Roomie No More

Now that the cat is out of the proverbial bag, I can say, Crystal got MARRIED to her roomie last week! Whee!

Me: So why did you guys finally decide to make it official?!
C: Well, it's a very romantic story involving health insurance.

Bwahaha. Hey, whatever it takes. I like to see people formalize their love with a piece of paper.

She and I went to Blue Genie market on Monday. It's at a new location this year, and the parking sucks, but it's always fun to see all the art and other handmade stuff there. Just plan to park on the street!

Friday Five

1. How do you feel about candy sprinkles (on ice cream, doughnuts, cupcakes, or whatever)?
Ew. No thank you.

2. Where’s a good place to look at Christmas lights?
Pedernales Electric Coop in Johnson City. The coolest! (Open through Jan 6!)

3. What’s a good idea for a drive-through service or product that doesn’t yet exist?
Drive-through new tires or tire rotation. They lift your car up a little and do it superfast, like at the race track, and you're on your way. No sitting in a crowded, dumpy waiting area for an hour.

4. How confident a parallel parker are you?
Not at all. Had to parallel park at Blue Genie. Yoiks.

5. How much plaid do you own?
I have two plaid shirts.

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Best Gift Card Packaging Ever

So I created an awesome "wrap" for a basic gift card. For Christmas, take one bottle of Shiner Holiday Cheer, their peach-n-pecan-ish (delicious) Christmas brew:

Festive, no?

Then get an Amazon gift card in a gift tag. (Search Amazon for "Amazon.com Gift Card in a Gift Tag".)

(There's a cute snowman one, too! And "Thank you" and "Happy Birthday," etc.)

Tie the tag around the bottle neck and TA DAAAAH! Beats the heck out of a little envelope.

If you're crafty, you could make a little gift tag yourself for any other gift card.

You're welcome. :)

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Wednesday

Got a message from Grant the other day, out of the blue. Just two photos of him, posing with a duck on his shoulder. Grant and I are the kind of old friends who send birthday cards to each other and text or email maybe once a year, so to start a text conversation with random photos, instead of "Hey! Check out my new pet!" was a clue that these photos were probably sent to me inadvertently.

Grant and I chatted a bit, and then I told Jeff about it. Jeff said, "Well at least it wasn't an unsolicited d* pic."

No. It was an unsolicited DUCK PIC.

Bwahahaa.

Jeff and I had margs at Curra's with Doug and his mom last weekend. She is still a firecracker, like she always was! It was fun to see them together again.

In other news, we saw A Star is Born, like a million years ago now, and Lady Gaga is SO talented. Holy moly. I mean, we knew it already, but she is amazing in this film. Bradley Cooper, also fabulous. I hope "Shallow" gets an Oscar nom!

We also saw Green Book, which I loved. Such a relevant movie for these times. It is very raw and real. The honesty is refreshing. And you'll be smiling at the end, which is nice.

Finally did our weekend in Waco with Scott-n-Julie. It was fun fun! We made it to the Waco Mammoth National Monument. It was VERY cool. Learned a lot. They may start digging there again soon.

We went to a museum with a John James Audubon exhibit. We've had great luck getting museum curators and directors telling us stories during our trips, and this one was no different. The lady told us how she accidentally ended up with a very rare print. Ask questions at museums! The real stories are behind the scenes.

Sorry to say, I wasn't very impressed with Magnolia Market. It's just a store, and it is packed to the gills with people, making it impossible to see everything. I would have bought a giant clock, but there is no way I could have fit it into the car was going to stand in that line.

We went to the Spice Village, which I liked a lot. There are a lot of neat things for sale there. Many stores in town have "Magnolia-like" merch that you can buy for less money and hassle than at Magnolia. At one of those stores, I wanted to get a retired red wine barrel for my in-laws' back patio (they're wine people), but wasn't sure how to get it home or to Frisco. Cool item though!

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A Horrifying, Sad and Somewhat Amusing Story of a Lizard

So there was a dead lizard just outside our garage last Monday. It was weird, because I don't think I've ever seen a lizard just dead on the ground, like, ever. If something in nature kills a lizard, it usually eats it (I guess?). I pondered that all week long, while I left the lizard on the ground by the garage door. I never had anything handy to push it into the grass, and I was always on my way somewhere when I opened the garage door, so I just kept leaving it there.

Lauren and I went to a doc appointment on Friday. I told her about the lizard when we got into the car. When we got home, we took a look at it.

It was mostly black, having lost all its green by that point. It was dried out, because the sun had come out for the first time in about 16 years three weeks, and it was sort of flat and leathery. We leaned way over, and I said, "I don't know why I've left it here. It's been dead for five days..." Literally, at that exact moment, it...

SLOWLY. RAISED. ITS. HEAD.

And opened its mouth.

I'm not kidding.

Me: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Most bizarre thing ever. After I finished freaking out, I was so disappointed that we couldn't do anything for it. Lauren poured some water on the ground and it lay its head down on the water, although I don't know if it actually drank anything. Then it raised its head and arm again. We were probably scaring the crap out of the poor thing.

Jeff had come out by then, and noticed its leg was all messed up. I said I was willing to make it one of those rolling thingers for its back legs, so it could run around with its front legs. Jeff asked if I was going to catch mosquitos and feed him, too.

Well, maybe!

Wah. :(

So, we couldn't have done anything to save it on Monday either, but at least we could have put it out of its misery sooner. Sad day. Poor little guy!


Sunday Stealing

1. What is on your mind right now?
deciding whether or not to plant some plants in the front yard, or to wait until spring

2. Do you know anyone who has attended Harvard University?
Julie has a master's degree from Harvard

3. How many books are in the room you’re in?
in the living room- 9 decorative books on the shelf above the TV

4. Do you save at least 15 percent of your income?
yes

5. When was the last time you had a rainy day spent at home?
last Thursday

6. When was the last time you stayed home from school/work?
I work from home, but I haven't been sick in years. *knock on wood!*

7. Do you write “yes” or “no” answers to surveys or do you explain more?
I try to explain more, usually briefly for a yes/no, unless an explanation would be pointless.

8. Is there any type of medicine you can’t take? For what reason?
Bactrim- I developed a sudden, extremely severe allergy, after taking it with no issues for forever.

9. Do you have a favorite pair of pajamas? What do they look like?
I hate pajamas. Too much fabric to deal with under the sheets. I almost always wear a short nightgown. I do own one pair of pajamas. They are super-soft navy blue capris with a matching top with a cute, tiny metal anchor in the front of the collar.

10. Would you rather have potato or chicken noodle soup if you had to?
potato- carbs are my weakness

11. Do you believe that when a person appears in your dreams, that person wants to see you?
Um, no, But that would make my dreams more interesting.

12. When’s the last time you saw your mom?
At the nursing center, about 10-15 minutes before she passed away in December 2006.

13. What is one food you could eat for a month, straight, and not get sick of?
hamburgers

14. Have you ever spray painted something about your love somewhere?
hmm, no

15. Do you live in a town where basically everyone knows everyone else?
Nope. Austin metro is over 2 million people now.

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Kavanaugh Vote

The court is going to swing conservative, because the Republicans are appointing a conservative judge, whether it is Kavanaugh or someone else. That is fair, as the court swings back and forth through the decades. It shouldn't always be liberal or conservative. One would ideally hope it was moderate all the time, but it's always going to be leaning one way or the other, at least a bit.

The problem is this particular conservative candidate. Even if you don't believe a word of Dr. Ford's story (or either of the other Kavanaugh accusers)... (for the record, I think you're crazy if you don't, but that's just me), Brett Kavanaugh should never be a Supreme Court justice, based on his behavior in the hearing alone. He was combative, sarcastic and highly partisan.  Trump saying that anyone he put up would have these allegations and issues is ridiculous. There are plenty of candidates who don't have any allegations at all, and who also have a temperament suitable for a Supreme Court justice.

By his own admission, Kavanaugh wouldn't even be allowed to teach anymore, after what has happened in the confirmation hearings. But now, it looks like he'll be a Supreme Court justice. 

smh

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Kavanaugh/Ford Hearing

The Kavanaugh/Ford hearing yesterday was difficult to watch. Kavanaugh's belligerence and snarkiness was not a good look for any man in this situation, and absolutely unacceptable for a possible Supreme Court Justice. Disgusting. The guy can't keep his cool in an arena where he should have made a particular effort to make his feelings clear with a calm and professional demeanor.

Two things about which I feel very strongly that he is lying:

1) If someone I honestly did not know at all approached me out of the blue, and said they were at a party in high school, and Cathy, Kimberly, Doug and I were there, I would say it is very likely I was there, because those are my friends and we were together a lot. You cannot categorically deny being at a party where your close high school buddies were! People in your 40s or 50s, just think about your high school days. Could you deny being at a general gathering of your friends? The flat out denial that he was there is highly suspect. All you have to say is that it is likely I was at such a gathering, not sure I was at this particular one, but I don't remember this person and I certainly never committed such a heinous act on her or anyone else. That would have been a reasonable, believable response.

2) He's trying to convince everyone that he is religious, conservative, was a virgin until much later than most people, spent his time studying, playing football, and working out at Tobin's (which oddly always brought him to tears, although I get teary, too, when I think about working out...) . When we talk about his yearbook though, he's suddenly this big beer drinker, sometimes "drinking too much" (have YOU ever been blackout drunk, Senator? Good grief.), and his Catholic high school simply always tried to create these "Animal House"-like yearbooks that weren't really representative of anything that was going on there. Riiiight. Oh, and several boys at an all-boys school have "Renate Alumnus" on their page, I can guarantee that is not a reference to what a great friend she is, and how she is just an honorary member of their school. Does he think we are that stupid? Such a crock. Obviously the guy did the typical high school football player stuff, including drinking and partying a lot. Again, it would have been no biggie, and doesn't at all mean he attacked anyone, other than he tries so LOUD and angrily to tell a completely different story. Ugh. Give me a freakin' break.

Again, people in your 40s and up, think about a party in high school where something happened, not necessarily an attack or even a negative thing- something you have thought of now and again over the years. Maybe you made out with your new boyfriend for the first time, or you got pushed into the pool, or the cops showed up... anything that you still remember well. Like Dr. Ford said, that memory is strong for a reason. It is in long-term storage in your brain because it meant something significant to you. So what details do you remember? Depending on what happened, you probably remember who was involved in the incident/situation itself and the event details at the time it was happening. Do you remember the specific date or even the month or year of the event? How did you get to the party? Do you remember everyone who was at the party or what you did afterwards and how you got home that particular night? Probably not. But that important piece of the story is emblazoned on your memory like it was yesterday. The amount of data in her recollection makes perfect sense.

You would never forget who attacked you if such a thing happened to you. She knew exactly who he was. You would never hear anyone say, "Hmm, it may have been Joe who tried to rape me, but maybe it was Kyle. I dunno. It was so long ago, I forget." It just doesn't make any sense to suggest such a thing. If she wasn't certain, I feel like she would have said she wasn't certain.

These nutballs who are threatening both Kavanaugh and Ford are disgusting as well. Get help if you are threatening people for any reason. Seriously.

I don't like Kavanaugh's bratty behavior with the Democratic senators and especially not answering the questions about the FBI investigation. There has "never NOT been an FBI investigation" about these types of issues, as they said yesterday, so why not now? Are you so special that we don't need an FBI investigation, when it has always been done before? Especially now, in the times in which we find ourselves, with respect to sexual harassment/aggression. Better now than ever.

Senator Flake just demanded an FBI investigation or he will vote No on the Senate floor vote. NICE! Thank goodness for some across-the-aisle work to get people thinking with their brains instead of blind party loyalty. Hopefully the Republican leadership will agree, and the FBI will get the details to allow a more educated vote.

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Mid-Week Update

Jeff and I finished the second season of Ozark. Man, that is such a great series. The acting is SO good and the story so dark that I can't even watch more than one episode in a sitting. They'll off anyone on that show! Skeery!

I had lunch with Crystal at EastSide Tavern yesterday. It was really yummy! Try the brisket tater tots appetizer.

We saw A Simple Favor last weekend. It was very entertaining, but I did think there was some weird editing, that didn't ever explain a whole obvious side-plot (the TA relationship- amiright?), and also went wonky at the end, where the film turned from dramedy to slapstick comedy for a few minutes there. Funny (ha ha), but also quite funny (odd). We did have a couple of questions about the story details as well. Maybe we're thinking too much.

And lastly, on the first listen, I really sort of hated this song. (I was like- THIS is David Guetta's latest???) Then Apple Music started playing three songs on repeat for some creepy/weird reason, and this song was one of them (of course). I was driving, so I couldn't fix it. The second time I heard the song, I liked it, and by the third time, I LOVED it! What the heck? Anyhoo...



I run to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

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Brent and Julie Moonves

Julie Chen called Brett "Brent" last night during her Big Brother sign-off, before calling herself Julie Chen Moonves, so I guess she was a little thrown by the whole "statement" she was making. The Talk is one of the shows I record and watch every day, and I really like Julie a lot, but I have mixed feelings about her public reaction to the Les situation. The Talk co-hosts have been supporting the women during the MeToo movement, and I don't think you can give an auto-pass to someone just because he's your husband, and so far, that's Julie's message.

I think that in order to move forward in her career and especially The Talk, she is going to have to explain her support. I personally think it is fine and very personal since it is her husband and father of her child, and people stay in marriages despite similar issues for various reasons we don't need to know... except no one can reconcile this with her previous MeToo commentary without some sort of heart-to-heart with her viewers. She of course has zero fault in the Les accusations, but women are just wanting to know that she isn't completely ignoring or denying the accusations. I assume she isn't, but I'm just saying she should say something more than "I support my husband."

And perhaps, she doesn't believe the accusations one single bit, in which case, I think she would be fooling herself and eventually she would figure out that at least something was happening with so many accusers coming forward.

(I think they should have voted JC out last night! I've grown to like Brett and his sense of humor, after finding him really arrogant and annoying before, and was sad to see him go.)

In football news, the Fightin' Texas Aggies are looking FABULOUS so far! Should have won the Clemson (#2) game (bad call- grr), but we're very happy with the game play!


Saturday 9: Teenage Dream (2010)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Much of the video for this week's song takes place in a convertible and on the beach. How's the weather where you are? Would you be comfortable riding around with the top down today?

It's rainy and 10000% humidity. Not a great day for a convertible.

2) This video was filmed all around Katy Perry's hometown of Santa Barbara. Amtrak runs through Santa Barbara via The Pacific Surfliner. Tell us about a memorable train trip.

Dad and I took a train from Brighton to London to see Duran Duran during my visit there (I've told this story a million times- best. story. ever.- well, other than my John Bon Jovi story...). The trains stopped running before we could get all the way home, so we ended up taking a few other methods of transportation, which was hilarious and adventurous and expensive as all get-out.

3) Katy sings that her boyfriend thinks she's funny, even when she gets the punchline wrong. Do you think you're a better joke-teller or audience? 

Audience. I laugh easily, and will probably very honestly LOL at your joke, no matter how lame.

4) Her "teenage dream" lover is shown working out with a heavy bag. When is the last time you visited a gym?

With Crystal, about 4 years ago. We went to a boxing gym and I got a cramp so bad the trainer had to stretch me. Oy.

5) Katy changes her hair a lot. She's gone from long black hair to cropped blonde hair with stops at red, green and purple. Today, are you having a good hair day?

Yep

6) Katy thinks dimples are "irresistible" and can't help poking a finger when a dimpled friend smiles. Do you have dimples?
No

7) Two of Katy's fragrances (Meow and Purr) are sold in cat-shaped bottles. Are you wearing a scent as you answer these questions?
Nope.

8) Katy's favorite dessert is ice cream (specifically Cold Stone Creamery's Birthday Cake Remix). What's the last dessert you ate?
a Magnum Chocolate Infinity ice cream bar a couple of nights ago

9) Random question: How often do you change your bedsheets?

once per week

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Weekend Update - Asian Edition

Yesterday, we finally did the Asian market day we've been planning since H-Mart and 99 Ranch Market opened in Austin earlier this year. Scott-n-Julie and Jeff and I headed to H-Mart first, so we could get lunch at the 8-restaurant food court there. We tried several things from a few of them, and almost everything we tried was a hit! My favorites were the Kimchi Tater Tots and Bulgogi Sandwich from EStreet Tacos, and the garlic-soy Korean Chicken Bites from Donkey Mo's. And omg, EStreet has something called Chicken Skin Chicharrones, also very highly recommended, which I will definitely try next time. Their queso supposedly rocks as well. So, EStreet and Donkey Mo's, y'all. Write. That. Down.

We perused the aisles at H-Mart, which is very large and bright, and looks just like a regular grocery store, other than the products are almost all Asian. Their produce was OUTSTANDING. Just beautiful. I complain all the time about our produce at our grocery stores. Their stuff was exceptional and not expensive.

Next we headed to 99 Ranch Market. It is smaller than H-Mart (still big though!), and less well-lit. Their produce looked just like my HEB, pretty average. Their prices ran quite a bit less than H-Mart. They also have Peking Duck for $20 and live lobster for $8 per pound. I almost bought a vat of Kikkoman soy sauce (the only one I use), 2 quarts worth, for $5 and change. Couldn't figure out where to store it, so I didn't, but just as an example, they do have great prices. Plenty of selection, too. I did get some grapeseed oil (the best for stir fry, according to Jet Tila) and sesame oil there.

We stopped into the Beto campaign office in the 99 Ranch Market shopping center, to buy a bumper sticker. I was going to take a photo of Jeff entering the glass doors with a big sign for the Texas Democratic Party, just to send his parents for funsies, but they are reaching that age where we don't want to shock them too much.

Last night, Jeff and I went to a new-to-us restaurant so I could try Banh Mi for the first time. It was really good. We need to hit one of the more acclaimed banh mi spots to compare though.

Today, Jeff and I saw Crazy Rich Asians, I guess to complete the Far East themed weekend we're having. I liked it, but I will warn you, it is a rom-com with the emphasis on the Rom. You probably think it's a comedy along the lines of The Hangover or Wedding Crashers from some of the trailers, but it is a normal romantic comedy, with a few laughs here and there. Still good! Just don't plan to blow Dr. Pepper out your nose laughing.

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Somebody Feed Phil

We've now completed the two seasons of "Somebody Feed Phil" on Netflix, along with the original PBS version, "I'll Have What Phil's Having," also on Netflix. SO GOOD! Phil's show reminds me of "Better Late Than Never," Henry Winkler's show on network TV, where Henry, Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman and William Shatner travel all over the world together. Both shows dive into local traditions, food and attractions in foreign cities.

"Somebody Feed Phil" and "I'll Have What Phil's Having" are hosted by Phil Rosenthal, a very funny comedy writer/producer who has been involved in a ton of successful comedy television shows, including "Everybody Loves Raymond." Each world city he visits is so different, and they do a fantastic job of integrating the foodie aspects with the real flavor of the culture. The food is far more casual than the upper crust, fine dining of "Chef's Table."

Now we're sad we've seen all the episodes so far. Looking for a new show to watch until The Crown is back!


Saturday 9: It's a Jungle Out There (Theme from Monk) (2003)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is the theme from the detective show that ran from 2002-2009. Were you a fan?

Yes!

2) The song warns us about the air we breathe and the water we drink. Does your home have an air or water filter?

Doesn't every home have an air filter on the AC? Sometimes these questions worry me. Reminds me of when JulieP's AC froze up (literally with a giant sheet of ice) because she didn't know she was supposed to change the air filter... for THREE YEARS. Yes, we have an air filter on our AC. We have a water filter only on the water from the fridge dispenser.

3) The lyrics say, "People say I'm crazy to worry all the time." Are you a worrier? Or do you just take things as they come?

I'm a worrier, but not nearly as much as I used to be. I've found that whatever you're worrying about probably won't ever happen, and things you never imagined definitely will. So, what's the point really?

4) TV's Adrian Monk is known for his outstanding deductive powers, an homage to Sherlock Holmes. Have you read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books featuring Sherlock Holmes?

Yes, and I loved Robert Downey, Jr. in the film.

5) Monk was also known for fastidiousness and precision, an homage to Hercule Poirot. Have you read any of Agatha Christie's books featuring Poirot?

Nope, but I played and enjoyed very much the original PC video game And Then There Were None. It doesn't include the Poirot character, but... just... saying...

6) This song was written and performed by Grammy and Emmy winner Randy Newman. Do you have any trophies or plaques? 

I have a trophy from the Foundation, when I was awarded Volunteer of the Year a few years ago.

7) Before winning an Oscar in 2001, Mr. Newman had the distinction of having the most nominations (15) without a win. Do you consider yourself a graceful loser?

Very. 

8) In 2003, when this song was introduced, Lance Armstrong won his fifth Tour de France. Later, he was disgraced in a doping scandal. Can you think of a time when a hero disappointed you?
When my dad left my mom to marry his childhood girlfriend, I was totally blindsided. I would never have guessed that he was the type of person to leave his family. Never. Later, I would find out that not only had he had done it to a wife and son before us, he would do it again, to the new wife. Disappointing is a nice word for it. To find out it was part of his modus operandi really threw me for a loop. Eventually, he married his last wife and stayed with her. He and I talked a lot about marriage and life, and I was happy that he learned that marriage is a commitment worth honoring, and just packing up and leaving when things go a little wonky isn't appropriate.

9) Random question -- We're catering lunch. Should we put you down for a burger or a taco?

burger

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