Play a Guessing Game with VUBOQ

I hath returned from my foraging trip to Whole Foods.

Here's my shopping list:

3 roma tomatoes
1 can sliced black olives
feta
pine nuts
1 pint heavy cream
Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Chips

Can you guess what the Meat-Free Monday meal will be?

P.S. At 4 PM, head over to If I Were a Straight Guy for an exciting announcement!

Weekend Update: I Could Use a Nap Edition

Good Monday Morning, Kittens.

What a weekend. I am totally worn out. After a completely lazy Friday afternoon/evening/night, Saturday and Sunday were a whirlwind of activity.

Saturday morning, I was up early to clean the house. I swept and vacuumed and scrubbed and wiped and washed and dried and all sorts of stuff. I finished before lunch (yay!), ran to the store, and, then, had time for a quick power nap. Around 6:30ish, Ray, Joey, Tomokito, Eric from Baltimore, and SCGB came down for pre-going out cocktails.

I made a variation on the cocktail I invented for a contest (which I didn't win):

Muddle 10-15 blueberries into 2 oz of vodka.
Strain into shaker.
Add 1 oz blueberry juice.
Shake with ice.
Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
Top with Whole Foods 365 Natural Lemon Italian Soda.
Garnish with lime slice.

Delicious.
[The cocktail I submitted for the contest used gin instead of vodka and was served in a tall glass over ice.]

Around 8PM, we went to downtown Silver Spring for dinner at Austin Grill (margaritas!). Then, we headed to the new(ish) club, Town. It was fun. I drank a bit*. And we danced a lot. Y joined us at some point (maybe around 1?). I think we left about 2:30 or so. Home at 3:30. In bed by 4.

Sunday morning. V. Hungover. And tired. Like super-tired. Like, really, I'm too old to be living this crazy life. A lot of water, a lot of sleep, and some super-hot buttsecks, and I was good to go ... by 2PM.

Because we had to be in Baltimore at 4 for Y's friend's graduation cocktail party. Fortunately, the attire was not funky casual or anything. Y called his friend and she said "basic cocktail attire." Hoo-ray. VUBOQ can rock the jacket and tie look. Y looked nice too.

The party was held at the American Visionary Arts Museum near the Inner Harbor. At some point we should all discuss "untrained" contemporary folk artists' tendency to use religious themes and iconography. We toured the museum for about an hour. Then, went to the party in a separate building. The party was nice. Good food and wine. Pleasant company.

We left the party around 6:30 to meet Eric from Baltimore for dinner at a sushi restaurant, XS. It was quite good. We left around 8.

Y had to be home by 9 to watch the exciting season finale of Desperate Housewives (aka. Refugees from 90s TV). I won't give away any spoilers for those of you that haven't seen it, but wasn't that Brian from Queer as Folk in the last scene? Or was I hallucinating?

Went to bed soon after the show ended. Got up this morning. Came to work. Am thinking about what I want to make for Meat-Free Monday tonight... possibly nothing. I'm tired and may go the processed food route. I know. I'm lame.

So, that's it. Stay tuned for an If I Were a Straight Guy Weekend Update later today (possibly this afternoon).

12:30 PM Update: IIWASG's Weekend Update is up! Huzzah!

More later. *smooches*

*and by "a bit" I mean "a lot."

Update

Good Saturday Morning, Kittens.

The Straight Guy has posted about his date last night.

Check it out.

He has all the fun. I'm cleaning the cat box.

*smooches*

VUBOQ Has Had YET ANOTHER Brilliant Idea

Check it out!
Here.

Now, you may worship me on TWO blogs.
Who are the luckiest readers EVER?
Have a happy weekend!

*smooches*

Gray Dreary, But Friday *w00t*

Good morning, kittens.
It would have been a lovely morning to stay in bed. Fortunately, I get to leave at 12:30 today, so I will be able to partake of many wonderful napping moments on my sofa. Huzzah.

The date last night was fun. I was a little late. I would have been on time, but Y postponed the date by about half an hour. I know, you'd think I'd be extra early. Instead, I dawdled. I was only a few minutes late anyway, but, for like the first time EVER, Y was on time. We had fun. Drinks. Food. Talk. Laughs. Got to watch a v. drunk man be cut off and then fall of his stool. (and no it wasn't either me or Y).

Unfortunately, Y's deadline took precedence over my need for nookie. *sigh* On the bright side, he got good results and accomplished a lot ... so the morning was kind of fun *wink*. He has a meeting with his advisors today, so he'll either be in a fantastic mood this afternoon or all forking depressed. Let's hope it goes well. VUBOQ needs a happy, nookie-filled weekend.

Speaking of weekends, did you know I live for them?

No big plans for today other than to catch up on my house-cleaning, movie-watching, and knitting.

Tomorrow, the house-cleaning will continue, accompanied by neighbor-helping and grocery shopping. In the evening, a bunch of the kittens are coming over for drinks, then dinner, then crazy clubbing at Town, the relatively newish dance club in DC. Fun times.

Sunday, I plan to spend some time recovering. Then, Y and I are driving to Baltimore to attend the graduation party of a friend of his. The dress for the party was "funky semi-formal" or something like that. I'm all like "um. what?" So, Y is supposed to call so we can figure out what in the heck we are supposed to wear.

Oh, and a few people (ok, one person) has asked about the Continuing Saga of The Birth of VUBOQ as Re-Enacted by Gay Bears (and a Virus or Two). Well, see, it's like this ... the weekend weather has been crummy lately, so I haven't wanted to take the Gay Bears out for any photography sessions. The next nice weekend day and I promise to put up the next installment ... Sorry for the delay, but you know how it is ...

Guess that's it. Have a wonderful Friday. *big smooches*

Walking on Sunshine

I can haz nu shooz. Yay!

I had a $10 reward certificate from DSW. I was looking for some dressy, slip-on brown shoes which I could wear to work. They did not have any that fell within my price range. SO, I bought these fun little plaid Tommy Hilfigers. Yay!

[Please ignore the totally disorganized desk.]

For some reason, I keep thinking it's Friday. Every time I remember it isn't, it makes me sad. Then, I look at my new shoes, and I'm happy. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, kittens.

*smooches*

A Day Which Will Live in Infamy

Yes. It's the One Year Anniversary* of my first date with Y. We are going to that very same bar tonight to relive the good times ... All the exciting details tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Last night was laundry. I have clean sheets. Yayz. My parents bought me these super soft Ridiculously High Count Egyptian Cotton sheets. I love them. I also hate them. They come out of the dryer uber-wrinkly. Shouldn't sheets fresh out of the dryer look clean und crisp? Not like they've already been slept on for 3 weeks? So, when I put the wrinkly (yet clean!) sheets on my bed, it looks icky. My bed only looks super nice about once every 3 weeks when I put clean sheets on. And, now, it doesn't even look nice then. *le sigh*

And, srsly, who is going to iron sheets? Not me. Fer sure.

Later that very same night, Across the Hall from DUN Neighbor came downstairs and I taught her how to fold origami cranes. DUN joined a few minutes later for a resume review session. It was totally hot. She hates the new format of my resume (but liked the content). I must now tinker (and write a cover letter), because one of the jobs I'm applying for closes today. Yikes!

Speaking of resumes, it would seem my joke about metrics fell a bit flat. Apparently, not everyone realizes that metrics is not only a wacky system of weirdo measurement, but also a term used to describe performance numerically. For example, you can say "Over the past five years, I increased productivity." Or you can say, "I instituted a new database management system which increased productivity by 75%."

And, I have heard that HR people get all moist when they read numbers.
And we call those numbers metrics.
Unfortunately, most of my metrics only make sense to people in the call center biz.
And, since I want to get out of the call center biz, I don't have a lot of metrics to use. Because, really, who, besides someone in the call center biz, wants to read that under my tenure the abandon rate has dropped from 5% to 4%? Bah.

Meanwhile, I'm off to the Post Office in a bit to mail my mom's Mother's Day present (yes, I know I'm bad). The package also contains Dad's Get Well Soon present and -extrememly- belated birthday present. Then, because I have a $10 off coupon, I'm going to DSW to treat myself to a pair of shoes.

I guess that's it for now. Must work on resume and cover letter.
More later. *smooches*

*First Year Anniversary Presents: Traditional - Paper/ Modern - Clocks. You know what to do.

StickSteven at the Movies

Who's ready to see these to Summer Blockbusters?




OK. Fine. I'm all braindead from working on my stupid resume. Cut me some slack.
*smooches*

The Never-Ending Board Meeting

OMG. It went on for hours.
And that was my evening, punctuated only by mealtime and booze.

Today, I actually have work to do. I could delegate it to the staff, depending on my mood. Right now, I'd rather plow through it myself. We'll see if that changes in a few hours.

I am also planning on revamping my resume today to make it more NGO-friendly. We'll see how that goes.

Quoth DUN, "It needs metrics."

Now I have to convert all my English measurements to metric. *sheesh*
Does anyone know what year 1992 is in the metric system?*

I also have to write my performance evaluation (eek. Due tomorrow at noon). I may simply copy the one from last year. I mean, really, I'm still fabulous.

Today's after work plan includes cleaning the bedroom, laundry, and (hopefully) resume reworking session with DUN (and martinis!).

Sorry this is so disjointed and rambling. More later. *smooches*

Grrr ...

I am hating Y's evil advisor. 5 minutes before I got home for my lunch break, he sent Y a not very nice email regarding Y's research/future in the program.

Can we say buzz kill?
Can we say someone walked all the way home for a little lunchtime nookie and all he got was a little lunch?
Can we say GRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.........?

So. Not. Happy.

On the way home, I had an idea for a fabulous new business:

Get it?

It would be a pottery studio/ bar. During the day and early evening, it would function as a pottery studio. At night, the lights go down and the Super Hip bartenders serve fantastic infused vodka cocktails into pottery glasses *you* made!

Fun, no?

At least something interesting came out of my lunch excursion ...
*le sigh*

Meat-Free Monday: Comfort Food Edition

Good morning, Kittens!

Unfortunately, there is no photo of my completed Meat-Free Monday meal. Here's a picture of the ingredients (and Chef's Little Helper) I borrowed from my 12 of 12 entry yesterday.

It was delicious. Many thanks to Mush for some last minute cooking advice via txtmsg.

Y came over around 8 for dinner and a movie ... and a martini. Mmm. I am loving the new martini: 3 parts Gordon's, 1 part vodka, and a half part of Lillet, shaken over ice and garnished with lemon peel. Yummy. Try it at home, whydoncha?

If all goes according to my evil plan, Y will still be home during my lunch break. I can sneak home for a little late morning nookie. Yay. Nookie.

I am using the nookie as motivation to at least update my resume for a non-profit job. Currently, I have a "government contractor" resume and a "federal employee" resume and a "chemical industry" resume. What I need is a "non-profit dogoodery" resume. It won't be that much different from all the others, actually ... just a slightly different focus, and, perhaps, highlighting my degree over my current experience. Or not ... I'm still deciding.

Then, after the nookie, I can come back to work energized to work on the cover letter. This plan falls apart if Y has to go to school. He wasn't sure if he needed to when we talked last night.

I guess that's it for now. More later. *smooches*

Updated to Note: WOO HOO! I've been STIMULATED!!!! HUZZAH!!!

May 12 of 12: Rainy Day Edition

I pass by this athletic field's parking lot every morning. The rocks always remind me of a Zen Garden:



This tree is in the yard of a doctor's office I pass by every morning. I love Japanese maples:



Please don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee:



I should be applying for this job, rather than taking a picture of the announcement:



Yesterday, upon the stair, I saw a man who wasn't there:



The drainpipe near the liquor store:



Amy's Organic Broccoli Pot Pie for lunch:



Actually working. No, I don't care about your problems:



Back to Whole Foods after work, because I forgot to buy:



Sligo Creek after the rain:



I luv my pussy:



Chef's Little Helper, the Vesper Martini:



And, now I must go make my Meat-Free Monday meal, black bean chilli. YUM.

A few additional photos are in my May 12 of 12 flickr set.
*smooches*

If You Believe in Magic

Y and I will be going to Xanadu on the 31st. At 8PM. Assuming he can get the tickets.

Woo Hoo! Cheese-tastic!

Try not to be jealous. I'll take photos.

Weekend Update: Daniel Craig Edition

Good rainy Monday morning, kittens.

My weekend was v. exciting. It involved all sorts of drama and intrigue. For example, on Saturday, I had to decide if I should nap on the sofa or in my bed. AND, then, I had to decide what cocktail to make ... oh, the drama!

Friday evening, I went over to a neighbor's apartment for a graduation party. It was fun. I drank lots of beerz, and we played Apples to Apples ... which is a surprisingly fun game. Perhaps, the beerz contributed to this assessment.

Saturday, I woke up late (yay), made coffee (yay), and did some serious blobbing around the house. Later that afternoon, I weeded in the flower beds and transplanted my marigold seedlings. Then, I invited Tomokito down for experimental cocktails (and cheese!). For the cocktail, I shook lime juice and vodka over ice, poured into a chilled martini glass, and garnished with a few slices of frozen peaches. A version of the drink is pictured above. Quite delicious. If you're a big boozehead like we are...

I headed over to Y's around 5ish. He was still at school, so I blobbed on his sofa for a few hours. *aah* Sofa-blobbing is so nice no matter upon whose sofa you are blobbing. Once Y got home, I cooked dinner, which was also experimental. I brushed asparagus and zucchini with a balsalmic vinegrette and roasted them in the oven. Meanwhile, Y made tahini and I cooked rice. Once everything was done, I spread a layer of rice in a romaine lettuce leaf, place a couple stalks of asparagus and a slice of zucchini, and drizzled with tahini. Then, it was rolled up into a little taco/burrito like thing. Yummy.

After dinner, I made gin and tonics and we settled down to watch Casino Royale ... which I lurved, but Y found it stretched believability too far and went to study. Every now and then, he would come watch some of the movie, but proceeded to make comments about how unrealistic it was. Finally, I said, "Yeah, that means a lot coming from someone who organizes his weekly schedule around Desperate Housewives." And, he stopped criticising the movie. Yay me.

Sunday morning, we slept really late. I thought it was early, but when I asked Y what time it was, he said, "11:30." Then came the morning teh buttsecks, which was lovely, until this really odd thing happened ... right at a very crucial moment (for me), both my hands went numb (not entirely, but from the middle finger to the little finger). It was a bit distracting. The numbness wore off after a few minutes. It was weird. Has that ever happened to anyone else? I wonder if maybe we were compressing a nerve or something.

After a leisurely breakfast of blueberries, yogurt, and granola, I showered, packed, and headed home, where I blobbed on the sofa, drinking cocktails and watching Casino Royale (again). Isabella loved it.

At 9, a couple of us went over to another neighbor's to watch Desperate Housewives. It was OK. I'm not quite sure I get it, but whatever. I kept calling the characters by the names of characters they used to play in other shows ... There certainly are a lot of 90s TV Show alum on DHW.

And, that was my weekend. Huzzah! Today is the 12th, which means 12 of 12 photos to be posted later this evening. It's also, Meat-Free Monday. Why don't you join in the fun and enjoy a meat-free meal today? Help the environment and yourself!

Finally, here's a gratuitous photo of Isabella continuing to enjoy the glory that is Daniel Craig (he's nekkid, so she's averting her eyes. Such a prude!):











More later. *smooches*