Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity

I have a sensitive nose. I know I do. I can always smell the cookies baking in the office before anyone else. (Did I mention that the secretaries bake us cookies once a month? They do. Good cookies too.) Funky smells, perfumes, etc. That said, I am waiting at the bus stop this morning and I think I smell...bacon. And eggs. And pancakes. Not in the I'm-hungry-and-craving-something-and-I-can-taste-and-smell-it kind of way. I could actually smell it. There is an IHOP two blocks from my bus stop. I could actually smell it. Guess what I had for dinner?

Mmmm...fruit stuffed crepes.




Pay no attention to the cured pork products on my plate. Seriously, I think it's a North Carolina state statute or something. I'm legally required to have at least two pork products on my breakfast plate at all times. (For those of you that don't know, NC's three main "exports" are tobacco, watermelon and pig. Seriously.)

On my way home from work, there was a guy in the back of the bus, talking at another guy. You know that guy. He talks way too loud and shares his theories and everything he knows with anyone who doesn't run away. Here's what I learned from him:

1. He was in the Navy.
2. The Navy frequently stops in the Philippines so the sailors can get laid and drunk.
3. He knows everything about Japan after living on a military base there for four months.
4. Japanese people are only concerned with not embarrassing themselves.
5. Japan has a city called Key-oh-ta.
6. He has a DUI.

I also learned today that the vending machine in my office has Livermush sandwiches. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I live in a state capitol.

I've rearranged!

If you look to the left, you'll see a list of the regular characters. Click on their name and it'll take you to all of their posts. I didn't realize there were so many people!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Printmaking photos posted to Flickr.

The whole series can be found here.

Penny, knitting and insomnia.

I had a nice chat with Penny today about knitting. I was waiting for the bus at the Transfer Center. She sat down next to me and told me she saw me knitting something. We started talking about it and began to compare WIPs...that would be works in progress to you nonknitterly types. She's as cool and sweet as I expected her to be. She's making a hat for her husband with a handspun Merino and bamboo mix in a lovely green over gold colorway. Unfortunately, last night I got a whopping total of three, count 'em three, hours of sleep. I am actually skipping my drawing class tonight in favor of laying around until 9:30.

I forgot to mention that MSG has a new pair of glasses. They are pretty fly. They work for him too. Last time I saw him, he sat behind me so I turned around to compliment him on the new frames. He was all pleased with himself that I'd noticed.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

From printmaking class


Here is a final print from the printmaking class I've been babbling about for two weeks now. This is a linoleum block reducto print. Basically, I am making three prints from the same block. Each time I am taking away a little more and using a different color ink. I am mostly happy with the way they came out. This one looks good.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The world's gone all crazy-like!

From Cute Overload, where else?

Bus Cookies: The Saga

Truth be told, the real saga was just getting these pictures uploaded to Blogger.

Step One: Roll out dough. Cut with bus shaped cookie cutter. Bake.



Step Two: Fiddle around with oven rack placement because oven seems to broil everything all of a sudden. Put cookies on rack to cool.



Step Three: Make icing. Remember to put piping tip coupler in pastry bag before icing next time.



Step Four: Ice cookies. Do best you can with super stiff royal icing and small time constraint. (They aren't the sexiest cookies around, but they are hardly worthy of Cake Wrecks. Seriously, y'all, don't even think about submitting these.)



Step Five: Boyfriend gets two cookies.



Step Six: Put cookies in baggies and add "thank you" tag. Pose baggies for picture for high maintenance blog readers (love you!). Take to Transfer Center and give to nice customer service lady.



I got an email from the customer service manager today thanking me for the cookies. I ended up making about 40 cookies all together. There were enough to go to the drivers and office staff. The dough is a great basic sugar cookie dough. The icing was a fairly standard royal icing. It was maybe a little too stiff for sugar cookies with detail. The icing was tasty. It tasted like marshmallows. I'd have to play around with the icing next time to figure out what I'd do to modify it. The icing did make a reasonable size batch, but I had tons left over. I didn't use a lot of icing on the cookies partly because the cookies weren't that thick to begin with, but also because this icing dried so quickly, as in nanoseconds people. Crazy. But crazy good this time, since I was able to do all of this in one evening.

All in all, it was well worth it. they were well received by a great, hard-working group of people. Thanks, Triangle Transit for all you do everyday!

A Hitchcock film I've never heard of?

Torn Curtain

And it stars Paul Newman and Julie Andrews? How is this possible?

FW: FW: FW: FW:, or The text of an email I received today.

Hi Folks,

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to
America in a "We Deserve It Dividend".

To make the math simple, let's assume there are
200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man,
woman and child.. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at
adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that
equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We
Deserve It Dividend"..

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.

So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.

That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their
pocket.

A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your
family?

Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.

Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads

Put away money for college – it'll be there

Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

Buy a new car – create jobs

Invest in the market – capital drives growth

Pay for your parent's medical insurance – health care
improves

Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including
the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every
other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those
serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really
do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( "vote buy" ) economic
incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's
bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it.

Sell off its parts.

Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean
it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work."

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the
$85 Billion "We Deserve It" Dividend more than I do the
geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .

And remember, The Family plan only really costs $59.5
Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes
to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Too tired to blog.

The cookies are done.

Hi Martha! Martha! Over here! Yoo hoo! *frantic waving* Hi!

Dudes, I entered this contest today. Wish me luck!

Yeah, and your point would be....

Seriously, how is this news? Surely I can't be the only one who figured that out years ago.

Happy Autumn Everyone!

52 degrees this morning: $0

Red scarf from little Tibetan shop in San Francisco: $10

Being happy it finally feels like Fall around here: priceless.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Yummy yummy!

Y'all, I have a great recipe to share with you. I have to talk to the person who gave it to me before I can post it since I'm not sure who's recipe it is.

I saw Boyfriend today and told him about the cookies. He's all excited. He requested no nuts. Check. No nuts in my baby's cookies. They are just plain vanilla sugar cookies anyway. He'll get his on Thursday since he probably won't be driving on Friday. Everyone else can wait.

Now, to bake and decorate four dozen cookies.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Monday Monday Monday! One day only!

If you're in the Triangle today, hop on a bus. They are all participating in the Free Fare Day!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Waiting for Arthur

I am on my way to a friend's house, waiting to be picked up by another friend. Since I live in a locked building, it's easier I wait outside. There is a bench at the bus stop in front of my building where I am sitting. With a pie and a bottle of wine. You should see the looks I am getting.

On haircuts, Ugg boots and other fashion mistakes: The Outbound No. 4 Rex Hospital

To MSG:

Yes, I see you. I also see that you cut your hair. It's a good look for you. I'd even go so far as to say you're kinda cute. The bowl cut wasn't really for you.

XOXO,
Meg
To the girl sitting two seats in front of me:

If it's cold enough for Ugg boots, which it is not today, it's too cold to be wearing a micro-mini skirt. I will grant that you are an indescribably cute young Asian girl, which means you can pull off outfits that most other women can't. However, you still look ridiculous in your Ugg boots.

Cheers,
Meg
To the woman sitting in front of me:

Your shirt is inside out. I really hope it's not intentional, because that's just stupid.

Cheers,
Meg

Saturday, September 20, 2008

On local businesses and customer service.

I bought my bike in January from a shop called Cycle Logic, on Hillsborough Street here in Raleigh. I stopped by there first and rode the Raleigh Venture. It has push buttons gears, a super comfy seat. It's a great bike. They would even throw in all the proverbial bells and whistles too, like a helmet, lock, water bottle, patch kit, extra tube, etc. The price was right. Sadly, the owner of the shop is a complete jerk. I went to REI and tried a couple more bikes in the same price range. They did not compare. The seats weren't comfortable, they had the twist shifters, and nothing extra was included. I bought the Raleigh bike. I didn't feel good about it. I feel like making a purchase in this shop validates his behavior.

I had to take my bike in for service today. It's not downshifting between 5, 4, and 3. The front brake is too mushy too. The owner helped me today. I told him about the front brake. His response made me feel like he thinks I'm stupid. If one year free service was not included in the purchase of the bike, I'd go someplace else. I am all about giving my business to a small, local shop. Even if REI is a "co-op" it's still corporate. The guy who owns Cycle Logic is such a dick that he makes it hard to want to give him my business. Once I get my bike back, I'm going to All Star. They are nice people.

Progress, but I still need a nap.

1. Take Unit Two quiz for HR class. (tonight)

2. Grocery store. (this afternoon)

3. Make and freeze cookie dough for bus cookies. (Sunday morning)

4. Buy little bags and tags for cookies. (this afternoon)

5. Vacuum. (Sunday morning)

6. Laundry. (Sunday morning)

7. Hit Sephora at Crabtree. (Sunday afternoon)

8. Start Chapter 5 in HR class. (Sunday)

9. Start thinking about design ideas for printmaking class. (In process...I found tons of fallen leaves on my way home from the bike shop. I've been wanting to do a series of botanical prints. Now to identify all these trees!)

10. Go by Pullen and pull remaining 4 prints for current project. (this afternoon, or maybe Tuesday?)

How do you think I feel? Confused? Hurt? Betrayed?

My parents gave me a copy of The New Professional Pastry Chef by Bo Freiberg for my birthday, I think, a couple years ago. I love this book. For starters, it is a culinary school textbook so you know its good. You can learn so much just by reading it. To be honest, I think my parents just want a pastry chef in the family. I refer to it frequently enough that my mom threatens to get me one of those stands people use for their bibles to house my book.

Anyway, it's a great book. I thought I could refer to it for a production sized recipe for sugar cookies. Alas, I was wrong. Bo has let me down. I am going to have to do some reading and tweaking to come up with the recipe I need.

::le sigh:: It's time to channel my inner Parisian Pastry Chef.

Friday, September 19, 2008

I think I need a nap already.

My ever-growing To Do list for this weekend is beginning to make me panic. Here's what I got so far, in no particular order.

1. Take Unit Two quiz for HR class.

2. Grocery store. Whole Foods?

3. Go to art supply store for the following:
printing ink (green and violet-black for current project)
copper plate
plexiglass
Rives paper

4. Stop neglecting bartender at Zely+Ritz. Need to visit Jay.

5. Pick up bus shaped cookie cutter.

6. Make and freeze cookie dough for bus cookies.

7. Buy little bags and tags for cookies.

8. Take bike in for service, gears sticking.

9. Vacuum.

10. Laundry.

11. Hit Sephora at Crabtree.

12. Start Chapter 5 in HR class.

13. Put three Netflix dvds in mail finally!

14. Ship a couple jars of jam to Oakland, CA? (Any takers?)

15. Begin planning handmade Christmas presents.

16. Start thinking about design ideas for printmaking class.

17. Go by Pullen and pull remaining 4 prints for current project.

I can't believe I forgot this!

Yesterday, in my conversation with Babushko, he commented on my ring. I bought it in California a couple years ago. The woman who sold it to me claimed it was an old Afghani tribal seal, about 1,000 years old, and set into a ring about 50 years ago. Mmmm, could be, but I'm not running off to Sotheby's any time soon. It's a fairly sizeable ring. The stone is red and oval shaped, about a half an inch by three quarters of an inch. On the stone is carved an animal of some kind, maybe a horse. Above the animal is a sideways oval with two horizonal lines, kind of like "011." I don't know what the stone is, and I'm not sure if I believe it is 1,000 years old, but I love the ring.

Apparently my new friend likes it too.

The Black Pen Chronicles

I could tell Amy Number One was itching to talk to me this morning since she kept looking at me. I think she didn't know what to talk about. About two minutes before we got to the Transfer Center she spoke up.

Amy: "Do you have a black pen?"

Me: "No, not with me."

Amy: "What happened to your black pen?"

Me: "It's in my office."

Amy: "How many black pens do you have?"

Me: "Probably two or three."

Amy: "Mmmm. Two or three."

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Vote early, vote often.

We have our first ever Meg On The Bus poll! Let your voice be heard!

Yeah, just put that anywhere.

On the way home tonight, there was a couple sitting in the sideways seats across from the backdoor. Clearly one of them had just arrived by plane, but I am not sure which. She was holding a cheezy gas station rose, which I am sure smelt of hotdogs, and she looked like she hadn't bothered to fix herself up. Believe me, nobody understands better than I the tragedy that is "Plane Hair," but c'mon sweetie. Then again, they were all over each other like 10th graders, so maybe it wasn't necessary. But still, he was all dolled up.

Between the two of them, they had a fairly large suitcase. At some point during the make out session, the suitcase gets away from them and falls and hits the backdoors. And breaks the glass in the door. As in, the back of the bus is suddenly a bit more breezy then before. Funquita is driving, so naturally, she doesn't notice. How she didn't, I can't fathom. It made a loud cracking noise. The dude picks up the suitcase and begins making out with the frump again, like nothing happened. Everyone else was just too flabbergasted to do or say anything.

Seriously, peoples, I can't make this stuff up. I occasionally hear, "oh you write about the most clever stuff," or some such nonsense. I swear I don't. I am only reporting on what I see. Truth truly is stranger than fiction. Now get out there and ride the bus!

Red is my favorite color too!

I left for the bus this morning and as usual, I forgot something. I was already running late, so I went to the bus stop at the Chargrill. Babushko was there, decked out in red. Red Nautica jacket (which cracks me up because it's Nautica), a red shirt, tan pants about an inch and a half too short, which revealed red socks. I walked over to me as I got to the stop. He actually started talking to me too! He kept saying "my favorite color red" over and over. I wasn't wearing red but I figured it out. I told him he looked very nice. He did actually. Red is a good color for him. Anyway, he went in to his "nicest lady of them all" routine for a minute or two, then he tells me about this organ performance at a local church in about a month. He's going. He likes organ music. The event is free. I may actually go. It would be fun to hang with him. I do kind of like organ music.

So now I know that when I make him his hat and scarf, it needs to be red.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Go Rams!

I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to my pal, Cai, stepping up and being my first publically admitted follower! Wooooo!

The bus riding insanity resumes tomorrow. Tomorrow is Thursday and you all know what that means, don't you?

Monday, September 15, 2008

I need to have my head examined.

My first bus in the evening was running too fast tonight and I almost missed it. Between you and me, this was the last thing I needed after the day I had. I went into the TTA customer service office to let them know. While I was filling out my complaint form, a customer service girl sells a monthly pass to a guy and mentions to him that if you buy six of them, you get a free monthly pass if you bring back the six used ones. I did not know this. Again, tough day, the last thing I needed to hear. So I mentioned it to the girl. I tell her I had never heard this before, I have been riding the bus for about a year and a half now, no one told me. Her response was basically, "Oh well." In her best interest, she summons a supervisor. I express my frustration, shall we say, to the supervisor. As the conversation ends she gives me two monthly passes for free. (A monthly pass costs $64, for those of you playing along at home.) Essentially, it's what I had earned this year by buying 12 monthly passes. Sounds great, right? Yeah, except now I feel a bit guilty. I mean this is $128 (someone check my math) value that she just gave to me. On one hand, I'm thrilled. On the other hand, I fell like maybe, it was too generous? Someone, please, what the hell is my problem?

Next week the TTA is having a big hoopla. Next Friday, 9/26, is Operations Appreciation Day. I am planning on making bus shaped cookies with bus colored icing for all of the drivers and staff. I'll wrap them up in little bags with a little note that says thank you. They really are great people. They have comment cards that riders can fill out and turn in. I grabbed a fistful today to fill out for Boyfriend (of course), Floyd, Lester, Norman, Preacherman, Sarge, Richard, and anyone else I can think of.

Preacherman is one of my favorites. He works part time, so I don't see him that often. He's the one that looks like a compact Jerome Bettis. He has the exaggerated diction and dramatic pauses of someone who does a lot of public speaking. He's apparently a preacher, from what I hear. He's a nice guy with a funny name. I forget it, but it's something like Harrington Jenkins. Bennington Jones? I forget.

Sarge is my new morning bus driver. He's a bit gruff, but nice. He has the deep voice, perfect posture and neatly groomed moustache of a career military man. It was also confirmed that he was in the military by several bus drivers.

The great people deserve cookies. I figure a production sized recipe by Bo Freiberg should do the trick.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Friday morning, headed to work, knitting a sock.

Bus arrives at Transfer Center, Amy Number One starts to get off the bus.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"I'm knitting a sock."

still getting off the bus, not looking at me "For who?"

"It's for me."

Now off the bus, but shouting at me "Knitting two socks." I don't believe this is a question

"Eventually I'll have two socks."

Amy is walking towards her second bus, clearly finished with conversation.

Nonsense? Prophecy? You be the judge.

I had a dream last night that I had moved back to Pittsburgh. It was snowing. I was riding the bus and dispensing advice on retirement plans to the other passengers. The Other Amy was my personal assistant and her latest assignment was choosing a few coffee table options from Ikea for me.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

My horoscope for today. Libra, if you're curious.

"You might want to hide today, yet it's not about fear right now. What's most important to you now is doing your chores or homework so you can move toward your larger goals. Even if it feels like you're not making much progress, keep on doing what comes naturally. Trusting your inner guidance may not be easy, but it's what you need to do."

I can't tell you how much homework I have this weekend. I'm riding to a friend's house in a few minutes for lunch. I'm looking forward to it, but all I can think about is how much I reading have to do today. I guess this means I've grown up, huh?

Friday, September 12, 2008

Ha Ha Ha...suckers!

Monday, September 22nd is Free Fare Day on the buses all over the Triangle. Get the details here.



Live blogging: The sky is falling!

As we are driving by the second gas station FULL of cars and people lined up as far as the eye can see, Sam the bus driver is letting us know that overnight gas will jump to $4.50 a gallon, maybe $5, because if that TORNADO they have down in Texas.

um, do you mean hurricane ike?

Reporting live from Miami Boulevard in Durham, I'm Meg On The Bus.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Amy and The Hot Seat

Penny has been riding the bus off and on for as long as I can remember. She takes to 105 to RTP in the mornings. Recently she's been riding the bus more, to and from the park and ride. She seems like she's a pretty cool person. She knits most days and has a tragic obsession with fun fur and acrylic yarn. She's a cute girl. I try very hard not to hate her for her perfect hair...you know the type, she never has a bad hair day...it's super thick, has a perfect wave to it-not too curly, not too straight, and it's that great copper penny shade of red. It looks like all she does is wash it. (So unfair to those of us that are follicularly challenged!) Women spend hundreds of dollars to get their hair to look like this. Sigh In my next life....

Friday morning, Penny got on at the park and ride and sat in the seat in front of Amy. She pulled out her knitting and got to work. Hilarity and hyjinx ensued.

Penny: knitting

Amy: moves forward, stick head between seats "What are you doing?"

Penny: "I'm knitting"

Amy: "For who?"

Penny: "For a friend"

Amy: "What's your friend's name?"

Penny: "Jane*"

Amy: "What's your friend's last name"

Penny: hesitates "Smith"

Amy: "What's your name?"

Penny: gives her first name (I'll call her Penny)

Amy: "What's your last name?"

Penny: gives slightly complicated last name

Amy: "What?"

Penny: repeats last name

Amy: repeats last name

Penny: "What's your name?"

Amy: "Amy"

Penny: "What's your last name?"

Amy: "Lamb"

Penny: "Like a baby sheep?"

Amy: blinks

Penny: "A lamb is a baby sheep. Your last name is Lamb."

Amy: "Yeah"

Penny: "It's nice to meet you Amy Lamb" They shake hands

Amy: long pause "Hey, Penny, we're getting a bad storm."

Penny: "I don't think it'll be a bad storm. I think it will just be rainy."

Amy: "Yeah"

Amy: long pause "Hey, Penny, what did you do last night?"

Penny: thinks for a minute "I made dinner"

Amy: "What did you make?"

Penny: "Sweet potato cassarole"

Amy: "What else?"

Penny: "A salad"

Amy: "What else?"

Penny: "um, some tea"

Amy: "What kind of tea? Sweet tea?"

Penny: "No, it was hot tea. A berry tea"

Amy: "What kind of berry?"

It should be noted that by this point, everyone in the front of the bus has focused their attention on these two. The guy in front of me went so far as to put his book down and turn sideways like he watching a tennis match.

Penny: "It was some kind of Chinese berry, I don't know what it's called"

Amy: "What else did you do last night?"

Penny: "That was about it"

Amy: "Did you watch tv?"

Penny: "No"

Amy: "Did you watch the news?"

Penny: "No. I don't watch tv"

Amy: "You don't watch the news?"

Penny: "No, I read the paper"

Amy: "Did you read the paper last night?"

Penny: "No, I read it yesterday morning"

Amy: "What else did you do last night?"

Penny: "I called a friend and I made lunch for today"

Amy: "What did you make for lunch?"

Penny: "I have a sandwich. What did you do last night?"

Amy: "I had supper"

Penny: "What did you have?"

Amy: "Sweet potato cassarole and sweet tea"

Penny: "What else did you do last night?"

Amy: "I watched tv"

Penny: "What shows do you like?"

Amy: "I like The Simpsons and The Family Guy" That's awesome!

I think this went on for a few more minutes. This was seriously funny. I wish you could hear Amy's voice. She has almost a country Southern drawl. Her tone of voice is very monotone but she speaks pretty quickly, especially when she grills someone. She really could have a good career as a detective or CIA agent.

*names have been changed because I just can't remember them at this point.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Just checking in....

Hey y'all. I just wanted to let you know Hanna didn't amount to much more than a lot of rain in my area. I've been a bit busy and will be back soon!

Friday, September 5, 2008

I knew I should have built a bunker!

Hey y'all! I just wanted to let you know I am getting ready to hunker down for the next day or two. Tropical Storm Hanna is on her way. I am only now realizing I was remiss in not stocking up on a fresh pack of Newman Os, kettle cooked potato chips and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. I do however have three netflix movies and enough knitting projects to last decades. Not to worry, loyal readers! Meg On The Bus will be okay!

I don't expect this storm to be that bad. Like most residents on the South East Coast, Hurricane Ike is looking a lot worse. I will be back shortly. I have a great Amy story for ya.

Until then, have a happy storm! Be safe!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

*politics alert* whoop whoop whoop *politics alert* whoop whoop whoop

I'm sorry y'all, but I still firmly believe in the separation of church and state. Believe what you want to believe, but separation of chuch and state should be sacrosanct. This country was founded on that principle. Jesus doesn't make us go to war. Greedy, ego-centric politicians make us go to war.

I'm sorry. I just can't keep quite about this disturbing article.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Meg Love, MD

Lester was all thrilled with the matzo ball soup. It is rumored he refused to share. He's taken to calling me Dr. Love.

I hit the Fresh Market again on my way home. All I really needed to get was toilet paper. Fifty three dollars later, I have what I came for plus a very heavy bag. Allow me to share with you the highlights.

A wee cappuccino mousse before:


A wee cappuccino mousse after:


Dare I say this was better than the last?

Look what else I got! Squirrel food!


A mix of dried cherries, dried cranberries, pistachios, pecans and cashews. Holy cow! It's so good, it was all I could do to not power through the bag at the bus stop! I am making a concerted effort to eat better. I've taken stock of my diet over the past few days. I am alarmed at the stunning lack of vegetables in my vegetarian diet. I gotta do something about this, yo. I am making an attempt to eat super healthy this week. I got yogurt, granola and strawberries for breakfast. The fruit and nuts for a snack, string cheese, I grilled off veggies to go with Isreali cous cous. I know, right? Who am I and what have I done with me?

The best thing about the Fresh Market...the guy who works at the pastry counter. He remembered me. He asked me how the bus was. Eeep! He's trying to ride his bike everywhere. And he's cute!

Alright, peeps. As evidenced by the fact that the dishes are still in the sink, they aren't going to wash themselves. Have a good night.