GREEK TOFU PIE WITH SPINACH CRUST

As promised last week here comes Greek Tofu Pie. If you are feeling a little lazy you can use a regular store bought pie crust instead but the spinach crust is really good and much better for you.

Spinach Crust
-Little oil for pie tin
-2 tbsp butter or canola oil
-3/4lb fresh spinach minced
-3/4tsp salt
-3/4cup unbleached white flour
-3/4cup wheat germ or fine bread crumbs
-Few gratings/dashes nutmeg

Preheat oven 375
-Melt butter/heat oil in large skillet add spinach and salt and sauté over high heat until limp stirring often
-Remove from heat add other ingredients and mix well
-Pat into oiled pie pan use fork and fingers to mold crust
-Prebake for 15min no need to cool before filling but you can if you want to

Pie
-Heat oven to 350
-1tbsp butter or canola oil
-1 cup artichoke hearts (marinated or not) chopped
-1 cup minced onion
-2 tbsp capers
-1/2 cup sun dried tomato chopped
-1/4cup kalmata olives chopped
-2tbsp lemon juice
-1/4tsp thyme
-1/4tsp sage
-1/2tsp mustard powder
-3tbsp flour
-1 egg (I use egg beaters)
-1 cup tofu blended smooth
-1/2cup feta (I use fat free)
-1/4cup minced fresh parsley

-Heat butter or oil over medium heat
-Cook onion for 5-8 minutes until soft
-Add artichoke hearts, capers, sun-dried tomato olives and lemon juice cook 3 minutes to mix flavors
-Sprinkle in flour, thyme, sage, and mustard powder stirring often and cook for approximately five minutes over medium low heat

-In a separate bowl mix egg, tofu, cheese, and parsley until smooth
-Add in vegetable mixture and mix until smooth
-Pour into pie crust
-Bake 30min and cool at least 10 before cutting
Enjoy

This pie is yummy and delicious. You can really put in any vegetables or cheeses that you like or change up the spices. The premise and measurements are the same no matter what you add to it. Even if the measurments change a little i htin kyou will be fine. If tofu scares you, or if you are Monica and are allergic, you can use yogurt instead. I've cooked it many times that way before. I just changed it because there was already dairy and not much protein type stuffs in the recipe.

If all goes well my blown up computer will arrive safe and sound at my home today. Thanks Daddy, you are a computer master. Not that it means I will be posting over the weekend or anything, I just don’t roll like that. I hope that I will be seeing Blades of Glory this weekend though. Skating is awesome.

Some tunes to remember me by-

1000 Oceans, Tori Amos- Wow this is depressing. Sounds like I died or something. Boo.

Caught In My Eye, The Germs- I hate it when things get caught in my eye. However, I really like sleepies in the eyes. In the morning I make sure not to rub my eyes until I look at them. Sometimes it is disappointing but every once in a while I have some major stuff going on and then I smile.

Cosmic Space Girl, Guitar Wolf- I am trying to see what people see in this band. People keep telling me it is a good band and are surprised that I don’t like them. I am still failing in seeing the goodness. Plus, I can't delete them until I get my computer back.

TIME KEEPS ON CIRCLING CIRCLING CIRCLING

Today feels like it should be Friday. Actually, yesterday felt like it should be Friday. Neither day was, or is, Friday. Have you ever noticed that the broker you are the longer the week seems? I have been sitting there trying to stretch a few bucks this past week and it has made everything slow slow slow. I made it through. There is enough food and the bills are all paid. It’s still just something about being broke that slows down time for me. Like payday can’t ever come fast enough. The whole watched pot never boils rule.

Money may be one thing that scares me with going back to school. While I by no means make a lot of money at my job I make enough to get everything I need to get done taken care of and still have a little left over for some fun now and again. However, I don’t have room to make much less. If I go back to school I’ll have to figure out how to keep everything together. I know there are loans and all that. I don’t have a problem borrowing money for school. It just makes me hesitate.

Back to the whole time thing, I hate it. Time is the one thing in life that we can’t escape and it rules everyone and everything. I don’t care what it is that you do, some type of time constraint or guidelines are there. I understand that time is one of the first things people started to pay attention to. It’s obvious from the movement of the sun that time is an excellent way of measuring things on this planet. It’s part of what makes the planet what it is. Therefore, it governs every inhabitant of the planet in some way. Plants, animals, we are all intrinsically linked to the passage of time and the cycle of the earth.

Given that, how is it that time infuriates me so much? I know it is necessary and I know it is important. I think I would just like it to be a little looser. It shouldn’t matter if I show up somewhere at nine or ten. It shouldn’t matter when things happen as long as they happen. Luckily I now work at a place where that philosophy pretty much rings true. At least when it comes to the jobs I have had here. I don’t have to teach class every day, I just have to maintain my contract and teach when I need to, run a few reports here and there, and be generally helpful. I can do it at my own pace. This is yet another reason why I fear leaving my current job.

I guess my point is that time sucks and I wish I had a way to alter its passage.

Now for a MEME from Janna

LIST FOUR SENTENCES YOU'VE NEVER SAID BEFORE:
1) When you really think about it, George Bush was right.
2) I can’t wait to get home and put on some nice comfortable pants
3) I don’t think I can walk in those
4) Wouldn’t that be better without cheese?

LIST ANY NUMBER OF SONG TITLES THAT DESCRIBE HOW YOU'VE FELT THIS WEEK:
1) 4 Better or 4 Worse (Pharcyde)
2) A Chicken With It’s Head Cut Off (Magnetic Fields)
3) Ball of Confusion (The Temptations)
4) Everybody Wants to Rule The World (Tears for Fears)
5) Strange Days (The Doors)

IMAGINE YOU'RE HAVING THE IDEAL PERFECT DAY. WHAT FOUR THINGS WOULD YOU BE DOING?
1) Having some pizza with all types of mushrooms on it, gorgonzola, and caramelized onions
2) Laying on the beach with close friends looking up at clouds, a rainbow, and huge birds.
3) Running away from something harmless that suddenly became very scary.
4) Laughing, smiling, and contemplating life on many levels knowing I have nothin to do the next day.

MAKE UP FIVE CREATIVE NAMES FOR A NEW ROCK BAND:
1) All Purpose Lotion
2) Bowl of Purple Jell-O
3) User Error
4) The Oozing Glue Sticks
5) Baked Brie

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU GET TO GO BACK IN TIME AND ENSURE THAT THREE SONGS WERE NEVER WRITTEN, THUS SPARING HUMANITY FROM EVER HAVING TO HEAR THEM. WHAT THREE SONGS WOULD GET THE AXE?
1) Revolution 9 (The Beatles)
2) Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
3) Murder Murder (Juelz Santana)

I don’t feel like calling anyone out so I’ll let those who want to do this do it and those who don’t to not.

Now for some songs I am glad were written, hopefully-

Arrivederci Roma, The Three Suns- This is a wonderful song that partially has transported me to that wonderful day I mentioned above. It wasn’t that hard considering I am sweltering right now.

The Incumbent, Soul Coughing- This song kind of creeps me out. Let’s stay with that perfect day but this song will help us flee.

Waiting For The Night, Depeche Mode- Can anything be better than Depeche Mode? While it certainly can, why would it bother?

GAME OF THE YEAR

Life would be better if I were a video game character. There would be so much that I could do and lofty goals for me to reach. They always have to save the world. I only have to save myself. Sometimes I think saving the world would be easier. You know what your goals are. You have one huge evil threatening the delicate balance of existence and it is up to you to brave terrors untold and hardships outnumbered and fight your way to the goblin city. Life isn’t that simple.

Heroes don’t have to worry about paying their bills, getting up in the morning, or finding the perfect job. Who cares about paying bills if the world is going to end? If you keep that from happening no one will ever ask you to pay a bill again? Do heroes even sleep? It seems like they just keep going and going, driven by the import of the task at hand. They already have perfect jobs, and have no choice in the matter, they are of vital import and they are given the means to succeed, unless they are a SIM and that is not the kind of video game character I want to be.

I want to run up walls like the Prince of Persia. I want to roll the world into a big ball for the glory of our sky a la Katamari. I want to overthrow an evil genie like Toan and travel back and forth in time like Max and Monica in the Dark Cloud series. I want to paint through life and slay demons like in Okami, I want to become a godless killing machine hell-bent on revenge to squash my inner demons like Cretos in God of War (well maybe not. He was a bad bad man in a good good game). I want to save the world from turning into robots with my little robot friend like Ratchet. I just want to do something special and I don’t want to think about it.

I think the hardest thing about life is figuring out what you want to do with yours. My only regret in not going to Medical School is that it would have been the easiest and most practical thing to do. It took me a long time to admit that. I have always said that I have no regrets about not going. I had to be honest with myself. I don’t regret the things I didn’t learn. I don’t regret not being a Dr. because I don’t think it is really what I am supposed to do with myself. I only regret the planned life that I would have led. Granted, I wouldn’t have the same friends I have now. I wouldn’t live in the same city I live in now. I would be a completely different person. I don’t want that. I just want someone to give me a plan.

I have always resisted setting goals for myself. Since grade school when I was first confronted with the idea of a goal I resisted with everything I had. I never saw the point. I always thought they left too much room for disappointment. Time tables are also like kryptonite to me. Anyone who knows me knows how often I have said “I don’t operate under the constraints of time,” and I have always meant it. I am more comfortable with the notion that things will just happen and come along. I agree with that mentality still, but I know that I need to provide some kind of catalyst for a major change. No evil lord is going to show up and force me to take action or the world as I know it will perish (and the current administration doesn’t count). It’s just not going to happen. I have to do this myself.

The fact that making decisions is the absolute hardest thing for me to do in the whole world doesn’t help. That is another reason I would prefer to be in a video game. You have seriously limited options in those worlds. You can run, jump, kick, punch, use weapons, and do various combo moves. That tends to be about it. The puzzles you go through are all relatively common sense, although you may have to find a hidden switch or two. If you get really stuck you can always look on the internet. That doesn’t work for real life.

I have to talk to people. I have to evaluate myself. I have to grow a freaking backbone. While I am fairly good at planning finances and small events, I suck at planning my life. I suck at making any choices that aren’t obvious. I suck at making myself the happiest person that I can be. I don’t suck at keeping myself comfortable. I’m really good at that. The thing about comfortable is that it is never more and never less. I want something bigger, something epic, and something memorable. Maybe I need to set some goals and make a timeline. That will never get done. It sounds horrible. Those asshole types say things like you never reach your goals if you don’t set them. They are right but they sound like assholes.

Fuck it. I’m programming myself into some fantastic caper and you can all take a turn at the sticks. It will be called Natalie vs. the Mad Muppeteer and I’ll have to stop some poser Jim Henson from creating horrid want to be new Muppet Movies. I’m not talking about Brian though, Muppets in Space was ok.

Icicle, Tori Amos- A song all about introspection and not quite fitting in. That works for today. It would make very bad video game music though. Well, the first part may be a great dream sequence where the mind was being taken over my some evil Muppet.

Funky Child, James Brown- This is a much better song for a video game. IT would be Muppets doing capoiera in a choreographed pattern that kicked my ass until I imported Eddie from the world of Tekken and kicked their asses on a whole different level.

Open Your Heart To Me, Madonna- This automatically reminds me of the Courtney Gears fight in Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal. She was a pretty badass evil lady.

YOU THINK, THEREFORE I WIN

Danielle nominated me for the thinking blogger award. I was a little surprised because, while I have post here and there that may stimulate thought, I trend more to the mundane. Maybe it is the true thinking posts that got me nominated rather than the silly drivel that I tend to spout. Either way, I was honored. Here is what she had to say.

Last but not least Natalie a young aspiring teacher from Chicago has reminded me of the necessity of fun in the blogosphere and life. Natalie offers her views on the planets and unfunded schools with a dose of Smokey Robinson, her views on Obama with a touch of Violent Femmes and a recipe for middle eastern eggplant and garbanzos is served up with a side of Tori Amos. I stole the random lyrics game from her and sent her a virtual box of band aids for biting her so hard. Natalie has definitely made me realize that fun is an essential ingredient in life and incorporating levity within serious discussion lightens up the scene.

The rules of this award (if you choose to play along) are that you pass it on to five people that you think deserve it. I wanted to do it a little differently, since I don't think I am a traditional “thinking blog”. I want to honor people that make me laugh. I think comedy takes a special kind of thought, particularly in writing. Not everyone can be funny. That isn’t to say that their posts don’t make me "think" as well, because they do. They just also make me laugh.

Here Comes Johnny Yen Again- Johnny Yen has mastered the art of hilarity in the face of rough conditions. He finds a way to relate the happenings of daily life to the broader human condition in a seamless way. His political posts are informative, entertaining, and never fail to make me chuckle. I always look forward to his posts

The Ramblings of a Crazy-Monica is the one that got me blogging in the first place. I was a bit intimidated by her blog due to its absolute wonderfulness. Monica is easily the funniest person I know and part of her extreme funniness is the fact that she is highly intelligent. Some of the sentences that she puts together should be inscribed on a mountain for all to see. I can’t remember any right now but they are good.

Almost Infamous- Dark Damien’s diatribes really get to me. He takes current events and comments on them in a quick witted and often dry manner that has me rolling. His dialogues between idiotic criminals are simply hilarious and make me laugh. Plus, I am partial to him because he has biracial children. Call me a jerk but I am biased to my brethren.

Memoirs of a Fat Girl- Although her humor isn’t as obvious as the others, MFG (as I like to call her even though it reminds me of Girbaud jeans) has a very honest look on the world and I think balances the tragedy and comedy of daily life very well. She is straight-forward and her posts come straight from the heart. Although she has been a little more serious than funny lately, she always makes me smile. She has a big heart and isn’t afraid to share it. She is probably the biggest technical "thinker" of my bunch.

The Wonderful World of Nothing Worthwhile- Although Michael C certainly doesn’t need anymore smoke blown up his ass as he has a plethora of blogging awards on his sidebar already. I can’t leave him out because he makes me smile and chuckle on a daily basis. He is part of the rare breed that can be both consistently sarcastic and not boring and repetitive. He makes me think of the absurdity of daily life and informed me of the fact that yesterday was make your own holiday day. How awesome is that?

To those I have chosen: Should you choose to participate, please make sure you pass this list of rules to the blogs you are tagging. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think, Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' (see sidebar if I can get it to work) with a link to the post that you wrote

Thanks again, Danielle, I guess it is time for some celebratory random songs.

Battle of Who Could Care Less, Ben Folds- This song goes out to whichever one of my nominees cares less. Personally, I have no idea which one that is but I am guessing it could maybe me Monica. I told her last night I was going to give it to her and she was all confused and wondered why. Then I explained the whole humor concept and she was less confused but still didn’t care.

Postcards From Italy, Beirut- I am secretly really in love with the Gulag Orkerstar album but then I forget about it. That is why it remains a secret. I listened to it this morning and kept thinking that the first song would be really good ice dancing music. Someone is in withdrawal now that the Figure Skating season is over.

Route 66, Guitar Wolf- I can’t understand a word of this song so I can’t say anything about it. I need to take a few things off my iPod.

MAO SPRINGS ETERNAL

Manic Monday for today is Spring. After a wonderful weekend of watching coverage of the 2007 Figure Skating World Championships the only thing I can think of when it comes to spring are the jumps of Mao Asada. Be damned 78degree weather. Your spring is nothing like that of this young lady from Japan!

When I was skating I had some height to my jumps but nothing even thinking about coming close to the spring in this girls step. The way she vaults of her toe pick for flips, toe-loops, and lutzes is outstanding. She also gets amazing spring from her knee-bend on edge jumps suck as the loop and the axel (although I am pretty sure she didn’t do a salchow). Sure, she wasn’t perfect but at 16 who is? It was too bad she missed her combination in the short program because it cost her the title. Then again, she is 16 so she’ll have plenty of chances to be on top.

Speaking of the Worlds, remember how I said that US Figure Skating was on its way out? Well at the 2007 Championships the US took home only one medal, the bronze in Ice Dance. Since when did Ice Dance become the strongest event for US Skating? Super strange. I was also right that Japan is becoming a serious force to be reckoned with in singles skating. Pairs and Dance, not so much. Props to the brother from Germany who took home a bronze medal in Pairs. I always love to see black folks skating. It’s rare and exciting.

I leave you with the wonderful Spring of Mao. Enjoy.

Oh, and the unguessed songs from last week are

1. It’s raining/ It’s raining/ There’s nothing you can do/ It doesn’t only rain on you/ But you’re acting all upset/ like you’re the only one that’s wet. It's Raining, by Quasi

2. On the corner/ We talk away/ Everybody's older these days/ I'll just hit the reset button on this game. Glass Conversation, by The Pony's

NO HAIR NATALIE

Ok the haircut pictures are at the bottom of the post. Here is a picture showing what my hair essentially looked like before. The post-cut photos are a little on the dark side so I’m not sure if you can really see everything. From their replies, it seems like it looked better on Friend’s computer than my mom’s. It is impossible to see on mine at work but this computer is as dark as they come as far as pictures go. Even after adjucting color I couldn't see anything. I look not so good in the picture but, whatever, I’m cute enough in real life and this picture isn’t about me it’s about the hair. So if your computer is dark like mine all you get is a bad picture of Natalie, Ha. I'll do a description for you poor folks. It is very short in the back and longer in the front. I have very subtle highlights that is what I wanted when I ended up with blondish mess the last time I put color in but I am sure that is impossible to see in the pictures. It is hard to see in person. It looks closer to what we like call “natural tones and highlights”. Tony likes it and apparently he has always wanted to date a girl with a long in the front short in the back haircut. Much thanks to Monica for her company and moral support and her suggestions because this truly was her idea. Much thanks to David at Sine Que Non on Lincoln and Diversey not only for doing n excellent job but for being so freakin fun and adorable and bringing Monica a chair to sit by me. The only bummer about my cut is that it was a few inches too short for locks of love.

I sadly have nothing to offer for Foodie Friday but am planning to make a Grecian Tofu Pie sometime this week so expect that for next week. I can just see the excitement in the meat eaters eyes. The other exciting this happening this weekend is the TV coverage of the ISU World Championships. I know the results are out there but I haven’t seen anything but two Men’s short programs yet so don’t spoil anything. Like anyone but me cares anyway.












1. It’s raining/ It’s raining/ There’s nothing you can do/ It doesn’t only rain on you/ But you’re acting all upset/ like you’re the only one that’s wet.

2. On the corner/ We talk away/ Everybody's older these days/ I'll just hit the reset button on this game.

3. Plants and rags/ Ease myself into a body bag. Plants and Rags, PJ Harvey. Identified by Eve

4. When I was young I knew everything/ She a punk who rarely ever took advice. The Freshman. Verve Pipe. Identified by Monica

5. Underneath the bridge/ The tarp has sprung a leak/ And the animals I’ve trapped/ Have all become my pets. Something In The Way, Nirvana. Identified by Brooke.

CAN WE GET A MOMENT OF SILENCE

Today I actually have something to say. Go figure. While reading the Red Eye this morning, I learned that the Illinois state senate has passed a bill requiring schools K-12 to have a moment of silence at the beginning of every school day. This is seen as a way to circumvent the whole no prayer in the schools thing. Obviously, they can’t require prayer because of a little thing called The Constitution but, apparently, this is just fine.

Currently, there is a law saying that teachers can choose to have a moment of silence at the beginning of the day if they so desire. I had no idea about this, then again I have never attended school in Illinois and I don’t know how long this law has been around. It seems strange to me though. I do, however, know that I will very likely be teaching in Illinois at some point and will, as of now, be required to have a moment of silence in my classroom. I find this disgusting.

I have written about my views on organized religion before (although it was so long ago i had like one reader and no comments). I consider myself to be agnostic andI am generally uncomfortable around praying people. I don’t know why but I guess I assume that your praying should be done in the comfort of your own church or home. Maybe I am being insensitive about it but that is just the way I feel. Once I went to breakfast with co-workers and was about to start eating when one was like, “Wait, we have to pray.” I looked at her a little funny and ate. Thinking "Sorry, I don’t have to do anything". (I totally I wrote that interaction wrong. It was more like our food came and I picked up my fork and she stopped me with "You better pray over that food, you don't know where it has been". "Thanks, gross, and I don't pray" I thought. She then began to pray aloud while I just sat there with my fork still in my hand looking confused. I did wait for her to finish before eating. I'm not as rude as all that. Although I did want to be.) Now, if I am eating with someone and they take time out for a little prayer to themselves I am not bothered. I guess it is organized praying that gets to me. Kind of like how organized religion does but spirituality doesn’t.

Now if people want to pray before they start their school-day it’s fine. Do it before you get to school. If you want to have a little moment to yourself at the start of class then fine, but to have it legislated is preposterous. I fully understand that just because people are being silent doesn’t mean they are praying. A moment of silence is technically a time for reflection and introspection. However, that is not how it will be seen. I would guess that there are other teachers or potential teachers who, like me, are uncomfortable with the idea. That would be why some of them have elected not to have moments of silence in their classrooms. I would also guess that, particularly in High School, there would be a number of students who, like me are a little uncomfortable with the whole idea.

Maybe I am being too sensitive. Maybe there really isn’t anything strange about requiring this and I am just an odd person out. Maybe my thinking that people have a right to go to work and school and not be surrounded by people involved in religious practices is out of line. I really don’t know. I do know, however, that I don’t think it is right. I don’t think it is something we should be required to experience. If you want to pray at school go to a religious school. There are plenty of them. I know those schools cost money and that brings up a whole issue of class and rights of the more economically disadvantaged to be able to pray in school. I do see both sides to the issue. I just think there are many far more important (and less divisive) things that our state senate could be focusing on.

On a happier note it looks like they are also very close to passing a bill on legalizing civil unions. It’s not marriage, but it’s a step in the right direction. Baby steps here, people, baby steps.

I am also getting my hair cut tonight. I have no idea where my camera is so I am hoping that I can find it by the time I get home tonight for an after picture. If not I’ll either be very happy tomorrow or very sad. Maybe my writing will sufficiently describe what happened to my head.

1. It’s raining/ It’s raining/ There’s nothing you can do/ It doesn’t only rain on you/ But you’re acting all upset/ like you’re the only one that’s wet.

2. On the corner/ We talk away/ Everybody's older these days/ I'll just hit the reset button on this game.

3. Let it flow/ Let yourself go/ Slow and low that is the tempo. Kiyotoe knows it's the Beastie Boys but we still have room for the title. Ern to the rescue with our title of "Slow and Low".

4. Well she was just seventeen/ You know what I mean/ And the way she looked was way beyond compare. I Saw Her Standing There, The Beatles. Identified by WLFG and Danielle

5. Lada-dada-da it’s the motherfucking “d” “o” double g/ Lada-dada-da you know I’m hoppin with the “d” “r” “e”. Kiyotoe Knows it's Dr. Dre but we are, again, titleless Ern has cleared it us with "The Next Episode"

SOUNDTRACK TO MY LIFE

Danielle tagged me for another Music Meme and, although I did it on Myspace a while back, I never did it on the blog. The first one is lost forever so here is a new version.

If your life were a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

Here's how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that's playing
5. new question-- press the next button
6. don't lie and try to pretend you're cool

opening credits: ”Venus, the Bringer of Peace” Holst from The Planets Symphony. I am wishing that Mars had come on instead because it is the coolest but this is really nice as well. It’s very calm and I can just see the shot panning over flowers and oceans ad nature and settling on my oh so adorable face.

waking up:"Fortunate Son”, CCR. What a way to jar you back to action after those serene opening credits. This movie must be all about me bucking the establishment. I will say I woke up in college.

first day at school:"Raindrops" Lee “Scratch” Perry. I better have been in college. No Kindergartener should be grooving to Lee Perry.

falling in love: "Improperly Dressed" The Slits. This is actually pretty fitting. “Things can get uncomfortable on tube trains late at night” Not that I fell in love on the train but Friend knows what I am talking about.

breaking up: "Edith and the Kingpin" Joni Mitchell. Well this is all about leaving a husband so I guess it makes sense.

prom (let’s call it the Coming Out Dance): "K.I.M" EPMD. It really doesn’t matter what plays at the Coming Out Dance, this has a beat so it will work fine.

life's okay: "Vogue” Madonna. Pretty much sums up a fine life.

mental breakdown: "Bad Mouth" Fugazi. I could easily have a mental breakdown if asked to listen to Fugazi too often. Bad Mouth by PJ Harvey would have made more sense.

driving: "The Empty” Le Tigre. This is a lot heavier than my typical driving music. I think this would do better driving in Jaclyn’s “hell car”. Not that it was actually playing in her car, but it gives me the same “hell car” feeling.

flashback: "Everything She Wants" Wham. Yeah that would be a flashback.

getting back together: "Razorblade Scratching" Q-Bert. Apparently I am making up at a rave.

wedding: "Just Like Heaven" The Cure. How cute is that?

birth of child: "Alpha Beta Gaga" Air. Maybe if I concentrate on the soothing nature of Air’s whistling I won’t die from the pain.

final battle: "Divine Object of Hatred" Henry Rollins. Good title, my battles are never this hardcore though. They tend to be more bumbling.

death scene: "Cage and Aquarium" They Might Be Giants. Apparently I overdosed.

funeral song: ”Out of Habit” Ani DiFranco. I don’t know how I feel about this, not too good.

end credits: "Ebony Eyes" Stevie Wonder. I am that girl, yes I am.

I have a strange feeling that the original from myspace was much better. Oh well. It is lost forever in a sea of bulletins. Just know it was better than this. I'm pretty sure my funeral song was "Lick Myslf" by Triumph the Insult Comedy Dog. Back to the first liners.

1. It’s raining/ It’s raining/ There’s nothing you can do/ It doesn’t only rain on you/ But you’re acting all upset/ like you’re the only one that’s wet.

2. Darling I/ I can’t explain/ Where did we lose our way/ Girl it’s driving me insane. On Bended Knee, Boyz2Men. Identified by Janna

3. On the corner/ We talk away/ Everybody's older these days/ I'll just hit the reset button on this game.

4. Friends say it fine/ Friends say its good/ Everybody says it's just like Robin Hood. 20th Century Boy, Placebo (this version). Identified by Monica and Janna

5. I'm trying to tell you something bout my life/ Maybe give me insight between black and white. Closer to Fine, Indigo Girls. Identified by Jaclyn

REVISITED TIMES

Ok so I should probably give this memory thing a rest but Lizza mentioned in her comment yesterday about how things that were very important can suddenly be triggered by something in our life and we wonder how we could have ever forgotten. Just yesterday that happened to me twice.

The first was while reading that cursed memory book on the train. Schacter wrote about how we can hear about events in other people’s childhoods that trigger recollections in ours, for example pushing the paring brake and the car rolling. I froze. That had happened to me. I was terrified at the time. My younger sister and I were in the car and Mom had to run into the house to get something quickly. I remember Shoshana was in her car seat (although I could be wrong about that one) and I had short hair, which would make me about five. I climbed into the front seat of our Lynx and started steering. Somehow I tripped the parking brake. The parking spot at our condo was on a slight incline but to me it was enormous. The pavement leveled at the alley and then there was another parking space and a drop to a yard below. The drop seemed huge. I have no idea how big it really was maybe 15 ft? As the car started to roll I though we would gain speed as we were going down the “hill” and then roll over the edge and down the “cliff”. I knew I had to save my sister. She was far too young to die and she was my responsibility. I turned the wheel of the car and it ended up in the alley parallel to the drop, we were safe. I was still very shaken. Mom wasn’t happy. In my mind this event took a long time, in reality it couldn’t have been more than one minute. I was shocked that I had forgotten an event that had scared me so much.

Last night Tony and I were talking about “big kids” and how, when we were young, they seemed so grown up and so out of reach. I went to a K-8 school so there were plenty of big kids around and they seemed like grown-ups. Even if they had missed a grade or two, the biggest of them couldn’t have been older than 15. While in kindergarten I don’t think I came in contact with the “big kids” too often. We were relatively isolated. By 1st grade, however, I saw them much more often. I suddenly remembered that my friend Claire and I were mugged by “big kids while walking home from school. She was younger than me so I was probably in second grade when it happened. We only lived about three blocks from school so it wasn’t a far walk at all. As we were walking two “big kids” came up to us and had a switchblade and told us to give them all out money. I had no money and told them so over and over. Claire also told them that she had no money. They made us turn out our pockets and were extremely scary. After what seemed like forever, but was most likely not even a full minute, they let us go. After we were a little way away Claire turned to me and said, “I have a dollar”. I was so pissed. I couldn’t believe that she wouldn’t have given these mean kids her stupid dollar because who cared that much about a dollar anyway. We could have been killed, although I doubt that would have happened. I went home and told my mom and she called the cops and they took us back to the playground to find the muggers. I can’t remember if we found them or not, I guess that wasn’t as important to remember as the fear. What I did remember, however, was that I rode in the back of the police car to look for them. Just a few weeks ago someone (or maybe a myspace survey) had asked if I had ever been in the back of a cop car and I said no. Obviously, the retrieval clue for the experience had nothing to do with the cps, they were a second thought. It was all about the “big kids”.

It just goes to show that you really need the right retrieval clue to access some of your memories. It makes you wonder how much is stored in your brain that, depending on what you encounter, will surface and show you more about your past. If we had all the right clues would it be possible to remember everything? Probably not, things had to have a strong impact to be stored for that long or at least I would think. Both of the above memories had a strong emotional component to them and that is what made them memorable. Even so, I am sure there are things locked inside that I may never get out. That makes me a little sad.

Ok I promise I’ll get off the whole memory trip, at least for a while. It’s somewhat depressing and that isn’t cool for too many days in a row. All five songs were guessed yesterday and they weren’t even super easy. Good job people. Here are five new ones.

1. Everyone’s feeling pretty/ It’s hotter than July/ Though the world’s full of problems/ They couldn’t touch us even if they tried. Master Blaster (Jammin'), Stevi Wonder. Identified by My Parents. (on a side note I used to LOVE this song and ask for Ja-men all the time)

2. It’s raining/ It’s raining/ There’s nothing you can do/ It doesn’t only rain on you/ But you’re acting all upset/ like you’re the only one that’s wet.

3. Darling I/ I can’t explain/ Where did we lose our way/ Girl it’s driving me insane.

4. Just the thought/ Of our bed/ Makes me crumble like the plaster when you punched the wall beside my head. Out Of Range, Ani DiFranco. Identified by Brooke.

5. Ain’t it just like the night/ To play/ Tricks when you’re trying to be so quiet. Visions of Johanna, Bob Dylan. Identified by Jaclyn

CHIPPING AWAY AT REALITY

As you avid readers know I have be reading a book on the nature of memory. Today’s Manic Monday topic, chip, fit well into my ponderings on the subject. When asked what shapes a person, many will reflect back on their past experiences. In order to really know what we are like as humans we must remember things we have seen, done, or understood. In this way, it can be said that we are made up of our memories. If we can’t remember, we are doomed to suffer an incomplete notion of ourselves.

This led me to think of time and how, as time passes, parts of our memories are chipped away. I don’t think that our brains have a limited capacity for memory. I believe that as new memories are introduced it interferes with our previous engrams (the memory linkages encoded within the brain) and these new experiences act as chisels, slowly chipping out and disrupting linkages and connections so that, while the memory remains, our ability to retrieve it is shattered.

I look at our memories as a complex sculpture. Try to imagine the face of a childhood friend who moved away and you lost touch with. Maybe you can see their hair, or their eyes, but their nose has been chipped into an idealized version of what truly was. Roxanne reminded me that she was at the Tori Amos concert I attended while in college. She had been chipped out of my memory by the fact that I only remembered that the college friends were there. Since I knew it happened in college it would logically follow that the people I always was with were the people that would have been in attendance. I was wrong. What was interesting was that Roxanne remembered Jenna being there as well. I could be wrong, but I think I drove to the concert and Roxanne and Jenna visited together during my Freshman year when I wasn’t allowed to have a car on campus. Roxanne drove out with me in, I believe, my Junior year so Jenna couldn’t have been with us. Tori played songs from “To Venus and Back Again” so that solidified the fact that it had to have been a later date then when Jenna was there.

The point is that we all remember events differently. Time chips away at the truth and we may or may not even be aware of it happening. We put our past together by filling in the gaps with reference information and create a world that we believe to be true. In all honesty, how can we ever know what fragments have been lost and what has been constructed to take their place? We can ask people who were there with us, but what has been chipped from their consciousness? What can we decipher as truth? What can we really rely on if we can’t rely on ourselves to tell us what has been?

It seems that we must be content to rely on fragments. Maybe while looking at the crumbs left from chipped memories scattered around our consciousness we will be able to reconstruct some of the lost truth. Maybe we have to understand that we are more than what we can recall. What has, in some instances been chipped away will remain hidden in other recesses of the mind waiting to be glued back to the event it was lost from and bring us closer to understanding what it really is that we are made of.

Now it is time to see if we can remember songs after seeing their first lyrics. Studies show that recollection is much easier after prompting.

1. Oh I'd rather go and journey where the diamond crest is flowing/ and run across the valley beneath the sacred mountain. Wasn't Born To Follow, The Byrds. Identified by Johnny Yen and kind of sort of by Monica but I'll give her credit cause I love her.

2. Try to see it my way/ Do I have to keep on talking till I can’t go on. We Can Work It Out, The Beatles. Identified by Jaclyn and Johnny Yen

3. I took my baby on a Saturday bang/ Boy is that girl with you/Yes were one and the same. Black or White, Michael Jackson. Identified by Sanni

4. This microphone explodes/ shattering the molds/ Either drop the hits like de la o/ or get the fuck off the commode. Bulls On Parade, Rage Against The Machine. Identified by Sanni

5. All the modern things/ like cars and such/ have always existed. The Modern Things, Bjork. Identified by Danielle

MIDDLE EASTERN EGGPLANT AND GARBANZOS

It's Foodie Friday time again people.

This is a dish that you could make a lot spicier with the addition of some chilies and or chili paste and would be quite delicious! However, this is how I made it.

-1 large eggplant cubed
-1 can garbanzo beans
-2 ripe tomatoes diced
-½ red onion
-2 cloves garlic pressed
-1 tbsp olive oil
-1tsp cumin
-½ tsp curry powder
-1/8tsp thyme
-1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
-1 bay leaf
-¼ cup vegetable stock
-1 small can tomato paste
-Salt and pepper to taste

-Heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté red onion for about 4 minutes
-Reduce heat to medium low; add garlic sauté about a minute
-Add rest of ingredients, mix well, reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 15 minutes or until eggplant is nice and mushy
-Serve over rice, couscous, other grain or eat alone. A nice dollop of yogurt with some cucumber grated in it never hurts either.

Enjoy

On a potentially happy note, Tony mailed off the computer today and it should be arriving at the computer fix it man (Daddy) Tuesday. Mom and Dad I am going to email you just as soon as I post this so don’t be mad if you read it here first. I’m getting there.

On an even more exciting note I am thinking about getting a hair cut. I have been incredibly bored with my hair and have never really come to like the color that was put in last summer. I don’t want to get rid of a lot of length because I think I would look a fool with short hair. I just want some shape and something different. It will probably end up looking the same though. It always does. They always tell me they want to get rid of length so I don’t lose the curl at the top of my head, but it doesn’t matter. Unless I have no hair I will always lose the curl at the top of my head. It just does that. The question now is where to go, where to go. I have only got my hair cut once in Chicago (I don’t do this often people because i have serious fear of looking like an utter fool see 7th grade) and while it was a fine experience they only took off about three inches and I am guessing anyone could have done that. My hair was really long at the time and no one noticed the three inch difference, I even had to stand up to get my hair cut. It cost $80 although it did include a blow straight, which took a while. This is with no coloring and I desperately need a color change, even if it is just back to natural, seems like it would be pretty expensive. If I get it cut I’ll totally post before and after pictures. Wait, I won’t, the USB cord for my camera blew up. Never mind. I always think never mind is one word. Damn Nirvana.

Silent All These Years, Tori Amos- Oh man the angst. Little Earthquakes takes me back to high school and unrequited lame crushes in a bad way. I’m glad I’m past that phase in life.

The Sun Goes Down and The World Goes Dancing, Magnetic Fields- This song is something that you can’t help being happy to. This type of song makes me feel a little sad that I can’t dance. Maybe I should take some ballroom lessons. I bet Tony would love that.

Express Yourself, Charles Wright- This song has been co-opted so often by commercials that I sometimes have a hard time enjoying it. However, it is so good that I can sometimes ignore the images of people flouncing around in mediocre clothes. Speaking of jingle songs I was watching a financial commercial this morning and was wondering where I knew the song from- “Stop wasting my time, you know what I want, you know what I need, or maybe you don’t” Oh yes people, it was “Gimme That Money” from Spinal Tap. Is nothing sacred?

MONICA'S MUSIC MEME

Name your top 10 most played bands on iTunes (or some equivalent)

1. Belle and Sebastian
2. Ani DiFranco
3. Of Montreal
4. Camera Obscura
5. Radiohead
6. Soul Coughing
7. Blur
8. Tori Amos
9. Joni Mitchell
10. PJ Harvey
(I am guessing here because my iTunes blew up along with my computer so I am going with the bands I listen to most often in my estimation, which would easily be wrong since I have a bad memory. This actually only reflects the past week, it was a real 90s week)

What was the first song you ever heard by 6 (Soul Coughing)?
"Down To This" was on the radio a lot so probably that.

What is your favorite album of 2 (Ani DiFranco)?
Wow that is one that really depends on my mood. Either "Ani DiFranco", "Evolve", or "Little Plastic Castles" (yeah real decisive there huh)

What is your favorite lyric that 5 (Radiohead) has sung?
Again, real hard. Maybe “Her Hitler haircut is making me feel ill” (Karma Police) or maybe because it is the first one that came to mind.

How many times have you seen 4 (Camera Obscura) live?
Never, I just decided that I loved them about a month ago

What is your favorite song by 7 (Blur)?
“Tender” is my favorite song for singing. “The Universal” is my favorite song for feeling emotions. “Country House” or “Coffee and TV” are my favorite songs for boppin

What is a good memory you have involving the music of 10 (PJ Harvey)?
Well although it wasn’t exactly a PJ Harvey album I would have to go with listening to Murder Ballads with Ben Man and Friend. He wept. We laughed.

Is there a song of 3 (Of Montreal) that makes you sad?
Uh, Montreal makes me feel a little sad sometimes. Sometimes because of the song, others because "Tim, Wish You'd Been Born A Girl" ended.

What is your favorite lyric that 2 (Ani DiFranco) has sung?
Shit, that woman has brilliant lyrics. I can’t even begin to think. Maybe “Art may imitate life but life imitates TV”

How did you get into 3 (Of Montreal)?
This, like much great music was given to me by the wonderful Monica, who also gave me this meme

What was the first song you heard by 1 (Belle and Sebastian)?
Not positive, maybe “Like Dylan in the Movies” or “Get Me Away From Here I’m Dying”?

What is your favorite song by 4 (Camera Obscura)?
“Lloyd, I’m Ready to be Heartbroken” I would have to say. Then again I have only had their music for a hot second.

What is a good memory you have involving 2 (Ani DiFranco)?
All of the good times playing Monopoly with Friend. We listened to much music during those times but this was always a staple.

Is there a song of 8 that makes you sad? (Tori Amos)
Yes, most of her music is pretty freaking sad. “Putting The Damage On” is actually devastating though.

What is your favorite album of 5 (Radiohead)?
I’ll go with “The Bends” although some days it is “OK Computer” but most days it is “The Bends”

What is your favorite lyric that 3 has sung? (Of Montreal)
I like so many of their lyrics. I just quoted "Tim, Wish You’d Been Born a Girl" a week or so ago so I’ll pick something else. I used to like “Let’s pretend we don’t Exist. Let’s pretend we’re in Antarctica” but now I am reminded of Let’s Go Outback Tonight, damn commercial. I’ll go with “Hibernating in the snow just isn’t where it’s at because sleeping makes you skinny and we bears like to be fat.” I like that one.

What is your favorite song of 1 (Belle and Sebastian)?
Every song is kind of my favorite. I’ll be really random and pick one of my strange favorites, “Winter Wooskie”

What is your favorite song of 10 (PJ Harvey)?
Uh she is a genius. “You Said Something” will have to take the honor

How many times have you seen 8 live? (Tori Amos)
Three. Once I got myself a ticked and my sister got me a ticket and that was hard. Once with Brooke an Jamie and I think Jaclyn but I have a bad memory at some outdoor venue. Once with Mom. Apparently I missed a concert in the park last summer. Boo me.

What is your favorite album of 1 (Belle and Sebastian)?
They are all my favorites. I listen to “If You’re Feeling Sinister” a lot.

What is a great memory you have considering 9 (Joni Mitchell)?
Realizing that I was going to get old and it was going to suck while listening to Mom sing Circle Game. I know it says great memory but, in a way, it really was great because I got some things and it made me appreciate being young.

What was the first song you heard by 8 (Tori Amos)?
Embarrassingly enough it was God but I have to be honest.

What is your favorite cover by 2 (Ani DiFranco)?
I really enjoy “Wishin’ and Hopin’” and “Hurricane” a lot

Speaking of music, somehow neither Monica nor I knew that Of Montreal was playing at the Metro tonight and that show is seriously sold out. I tried to console myself with remindings that it is an all ages show and I am too old to be there. Unfortunately that is just lies. The youth will be dancing to the great songs and enjoying all the wonder and not me. Typically, I don’t read the music sections of things because I am poor and don’t want to know about bands I like coming and me not being able to afford them. I would have never known but Tony, who always reads the music section, made a helpful suggestion last night that I should try to see them because I love them. Oh well. I was both happy and sad that Monica didn’t know about the show. Happy because it meant that she didn’t forget to invite me and sad because I can’t hear how great it was. It looks as if we are going to see The Impossible Shapes though, maybe. Since this post was all about music I’m going to skip putting up songs because who cares at this point.

CAN I GO HOME YET?

Today is a blah day. I felt all types of nasty this morning and blame most of it on the nice weather. I was happily enjoying the fun outside and then got all kinds of sniffles and allergic feelings. It was awful. This morning I woke up and my head was so full of pressure and non breathing that I decided I couldn’t move and needed a combination of medicine and sleep. It isn’t as if I didn’t get a normal amount of sleep I was just messed up. I called work and told them I would be in by noon at the latest. If I hadn’t had five appointments scheduled for the afternoon I would be at home still. I still feel crappy.

I realized that the ice rink is still open across the street. I really should go skating sometime this week. It is really nice outside to be able to skate outdoors. I think it would be fun. I wonder if anyone else would want to come? I wonder how crowded the rink is after working hours on a Friday. I bet it will suck. Maybe not though, maybe no one will think of skating. It might be raining by Friday, maybe even snowing. I think my plan might suck. I should have gone yesterday.

Speaking of Ice Skating, I can’t wait to see Blades of Glory. It looks like the funniest movie about figure skating ever. Usually I hate movies about figure skating because they have all types of unrealistic premises. The Cutting Edge- Hockey Player becomes Olympic caliber figure skater in one season. Ice Princess- Physics student who can barely skate applies science to skating and is suddenly unbeatable (the top people apply science all the time and it helps but not that much). Ice Castles- Skater is foolish enough to skate on a rink full of chairs and crap. You get the picture. Blades of Glory also wouldn’t happen because I do believe pairs skating has been defined as being between a man and a woman (but maybe I am wrong) and I don’t think the ISU would go for two guys skating together, particularly ones that used a loophole to embarrass the sport. Regardless, the utter silliness of the premise makes it seem enjoyable to me, those other movies aren’t supposed to be slapstick comedy. I fully plan to see it as soon as possible. Sisterhead saw it last night and said she had a huge smile on her face the whole time and her cheeks hurt afterward. Sounds like my kind of film. I also think the characters are ideal stereotypes of American male skaters, the frufru sequined guy and the macho tough guy (which is an oxymoron in and of itself). I can’t wait.

I want to crawl under my desk and die. I should go home. My appointments are done as my last one called to say she too was feeling crappy. I wish I had the luxury of being at home like her. Instead I am sitting here in a very hot office with a runny nose and a headache. At least I can breathe.

Zak and Sara, Ben Folds- Can Rockin’ The Suburbs be any better? The answer is no, not for what it is supposed to be. Are there better albums? Of course. However, this one is pretty darn great. I think Ben Folds going solo was a great idea.

Dance Me To The End of Love, Leonard Cohen- I love this song. It is something that I would expect to show up on some sick and twisted episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Some obviously evil but slightly comical vampire would be dancing around with some droopy bloodless body and just singing away. I think it would be fantastic.

In The Way, Ani DiFranco- Evolve is another one of those albums that I think is simply prefect for what it is. I think it has such a swinging jazzy style that is really different from many of Ani’s other albums. I could see both Ani fans and people typically interested in other genres meeting up at this album and all nodding their heads in approval. I really like this song too.

HEY STUPIDS! PUT ON SOME CLOTHES

Today is the first time an ages that it has been nice outside. The high is about 69 degrees and it may even climb into the 70s. People are happy and smiling and the world seems new. This morning, I heard birds chirping and, even though it was really hard to get out of bed, I was looking forward to the day.

I put on a mid-weight dress, a shirt and some fishnets without nylons under them because I didn’t need the extra warmth. I put on my spring jacket instead of my winter one. Unlike yesterday, I didn’t put my scarf in my bag “just in case”.

On the way to work I decided to listen to Jeff Buckley, Grace. It was soothing and calm and just seemed to meld perfectly with the still slightly gray morning. People on the street were friendly and smiled, which is unusual because typically a smile on the street will generate a crazy look.

Once I got downtown, I noticed the varying degrees to which people were dressed and it made me laugh and smile. You still had a very few people in winter coats but I didn’t see any scarves, hats, or gloves. Then you had the ones like me, lightweight coats sometimes unbuttoned. You had the people in simply their suits, which to me is basically the same as a lightweight jacket. Then people started to get a little overboard, in my opinion.

I saw people in long sleeved shirts without jackets, which would be fine for noon but a little nippy at nine or five. There were people in t-shirts, which was simply uncalled for. I saw plenty of toes, and even a pair of flip flops or two. It’s not even guaranteed to reach 70, people. I even saw a few sundresses. Not sundresses with long sleeved shirts over them like mine, just plain old arms out sundresses. I understood the people biking or running who weren’t dressed warmly, they were going to work up a sweat. Those people who just decided that it is warm enough for summer are the nutbar ones. Come on people, I too am happy about the warm weather but have some sense. It’s just not that nice. At least put on a sweater over your bare shoulders.

I hope they get sick. It would serve their cold butts right. For some reason I have something against people who don’t appreciate the true nature of the weather. They are the ones who get sick and then infect the rest of us who have enough sense to dress appropriately by sitting by us on public transportation. I’ll be ready, toes out, when the time is right. I’m just not one to jump the gun. I hate stupids.

The Sphinx, Ornette Coleman- I don’t have enough jazz on my iPod. I also don’t have enough classical music. People should get me things. Oh wait; I don’t have a computer to update my iPod on currently. People should get me things later.

Taxi Theme, ??- I guess this is from a classic TV show, maybe it qualifies as classical music. Never mind, it classifies as crappy.

Try (Just a Little Bit Harder), Janis Joplin- I love this woman. She made cracked out cool. Until she died. I could never drink enough southern comfort to die but only because I drank enough to go paralyzed that one time.

CLICK YOUR HEELS THREE TIMES

Today's Manic Monday theme is click.

I need things to CLICK.

Something about clicking noises has always been a comfort to me. In particular, I love the sound of heels clicking on the ground. As a young child, I always loved to hear women walking (men click too but it isn't as satisfying). The clicking of their heels let me know that they were going somewhere, that they had something to do. A rapid click let me know that this was a woman on a mission; they had a meeting to go to or someone important to see. I always wanted to see what it was that they were doing and who it was that they were going to see. A slow, steady click let me know that the woman was relaxed. This was a person who was simply enjoying their surroundings and taking in life.

I couldn’t wait until I had shoes that clicked. I remember having some black patent leather Mary Janes that made a little noise but they weren’t really satisfying. They clicked, but I wanted them to CLICK. I didn’t think my footsteps conveyed the same oomph as that of adults. I thought the biggest problem was that I didn’t have heels. I couldn’t wait to have some of my very own. Sophomore year of high school, I had a few rather unfortunate pairs of heels. One was a pair of sketchers with a heel. Yes, I had a heeled sneaker and I didn’t see anything wrong with it (at the time). However, being a rubber heel, they didn’t do much clicking. The other was a pair of brown oxfords with a heel. I don’t have to say anything else about that. Give me a break, people always told me they were cute shoes. I didn’t know better.

I think it was Sr. Year that I really got my first pair of heels that I could be proud of. They were a pair of Steve Madden sandals that laced up the front and had a good two and a half inch heel. I thought they were super high. Those that know me will scoff at my thinking those shoes were towering but hey, I was just starting out. I loved those shoes. I loved the way they clicked through the halls and down the streets. I loved people being able to hear me coming, to know that I was on my way. I had arrived.

Over time it has become less important to me. Most of the time I wear heels is at work, and we have carpet. I don’t get to hear my clicks as often as I would like. Sometimes, when I decide to go out, I put on a pair of heels and I click down the street. Sometimes, I still get excited about it. It’s rare though, and nothing will compare to that first CLICK of my heels.

The only unguessed song from last week was number one “Just as volcanoes erupt/Sometime human beings explode in your face” It was You Are Not The Target by Impossible Shapes. I was just listening to this song this morning. It made me smile. I hate when human beings explode in your face. Sometimes you deserve it, but not usually.

CHEESE AND SPICE SURE TASTES NICE

For this edition of Foodie Friday we'll go with enchiladas. Enchiladas are one of my favorite foods. Daddy got me hooked on them when I was young and I still think he makes the best enchiladas ever. I just try. However, I got my first shot at homemade enchilada sauce and it was pretty good. Let me share.

-1/4 cup vegetable oil
-2 tablespoons flour
-1 jalapeno and/or serrano chili finely diced (use jalapeno for milder flavor use both for real spice)
-1/8 cup onion finely diced
-2 cloves garlic pressed
-1/8 cup chili powder
-1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
-1 1/2 cups water
-1/4 teaspoon cumin
-salt to taste

-Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion and jalapeno for about 2 minutes so that the onion is translucent
-Add pressed garlic and cook for about one minute
-Stir in flour and chili powder (yeah that’s right it’s time for a roux), reduce heat to medium, and cook until lightly brown (about 2 minutes), stirring constantly to prevent burning flour.
-Gradually stir in tomato sauce and cumin then slowly add water until you reach your desired consistency
-Continue cooking over medium heat approximately 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly.
-Season to taste with salt.

I have made all kinds of enchiladas, but to be true to what I have actually eaten this week, I just made the plain old cheese and onion kind. They are infallible. I prefer to use Chihuahua cheese and corn tortillas. Put a little cheese and onion mixture in a tortilla, roll it up, cover with sauce and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes (oh, you should put some sauce on the bottom of the pan too to prevent sticking, I learned that the hard way). There you have it. Serve up with some refried beans (I used canned cause I was lazy) doctored up with a little hot sauce, cumin, and chili powder to taste MMMMM.
Enjoy.

I will be facing my first weekend sans computer. I think it will be ok but I am a little nervous. I’ll be on the phone with Dad trying to take things apart so I can send them to him and see if he can work some magic. Mom reminded me that I do have a laptop that I can try to hook up to the Internet (as long as I can find the Ethernet card) but we had our Internet turned off in anticipation of not having a computer. I’ll probably bring the laptop to work on Monday and see if I can make it work. If so we’ll have them turn the connection back on. I’m just not the type to pay for something I can’t use. That’s for the rich and or crazy.

This week has flown by almost as if it hadn’t happened at all. Tony worked late yesterday and I spent the evening curled up with our new channel, Starz. I know the last thing I need is a new TV station to watch but when Tony called to cancel our Internet the nice Comcast people told us that we were paying too much for our service and that we could get Starz added for a few dollars less than we were already paying. They also put the Internet on hold so we wouldn’t have to pay any reconnection fees. I was pretty pleased with that. I watched Rent (I don’t know why since I didn’t even really like the play but it was the last day it would be on demand so I did) and found myself crying nonstop as Angel got sick and died. Angel is my favorite thing about the story but I didn’t expect to be carrying on like that. I was glad no one was home. Then again, I am now broadcasting it online so where’s the logic in that? Then I watched Shopgirl, Tony came home shortly after it started. I really liked that movie. I am not sure why but I did. I hate Jason Schwartzman as a person, every time I see him in an interview I want to slap the shit out of him. I like him as an actor. I really liked him in this. I also like Claire Danes. I know that is a strange thing to say but she seems so normal to me. I feel like I could be her friend. I don’t have to say that I like Steve Martin, everyone does. So I had a pretty nice night. Good times. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

1. Just as volcanoes erupt/Sometime human beings explode in your face

2. We come from the land of the ice and snow/ From the midnight suns where the hot springs blow. Immigrant Song, Led Zepplin. Identified by Johnny Yen

3. When you were languishing in rooms I built to foul you in/And when the wind set down in funnel form and pulled you in. Circles, Soul Coughing. Identified by Brooke.

4. Once a boy named Mister Me bemoaned a great regret/I've floundered in the misty sea, but can't abide its mystery/ I wound up sad you bet. Mr. Me, They Might Be Giants. Identifid by Janna and Monica

5. McDonalds is a place to rock/ it is a restaurant where they buy food to eat/ it is a good place to listen to the music Rock and Roll McDonald's, Wesley Willis. Identified by Monica

ONE IN A MILLION

Sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes they are so funny that you can’t help but laugh. Yesterday at about 3:30 Tony called me at work and told me he had some very bad and somewhat sad news. I thought Mr. Snodgrass (our favorite fish) had died or something. Thankfully, nothing living was harmed.

He had been sitting at our computer and when he got up everything went POP, sparks came out of things, and a circuit was blown. Whatever could have happened? Well, here’s the story. The USB cable of our digital camera simply sits plugged into the computer. The cord was on the floor and when Tony moved it somehow fell directly into an open third prong socket on the power strip (you know, the fat prong). Part of the USB cord blew off from the power surge and the reminder is rather charred. Unfortunately, as it was plugged into the computer, the power surge appears to have fried the motherboard. Now the computer won’t even turn on.

I called my dad when I got home because he is my helpdesk. He told me that it is very likely that the hard drive is fine, which eased my pain a little bit. I’m thinking how to get things to him so he can check them out. I’m just glad Tony wasn’t hurt. He could have been electrocuted or something and that would have made yesterday an incredibly bad day for me. Instead it was just a relatively bad day. Plus, it makes for a really good story. I don’t think you could try to make that happen and succeed.

One strange thing was that I compulsively wanted to check my email last night. I usually check it once or twice at home but not that often. I guess simply because I couldn’t I was obsessed with doing it. I always found that to be something very strange about human nature. Obviously we are instinctively curious as a species, some people more than others. But we also have a tendency to want things we can’t have. Maybe that doesn’t apply to all humans, maybe it’s just me. I don’t think so. I guess it has something to do with desires of the ID as far as rebellion and mischief. Maybe I am reading too much into things. I think I really need to be back in school so I can use this excess pondering for some good.

To get back to school means I have to take some tests. Since I am pretty sure I want to teach I need to take the basic skills test required for teachers and the content area tests for the subject I want to teach. I may also have to take some classes to round out things I didn’t take in college. The bad thing about designing your own curriculum is that it isn't always the most practical. However, I also need to decide what I want to teach. My heart says English simply because I love literature so much. Seeing people get excited by written word would make me so very happy. I have also been thinking a little about Biology though. I think it would be far easier to get a job as a Biology teacher. I wouldn't have to take any additional Bacjelor's level courses. Then again, would I want to talk about mitosis all day long? I also get slightly queasy for at least ten minutes during any dissection. I love doing them but about midway through I realize that my hands are in some carcass and the smell gets to me and I need to take a break. Then I am fine and I can go play around with brains and hearts. Huh, I really don’t know. I suppose I should just take the basic skills test as a start. It seems pretty easy but the practice tests are on the computer and mine is broken. I don’t think I can justify taking them at work. Oh, the dilemmas. Honestly, it seems pretty easy and I shouldn’t have to really study but I haven’t taken a real test since the MCAT and that was like seven years ago. Whatever, it still shouldn’t be hard. The passing requirements are dismally simple, which is a little sad.

1. Just as volcanoes erupt/Sometime human beings explode in your face

2. Slip slide/ dip and take a dive/ planets looking high when we traveling on a vibe. Time and Space, Digable Planets. Identified by Ern

3. Take a look at me/ Tell me do you like what you see/ Do you think you can/ Do you think you can do me. Do Me, Bel Biv Devoe. Identified by Brooke

4. Early in the morning/ early in the morning/ I’m calling you to/ I’m calling you to/ please come home/ Yes I could make it without you if I/ Just didn’t feel so all alone. Obviously 5 Believers, Bob Dylan. Identified by Brooke.

5. Who loves the sun/ who cares that it makes plants grow/ who cares what it does/ since you broke my heart. Who Loves The Sun, Velvet Underground. Identified by Jaclyn

WHY I KNOW NOTHING

I don’t have the best memory. The thing I have the hardest time remembering is conversations. I tend to tell the same stories, forgetting that people already know. I forget that I have promised I will do things and then I don’t do them. I also have a hard time remembering facts. I think this may have something to do with my INFP characteristics. I don’t focus on facts at all. I am much more of an intuition person. Even when facts disprove my gut feelings I have a hard time letting go of what I think MUST be the right answer. I guess I don’t remember facts because I don’t think they matter. I think this is why I am incredibly bad at some things.

I recently shocked Tony by telling him that I didn’t know which ocean was the Atlantic and which was the Pacific. I did remember after I thought about it for a little while but it was not easy. You are all probably now thinking that I am an idiot. While I could be an idiot, this is not why. It simply never mattered to me what the oceans were called. They were oceans; they were salty, blue, pretty, and full of life. It seems to me that all major oceans come together somewhere so how can you define what body of water is which? Aren’t they really all the same? Maybe they aren’t, but you couldn’t convince me of that. Therefore, what does it matter what they are called? My intuition tells me they are both the same ocean. I had to remember in grade school when they gave me tests on it. And I remembered. And I did fine on my geography tests. Now it simply doesn’t matter, or really make sense, so I don’t remember it anymore.

The things I really remember well have to do with emotions, thought processes, and theory. I remember my dreams better than many people I talk to, or at least with a higher frequency. I remember dreams better than I remember much of waking life, because I think my subconscious is more rational (sometimes) than my conscious. I feel that, in dreams, I am more connected to myself. I also remember smells and tastes very well. I remember the taste of the quesadillas that our upstairs neighbor made for me in the duplex we lived in until I was three. I remember the smell of particular books, “Happiness is a Warm Puppy” in particular. I remember feelings of excitement which, in turn, lead me to remembering occurrences in my childhood or daily life. I don’t start with the event, I start with the feeling.

I have been focusing on this because I recently started rereading “Searching for Memory” by Daniel Schacter. I read this book (or at least I read parts of it, I really can’t remember) for a class I took Jr. Year of college on the Nature of Memory. It was a fascinating class. We talked about how memory works biologically, examined PET scan research and neural connections. We also looked at psychological studies on the subject. The reading list for the class was phenomenal. It had been too long since I had read something like this and I remember thinking this book was great. I don’t remember what was in the book. I have to read something at least three times to become completely familiar with its contents. This has always confused me. While I am reading a book I remember everything about it. All the characters/theories, everything that has happened, even subtle nuances. However, when I close the book much of that disappears (unless I am writing something about the book). Sometimes I even lose the main storyline. It doesn’t only happen with books I don’t like as one would expect. It happens with some of my absolute favorites. People will read the books and then we will try to talk about them and I find I have lost vital characters completely. It is somewhat frustrating, but it enables me to constantly relive the wonders of some magical stories.

I always attributed this reading phenomenon to the fact that I read very quickly. I supposed that quickly reading doesn’t give me time to properly encode the information into my brain for retrieval. Also, when I read, I often don’t have the intention of fully analyzing and digesting the information. I am only looking for entertainment. The only time this process is different is if the book is “deep” or particularly emotional. Then, I have to process the information differently and the story tends to stay with me.

In “Searching for Memory,” Schacter discusses the difference between field and observer memories. In a field memory, you remember things from your point of view as if you were reliving the experience. In an observer memory, you see yourself in the memory as well and watch yourself experience things. It seems that people tend to have observer memories about things that happened longer ago. Picture yourself on your first day of kindergarten or at a childhood birthday party. Chances are that you will see yourself moving around in that space. If you recall something more recent, the last concert you went to or even making dinner the other night you will more likely see the memory from your point of view. I don’t know why this is. Maybe because we see photos of ourselves in old situations we are trained to remember those times as a series of moving photographs? Maybe we remember the physical sensation of the newer memories and recalling them puts us right back where we were? Either way it sure is interesting.

As I read more of this book I may need to have more musings on memory. Maybe it will help me retain the information better this time.

1. Just as volcanoes erupt/Sometime human beings explode in your face

2. Slip slide/ dip and take a dive/ planets looking high when we traveling on a vibe

3. Take a look at me/ Tell me do you like what you see/ Do you think you can/ Do you think you can do me

4. Early in the morning/ early in the morning/ I’m calling you to/ I’m calling you to/ please come home/ Yes I could make it without you if I/ Just didn’t feel so all alone

5. Where have al the flowers gone/ Long time passing/ Where have all the flowers gone/ Long time ago. Where Have all The Flowers Gone, (this version was) by the Mamas and the Papas. Identified by Mom.

I DREAM, YOU DREAM, WE ALL DREAM FOR ICE CREAM

Everyone rush out to the grocery store, it’s time to “support our president”! Ben and Jerry’s has released a new flavor entitled “Steven Colbert’s Americone Dream”. Not only will all proceeds be donated (although I wonder who they are being donated to), but the ice cream looks delicious. We have vanilla ice cream with fudge covered waffle cone bits and a caramel swirl. Sounds pretty good to me. However, I was hoping that in the spirit of patriotism they would go for a red white and blue flavor and instinctively reissue Kaberry Kaboom under a new name. For those of you who don’t remember, and many don’t because the flavor didn’t last too long, Kaberry Kaboom featured Strawberry and Blueberry ice creams, white fudge covered cracklin' candy (yes they mean pop rocks) and a blueberry swirl. The flavor was released in 2001 and was created with a company called KaBoom that built children’s playgrounds and, although it only was around until 2003, helped to fund eight playground developments. I had no idea that Kaberry Kaboom was for a good cause, I simply thought it was delicious. It came in second place in a discontinued flavor contest (I believe Wavy Gravy was the winner combining caramel and cashew brazil nut ice cream with a chocolate hazelnut fudge swirl and roasted almonds, not so bad I guess) and didn’t get reissued. I still have fond flavors of this ice cream kabooming in my mouth.

And now for something completely different.

I have been collecting my favorite Statcounter searches for the past week and now feel that I have a decent list to share with you, the reader. Now these searches didn’t always put my page at the top of the list, but they just tickled me pink and hope they do for you as well.

Someone in California apparently goggled something about their own history and wanted to see if anyone else shared their experiences so they looked up “I am thirty six and have been spanked all my life”. A concerned health nut from Oregon was looking for a way to “only eat brown rice and vegetables”. We have some poor soul in Louisiana who was curious about people “mispronouncing Barack Obama”. Maybe they just didn’t know how to say it? A dog owner feed up with poop in Ohio was looking for “the best way to pick up dog poop after snow melts”. Someone in Sweden was curious about “swimsuit shoulder pads you tube” and somehow ended up at my page. I admit I am pretty confused by that one. A Wilson lover in my own home state wanted to know “Owen Wilson nose number of times,” for the record, I don’t know how many times Owen Wilson nosed. Then we have a curious bloke from Bristol, England who wanted to know “Do black people love chicken?” followed directly by someone seeking friends in Massachusetts with a thoughtful plea “we all black people we all love chicken”. I’m really missing out with this Black vegetarian thing I suppose. At least I love some watermelon. Wait, that was inappropriate. Oh well. I do like watermelon.

It’s time for another installment of Guess That Song (thunderous applause)

1. For god’s sake/You got to give more power to the people/There’s some people up there hogging everything. For God's Sake, The Chi-Lites. Identified by Mom.

2. Just as volcanoes erupt/Sometime human beings explode in your face

3. On my way up north/up on the Ventura I /pulled back the hood/and I was talking to you. A Sort of Fairytale, Tori Amos. Identified by Eve

4. Every time I look at you I don’t understand/ Why you let the things you did get so out of hand. Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber from Jesus Christ Superstar. Identified by Jaclyn

5. Don’t go changing/ to try and please me/ you never let me down before. Just The Way You Are, Billy Joel. Identified by Jeff Roberts

CAUTION, THIS POST MAY BLOW

The Manic Monday theme for this week is Blow. I’ll admit that I had a hard time thinking of a post for this one. Last week it was Yellow. That was easy. One thing popped into my mind and I was ready to go. Unfortunately, it was none too simple for this one. Blow conjures up so much in my mind that all the thoughts were just blowing around in my brain and I was unable to catch any of them. There was Johnny Depp in the movie Blow, there was the ever present Donovan blowing in the wind, there were all sorts of dirty things that just don’t belong on this, relatively modest blog. I was afraid that my post would blow.

I thought about blowing off the entire project. Then again I realized that I never challenged myself with my writings. Sometimes certain events or topics that have recently blown my mind end up in my ramblings but I never give myself writing exercises or anything like that. I have never taken a writing class so I have never really been told to write about something and try to come up with something good. Essays don’t count. I thought this was something challenging and exciting for me, it is.

While I don’t think this post will have readers blowing up my comments section, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment in actually finishing a semi-coherent post about the word blow. Thanks Mo for giving me the chance to experiment with my writing in a way that I never would have. It keeps me working hard. Not that I am trying to blow smoke up your ass or anything. But thanks.

CSL tagged me with an iPod Meme. How could I possibly resist this? I am going to try and review the 25 most played songs in the darn contraption. Since I listen to things on shuffle a lot, I wonder how this will pan out. Hum, not too interesting. It was basically two entire albums, "Lets Get Out of This Country" by Camera Obscura and "The Sunlandic Twins" by Of Montreal. There were a few Belle and Sebastian songs thrown in there. I have been listening to those albums quite a bit lately. I have to think of some other way to handle this Meme. I’ll go to my recently played and pick songs that weren’t on a full album that I listened to. I also included my favorite line from the song to make things more fun.

1. Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl, Of Montreal, Cherry Peel- “I’m not saying you can’t be all these things for me but it’s just not the same cause you’re a man, and so am I”

2. 2HB, Venus in Furs, Velvet Goldmine Soundtrack- “Take two people romancing, smokey night club situation, your cigarette traces a ladder”

3. Omega Supreme, Danger Mouse and Jemini, 26inch EP- "Sometimes I get sperm in my eye cause I be on my own dick”

5. High and Dry, Radiohead, The Bends- “All your insides fall to pieces, you just sit there wishing you could still make love”

6. Heaven On Their Minds, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar- “Please remember that I want us to live, but it’s sad to see our chances weakening with every hour”

7. My Wandering Days are Over, Belle and Sebastian, Tigermilk- “A spooky witch in a sexy dress has been bugging me”

8. No Rain- Blind Melon, I have no idea what album- “Ya know I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today. So stay with me and I'll have it made”

9. Enjoy The Silence, Depeche Mode, Violator- “Words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm”

10. Feel Good Inc, Gorillaz, Demon Days- “A melancholy town where we never smile.”

11. She Loves You No Less, My Bloody Valentine, Ecstasy and Wine- “She loves you no less but do you really care”

12. Dumb, Nirvana, In Utero- “We’ll float around, hang out on clouds. Then we’ll come down and have a hangover”

13. Oslo In The Summertime, Of Montreal, The Sunlandic Twins(this was on the list a few times...)- “I practice my Norwegian on poor befuddled waitresses who shake their heads completely at a loss”

14. Mother, Pink Floyd, The Wall- “Mommas gonna make all of your nightmares come true”

15. Pets, Porno for Pyros, I don’t know the album- “Maybe Martians could do better than we’ve done”

16. Wandering Star, Portishead, Dummy- “Please could you stay a while to share my grief, for it’s such a lovely day”

17. Thieves in the Temple, Prince, Graffiti Bridge- “I can hang when you’re around but I’ll surely die if you’re not there”

18. Breaking The Girl, Red Hot HCili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magic- “I don’t know what, when, or why. The twilight of love had arrived”

19. Game Over, Scarface, some album- “Lord please murder my enemies, burn em at a thousand degrees”

20. They’ll Need a Crane, They Might Be Giants, John Henry?- Love sees loves’ happiness but happiness can see that love is sad

21.Tear in Your Hand, Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes- “I don’t believe you’re leaving cause me and Charles Manson like the same ice cream”

22.What’s Up, 4 Non Blondes, Bigger Better Faster More- “And so I cry sometimes when I’m lying in bed just to get it all out what’s in my head”

23. Father Figure, George Michael, I don’t know what album- “But sometimes love can be mistaken for a crime”

24. Cradle Of Love, Billy Idol, Rebel Yell- “Shakes the devil when he misbehaves”

25. I Wish, Skee-lo, I don’t know what album- “And when I'm in my car I'm laid back.I got an 8-track and a spare tire in the backseat but that's flat”

FRUIT IS GREAT IN SALSA

While I didn’t cook anything particularly interesting this week (we ordered in Indian food that lasted for days) I did eat something I never had eaten before. Wonder what it was? Hamburger Helper, that’s what. Being a lifelong vegetarian, and having parents with a little sense, we didn’t eat things like hamburger helper. I don't even know if they had veggie meat crumbles back when Iwas a kid. I think not.

On my way home from work yesterday I remembered there was no food in the house so I stopped by the store and tried to think of something quick and easy since I didn’t want to put any effort into it. I remembered that we had a package of veggie meat in the freezer. A light went on in my brain, Hamburger Helper. I also picked up some asparagus and leeks but I prepared them very similarly to last week’s dish (with some minor changes) so it wasn’t worthy of a Foodie Friday, but it was incredibly delicious. Tony tackled the Hamburger Helper since he knew how to cook it better than me. We settled down to watch the movie of Watership Down (since we DVRed it months ago but just recently finished the book) and a nice all American meal. It wasn’t too bad. The movie, however, was a little bad. It followed the storyline relatively closely but lacked any of the suspense and tension of the book. Events happened so quickly that you didn't have time to worry if things were going to end up ok.

Even though it was a new food, am not going to post about how to make Hamburger Helper. If you are curious, the instructions are on the box. Instead I will talk about one of my favorite things to make, Mango Salsa. It’s super easy but oh, so yummy!

-5 roma tomatoes nice and ripe (diced)
-½ red onion
-2 cloves garlic
-1 large jalapeno pepper depending on how hot you like things you can leave the seeds in, or not.
-Juice of 2 limes or maybe three
-Zest of one lime
-1 ripe mango (diced)
-½ cup of cilantro (loosely measured)
-dash of salt (optional)

-Put the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro in a food processor or blender and mix until everything is very finely chopped

-Combine the tomatoes and mango in a large bowl

-Add the lime zest and salt to the bowl and stir

-Throw the blended mixture into the bowl cover with the lime juice and stir

Enjoy!

I have also taken the finished product and put it back in the blender (because I don’t have a food processor) and blended everything to make a more salsaish salsa vs. this pico de galloish version. Both are fantastic.

I was having the shuffle of the century on my way to work this morning. It was like in school when the massive CD player seemed to know exactly what we wanted to hear. I hope it is as good now.

You Don’t Send Me, Belle and Sebastian- This song has the grooviest groove that you could ever hope to have. You put this tune and arms will be swinging and snapping at every turn. This is one of my favorite Belle and Sebastian songs, which may not mean all that much because I have about fifty favorites.

Good Feeling, Violent Femmes- While this is easily not one of my favorite Femmes songs it happens to be growing on me more and more as I get older. I have realized that about a lot of songs I used to want to skip. Now I really kind of groove to them. I guess the idea that tastes mature is true, or maybe I just got sick of the other songs.

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Richie Havens- I remember one time the family was in the airport and this really cool looking older guy was there with a pretty young woman. My dad got incredibly excited and went to go shake his hand. The guy was Richie Havens. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to find a copy of the song “Dreaming as One” without buying an entire CD but have failed miserably. Maybe my parents have an idea….

BOOKWORM MEME

I would be lying if I said I was disappointed by this season’s ANTM premiere. The girls, while totally fugly to the naked eye, took some exceptionally decent pictures. However, I think the judges made some very wrong decisions, primarily like letting Kathleen go and keeping Natasha. Don’t they know that mail order brides that couldn’t possibly be taller than 5ft7 make bad models? I certainly think this crop of girls is more promising, and entertaining, than the last few seasons. Those were just super boring. Then again, give this one a few weeks and I could be singing a different tune. Having Monica and Chanda around to watch was particularly great. I enjoy things more when there are friends to be seen. After the show we got our Dance Dance Revolution on for a while and that was a good time.

Tony and I were going to go and see This American Life today. It is the last taping in Chicago and we thought it would be super great. Sarah Vowell, Dan Savage, and David Rakoff are going to be on. Unfortunately, a lot of people had the same idea and there was only one seat left open in the theater. Stupid stupid stupid. We should have known better than to try and get tickets today. Davis Sedaris will be coming next month though, we should be much better about getting tickets for that one.

I took this meme from Used*to*be*me because it is all about books and, as you know, I love books. I wish that I had read every book on the list because that would have given me a superior feeling but I read close to half and decided that isn’t all that bad.

Instructions:
Look at the list of books below.
*Bold the ones you’ve read
*Italicize the ones you want to read
*leave plain the ones that you aren’t interested in.
*(I added something to it) If a book is one of your top twenty put a smiley face next to it. If it is something you hated put a frowny face.

1.The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2.Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3.To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10.A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12.Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16.Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees(Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien) :)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis) :)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert) :)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell) :)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True(Wally Lamb) :(
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb):(
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky) :)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand):)
63. War and Peace (Tolsoy) (does the first hundred or so pages before it got too boring and full of aristocratic snots count? I think not) :(
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez) :)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller) :)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) :)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams) :)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding) :)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield) :(
100.Ulysses (James Joyce) :( :( :( see posts labeled Ulysses for all the reasons

Cool Blue Reason, Cake- Cake really reminds me of college, Sr. year in particular. I never really liked this song. I listened to it a lot. Probably because no one wanted to get up and change the song and we couldn't find the remote. Speaking of not wanting to do things, I am bringing rock, paper, scissors back in a big way.

Doo wop, (That Thing), Lauryn Hill- Yeah I am not proud that I own this. I am less proud that I enjoy it. This is another reason why I am not the president of the Cool Club and only the treasurer.

Stone Junkie, Curtis Mayfield- Thank god that something of this nature came on to save me from all the bad music aforementioned. I will leave you with the thoughts that I am a smooth funky soul sister. Yeah, believe that.