Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Moving on up

We move to the 4th floor tomorrow. We're feeling a little nostalgic about leaving this little apartment. It was our first place here in a new city, where we knew no one but each other. It was our place when Matt was in school, when I was out of work, when we were both grieving over significant losses this past year. And now that we're leaving, we're looking back at all the progress we have made. We've come so far with new jobs, new friends, and a new start in our new place.

(Just an FYI, the cable guy can't come until Monday, so we'll be without internet and cable until then.)

(Had a nice chat with Jenny the other day. Thanks for all your advice and insights, it was great to hear your voice and Patrick's too.)

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Working over lunch

I can't stand not leaving the office for my lunch break. That precious hour is my break to get away from the office, from the phones, from people demanding my time. My lunch break is my own time, but unfortunately today I do not get that time to myself. Instead, I've ordered in Thai Food from a highly reccomended restaurant. I think it would taste better outside the office. I can't leave today though. I did not drive and Nicole, my usual lunch buddy, has to stay in. I guess she'll be staying in a lot more so I will have to figure out something else for the days I don't drive.

This weekend Aunt Gwen and cousin-in-law Brenda are flying in for a quick visit. I'm excited to see them but they couldn't have come at a busier time. Friday is a big day at work with our CEO paying a visit along with our 2 Area VP's. Saturday and Sunday are planned for packing as we move next week into our new apartment (with an extra room). Matt understands that I'll need to spend some time with them showing them around, but originally we weren't planning on moving while they were here. In fact, we were planning on having moved already by this point. It's a long story that I don't want to get into right now! Add into this that poor Matt has to have his thesis done by Friday. We're both pretty stressed out.

Still haven't finished Book 7 yet. But the count of falling bodies is steadily climbing. It's quite emotional and very well written. I'm taking my sweet time, because I don't want to miss a word on these pages.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Goodbye, Harry Potter...

NO SPOILERS!! I haven't read the final installment...I'm still on book 5. Need to read book 6 before the final book 7. I saw the movie last night and I really liked how they kept it dark. I liked that they kept it as a transitional film, where Harry is at that awkward phase of turning from a tween to a young adult. I've avoided spoiler articles and reviews of the book, I don't want to know anything.

My job is going well. My life is quite simple now - I go to work and come home! I'm pretty exhausted at the end of the day and have just enough energy to cook. I need to start going to bed at a decent hour so that I can get enough sleep. But I really like what I do and now that the wicked witch has left, big changes are happening and I am ready to move with them.

Matt is doing well too. Busy with all kinds of projects, of course, and ready to be done with school. Still no word from the SciFi Network, and we're starting to get anxious!

Monday, July 16, 2007

A regular night out in the neighborhood

Go figure. The random Monday night we are both craving Taiyo (just down the street) at 7:30 at night, we walk down and who do we see?

The lovely...

...Minnie Driver! Sitting at La Poubelle in a very passionate conversation with her friend.












On the way back we stopped at an organic juice bar for some browsing and who did we see? I actually saw him walking down the street and gasped...Matt was totally horrified at my lack of restraint...


...Bobby Lee from MAD TV! We actually got to chat with him a little bit about travels to Europe and he was really nice, a very cool person.


All in all a fun night out with good food and fun people. We feel like tourists with all this celebrity spotting!

Friday, July 13, 2007

I'm a dork, but I'm a cute dork!

Oh ok, fine, I admit it, I've joined my first D&D campaign. And you know what? I really enjoy it. There are many things happening that I didn't associate with role playing:

1. I'm not up all night. Sessions are only 3 or 4 hours long once a week with good friends.
2. Healthy snacks from now on. No more chips and dip, or $30 worth of cookies from the bakery!
3. Dinner that I don't have to cook. Since we meet at Don and Cindy's place, Cindy cooks and I assist.
4. Extra time with my hubby!

I have fought playing for a long time. I'm not sure why, but it's very fun to see how cute Matt is when he talks to me about role playing. He's thrilled that I've taken an interest in something he's been passionate about for so long, which makes it totally worthwhile. :)

The only downfalls are that Matt picks me up right from work so I don't get to go home until late at night (around 11pm which means a very long day for me), and I'm totally exhausted on Fridays, which are my busiest days. But hey, it's just a few hours until the weekend begins so it's not that bad. The math is the other thing that bugs me. It's just going to take me awhile to get used to what to apply to and when....there's a lot more to RP'ing than I thought!

Cindy best describes on her blog what the session was like last night. It was a longer session than I anticipated, but it certainly was an adventure!

I'm really excited about this gaming group. For the first time in a while ... actually maybe for the first time ever ... I think we have a group that is more intellectually strategic than battle heavy. In our group of 5 players, we have an elf cleric (divine magic/healer), a half-elf favoured soul (divine magic/healer #2), a half-elf rogue (sneaky and stealthy but quite squishy), a half-drow sorcerer/warrior (magic user with big nasty axe), and a Warforged Knight (Damage dealer but too honorable to play dirty). I think it will be interesting trying to solve our challenges creatively rather than just running in with our swords and killing everything in sight. On the other hand, we did almost have a total party wipe out last night from just two mangy rats. True, they weren't just any rats, they were horrid rats, but still how embarrassing would it have been if we were taken out by a couple of rodents before we had even accomplished our first mission. Last night we achieved our first objective, scored big on lots treasure, and several of us leveled as well. Leveling is exciting when you are playing a magic user because you get to cast more spells per day!

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Fun with Fish

I made these last night for dinner during one of those hot, humid evenings. So so yummy! Matt inisted I make them again, and soon. :)

Fish Tacos (from Better Homes and Gardens)

1 pound fresh or frozen skinless cod, orange roughy, or other fish fillets
2 tablespoons butter or margerine, melted
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons mayonaise or salad dressing
1 teaspoon lime juice (we were out of limes so I used a lemon and it still tasted good)
1 1/2 cups packaged shredded cabbage with carrot (coleslaw mix) or shredded cabbage
8 corn taco shells, warm according to package directions
1 recipe mango salsa (I just bought premade salsa at the store)

1. Thaw fish if frozen. Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Cut fish crosswise into 3/4" slices. Place fish in single layer in greased shallow baking pan. Combine butter, cumin, and garlic powder. Brush over fish. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 4-6 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together mayonaise and lime juice. Add cabbage; toss to coat. Spoon some of the coleslaw mixture into each taco shell; add fish slices. Top with mango salsa.

Start to Finish: 20 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

Thursday, July 05, 2007

A note to those who are unemployed or seeking a new job:

1. Please please PLEASE dress appropriately. Khaki shorts, messy hair, and flip flops don't make a good impression.

2. Show up for the interview! Or if you can't make it, call and let us know why. We can always reschedule. But not calling or showing up will severely impact our decision on whether or not we will place you.

3. Don't give the front office person an attitude. She/he will refer everything to your recruiter.

4. Don't be late and then ask "How long will all of this take? Because I have my mom waiting in the car..."

5. Reading your recruiter's future during the interview? Probably not the best idea.

Yes, all of these things have happened. And more. I just wish I could remember all of them.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Living in L.A.

Sometimes it amazes me that we live here, in a place where it's normal to have 90+ degree days in June, to be sweating in your sleep because you can't cool down, and that you'll suffer through the heat in order to avoid a massive electric bill from the air conditioning.

I sometimes love driving down Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, with their beautiful palm trees against the brilliant blue sky. It really is a lovely sight.