Vibrant.(Still) Unrepentant. Badass. Old. Queer

Things That Are Awesome: (1) Me (2) This scarf, which was knat by the fabulous Chelsea and all I had to do was send her a couple of pieces of pottery . YAY for Internet Friends!  YAY for knitting! Happy happy dance dance *smooches*

Good Sunday Morning, Kittens.  I can't believe I haven't updated all week.  Remember when I used to update daily/several times a day?  Yeah, me neither.  ANYWAYz, work has been work.  Everything is spiraling down into a cesspit of despair.  One colleague put in her two week notice, and the rest of us are frantically looking for different jerbz.  I don't think my situation is as shaky as some others', but, still, the handwriting is on the wall ... Besides work stress, I did go running 3 times this week.  Yay!  I am thinking of waking up early in the morning to run, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not.  It would involve me getting up around 4:20AM.  Which means, I will need to go to bed around 8:30 or 9.  That seems ridiculously early. I may give it a try for a week or two to see how it works.  I'll let you know. On Thursday, I took a long lunch and met Carolyn and Kristen.  We haven't hung out togethe...

Good Evening, Kittens!  I hope your weekend (and the last of last week) was full of fun and excitement and delicious foodz.  Mine sure was! On Thursday, I made like an animated rat and made ratatouille.  The photo on the left is the Pre-Cooked Ratatouille.  I found a recipe in my Mark Bittman cookbook, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian , which included instructions for a stovetop version.  It was super easy.  And really yummy.  Yay! Plus, it used up almost all of my CSA veggies for the week. On Friday, I *finally* had my hairz did.  I missed my last two appointments because of my back and the training I went to.  SO, it had been almost 12 weeks since my last cut.  UGH.  My hairs were driving me crazy.  On the plus side, I suppose, is that you can now see what my actual natural hair color is ... So dark!  So gray! Fortunately, an hour or two later, I was restored to my full blond glory ... My Natural Color...

Oh, hai, Kittenz! Apparently, none of my local Kittens want any of my crappy pottery, so I guess I am going to be forced to leave it on the side of the road or throw it into Sligo Creek as a gift to the Pottery Gods.  Oh, well.  Crappy Pottery is so unloved. (Alternatively, it could be that there are no Local Kittens, but the thought of that gives me the sadz.  Begone Sadz Thoughtz!) When you last read VUBOQ things were peachy keen and we were on the Cusp of a Brand New Weekend.  Well, that weekend was chock full of fun and excitement. On Friday, I had Happy Hour with my co-worker, Tomokito, Bobby (formerly known as Steveandbobby), and Jerry at Nellie's.  My co-worker left and the rest of us were joined by Mike (Who Makes Cakes) at Alero, where we had many, many margaritas.  At least, I had many, many margaritas.   Saturday, I made marinara sauce.  And sliced up watermelon. Because I had early Sunday morning plans, I stayed in, an...

Good Evening, Kittens~! Happy Thursday! All is well here in VUTOPIA ... Except, a couple of days ago ... or was it yesterday?  I may have been a little tipsy.  I suppose the actual timeframe doesn't matter, because, there was a Death in the Family.   And, then, there were two Yeah, I am down to only two martini glasses.  Ok.  That is kind of a lie.  I do have 3 ... ok ... 7 ... ok 10 others, but I kind of hate them and never use them.  3 of them are the overly decorated "specialty" martini glasses that you give as gifts for birthdays and such.  The other 7 I just don't really like.  I should give them away or sell them at a yard sell or something.  So, let's rephrase.  I am down to only two usable, sturdy martini glasses that I can keep in the freezer. In other news, my two days of LEED training went well.  I learned a lot.  Now I have to study a bit and then sit for the exam.  Assuming I pass, I wil...

Good Evening, Kittens. My weekend was pretty good.  On Saturday morning, I got up and helped my neighbors repaint our parking lot lines/numbers.  That certainly was fun.  Then, I bought some groceries and had boozy lunch at Adega.  They have a veggie burger now.  It is yummerz. Later that afternoon, Dana and her BF picked me up and we went to a happy hour event with our former co-workers.  It was Boozy Good Times.  Very good to see some people who I haven't seen in a long, long time.  When I got home, I took a nap.  and made dinner.  And then I passed out. On Sunday, I went to brunch, along with Tomokito, (No Longer a Baby) Baby Hana, and Tomokito's Husband, to the German and His Hot Wife's place.  That was fun.  We (and by "we" I mean "I") had lots of mimosas.  I didn't do much for the rest of the day after that. AND, today, I was off as well.  So, I got up early and went to the Trader Joe's.  Then, I ...

Good Friday Evening, Kittens!  I may not have had a lifetime of nothing special (yet), but this week was mostly nothing special ... with a few minor exceptions. On Tuesday, I met Eric (Not From Baltimore) for happy hour.  We went to Central.  I had a yummy cocktail.  It was like a French 75 (gin, champagne, lemon) with the addition of cucumber and Benedictine.  Tasty.  Boozy.  Durnk. On Wednesday, can you guess what I did?  I'll give you a hint:  It starts with an L and rhymes with "raundry." Then, on Thursday, I met D (the guy recently out of the 20 year relationship that went all batshit crazy on his ex.  Remember him?) for happy hour.  And, let's just say ... he's still crazy.  Of course, he still wants me.  But that shit ain't happenin'.  Really.  I don't need that kind of crazy in my life right now ... or ever.  I did have many many margaritas though.  and cheese dip.  And that's alw...

Good evening, Kittens!   And Happy Monday (Thank goodness it is almost over)! I had a superfun weekend, even though I spent most of it on my back (and not in the *bow chicka bow bow* kind of way).  During the times when I felt I could be vertical, I was very productive.  Yay me! On Friday evening, I watched the latest Muppet movie, The Muppets .  It was cute.  Funny.  Sentimental.  I say everyone should go out and watch it now! On Saturday, I did some major cooking ... even though I'm not sure if it is still "cooking" if you don't turn on the stove ... First, I pickled jalapenos (see photo).  I also made gazpacho.  And, then, I made vegan pesto, which I suppose could also justifiably be called "basil puree."  I was texting with M that day and was telling him about the jalapeno pickling process and he wrote back, "Mmmm.  jalapenis." Which I believe should now enter the World Lexicon and mean "a very HOT guy,"  a...

Good Morning, Kittens! As further proof that (if there is a God) S/He hates me, on Tuesday my back was almost entirely pain-free.  Not 100% better, mind you, but close ... maybe like 95%.  I was ecstatic.  I made all sorts of plans for the weekend ... like going for a short run.  And, well, that was it.  I was going to get back into running. And, then, Wednesday happened.  I awoke at my regular time (5:15AM) and tried to get out of bed.  "Tried" being the operative word.  WTF?  My back was in excruciating pain ... AGAIN!  SRSLY.  I am totally over this whole Bad Back Thing.  At least this time, I knew to get up and move around.  But, still, I have been in mucho pain the past couple of days.  I have left work early every day just because I can't stand it and I want to come home and be horizontal.  Hello, Heating Pad, my old friend.  I've come to lie on you again ... But enough about the sharp stabby...

Good Morning, Kittens! After several weeks of being anti-social and sofa-ridden, I finally am easing my way back into life.  Yay me! On Friday, my co-worker and I had planned to go to a DC Fringe Festival play, Young Republicans, which starred a friend of my co-worker.  Well, co-worker's boyfriend decided that he wanted to go too.  Gah.  Thus, rather than be a third wheel, I took a date, L (this would be our second date).  We all went to Fado in Gallery Place for beers and snacks and dinner and then headed to the play, which was entertaining, probably could stand some tightening up ... but it's Fringe.  That's what one should expect, I suppose. After the play,we all went our separate ways. On Saturday, I had a mini-English lesson with Tomoko's niece, who is visiting for a couple of weeks.  It went fine.  We talked about fashion and astrology.  And how to use numerology to determine if you and your "crush" are compatible.  Good ...

Good Evening, Kittens! First of all, click on over to Polt's Purple Palace for a sort of guest post by moi .  It's chock full of rollicking hilarity.  For some reason, the photo I sent him isn't showing up.  Maybe it's my computer ... But, too bad if you can't see it, because I am COMPLETELY NEKKID in it. Srsly. So, anyway, I have a little filing to do this evening ... There was this guy, D.  From a few months ago.  Remember him?  The one out of the 20-year relationship, who went all Bat. Shit. Crazy on his ex and reported his car as stolen and his ex's new boyfriend's boyfriend was driving it?  Yeah.  Him? Well, he texted me.  and he was all like "I want to see you." And, I was thinking all "why?" but I said "ok." And he was all, "When?" So I was all, "I'm free on Thursday." And he was all, "All day?" And I was thinking all, "Are you a total dumbass?  I do have a job, y'kn...

Good Evening, My Sweet, Sweet, Intoxicated Kittens! Things are bubbling and gurgling here in Vutopia ... Last night, I had a date.  We went to Number 9.  They have a 2-for-1 happy hour.  I may have gotten a little tipsy.  I also may have made out with my date in the bar.  He's cute.  Smart.  Employed. Short.  Old(er ... 52). Divorced. Has 2 grown children.  Seems mostly well-adjusted.  And an OK kisser.  I think I could really be interested in him ... if Mr. Las Vegas (aka M) would ever leave Las Vegas and I could figure out how I feel about him and he feels about me and what exactly is going on there ... *sigh*  This guy (who we shall call L) asked if I was single.  I said I was.  Which is true.  But I also told him I am dating around, which is also true.  And I may have mentioned that there is a complicated situation.  Why is life so hard? In the meantime, we are going out again.  On Friday...

Good evening, Kittens. I know, I know. I haven't blogged all week.  BUT, in my defense, I think you would've gotten tired of posts that were all "my back hurts" and "work sucks" and "did I mention that my back hurts?" So, consider yourself lucky ... Of course, my back *still* hurts.  I am taking the Miracle Pills and using the heating pad and trying to do some stretches.  Let's hope it gets better soon.  I am really tired of walking around in constant pain. In other, non-back-related news, this weekend, I made pickles for the first time.  It was so easy!  and they are so delicious!  I used this recipe and some white cucumbers from our CSA farm share. I also made this super-yummy lemony green bean salad (using green beans from our CSA farm share): And, today, I drove to the pottery studio and made this: It's handbuilt.  I trimmed a vase on the wheel and quickly realized that bending over the wheel was painful.  I doub...

Good Evening, My Sweet, Sweet, Furry Kittens of Joy! My weekend was chock full o' fun and excitement, if you define "fun and excitement" as "being on the sofa, watching DVDs, and knitting." On Friday, I went to an orthopedic surgeon.  He (well, his nurse) took x-rays of my back.  And, it looks fine (so he says).  There are a couple of picky little things going on with my lower vertebrae, but they are probably not the cause of my SuperIntenseBackPainOwOwOw.  So, he prescribed physical therapy (meh) and a Bottle of Miracle Pills (aka NSAIDs).  Seriously, I took the first one and, in, like, 15 minutes most of the debilitating back pain was Gone!  I still have a nagging little twinge and am not nearly as mobile as I would like, but, OMG, so. much. better (ish). BUT, although mostly mobile, I felt I should spend most of the weekend resting.  Which I did.  It was lovely. Mike (Who Makes Cakes) came over Friday evening for a little while. On Sat...

Good Morning, Kittens! How about that 4th of July, huh?  What a crazy riot of fun!  I stayed on the sofa ALL DAY and watched the Lord of the Rings Trilogy (extended editions).  I made serious progress on my knitting project (pictured).  At the rate I'm going, I *may* finish the scarf before it gets to be winter ... we'll see. I am currently reading Game of Thrones, Book 3.  It's a surprisingly good series; however, I've getting very frustrated with one character's storyline right now.  So, I may have to put the book down for a bit to give myself a break.  Anyone else into this series?  For dinner last night, I made this: Spicy Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Sauteed Green and Yellow Squash with Basil and Pinenuts, and Rice with Red Quinoa Very American, what with the squash and the tomatoes and the quinoa, right? As for my back, it still hurts.  I am able to get up and move around, which is good.  I think I may have overdone ...

Good morning, Kittens! As you may recall from my last post, I did something to my back.  Well, it still hurts ... I did manage to go to work yesterday for a half-day.  It was awful.  Fortunately, my client and program managers are allowing me to work from home for the rest of this week.  Yay!  "Work"  from home. Anyway, I didn't post much last week, because there wasn't much to post.  I mostly stayed in bed staring at the ceiling fan.  I am very lucky to have good neighbors who checked in on me frequently to make sure I was eating and staying hydrated.  On Thursday, the SuperSweet K picked up spinach enchiladas from El Golfo for me for dinner.  (Of course, the next day, he came down with the flu.  Apparently, my bad luck is contagious.) Friday is when the real fun started.  That night we had a HUGE storm.  Thunder.  Lightning.  Very very frightening.  And, the power went out with a BZZZT. And the p...

Good morning, Kittens, and greetings from where all the action happens - VUBOQ's bed! A funny thing happened yesterday. Instead of spending my extra day off shopping for new furniture and running other errands, I spent it in total agony. My back had been bothering me slightly for about 2 weeks. But, over the weekend it felt better. On Monday, I woke up pain-free, made coffee and sat on the sofa to work on my computer for a bit. An hour and a half later, when I stood up, there was major back pain. I decided to go back to bed to see if it would feel better. It didn't. In fact, it got worse. And I started to panic. My phone was in the living room and my front door was locked. No one could get in if I called for help. Not that i could call for help. Because the pain was so bad that I couldn't stand up, I forced myself to crawl to the living room to get my phone and unlock the door. Then, I fell asleep. I called a neighbor. And I emailed my doctor, who faxed a pr...

Good Morning, Kittens! Grab a cup of coffee and let's chat about our weekends ... Friday, I had a chill evening at home, watching Charlie's Angels , Season 1, on DVD.  Oh, yeah.  Good times.  A HUGE storm came through, so that was fun.  Luckily, my building didn't lose power. On Saturday, I did lots of blobbing around the house.  And I cooked up some of my CSA veggies.  I did a stirfry with sweet onion, green squash, and tatsoi (which is some weird Asian leafy green).  AND, I threw in a jalapeno that I grew in my "garden." That afternoon, Tomokito had a small gathering at her apartment.  K-Factor and the Canadian were there.  And Eric from Baltimore came down.  And, I invited V (not the V in Philly, the V that lives up the road a ways).  Lots of boozy good times.  Then, V, Eric from Baltimore and I went to dinner.  Yummy Yummy Thai Foods.  Mmmm.  Tasty. After dinner, Eric from Baltimore headed back to ...

Good Evening, Kittens! I have a precious few spare minutes, so I thought I would take a few moments to update you on my SuperFascinating Life!  Don't you feel special? I'm sure you do. Anyway, the Big Excitement last weekend was Tomokito's Green Card Party on Saturday.  Hallelujah!  She (and her husband) is (are) finally (a) legal resident alien(s) (or whatever the term is).  Apparently, some time back, Tomokito and I were sitting around drinking (imagine!) and I drunkenly slurred something along the lines of "if you ever get your Green Card, I will buy you a pair of Manolos." I have NO recollection of ever saying that.  However, the first thing Tomokito did after finding out that she *may* be getting her Green Card was to say, "Woo hoo!  You have to buy me a pair of Manolos." Which, after all the expense she put into getting the GC, I was happy to oblige.  Fortunately, Tomokito has many, many friends who all love her dearly.  They w...

Happy Friday, Kittens! And, seriously, what happened to this week?  It started, like, yesterday.  And, now, it is over.  Sheesh. So, Monday, was my regular day off.  Yay for flex-time!  I went to the Trader Joe's.  And, then, I went to the pottery studio.  I made this .  And this .  And this . On Tuesday, after work, it was my turn to pick up our CSA Farm Share Veggies.  See pictured chard (which I later cooked with olives and lemon.  So tasty!).  I also got some green squash, some sort of onion thing, broccoli, and some red-skinned potatoes.  Hail to the Redskins, bitches! And, I had to attend our monthly co-op board meeting.  Joy. On Wednesday, there was laundry. And, yesterday, I had to make a cole slaw for today's work barbeque.  I made a red cabbage, hot and sour slaw.  It looked like this: Also, during the week, I did some Major shopping.  I bought some Cute New Shoes (surprised...