money.
Who is the most sensitive?
A couple years ago I would have said I am, but now I think we're tied. We're sensitive in different ways.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Kendall's Brasserie, adjacent to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Otherwise, we can be found at our favorite place, our home kitchen.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
The Mediterranean, off the coast of France.
Who has the craziest exes?
HE DOES. The end.
Who has the worst temper?
He lets it out more often, but I wait until I go nuclear.
Who does the cooking?
We both do. I make a larger variety and he sticks to what he knows. I try new things more often, but when he decides to do something new he really goes out on a limb.
Who is the neat-freak?
We're both utter slobs and work our hardest not to be. Okay, we don't try, but we keep saying that maybe one day we might give a crap. Thank goodness for the housekeeper.
Who is more stubborn?
It's a draw. We're just stubborn about different things, thankfully. And when we are stubborn about the same thing, we usually are on the same side.
Who hogs the bed?
He claims I do, but I always wake up in the exact same place I remember falling asleep so I'm sure he's just making it up for kicks.
Who wakes up earlier?
He does. I'm not a morning person.
Where was your first date?
The Long Beach Grand Prix. Flirted, started drinking margaritas in the hot sun at 9AM, had lavish meals, followed by cocktails. I think we may be going again this year.
Who is more jealous?
He is. Definitely.
How long did it take to get serious?
We were serious from date #1, and were planning our lives together by Day Two.
Who eats more?
It's a draw. On the days I work out I eat more, on the days I don't he does.
Who does the laundry?
The Fluff-n-Fold by my office. I seriously couldn't be bothered to waste my time on it. But I'm the one who schleps it around.
Who's better with the computer?
Being that he was a programmer for the USAF for 10 years and a web designer for several years after that, I would have to say he is.
Who drives when you are together?
Usually he does, but he simply doesn't have the patience for LA traffic, where I grew up with it. But since I got my new car in December, I've been doing most of the driving.
06 January 2009
2008 review
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I moved in with BF, changed legal addresses twice, started proceedings to legally change my last name.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I typically don't make resolutions, but I made two for 2007: "One, to see my friends more often because I am so bad about that and I rely too much on e-mail and IM. Two, to actually show up for work on time. Maybe." The first one I did okay at but I didn't excel by any means; the second one was destined to be a failure. This year, I want to be 100% unpacked and organized by February *fingers crossed*
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My puppy was born on 22 December. Her name is Dallas.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More traveling, more focus at work, more home cooking. Start looking for a house to buy.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Election Day. Even though I didn't vote for Obama. I voted for the other guy. No, the other other guy.
Ron Paul.
Because what good is a representative government when there are only two parties and they nominate people that resemble each other more than the people they are allegedly representing?
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not getting fired. Same as last year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Allowing getting fired to become a possibility.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Mmmm, not really. Not that I can recall. And if I did, it must have not been that bad.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new car!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
BF's.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The general American public.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off all my debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving in with BF, my new car.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Lady Gaga - Just Dance. Also, I hate the name "Lady Gaga."
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner by a smidge
c) richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, eat tasty stuff, read.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on random things.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At our new apartment with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
More and more each day.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Battlestar Galactica! And Whatever, Martha.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
It wasn't the best written book, but it was engaging subject matter: Escape by Caolyn Jessop.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Probably Sigur Rós. I liked them before, but I really got to listen to a lot of their stuff this year.
26. What did you want and get?
My new car, my new puppy, my new sewing machine, my new apartment.
27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing really. Nothing material, at least. I could have worked harder to keep myself more focused, though.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bolt, Wall-E, Transsiberian. I also saw some movies for the first time in 2008 that I loved: Heima, El Crimen del padre Amaro and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 and went on a job interview.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time, more sleep.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
This one makes me LOL every year I do this. This year my personal fashion concept was Try To Keep Clothes Stain-Free.
32. What kept you sane?
BF, Friends, Puppy.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
George Clooney. Duh.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Pretty much all of them.
35. Who did you miss?
N/A
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I actually met a couple new people this year that I am now friends with.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I didn't really learn anything new, I just lived my philosophy the best I could.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Let me drink you, please, I wont spill a drop, no, I promise you; lying under this spell you cast on me; each moment the more I Love You."
I moved in with BF, changed legal addresses twice, started proceedings to legally change my last name.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I typically don't make resolutions, but I made two for 2007: "One, to see my friends more often because I am so bad about that and I rely too much on e-mail and IM. Two, to actually show up for work on time. Maybe." The first one I did okay at but I didn't excel by any means; the second one was destined to be a failure. This year, I want to be 100% unpacked and organized by February *fingers crossed*
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My puppy was born on 22 December. Her name is Dallas.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More traveling, more focus at work, more home cooking. Start looking for a house to buy.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Election Day. Even though I didn't vote for Obama. I voted for the other guy. No, the other other guy.
Ron Paul.
Because what good is a representative government when there are only two parties and they nominate people that resemble each other more than the people they are allegedly representing?
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not getting fired. Same as last year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Allowing getting fired to become a possibility.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Mmmm, not really. Not that I can recall. And if I did, it must have not been that bad.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new car!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
BF's.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The general American public.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off all my debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving in with BF, my new car.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Lady Gaga - Just Dance. Also, I hate the name "Lady Gaga."
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner by a smidge
c) richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, eat tasty stuff, read.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on random things.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At our new apartment with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
More and more each day.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Battlestar Galactica! And Whatever, Martha.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
It wasn't the best written book, but it was engaging subject matter: Escape by Caolyn Jessop.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Probably Sigur Rós. I liked them before, but I really got to listen to a lot of their stuff this year.
26. What did you want and get?
My new car, my new puppy, my new sewing machine, my new apartment.
27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing really. Nothing material, at least. I could have worked harder to keep myself more focused, though.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bolt, Wall-E, Transsiberian. I also saw some movies for the first time in 2008 that I loved: Heima, El Crimen del padre Amaro and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 and went on a job interview.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time, more sleep.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
This one makes me LOL every year I do this. This year my personal fashion concept was Try To Keep Clothes Stain-Free.
32. What kept you sane?
BF, Friends, Puppy.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
George Clooney. Duh.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Pretty much all of them.
35. Who did you miss?
N/A
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I actually met a couple new people this year that I am now friends with.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I didn't really learn anything new, I just lived my philosophy the best I could.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Let me drink you, please, I wont spill a drop, no, I promise you; lying under this spell you cast on me; each moment the more I Love You."
31 October 2008
two more videos
I got a new phone a few weeks ago (shut up I didn't realize it was called Voyager until after I purchased it) and this is the first video I took (inadvertently, I thought I was taking a still photo) of my dog sitting in the sunshine, his favorite pastime. He is not amused.
And here's another one, taken earlier on the same day as the video in the previous post, where I, again, cannot help talking like a crazy lady.
And here's another one, taken earlier on the same day as the video in the previous post, where I, again, cannot help talking like a crazy lady.
28 October 2008
public service announcement
I read several food blogs, and more often than not they recommend risottos as a simple and easy weeknight dinner. I've been slacking these past couple weeks on making dinner partly due to the out of control schedule I was keeping, but mostly because I'm exhausted by the freezer full of the same proteins we always eat: tilapia, chicken thighs and rib eyes. I am a fan of risottos, but BF wasn't until recently when we were late for our dinner reservations before the opera and were limited to the bar menu. He took a chance on risotto (despite having deemed them "grody looking") and loved it, but it provided stiff competition for me as a home cook.
On Sunday night, I was flipping through the November issue of Real Simple before bed and I saw a recipe for sweet potato risotto. I had been holding on to my recipe for bacon and egg risotto as my inaugural attempt at risotto, but I had a lone sweet potato in the kitchen that I was hoping to use up and I have been trying to incorporate more vegetables into our diet, so this seemed like the perfect recipe for me.
I won't go into details, but after all that time on my feet stirring and stirring and stirring, Operation Homemade Risotto was closed:
For future reference, I do not recommend complex carbs layered on starches in risottos. It's pretty much gross.
Now for your viewing pleasure, my dog running down the hall:
I swear, I don't normally talk like that. I don't know why, but my voice goes all haywire whenever I am talking to my dog. I simply cannot help it.
On Sunday night, I was flipping through the November issue of Real Simple before bed and I saw a recipe for sweet potato risotto. I had been holding on to my recipe for bacon and egg risotto as my inaugural attempt at risotto, but I had a lone sweet potato in the kitchen that I was hoping to use up and I have been trying to incorporate more vegetables into our diet, so this seemed like the perfect recipe for me.
I won't go into details, but after all that time on my feet stirring and stirring and stirring, Operation Homemade Risotto was closed:
For future reference, I do not recommend complex carbs layered on starches in risottos. It's pretty much gross.
Now for your viewing pleasure, my dog running down the hall:
I swear, I don't normally talk like that. I don't know why, but my voice goes all haywire whenever I am talking to my dog. I simply cannot help it.
27 October 2008
getting political
I met a girlfriend for lunch at Duke's on Saturday at the Huntington Beach Pier, only to encounter a large Yes On Prop 8 rally, which culminated in police intervention just as I arrived. It's common knowledge that California is a blue state, but Huntington Beach is in Orange County, arguably the reddest county in the nation; such a protest was hardly surprising.
For those outside of California, the entire text of Proposition 8 is as follows:
Well, since the obvious choice for me on this is No, I haven't really been paying attention to the ads on this issue until last week when a friend of mine mentioned her confusion regarding one of the ads which stated that a result of No vote on Prop 8 would be that "we" would start "teaching homosexuality" in schools.
What?!
I went to the Yes on Prop 8 website, cleverly hosted at ProtectMarriage.com to read up on what the other side was saying. Let me tell you, I was gobsmacked at what I read:
On November 4th, I'll be voting No on Proposition 8.
For those outside of California, the entire text of Proposition 8 is as follows:
"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."Straightforward enough, right?
Well, since the obvious choice for me on this is No, I haven't really been paying attention to the ads on this issue until last week when a friend of mine mentioned her confusion regarding one of the ads which stated that a result of No vote on Prop 8 would be that "we" would start "teaching homosexuality" in schools.
What?!
I went to the Yes on Prop 8 website, cleverly hosted at ProtectMarriage.com to read up on what the other side was saying. Let me tell you, I was gobsmacked at what I read:
Voting YES on Proposition 8 does 3 simple things:To that I say:
- It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and what Californians agree should be supported, not undermined.
- It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.
- It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage, and prevents other consequences to Californians who will be forced to not just be tolerant of gay lifestyles, but face mandatory compliance regardless of their personal beliefs.
- Per the Protect Marriage website, "Proposition 8 places into the California Constitution the same language that voters already passed by 61% of the vote in 2000." In 2000, 44% of the population voted, so assuming that everyone who voted in 2000 chose to vote on everything on the ballot (i.e.: not just for President), that would mean that roughly 27% of the population of the state of California passed that measure. Hardly a "vast majority."
- The Supreme Court does not exist to enforce the "will of the people," it exists to uphold the Constitution. Political Science 101.
- It is a fact that the law of California as of June 2008 states that same-sex marriage is legal, and if one chooses to receive the benefits of living in the state of California and enroll their children in public school, then one should expect that the laws of the state will be taught. For those who disagree with the laws of the land, the option of private or parochial schools exists.
On November 4th, I'll be voting No on Proposition 8.
15 September 2008
higher education
So, I'm currently enrolled at SDSU in an abbreviated version of their Masters Program in Biomedical Quality Systems at their Center for Bio/Pharmaceutical and Biodevice Development, which will award me with an "Advanced Certificate" upon completion. Work has been nuts lately so my statistics paper had to be submitted a week late, and according to the syllabus, that means I should have had 10% deducted from my grade. Well, not only did I get an A (100%) on the first paper I have written in over five years that was shorter-than-required and written on the fly, I received full credit and a note from my instructor saying my paper was the best he has seen. It makes me wonder: Am I really that good or is he just not paying attention? I think it's the latter. Not that I'm complaining, I'll take an A any way I can get it.
02 September 2008
briefly...
My workout routine has been progressing swimmingly, and starting next week I will be ready to move into a five-times-a-week schedule. I've been losing weight expending excess stored energy at the rate of about 1.25lbs per week for roughly 12 weeks for a grand total of 15lbs. That's five pounds shy of the arbitrary goal that was set for me during my gym orientation, but I am still proud of myself and rewarded myself with Double Stuff Oreos. After my Oreo binge (well, I ate five, but that's a lot for a person who isn't prone to snacking, especially on sweeets) I drank two cokes and immediately felt guilty. I haven't been dieting and even though the pounds are dropping a smidge faster than I wanted them to (I had a goal of 1lb a week), I felt like a diet change was needed.
I've been on a vegetarian lunch kick for a few months, which I wouldn't describe as a diet, in fact, quite the opposite. My goal was to force myself to eat three meals a day (I typically only eat one), and since Subway is a mere 3 blocks from my office and since I always get the veggie sandwich when I go there, the Vegetarian Lunch Plan was born. Today I made a stop at the market to pick up lunch and some stuff to stock the work fridge when I saw a little bag of tiny cheese flavored rice cakes. BF's son is on a serious diet so he can join the Air Force and BF mentioned that rice cakes would be a good idea for him, so I decided to try them out. I opened the bag on the drive back to the office and even though they were coated with a thick layer of neon orange cheese flavoring product, I ate one anyway. And let me tell you, it was the single most vile thing I have ever put into my mouth. Never again will I succumb to the thought of going on a diet.
I've been on a vegetarian lunch kick for a few months, which I wouldn't describe as a diet, in fact, quite the opposite. My goal was to force myself to eat three meals a day (I typically only eat one), and since Subway is a mere 3 blocks from my office and since I always get the veggie sandwich when I go there, the Vegetarian Lunch Plan was born. Today I made a stop at the market to pick up lunch and some stuff to stock the work fridge when I saw a little bag of tiny cheese flavored rice cakes. BF's son is on a serious diet so he can join the Air Force and BF mentioned that rice cakes would be a good idea for him, so I decided to try them out. I opened the bag on the drive back to the office and even though they were coated with a thick layer of neon orange cheese flavoring product, I ate one anyway. And let me tell you, it was the single most vile thing I have ever put into my mouth. Never again will I succumb to the thought of going on a diet.
28 August 2008
checking in
Just wanted to say hello. Been busier than usual this summer, with starting my class at SDSU and Project Cohabitation 2008, but hopefully I can wrap everything up and say goodbye to summer this holiday weekend. My last big summer task is to finish my move, and with my walk-thru scheduled for Sunday morning, that's a hard deadline rather than wishful thinking.
I am off work tomorrow (Friday) to paint a couple walls in my old apartment before tackling the deep cleaning on Saturday, but before I do that I have a phone screening with a biotech company in Van Nuys, so I guess that scheduling worked out well. Wish me luck and hopefully I can post more next week.
I am off work tomorrow (Friday) to paint a couple walls in my old apartment before tackling the deep cleaning on Saturday, but before I do that I have a phone screening with a biotech company in Van Nuys, so I guess that scheduling worked out well. Wish me luck and hopefully I can post more next week.
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