A poem.

Dim Sum.
Yum, yum!

Talk to youse guys after breakfast.

Hope you guys have a blast on your roadtrip. A friend of mine traveled the US for about 9 months on a solo roadtrip and had a great time. She's now continuing her roadtrip in India and Nepal.

[soapbox] I'm praying that all our troops come back safely, including Birdboy's friend. The intelligence on which we relied to justify war was terrible, and I certainly don't feel any safer since we invaded Iraq. Quite the opposite. The sight of 8 police officers on the subway platform every morning doesn't instill me with confidence, either. I'm also sorry that the Iraqis are suffering because of us. That this president has managed to ruin our international relations and squander all of the goodwill in the US corner post September 11 is just, well, amazing. And I'm looking forward to reading the 9/11 Commission report. [/soapbox]

leaving politics behind

Anyhoo, the bitch at work - to make a long story short, my boss wants me to oversee certain matters handled by this person's division and provide my input. She resents this with the fire of a thousand nuns and has no problems showing it. Borderline confrontational? Check. Returns calls at her leisure? Check. Reads emails at her leisure? Check. Tries to get me to do her work when I make suggestions? Check. She'll make the job very interesting indeed as I figure out how to deal with this.



Well, it's 67 here in NY, but no lower humidity for us because it's going to rain - again. If I didn't know better I'd think I was in Seattle.

I love your poem, suctionprints, and I couldn't agree more strongly with the sentiment.

Welcome back, AlmondEyes! I know what you mean about hot. I am melting, melting, melting here in Rome. It's a hundred degrees and the sun is powerfully strong. Yesterday, there was a blackout too, so no air conditioning. It made me grumpy and very liquid. Though I won't be discussing politics here, I'm happy to discuss a host of other subjects with you, including nasty co-workers and road trips. Maybe skagirl can give you some pointers on the nasty co-worker too. As I recall, she had a duzy.

I went to the Sistine Chapel today before it opened. It was an awesome experience - Mr. Yogi and I alone in the chapel with the tour guide. Just like a Pope! Very cool. I haven't seen the chapel since the scaffolding was removed, and the frescos by Michaelangelo and Ghilandiho are beautiful beyond my imagination. Raphael's rooms? Also breathtaking. I studied this art and am so familiar with these paintings, but I still I felt so honored to behold them.

We are eating and drinking (oh my heck, the wine. mmm) very well, though it's no Dim Sum, don't you know. Plus, I threw....
three coins in a fountain. Me and Audrey Hephburn... I think it was her?

Yesterday, we were in a car going from the Airport to the hotel and Mr. Yogi said. "just like TAR! Heh. I think not, but still a shout out to my favorite show. Made me smile.

Hey Yogi! Glad you made it safely to Rome and are having such a nice time! How did you manage to get a tour of the Sistine Chapel before it opened? That's awesome, well done! Hope there are no more blackouts and that you have air conditioning for all the time you are there!

I'm still trying to work out Sunction prints poem. Explanation, anyone?

Almond Eyes - that woman sounds terrible!! There must be something you can do to make your life at work a little easier. I remember at one place I worked at a few years ago, we were like one big happy family, literally, and then a woman was hired who lied, cheated, was rude and just horrible to be with. I was pregnant at the time, and there was so much stress and tension at work, after it being such a great place to work. I had a miscarriage and I do think that all the stress contributed to it. Anyway, she got fired for fraud. But it never quite went back to happy after that, and I ended up leaving not long after to go work somewhere else. So I do know what it's like to work with a bitch, but just try to do your job and not let her get to you.

I think Dim Sum could be explained as lots of little Chinese dishes served for brunch. Sort of like a Chinese tapas fest. That is my sorry attempt at an explanation. I'm sure someone else can do better. And Yum Yum? It's what you so after you eat something tasty like Dim Sum!

So today the heat went away and it rained hard and steady all day. Of course, I prepared for another intense day of sun with my sunblock and straw hat, so that's why it rained, no doubt. But no matter, it was still a fabulous day. We went out to the country for a traditional Sunday lunch on the Via Apppia. We drank local wine that tasted like sunshine. And the olive oil? Made on the property and so delicious. Plus, I toured the Colusseum, Temple of Vesta and the Pantheon. Plus, I saw lots of churches with Early Christian mural paintings and mosiacs, which are a particular interest of mine. I love that period in art because the religion was so young and pure at the time and the paintings so sincere. But still, my favorite was probably the utterly Pagan architecture of the Pantheon because one really does feel the energy of its particular round form. I love the EYE in the center of the immense dome. It's a great feminine energy - a lot like the labyrinth, and such a nice change from a city filled with obelesks - the great phallises (is that the plural of phallus, or is it phalli?) of Egypt. My God, in Rome they have those obelesks sticking up in the center of almost every square! Oh, and most fun of all, we saw the balcony where Mussolini used to wave to the people. Unfortunately, they don't open the door anymore to avoid tempting fate or I would have sent Mr. Yogi up there just to get his photo from the same place. Heh. Heh. Heh.

Ciao, for now ;)

Guys, thanks for the suggestions on how to deal with psycho bitch at work. I'll figure something out. If she continues thwarting me, I'll just have to get my boss involved.

Yogi Bear, I'm so jealous! Your trip sounds wonderful. I went to Europe two years ago and Italy was my last stop. By the time I left, I was sorry I hadn't spent the entire trip there. Your list of sights brings back great memories.

I stayed a few days with a family friend in Siena, visited Florence for a day, then spent three days in Rome. Staying in Siena was fantastic; the friend with whom we stayed prepared the simplest but most incredible food. I was there in August, which was burning hot, and there were more Americans in Rome than Italians. I imagine you have the benefit of interacting with more Italians, since they don't take off en masse in July for the most part.

A friend from grad school is now living in Amsterdam, and I'm planning to visit her next year for a few days. Listening to your most glorious vacation experience, I'm going to have to include Italy in my itinerary.

Are you planning to visit other countries also? How long are you in Europe for? Sorry if you've covered that question already.

Dim sum = delicious tidbits served around brunchtime in authentic Chinese restaurants the world over. The servers circulate with carts of dishes and steamer baskets, and you point at what looks good. At the end of the meal, the servers count up the types of dishes, and calculate the tab from that. It's a great meal for a crowd, if they are adventurous.

It's mighty good eatin': yesterday we had shrimp dumplings, stuffed crab claw balls, pork egg rolls, shrimp wrapped in sushi seaweed and deep fried, and buns stuffed with barbeque beef, pineapple and sweet bean paste. It's unintentionally apropos that the restaurant we ate at was named "Yummy". (It means "fresh" in Chinese.) Dim sum, according to a Chinese friend of mine means "dot heart". It gets translated here into the prettier "a little bit of heart" which refers to the fact that 8 out of 10 items have filling in them: dumplings and stuffed pastries figure prominently.

Lecture over. Now I'm hungry again.

Yeah, well, I'm hungry too, now, after reading all that! Thanks for the explanation. I think we call it "Yum Cha" here.

Yogi when's the wedding? I was thinking it was last Saturday, but as you haven't mentioned it, I'm figuring next Saturday. You sound like you're having such a good time, you go girl, you sure deserve it. And I think the plural would be "phalli". Actually no, I just looked it up in the dictionary, and its "phalluses"! Now we know, just in case we ever need to! Ciao, baby!

Almond Eyes have you ever been to Amsterdam? It sure is an interesting place. I only spent the day there, but spent 3 days in The Hague, which is close by.

Hey all! Just checking in while I still have a chance. My life is going to be insane over the next few weeks. Work during the day and rehearsals 7-11 basically 5 nights a week, not to mention weekends. Oy. I miss you all and being able to post here more regularly! yogi, if you get a chance, wave hi in the direction of Calabria for me. That's where my Italian ancestors are from...I would love to go to Italy myself someday! As well as Ireland, England and France.

Rehearsals are going well so far. It's a bit intimidating because a lot of these people, both actors and behind the scenes, are Broadway and Equity, and I haven't worked with people at that level. I am STILL sore as hell from our dance rehearsal on Thursday...and we're talking a full-on Broadway professional dance rehearsal to where I was lightheaded and short of breath just before break! But so far everyone is really nice and supportive...like for example, this one girl who's a trained dancer told me she's been working with this choreographer for seven years and she's still sore half the time, which made me feel better. The music is cool and we have a live rock band, which rocks (no pun intended). So this might wind up actually leading to something...Urinetown and plenty of other shows got their start in the Fringe Fest, so who knows?

As far as my actual job? BLEAH. I'm miserable and I'm not quite sure what to do...I'm going to try to meet with my manager tomorrow and get some advice, because this just isn't working for me right now. I haven't rented anything since I rented those two places at the very beginning of the month. It's basically the "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" syndrome. I have clients, but they either flake out on me and never show up for our initial meeting, or they find better deals on their own, and who can blame them? Our inventory does kind of suck. Right now, for example, almost all my clients want Sept. 1 availability, and I just don't have anything for them. There's places that show up in their price/neighborhood parameters, but they're all immediate or Aug. 1. It's embarrassing.

Also, I hate going into the office. And it's not that I'm lazy or don't feel like it...it's just that it's in an inconvenient location, and then when I get there, it's like this bullpen environment. I don't have a regular desk...there's all these rows of workstations, each with a computer that's slower than freaking molasses, and you have to find an empty spot where the computer at least halfway works while everyone talks at the top of their lungs around you. It really rattles me and there have been several times when I've had to leave because I can feel myself starting to have an anxiety attack...I'm just not a big group person. I like my own workspace where it's reasonably quiet and I can actually think and concentrate. There's a potential for being able to have home access, but you have to work there for a certain length of time and be doing exceptionally well, and right now I don't meet either of those criteria.

I do like meeting with clients and working with people one-on-one like that, but again, they seem to enjoy working with me, but are able to find better deals elsewhere when it comes to actually renting something.

I honestly don't know if I'm cut out for sales....but the question is, what else can I do? I don't want to go back to being an administrative assistant, but I am sorely tempted to go back to temping while I figure things out...at least it would be actual money coming in. The main thing is, I just want a career with room for growth and promotion that I'd actually enjoy doing. I don't think that's asking for the Holy Grail, but the more I do this, the more I'm not sure this is it.

I did meet someone earlier this week who's in casting who said that sometimes he needs freelance people, and I talked with my friend in LA about it and he said it's fairly easy to get into as long as you're willing to start out as a part time intern. I'm thinking about looking into that, maybe, and finding something else to do around it if not this. But I feel pathetic because I just started this and thought that this would be something I would like, but more and more it's not. And I realize that no job or work environment is perfect, but there has to be something, you know?

Oy. Have any of you ever been at an utter career crossroads like this? And if so, what did you do? Any advice would be much appreciated!!! As always, hope all's well!

Hi Dodo! It's so good to hear from you!

I think that at the earliest possible moment, you should sit down with your manager and say to him/her exactly the things you have said here - that you work better in your own workspace, you like things to be quieter (quite reasonable, too), and explore the possibility of home access. S/he hopefully will encourage you so that you can both win. And I don't think you're asking for too much here. Look at all the ways you can think of to make this work for you, mate.

I know that when I've been in similar situations, it has really helped to just lie quietly, before I go to sleep, and visualise exactly how I want something to be. It's an amazing tool, and it's worked on numerous occasions for me, so maybe you could do that, even visualise the meeting with your manager, and it going really well for you. Don't worry, you have hit a slump, but there's plenty more life in you yet!

Sorry if I'm sounding all esoteric here, I don't mean to!

Anyway, it's wonderful to hear from you again! You've really been missed!

Boy, have I. I'll reply in more detail later this evening when I return home from work. I know from experience - the sales industry is tough. I tried it for about four years before racing back to the profession I went to school for. Hang in there.

Hello, world-traveler Yogi, our sweet Dodo, Almond Eyes and Aussie!

Dodo, yes, I have been where you are right now. I was an administrative assistant for several years, and decided I really hated being the secretary/all-purpose, lowest-on-the-totem-pole employee. I have a degree in journalism and English, but decided long ago that was not where I wanted to end up - low pay, hostile, competitive, male-dominated work environment? Not for me. So, I started to basically take over some functions at my job as admin assist which were interesting to me - database management, brochure and newsletter design, for instance. That told me the direction I wanted to take in my career. Now, I am in marketing (true marketing, not tele-marketing or stuff like that), and I like it more than any job I have ever had. Peripherally it has to do with sales, but I do not have to sell. Basically, I am a behind the scenes person who helps make everything happen for sales. I really encourage you to look into opportunities in marketing - you could put your experience and interests to great use for some lucky company. That said, do not give up on this job yet - things will get better. Do take Aussie's advice and talk to your boss, though, about your concerns.

I am on the same boat as yogi when it comes to politics - no comment, and political posts I tend to skim, at most. I prefer to talk about travel, ucky co-workers (blech!), music, books and other such stuff.

Hi Dodo! It's great to hear from you again! After reading your post I started wondering if maybe there's something you could do in the theatre in addition to acting. Maybe in the logistics end of it, or marketing, etc. That might be something that would be more interesting to you than selling real estate. I just hate to think of you being miserable in your current job. And I think that Aussie and heidihug are 100% right that you should have a talk with your boss about your concerns. You don't have to be afraid that you'll sound like you're whining or ungrateful, maybe just say something like "I'm concerned that I don't seem to be achieving my productivity goals because..." or "I think I could probably be more productive and generate better sales if..."
I do know exactly what you mean, I work in a very noisy office, but I'm extremely lucky because I can tune everything out and just focus on what I'm doing. Unfortunately, I miss out on all the good gossip because I don't hear what's going on around me! Anyway, I'm very glad to hear that you're having such a good time with your theatrical endeavors. And just think, with all those full-on dancing rehearsals you're definitely keeping yourself in wonderful shape!! I'll bet you could even indulge in some scrumptious fattening food and not even have to worry about what it'll do to your waistline! Keep us posted when you can, I sure hope everything turns out wonderful for you.

Yogi thank you so much for sharing your Italian adventures with us! I feel a little guilty because I'm so jealous!! Seriously, I'm so glad you're having such a fabulous time! It's such a great reward for all the stress you've had to endure lately. So enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!! And when you get back, you'll have to let us know all about LittleYogi's holiday with your family.

And Aussie, thanks for the window seat! I would so love to take a road trip with you all, every time I'm driving around here now and I see some really pretty scenery I think "Oh! I wish the gang at the Meet Market could see this!"
I can definitely understand why you love America so much, there's so many gorgeous things to see, but I'd love to see the beautiful sights "Down Under" too! Maybe we should all sign up for TAR just to sight-see!!

Hi there, everyone! HeidiHug, right back at ya! Journalism sounds so interesting. Yet another profession I always say I should have pursued. And I understand folks not wanting to talk politics. This board is supposed to be fun.

Dodo, I was in your shoes not long ago. I was practicing law, felt very burnt out, and hated my job (a common problem with many lawyers). I thought I could hang with executive recruiting - headhunting - which is essentially a sales job, and left my secure, good-paying job to try something new.

Well, I hated it. I was comfortable with cold calling, but since I hated it the work just sucked the life out of me. The economy had just started to tank, so convincing companies to pay recruiting fees was tough. As a result, it was impossible to find jobs for people who would have had several offers to choose from just a year or two prior. Candidates were skittish about the economy, and most were grateful to have a job at all.

Financially, it was a nightmare; I found jobs for some, but it wasn't steady enough to make it worthwhile. What sucked was the perspective of the smug bosses who felt that if you weren't placing candidates left and right, well, you just weren't working hard enough. I really wanted to draw and quarter a few of them. After a few years, I just couldn't continue to do this financially. Thankfully, I was able to return to law recently.

I'm saying all of this to say that I feel your pain. Talking to your manager sound like a good plan. Hopefully, that person is understanding and can work something out with you where you can work at home. As Birdlady suggests, perhaps something can work out for you in theater. Look into HeidiHug's suggestion of marketing. Just keep exploring options, and you'll hit upon something.

Aussie Girl, I'm suffering severe withdrawal from not seeing our delicious Peachy each week. And no, I've never visited Amsterdam, so I'm really looking forward to going there.

ETA: yay, the forums are back! **does happy dance**

Ciao, Gang at Meet Market - Hurray for the forums! .... Joining Almond Eyes in a dance of happiness....

Oh, Last Dodo, you and I are not so very different. In fact, if I even began to try to answer your post in the way I am inclined, this post would turn into a perfectly respectable book, and I would then be banned and later exectuted by Miss Alli, Glark, Sars, and Wing for lack of posting discipline. But let me just say, that you are not the Last Dodo, because like you, I am a Dodo too. In fact, there may be a whole flock of Dodos here, and we all just have to find our own way. I do know that often you can change your life and happiness by changing your perspective and refocusing your energy, just as everyone has suggested. I'm sending you my best wishes for real success however you decide to find your way through this.

I am having a wonderful time in this awesome, awesome city. You definitely should travel to Amsterdam next year, Almond Eyes. I had almost forgotten how much a bit of travel stimulates my mind and senses. Plus, Amsterdam is a fabulous city. I can't believe I will be home in my own little bed in less than 48 hours, but I comfort myself with knowing that there is more adventure to come in the not so distant future!

Not to worry about Little Yogi, birdlady. As we speak, he is spending ten days at the beach in South Carolina surrounded by a herd of cousins and a very doting grandmother in addition to numerous aunts, uncles and friends who genuinely love him. They look forward to this month with him all year long. And I am so thankful for this time. It's so important for my health and my marriage. It's hard to give all of yourself away all the time. Just sleeping with my husband without a thirteen year old bursting through the door at all hours is more than a great luxury, though it is that too.

Sounding the Horn of Happiness and Abundance
I can't let this day go by without asking us all to join in a toast to celebrate the birth of our Hildy! In her honor, and yours, I open a bottle of delicious wine from Sicilia - like the land and the people, it is filled with the taste of sunshine. Hildy, I hope that from your fiesta ware filled home, you are surrounded with love and good wishes on the auspicious day of your birth. For myself, I can say that I feel fortunate to "know" you, and that your wit and humor enrich my life. So without reservation, we toast you in celebration of your birth. It was a good day for all your Meet Market friends. Chin Chin!

And now, I pass you a plate of olives. Not the pitiful variety that we find so commonly in the United States, but an olive so bursting with flavor and richness that it brings tears to your eyes. A noble fruit. Oh my, Enjoy! I goes perfectly with the Sicilian wine. Mmm.

Drat!!! My post was eaten this morning, and this after not being able to get into TWoP yesterday.

Included in the post were Birthday wishes for Hildy! If you're able to log on in the remote wilderness of wherever you are, I hope you have a wonderful day, mate. We've missed you. Hurry up and come back! And send me some b'day cake!

Hey Heidihug (waves).

Birdlady I have your window seat reserved. I'd love to show any and all of you some of sights of Down Under. Sometimes I get really envious of hearing how some of you manage to meet up etc. Speaking of my hoped for trip to NY and to meeting up with some of you, I have found out that the airfares alone will be over $2,500 and then there's accommodation and food and expenses - a total of over $4,000. And that's just if only I make the trip, if husband and kids come too, add a few more thousand. I haven't ruled out making the trip, however I am thinking of what else I can do with that money (take a family cruise in the South Pacific, see more of Australia, or just not spend it). So I'm undecided at this point.

Yogi, enjoy your wine and olives. Isn't it great to experience the food and culture of other countries? I love it, though it's always nice to get home again too.

Almond Eyes not too much longer to go till we can get a Peachy fix.

Wow, Aussie Girl, $2500 for the flight from Australia to NYC?! That is so very much money. I had no idea, but it is indeed a long way away. Were you planning to bring the whole family? I thought you were considering attending a workshop. I would imagine you could take a lovely cruise for the same amount, though I would sure enjoy visiting with you.

I just finished The Life of Pi, and I thought it was fantastic. It won the Booker Prize last year, I think. The story is magical and thought provoking. It reminded me a bit of Voltaire's Candide and Paul Coelo's The Alchemist. Has anyone else here read it? I am eager to talk about it with someone. It's odd, my friend who gave me the book said she didn't enjoy it and didn't understand it, so I put off reading it for a long time thinking it might be a dud. Now, it will become one of my favorite books.

I am thinking of Tracey Bee and Sierra at odd times and sending both my best.

Must pack for the return trip. It's been a great experience. More fabulous sights, flavors, laughter, fun. Today, we saw many beautiful gardens and fountains at the Villas of Tivoli and had lunch next to an ancient Temple of Vesta. I love the temples of Vesta - they are always round, a form I find charming visually and intuitively, and Vesta's purpose was to always keep the home fires burning. In many ways, I find her a kindered spirit. What can I say but there is a bit of pagan in me still even with all my Catholic ways.

I waved at Calabria for you, Last Dodo. Mr Yogi's family on one side is from there too.

Thanks, yogi. Sierra's hanging in there. The surgery to remove the tumor seems to have bought her some time. She's eating normally and even plays sometimes. She's also been very loving and cuddly and seems to still be interested in the world. We're just enjoying every minute we have left with her, and taking lots of pictures.

Happy birthday, Hildy! Hope it is wonderful!

Dodo, that was an excellent suggestion from birdlady re: investigating marketing/something in the theatrical arena - heck, you're halfway there with your experience.

AlmondEyes, yes, I thought being a journalist sounded like a great job, too, when I enrolled in college. After a couple of years in the program? Not so much. Pretty much extremely male-dominated (print moreso than TV or radio), extremely liberal (freshman year of college - fine by me; senior year of college - didn't jibe with who I had become), very low-paying and boring profession. That's how I felt even after I had an internship at a paper. But, I stuck with it just so that I had a degree in something, and got real literary and artsy my last couple years of school - you know, black clothes, dark makeup, sonorous poetry readings in smokey bars, impassioned discussions about Plath late at night over cigarettes and vodka. Makes me giggle now at the pretentious things we used to do. Glad, Almond, that you had something to fall back on after taking that leap into the recruiting world. I worked at a recruiting firm before I came to this job, and I totally agree - it sucks! Even though there were only 3 recruiters working there, it was very stressful for them during the early '00s - so few jobs to work, so many candidates.

Welcome back (when you get here) yogi! Hope you are bringing some of those lovely olives back with you. Mmm, olives.

*hugs and kisses* to Aussie and the Aussieflock!

Greetings to every one! What a pleasure it's been reading this thread--you're a remarkable group! Have so enjoyed the wit & yuks that's tossed about so generously here. I'm at around page 40 & counting, and wanted to jump in to say hi before I've brought myself up-to-date with the thread!

To hildy, Happy B'Day! May this next year be better than all the previous combined!

To yogi, have a safe trip back to the States! I may have a supper of wine, olives, & cheese tonight, inspired by your toast to hildy! Also, I read The Life of Pi earlier this year and found it very thought-provoking. My youngest, who's 14, had recommended it to me--he loved it, but didn't pick up on the twisty nuance at the end. I think I could benefit from a 2nd read, like watching the Sixth Sense again. Perhaps this weekend.

To suctionprints & TraceyBee, although I currently live in NJ, I grew up outside St. Paul (in White Bear Lake) and lived in Mpls as a young adult, and just adore the Twin Cities! If I'd had my druthers, I would have raised my boyz there, but life--such as it does--redirected my path more eastward. I love to visit, though. You have the BEST shopping (and I'm not even taking The Mall into account)! Whereabouts do you gals live?

I have plenty more I'd like to say to everyone, but there's time for that. I look forward to reading more & chatting with the group, and sharing the next Survivor season, at least in part. I applied for S10 and, as the time for interviews has not yet passed, I still have my hopes that come October I'll be somewhere in the deep Pacific! My, would that be fun... Anyway, am delighted to discover this little social pocket on the web!

Welcome samina This is a great thread isn't it? Everyone here is so friendly.
BTW Happy Birthday Hildy

yogi I hope you are doing well, and having a great time on your trip.

aussiegirl I hope you are doing well down under mate.

I have had a pretty exciting week myself. Last week I went over to a new office to help out. They were short staffed and my boss asked if i would cover over there.
I helped out for the week, and when i got back to my office my boss called me and said that this other office wants me to come work over there. It has been a hard decision for me, but i think i'm gonna do it. There is a lot more potental for growth at this other office. I have been in the same office for about 8 years, and i didn't know it before but I think it is time for a change.

Welcome to our MM family, Samina. It's nice to have you post with us. Good luck with getting on S10, and I think you may well be somewhere in the Indian Ocean, not the Pacific. Rumour has it that it will be in the Seychelles or the Maldives, both stunningly beautiful places.

Yogi, air fares here are horrendously expensive, due in part I'm sure because of Australia being so isolated and so far away. But still I was shocked at the price - air fares have gone up a lot since 9/11. I was planning on coming by myself, but Mr Aussie then suggested we all go, and after NY, go to Montana for a quick visit. So I don't know what will happen.

I have heard of The Life of Pi, but haven't read it. If it's anything like The Alchemist, I reckon I'll love it. That book sat on my bookshelf for years, before I picked it up and read it. I just loved it, thought it was beautiful. And then a few weeks later I read an interview with Peachy and he said that his luxury item if he was a contestant on Survivor, would be The Alchemist. He's right into things like that.

Special "Down Under/Top Over" waves for Heidihug. I was in recruitment for many years. The unemployment situation here is even worse than in the US, believe it or not, and I was trying to place people who had been unemployed for years. Lots of issues for them, most times unemployment being a secondary problem, with drug addiction or health problems being a primary barrier to gaining and keeping employment. Still, I had a pretty good success rate and enjoyed my work.

Teena, as I said before, I think you should really consider this opportunity. I think that whatver you decide, you'll make a success of it. You're just that kind of person! Good luck and warm wishes.

Got to go, the housework awaits............Noooooooo!!!

Thanks for the S10 gossip, aussiegirl!

Teena, isn't it great when others value what you have to offer? You must feel wonderful, and the opportunity sounds promising. So often, when I've made one major change in my life, other great changes have followed as well. Good luck!

Hi, samina, welcome! Nice to have you with us.

I'm in southwest Minneapolis, walking distance from both Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoon. I've lived here only since fall of 2001, but I love it. You're right about the shopping, we have some lovely little shops in my neighborhood, plus there are some great places in Uptown (Orr Books, Magers and Quinn, Penzey's Spices).

TraceyBee, I know the area where you live very well! I lived near Lake & Lyndale, but worked & shopped around Lake & Hennepin all the time. Back in the 80s I worked at Figlio -- do you remember that place? I met my ex-husband there. I always know towns by their restaurants (and regions by their wine) as I worked in them for many years, and am such a hopeless foodie.

Say, speaking of wine, I just scheduled to bottle my very first wine on Saturday, and I am just so excited! Two years ago I blended a nice red (Petite Syrah, Zin, and Carignan) at a winemaking school outside NYC, and it's been aging since then... a nice little Reserve, by now. Half a barrel, 120 bottles.. lordy, hope I can get it all home. I'm going to design the wine label tonight, and I have to rummage up a few pals to help me with the bottling.

I've given notice to my friends that, should anyone attempt to contact me this weekend, allowances will simply have to be made for my behaviour, as I plan on a little Bacchanalian revelrie!

Howdy Folks!

Wanted to say a quick hello - I've gotten sucked into a bad bad bad place (big brother) and then work has been hectic, and today was just gawd awful.

Glad yogi enjoyed her trip and welcome new people. Dodo, I got your message - will call tomorrow, been crazy here. XOXO to everyone!!! Should be back to normal drop ins shortly.

Thank you Aussiegirl and Samina I do feel great about this new job.
and yes it nice to be recognized. I'm starting to get excited about it. I just have to wait for my start date before i make it official to the rest of the office.

Good luck samina getting on survivor. Geez it would be nice to know someone on that show. I wonder if any of the twop's have heard anything yet.
i'm keepin my fingers andtoes crossed for everyone

As the Immortal Sinatra would sing....
It's very nice to go trav'lin' to Paris, London, and Rome
It's oh, so nice to go trav'lin'
But it's so much nicer, yes, it's so much nicer to come home
And you know your fate is where the Empire State is
All you contemplate is the view from Miss Liberty's dome
It's very nice to go trav'lin', but it's oh, so nice to come home

Special Greetings to Samina and a warm congratualtions to Teena! (I can't stop rhyming - oh no!)

It really is wonderful to have someone acknowledge your good work, Teena. I am so happy for you. And I think you should find some way to celebrate this weekend. Perhaps a new photo of Peachy? I love that Our Peachy would have taken The Alchemist as his luxury item, Aussie Girl. Sigh, Peachy, He's so juicy....

Speaking of celebrating, Samina - wow. What a party there is to be at Chez Vous! 120 bottles of wine you mixed yourself sounds like the perfect reason to eat, drink and be merry. As you may have guessed, I am "a little bit" all about food and wine myself. In fact, like you, I am also described by friends as a woman who remembers her life by the restaurants she has visited. Humble or noble, the scene of a wonderful meal becomes dear and awespicious to me. Whenever anyone teases me about it, I become very serious and remind them that everything important and wonderous in life takes place over or around a meal - why, even the Last Supper was a seder. Remember when Carrie Bradshaw admonished Aiden not to mock the clothes? Well, I feel that way about food. Although I have been known to worship at the temple of Manolo Blahnic as well.

The lakes sound lovely, Tracey Bee, but I'm still dreaming of the flamingo house! And I'm so glad to hear that Sierra is doing well post surgery and that you are enjoying her with you so much.

On the plane home, I convinced two more people to read The Life of Pi. I think it's great your 14 year old read it, samina. It's an excellent story on so many levels. Are you almost ready for the last three Tales of the City, skagirl? Or is life to crazy for you at the Big Brother House? I can't wait to catch up on all the doings there. I'm hoping someone shot one or all of the Four Horsemen. Or maybe strung up Scott by his pencil. Ugh.


Good times, Heidihug, my sister, good times. We need a reading group! We could bring to discussion all that we learned back in those silly years and join it with our present perspective and sense of humor. It would be fabulous.

Thanks, Teena!


yogi (in a dyslexic moment, I actually typed "yiga"--heh!), I see that you last posted in the wee hours -- had you just flown in, or perchance you're deep in jet lag? Hope you re-sync yourself with minimal discomfort!

I have indeed noticed your love affair with things both consumable & shared, yogi! I feel the same. Any movie about the magic of cookery & feasting--a la Babette, Like Water for Chocolate, Chocolat, Woman on Top--I just adore! For me, kitchens & food are magical!

I miss cooking. Have barely boiled water since S8 season finale, when I decided to go out for the show. My schedule is very tough, so I actually gave up cooking so I could work out. My friends & family knew I meant business when I did this (and it's rather liberating not to concern myself with dinner when I get home from work), but lordy, I miss the good food! I've become Take-Away Queen.

Samina, there's still a Figlio in Uptown. I've never eaten there, but I see billboards for it all the time. We're in the Uptown area a lot, we always have Sunday brunch at Lucia's, near 31st and Hennepin.

Do you have the ability to link to a picture of your wine label, when you design it? I love pretty wine labels.

Wow, Samina, you are serious about getting on Survivor. To give up cooking?! I'm impressed. I will definitely cross all apendages for your success. And like Tracey Bee, I love a pretty wine label (who wouldn't? It's pretty and it's wine!) I would love to see yours all designed. But definitely let us know how your wine tastes (and feels) after your weekend of feasting.

I was up all night following the Jase and Diane endurance challenge on Big Brother. I feel that the little group of TwoP folks who were chanting Fall, Jase, Fall had much to do with Diane's success. Anything to get rid of the Horsemen.

Figlio and Lucia sound suspiciously Italian to me. I always think of Scandanavian food in Minnisotta. Is there a secret Italian section?

La Dolce Vita is playing this weekend, and I'm thinking of going because I had dinner every night on the Via Veneto, where La Dolce Vita was born and thrived. Mmmmm. Bellinis at La Terrazza... Gelato at Harry's Bar..... Pizza at Pomodorino..... I need some food. I've been up since 3 AM.

TraceyBee and yogi bear, I'll see what I can work out with the wine label when I've finished it, so I can share it here. I love great wine labels, too. OOoooo, goddess above, I can't wait to see how it turned out! If I've ended up with 120 bottles of vinegar, well... I'm going to be eating a helluvalotta salads in the next year! Ha!

TraceyBee, I've heard good things about Lucia's. I don't know what Figlio is like now, but back then it wasn't that great in the food department, but it was definitely the Uptown Hotspot of Yuppieville. It was actually the only time I cocktailed in a bar -- what a trip it was! I usually worked in "serious" restaurants, but at Figlio I wore this little T-shirt dress with a deep V in the back, and got to shashay through an enormous crowd every evening with my arm straight up in the air carrying a dozen drinks on a tray. What a hoot it was!

Man, what energy I had back then. I was 21 and worked two full-time jobs, one upstairs in a boutique in Calhoun Square, and then clocked out/clocked in at 6 for a long night at Figlio. Crikey--youth is wasted on the young!

Yogi, there is all kinds of wonderful food in the Cities. Figlio is Italian, Lucia's specializes in food using local, fresh ingredients. Her menu (yes, there really is a Lucia in the kitchen, she's a sweetheart and was a finalist for a James Beard Outstanding Regional Chef award this year) changes weekly. There's always a vegetarian option, and she'll usually have four or five main courses, plus several appetizers and a to-die-for pastry tray to choose from for dessert. It's our favorite restaurant. We also like Broder's Southside Pasta Bar, where you can get excellent Italian food. They have a huge menu of regional Italian dishes. Delish. (Broder's Deli, across the street, is pretty awesome, too.)

Surprisingly, perhaps, Minneapolis is a great place for Thai food. There are Thai restaurants everywhere (MrBee and I like Sawatdee).

Man, now I'm all hungry. Four weeks until the State Fair starts!

edited to add the link

Oh my heck! I want to eat at Lucia's - that sounds delicious. My mouth is watering. This thread is ridiculous. I can't read it without getting hungry. Heh.

And samina, you must add Big Night to your list of foodie films. Mr. Yogi and I do share lines from that film all the time. Especially the bit about the "hott dogh". And "can I have a side of spaghetti with my risotto?"

yogi, I'll be looking for Big Night this weekend! I'll have a big night with Big Night... and if I had Mr. Big to boot, it'd be perfect! [Help, I'm swooning... just the thought of Chris Noth sends my knees quaking. Is he straight, do ya think? Oh, my heart, be still.]

TraceyBee, is the New French Cafe still in North Mpls, on 4th St.? I used to work there, and still crave their croissants. Have never, ever, ever had croissants anywhere, NYC included, to compare (having never been to Paris). Best coffee I ever had was in the Rome airport, though. [yogi, Roman coffee must still be tickling your tastebuds!] If I brought the two together--the perfect coffee & the perfect croissant--I think I would instantaneously ascend!

Mpls is the King of Vietnamese food, too--practically one on every corner, wouldn't you say, TraceyBee? I can be downright evangelical about the egg rolls at the Lotus.

Edited to correct a literary s-s-stutter.

I second the Lucia's nomination, yogi! And isn't Big Night the one with Tony Shalhoub in it? I have not seen it, but maybe I will rent it this weekend. Tony, you may already know, is a native of Green Bay, and his large family is still around these parts. An all-around good guy, and extremely talented actor. Just love him.

Mmmm. Thai food. Yum. Time for lunch!

I see a trip to Lucia in our future, Heidihug.... It's fuzzy, yet, but I hope it becomes clearer soon.....

Everyone should see Big Night! It is the one with Tony Shaloub and Stanley Tucci, and the two are brilliant, brilliant together in it. Mr. Yogi and I are dying to recreate the Big Night Feast, especially the amazing timballo. Wait until you see it, you will know what I mean.

I would never have guessed Tony is from Green Bay. I do agree he is a great actor, just charming in everything regardless of how quirky his character is.

I had the perfect croissant and the perfect caffe once at La Couple in Paris. It is a beautiful, classic brasserie with a lovely window room overlooking Monparnasse. The formal waiters pass a plate of perfect croissant, and you choose one. They also make hot chocolate that makes you want to Slap your Mama, or a Swiss Miss. I don't think I ever bothered to have hot chocolate again after I left Paris. Once you've had perfection.... It was a sensual experience on every single level. Except of course, Chris Noth was absent.... Mr. Big ;)

One of my favorite sandwich experiences was in Paris - the very simple, very delightful jambon, butter, and bread. Later variations included cheese but it was so simple and moist and perfect. So much better than they way Americans slather 84 toppings (although I'm guilty of that, the simpler & fresher & less processed the better!)

Yogi, my reading time has been hindered by work, exhaustion & maybe a little tv. I stayed in to rest all day Saturday and couldn't get my brain to function for much, and Sunday ended up movies & barbeque instead of book finding. Will let you know as soon as I get caught up!

BTW, the new Colin Ferrell movie? A Home to Come Home to When You Go Home? Unbelievably dreadful. When a sappy movie doesn't make ME cry (I can cry at toilet paper commercials), it's bad.

Oh, man... yogi, your scene overlooking Monparnasse sounds dreamy. In my mind, Mr. Big is there...

Well, a little closer to reality, but not too close, I must say that I have found the perfect procrastinating activity for a Friday afternoon at work: reading the earlier pages of this thread! I must thank you all for excusing me from an afternoon of corporate productivity!

So far, some of my faves in the thread are as follows:

yogi's milk, honey, and orange slice bath. My weekend will officially include heartily drinking my new wine, watching Big Night (which I have reserved at a local specialty video shop -- who knew they had these out in the NJ boonies???), and soaking in my deep old clawfoot tub in hot milky water after having smeared myself in Greek thyme honey, with oranges floating about my face. I shall feel entirely like Cleopatra preparing for her honeymoon!

emmachisit, and all the other Ozisms contributed by AussieGirl & raen! It touches my heart that I'm known as a seppo to millions.

Finding out everyone's stripper name! After some reminiscing, I come to the conclusion that mine would be Arapi Wildwood.

All the wines mentioned: Veuve Clicquot (which I would drink with anything but cold cereal, and probably that, too!) & Cote du Rhones (my faves), especially the Veiux Telegraph yogi mentioned. Man, I miss the perks of restaurant work.

karatekate's Hot Car Valentine's Day gift suggestion for the man in one's life. What a BRILLiant idea!

pink iPods: I want one!!!

And Mr. Yogi at your bedside last Valentine's, yogi. Beautiful, damn beautiful.

Mr. Monk grew up four hours from me! I didn't know that! I think it's so cool that a Lebanese kid from Packerland made it big, because I grew up with lots of Lebanese families in the U.P. It's not as odd as it sounds, their grandfathers followed the miners and loggers to the UP and Northern Wisconsin and set up stores and restaurants. I wonder if Tony can lapse into a good ol' Wisconsin accent the way I can turn a Yooper drawl on and off.

Big Night is so awesome. The dinner they cook onscreen is the best food porn ever.

samina the Vietnamese food rocks here so hard. I am partial to the tiny, but cheap Jasmine Deli, and St. Paul's Saigon. A new trend I'm sure you will appreciate is that tons of restaurants now offer 50% bottles on wine on weeknights (I even found one that will do that on Saturdays!) I could use a bucket of iced Vietnamese coffee about now.

ska a simple sandwich is harder and harder to come by. I sure ate a lot of good ones in Australia. I especially liked the salad sandwich. Mmmmm. And that Buttercup white bread! I made a nice sandwich last night, though - a nice, fresh Italian roll, a couple of slices of salami, a piece of provolone. Put it under the broiler until the cheese melted, and topped it with just a little bit of giardinera. To steal a line from a commercial, heaven on a bun. Mmmm. Me hungry again.

I will join you, samina, in an afternoon of corporate un-productivity. I have done nothing of worth today at all except day dream.

I can't believe the fabulous night you have planned! I am jealous, and I've done it all myself - Heh! The Milk, Honey, Orange bath is so lovely, but coupled with wine and the Big Night - wow. It's simply the best. Your skin is going to feel and smell like paradise. It's amazing that simple food items can actually be the best sort of nutrients for the skin. Plus, just as suctionprints says, The Big Night is food porn. What a great evening.

There is nothing like a perfect sandwich, skagirl. My friend Franco always says that if he had a food show, he would call it "Leave it Alone." He believes the problem with most food is that it is too fussy. Let the natural goodness of the ingredients soar, he says. Mmmm. But what the heck is giardinera, suctionprints? I'm not sure I have ever heard of it.

I'm sorry to hear you are so tired, skagirl. I hope that this weekend brings lots of good rest to restore you. It seems like that wedding took a lot, which I understand. Sometimes it takes me weeks to recover from a big event.

Sadly, it closed a year or two ago. MrBee used to go there years ago, and was upset when we heard it was no more.

Turtle Bread Bakery, in my neighborhood, makes a darn fine croissant, though. Actually, they make a darn good everything. I had some of their pain au chocolat with my lunch today.

I love Vietnamese food, and, yes, it is everywhere around here, samina. I like the Lotus egg rolls, too - you can get them frozen at Lund's. They were one of my snacks during the most recent Super Bowl. Mmmmmm, egg rolls. There's a newish restaurant in my neighborhood that calls itself "Asian fusion" and has elements of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and other cuisines. It's awesome; we don't go often, because it's a bit spendy, but it's so good.

(Yes, it is possible to walk to many, many restaurants in my neighborhood. Including Pierson's, which serves lutefisk during December.)

I was introduced to salad sandwiches in Australia, too, suction! Such a wonderful idea.

Tracey Bee, Is not lutefisk some sort of white fish made with lye soap and served on Christmas Eve dinner? ...shudder

yogi, I'm psyched as well! I think it'll all come down tomorrow night. Yum! And I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one that's dilly-dallying around. :D

All this food talk has really gotten to me. My normal scrounging will simply not suffice at this point!

Would love to make a nice meal to celebrate. The food at work is generally so miserable I'd likely develop a dissociative alter personality to cope with the trauma of eating it, if I actually partook on a daily basis. I did venture to have a sandwich today, the experience of which is now launching me headlong into a session of kitchen therapy, if I can find the time & energy this weekend!

Maybe a juicy filet mignon, a side of creamy polenta topped with toasted walnuts & gorgonzola, & rice pudding for dessert, with a bit of the South African muscat that's in my fridge. Mmmmm.

Oh My Heck, that sounds good, samina! Seriously, YUM.

I'm going to take my sorry self home, as I am totally worthless here at work at this point. I think I need a nap. Then, I want a steak too. Maybe Mr. Yogi will make me some nice creamy polenta. Wow.

Where are you in NJ, samina? We should have a Meet Market Meet for the gang. If Ricci survived her dorm experience, maybe she will come from Jersey too.

TraceyBee, here's a photo I found of the Turtle Bread Bakery (was looking for their website). Looks so wintry! I wonder if they mail-order.

Actually, having Lunds send me their Lotus rolls would be the ticket!

yogi, check this link out: if you click on "buy specialty items" in the upper right corner of the page, Lunds'll send you some lutefisk! <blech!> Also, Pearson's Nut Goodie Bars, which are delish & very Minne-soh-tan.

I'm an hour west of NYC, yogi, in Hunterdon County.

I'd *love* a little 3D-3M (in-person Meet Market Meet)! I love going into the city, as I live in the country where the most exciting events revolve around storm damage (our town flooded this week -- someone was actually swimming down main street!).

Lutefisk is dried fish that's been soaked in lye to make it soft again. The lye is then rinsed out, of course, but it kind of, um, "digests" the fish a little. So the fish is gelatinous. Fish Jell-o, you might say.

It's an acquired taste, one no-one who hasn't grown up with it need bother acquiring. Stuff is nasty. It's part of the traditional Swedish and Norwegian Christmas smorgasbords, and MrBee's family loves it. I can't touch the stuff, I've tried it and it's just awful.

You can buy lutefisk year-round at Lunds and most other large supermarkets in the Twin Cities. Not that I ever have.

Hey guys! How are things? I did survive, I am now home. Let me tell you I am too old for dorms.
Samina – I grew up in Hunterdon County! In fact I moved out of Ringoes a year ago to Mercer County. Do you go to any of the local vineyards?
Count me in for a TwoP get together, although I haven’t been keeping up on TV or TwoP this month at all!
I loved the Life of Pi by the way Yogi. I recently read the Time Traveler’s Wife and enjoyed that as well.

Fish Jello sounds just very icky to me. ...shudder I try to avoid ingesting foods made with poisonous substances like lye. What the heck is that about?!? I think you great wisdom is demonstrated by your reluctance to eat this delicacy, Tracey Bee.

I'm glad you survived, Ricci. It sounded a bit dicey there in the dorms with those carpets and all. Ugh. It's great to have you back. I don't know the Time Travelers Wife, but I will look for it now. The real question is Ricci, have you seen Big Night?

I have no idea where either of these New Jersey counties where samina and Ricci live are as I don't drive, but what fun to get together if they are not too far away. Do y'all think you might want to come into the City next weekend, Friday or Saturday? What about the NYCrs? Are you there ImissEthan? Last Dodo? Maybe skagirl will be awake by then. Are you near enough to come in birdlady? Almond Eyes, Teena where do y'all live? I'm thinking Boston, but I'm not sure.

Cat Naps are nice.