Oh yum, Hildy! And they have both Profiteroles, my absolute favorite dessert - though it's never as good as it used to be when I had it at my favorite bistro in Paris, and Pavlova, which as a recall is quite a popular Australian confection. Enjoy! Is Mr. Hildy taking you, or is this a romantic assignation with one of the many Hildy admirers?

Hildy, are you flying me there???

Totally random (because I should be doing work & not farting around) but whenever I eat sushi, I'm starving like an hour later. And it's been an hour & my tummy is growling. What gives? Like I was stuffed at the end and felt ten shades of satisfied, but now my beer belly is growling. This always happens. Fart. I often want something sweet, too, which is bad too. Am I the only nutso?

Not much! I did just ask for a raise, though--$50 a week plus the ability to bill for involuntary days off (when the office is closed for holidays, etc.--remember that I'm on an independent contract basis). My boss had mentioned something to me earlier today about a new account, and it just really hit me that it's hard to be enthusiastic about business expanding when not only do I not see any of it, but I'm not even remotely able to make ends meet even though I'm working full time. Granted, I only plan on being here a month or two longer, but every little bit helps. Wish me luck!

AussieGirl, Oh he would love that! Of all the places I have visited(around 30), Oz is the one place I could see living for the rest of my life. But finacially, and with family here, I don't know if we could make it work.

Thanks, AussieGirl! I've told Mr. Lu that we'll be a lot closer to many of the places I want to visit after we've moved - New Zealand, Tahiti, Australia - so you might just see me on your door one day. Not any day next week, though.

TraceyBee and I talked on the phone today! She told me even more about growing up in Hawai'i - the town she lived in, where she went to school...and I have her crack seed order, yogi, never fear.

Good luck with your raise, The Last Dodo - my amazing intuitive abilities tell me you'll be successful.

Hildy that restaurant sounds absolutely wonderful. Bloody delicious, in fact. My mouth is watering as I write. Enjoy, and we'll be waiting to hear all about it. Funny, what you guys call entrees, we call main meals. What we call entrees, you call appetisers.

Dodo said: "Wish me luck" - it's been wished, mate. Let us know what happens. And remember that you deserve that raise. You sound to me like a real asset to that company. Go for it!

Yogi it sounds like you are doing a great job with those shower sunflowers. What a lovely thing to do for your friend. Are you definitely going to the wedding in Abruzzo in July?

Babalu, and all the rest of you: the red carpet is rolled out; remember to check your shoes when you get off the plane. I'll have the prawns, pavlova and beer waiting. And I promise not to eat any Vegemite within sight of you! And if you want, feel free to bring me some potato skins and a hot fudge sundae.

The Tubey buttons are out, and they picked my slogan for the Immunity Tubey - Outwatch Outpost Outsnark. You can buy Tubey buttons at Glarkware Support Tubey, wear buttons only TWOPers will understand.

And may I add that babalu is very cool (not that any of us had any doubts), and not just because she's going to bring me some crack seed.

yogi, that sunflower wedding shower sounds delightful. Sunflowers are so happy. I've driven through sunflower farms a couple of times, and you just can't help but smile.

Aloha Meetmarketeers and also G'day (do y'all really say that AussieGirl?)

I loved your slogan, JDG. I'm sure to get that button.

Thanks for the nice remarks on my sunflower and memory shower. I'm so excited. My soon-to-be-married in Abruzzo friend and her fiance went with Mr. Yogi and I to watch the Grizzlies trounce the Knicks last night at the Garden. Go Grizzlies! I am all worn out from the happiness of the experience. Plus, Little Yogi brought a few friends, and I am worn out from the additional homework tutoring, feeding concerns, not to mention the stress of herding three special needs young boys through the ridiculous crowds at the Garden and subways. Whew. How does Ricci do it? Heck, how did I used to do this?

Speaking of Ricci, where are you? Perhaps on a honeymoon? There is an excellent new exhibition of Byzantine art at the Met. Perhaps the NYC contingent can have the ArtCon we were talking about there. That way, Last Dodo will get that trip to the Met.

I totally understand the sushi issue, skagirl. I used to have a similar feeling when I ate it. I think it's because sushi, particularly rolls, have a lot of carbs in the form of white rice, which turns right into sugar in the system. If you have any blood sugar issues, as I do, this can be sort of lethal. I've learned that when eating a lot of rice or carbs like that, it's important to balance the rice with more protien. This will help metabolize the sugar and slow the rush into the system. I always add a few grilled shrimp or grilled fish and limit the amount of rolls I eat to one or two. You might crave sugar after an hour or two because your body has had a sugar rush from the rice and then you have a crash, so your body might be seeking to recover from the crash. I recommend taking some protien at that time. I find that peanut butter on a whole wheat cracker is an excellent high protien snack. Perhaps you can keep a jar and some crackers at the office?

I love that Babalu and Tracey Bee had a telephone con, but I must say that the cracked seeds make this sound a bit like an illicit drug order. What are these things?

And Hildy, AussieGirl and I want to know, did you go for the Pavlova or the Profiteroles? Issues like these are what life is all about, don't 'cha know?

Yogi, I should have been more coherent in my typing - it's sashimi. I was that way with maki & sushi, but now that I do sashimi (I don't get the rice) plus miso (which I've heard is supposed to help fill you up), it's the same thing. I wonder if I have some sort of bizarre fish/sweet wiring. Hrmmmm.....however, I was good & got some cashews to tide me over.

yogi, I giggle every time I write "crack seed," because it sounds like something that's going to have the DEA coming after me. Really, though, it's a generic term for a delicacy I grew up snacking on - small fruits, like plums, preserved with lots of salt and other things. My favorites are Rock Salt Plum (gooey little pruney things with large grains of salt stuck to them) and Li Hing Mui (dried-out little pruney things, very salty). I know I'm not making this clear, or even appetizing, but I love the stuff.

And, "crack" is an adjective. I supposed it should be "cracked seed," but no one said that. It's a dialect thing, like "ice/iced tea," I suppose.

It occurs to me that I have no idea why "crack(ed) seed" should be the generic term for these things, since most of them don't have the pits cracked (some do). it's just what we called them.

Sad to say that dinner last night was a big disappointment. Big city prices and suburb-level performance.
The space itself is really nice and well-appointed, but our waiter was condescending and not particularly efficient. My friend ordered a fish entrée and was not happy with how it was cooked--she didn't think it was cooked the whole way through. Instead of whisking it away and apologizing all over the place, the manager argued that the fish was cooked the whole way through. Note to manager: I don't care what the fashionable way of cooking fish is. I care how *I* like to eat my fish. You should, too.
My roasted chicken was dry, and the skin was flabby.
I asked for herb tea, and the waiter brought me a cup with a bag of green tea. I reiterated my request for herb tea and he said, "This isn't good enough?"
Um, no. That's why I asked for herb tea. He then went back and brought a very nice wooden box over with a wide selection of teas. If that was available, why the heck didn't he do that in the first place? And then he tried to tell me that the tea he'd brought me in the first place was the lowest caffeine tea there was. Um, again, no. There were numerous NO caffeine teas for me to choose from, which I pointed out.
The profiteroles were very nice, however.

Hildy, when a waiter is snarky like that & the meal is less than great, what do you tip? I always wonder about punishing the server for less than great food, but if the attitude matches, I have no qualms about going to 10%.

I read an article in yesterday's NYTimes about some great Indian restaurants that got me in the mood for Indian food. I VERY rarely get take-out, but I stopped on my way home at my local Indian restaurant (not one of the ones in the article). I got chicken tikka masala & onion nan - so yummy. And the portion was so big that I can have it again tonight, bargain bonus!

Ugh, Hildy, what a drag! Since it's new, are they still getting their feet wet? Although for a manger to be so rude, it doesn't seem there is much room for improvement.

My bad fish story: I've had a waiter at a fashionable restaurant argue with me whether my tuna was cooked medium or not - when I jammed my finger in & told him there was ice, he still didn't get it.

Oh man. Hildy, that is just unbelievable. I mean, I believe it, but still. I often wonder if at certain stores and restaurants looking down on the customers is actively encouraged.


See, in the case described above, if the waiter got attitude with me like that, I wouldn't tip at all. The way I look at it, tipping is a privilege, not a right, and I'll be damned if I'm going to reward negative behavior. You can't treat me with contempt and then expect money from me. (Well, unless you're a utility company.) On the flip side of the coin, though, I'll happily tip more (as long as I can swing it) for extraordinary service.

Ahh, the joys of discussing food....

Hooray for Tracey Bee getting to taste a favorite memory again, thanks to our very own Babalu! Whether they are crack or cracked, those snacks do sound delicious. The perfect blend of salty and sweet. That's a taste I love.

Hooray for ImissEthan's new Indian restaurant. Yum. Mr. Yogi does not eat Indian food, sadly. Perhaps I should get some take out since he is out of town tonight......

And Boo to Hildy expensive and disappointing restaurant. How unpleasant. After looking at the menu and hearing your story, I bet the management over-extended themselves in concept and execution (I mean, the menu is all over the globe) and they realize they are just not pulling it together. Had I been at the dinner (or more importantly paying for said dinner) I would not be so philosophical. But as an outside observer it sounds like they are doing a bad job and can't pull it together so they are blaming the clients. Good Gravy Marie - "this isn't god enough?" Does it get much ruder than that? I think you showed enormous Yankee restraint in not saying something like "actually, it's not - and neither is the service." Ugh. What a jerk. The worst attitude possible. I give the place six months - tops.

What an interesting condition, skagirl. Fish sugars?

ETA: I always tip. Frequently lavishly for good service. In this case, though, I think 10 percent is generous, but I wouldn't go too much below that.

Count me in on "no tipping for bad service". I've worked in customer service (grocery stores, convenience stores etc, although I've never been a waitress), and honestly, it's not that hard to be nice to people you wait on. Especially people who can potentially make your night and leave you a nice tip! I just don't understand how "service" went so far downhill so fast!
And unlike a lot of people who work in the customer service field, I've hardly ever met a customer that was rude to me. I can only remember one time off the top of my head, and the woman who was rude was so rude and so stupid, it just made me laugh!! As well as the other customers who witnessed her stupidity. So Hildy, you were extremely generous, your experience did not deserve a tip!
Yogi, I apologize if you've already told us, but when is the wedding in Abruzzo? Are you definitely going? If so, I can't wait to "hear" all about it. And the sunflower shower? AWESOME!! I'd love to see pictures of all your decorations, it just sounds so cheery and happy and joyful! Exactly the way you're supposed to feel when you're about to be married.
TraceyBee again thank you for the wonderful descriptions of Hawaiin life. As soon as it starts getting warm here, I take my shoes off and never put them on again unless I absolutely have to. My feet are pretty ugly on the bottoms (lots of hard skin) but I can walk across a rocky creek bed just like crossing a street! I'll bet I'd love island life!!

Hildy what a shame about that restaurant. It sounded so good on the link you provided. And here I was, eagerly awaiting all these descriptions of wonderful food. What a disappointment for you. I'm glad that at least the profiteroles were good; however that really doesn't make up for bad food and such rude service from the staff, and the manager, no less.

Re tipping - here it's not a mandatory thing, or even expected. The price on the bill is all you pay, and no one takes offence when there's no tip. Staff are paid a decent wage, so they don't have to rely on tips to bolster a low wage. If the food and service is really good, and it's a good restaurant, some people might leave maybe a small ($5) tip, but again this is not at all expected. I was always forgetting to tip in the US, not through rudeness, just not being used to it being expected. But hey, I'd gladly tip here, if we had the same wonderful restaurants that you guys have there. I so very much (insert 'drool' here) miss the food there.

Did I tell you guys my mother-in-law is arriving from Montana next week? She'll be here for a month, and I'm getting the list of goodies ready for her to bring: hot fudge sauce, Cheerios (it sounds so funny to say Cheerios - here that refers to little sausages, not the cereal, hee), graham crackers, to mention just a few. She's a good cook too, so I'm looking forward to sampling her cooking, and I've told her to bring her recipe book with her.

Yogi I'm glad you asked the question about the crack seed - I didn't know what it was either! And yeah, we really do say "G'day" a lot. It's kind of an unconscious thing, you know? Everyone says it. Even Montana raised husband says it, and also "mate", but everyone around just smiles when he does, cause try as he might, it just doesn't come out quite right!

You know, I was a waittress for years, and it's ingrained in me to tip very lavishly--at least 20 percent. So when I say that we tipped this guy just under 15 percent, that's a very bad tip for me. Of course, he probably didn't get that message and it just reinforced his stereotypes about women not tipping well.

grrr. Arrgh.
And Imissethan, how coincidental! We had Indian takeout tonight, too!

Hildy, when the service is worth it, I (we) also tip lavishly. In fact we tend to tip lavishly if the service is only passable. But if the waiter/waitress can't even display common sense or common courtesy, they don't deserve a tip and they certainly don't get one from me!

Hey, Aloha, and G'day Meet Marketers!

So today I went to the little salon were I get my "stuff done". It happens to be in a very swank hotel near my office, and they know me well there. The folks at the desk told me that there was a show on luxury living in NYC on one of the networks. The hotel has penthouse duplexes available starting at a mere 29 million dollars - Yikes! So they were showing the hotel, the view, the amenities, and they showed the doorman letting in a guest. Guess who the guest was? Me - Yogi Bear. Hilarious. I am representing a luxury hotel - I laughed so hard. I haven't seen it yet, but no doubt I was wearing something ridiculous like yoga pants and my favorite bright red nike sneakers. Heh. It's so incongruous - I am so not glamorous. I may have to use it as my Christmas card to give everyone a laugh.

Speaking of the salon, yesterday I caught three minutes of The View. They were talking about how The Donald of his Truppiness never, ever shakes hands. Starr said this is a good practice because how often do you (points at audience) leave the bathroom without washing your hands. Even though no one seemed to agree, she kept pushing her point that we all leave the bathroom from time to time without washing our hands. Ugh - gross. And guess what? She goes to my salon. We have been there at the same time a couple of times. We have our nails done by the same woman in the same chair. Now I ask you, am I ridiculous for being grossed out? Because I am. I take bodily fluids very seriously, and I don't want Starr Jones' on me. Pretty much I limit my bodily fluid sharage to some very specific people and actions, and I always wash my hands after I use the ladies room. So that's the thing I am musing over this week.

I hope you have a great weekend planned, meetmarketers and especially Last Dodo - hope you are still going strong with the young one. I'm going to have a lunch with my husbands relatives. I think I'll bring a cake.

Oh, on the wedding front - I would love to go, but must take into consideration the expense and what to do with Little Yogi. Generally, Mr. Yogi and I can't go anywhere except during the few weeks the GrandYogis take little Yogi to be with all my sisters and brothers and their children who live next to each other in August. They only started doing that two years ago. I think Mr. Yogi and I got out of the habit of traveling after ten years of never going anywhere. Anyway, lots to do and arrange. But one of my oldest and dearest friends got married in Tuscany last year and has since had a little girl. I missed both the wedding and the baptism in the Baptistry of Florence, and she has already started campaigning to get me there for this wedding. We'll see. It's going to be a great event - four days of festivities. Let's send Mr. Yogi good travel karma, don't you think?

That's why in many NYC restaurants, especially those that get a lot of tourists, there is an 18% charge added to the bill automatically.

This is out of date, not surprising for those View yentas. Not only did Trump shake the hands of Sam-the-stalker on Apprentice in an early episode, but last night's episode showed him walking through one of his casinos shaking hands with everyone who put them out for him. And sorry if this sounds snotty, but Atlantic City gamblers are pretty close to the dregs of society. Even a non-germaphobe would have been running for the Purel after the gauntlet he put himself through in last night's episode.

The Indian food was good Wednesday night & there was so much left over I had the same sized portion last night from the leftovers. Yay for economical eating.

You miss nothing, ImissEthan! Good eye.

But I bet he won't be shaking hands with Starr Jones anytime soon....

Hi Peeps - I have been lurking and checking in on you, but saving my typing for the dreaded dissertation. I sent off 60 pages to the mentor today and am depleted! Good news, going to Florida on Sunday for Community Service-Learning Conference. Very exciting. BTW, I would love the Met, ALWAYS wash my hands, and have an infinity for over tipping from my years as a waitress as well. Good luck to Dodo, sorry Aussie Girl for your story, and I'll check in with y'all next week CIAO

Ricci, that's great news. Keep your fingers in tip-top shape!

My major excitement today was receiving a new mouse. It moves & doesn't stop moving on whim & clicks without sounding like grinding teeth. Ahhh...the little things.

late edit but StupidHead, the coworker, has been whining for months for a new mouse. I was waiting for her to stop slamming hers against the desk and ask nicely, but then mine has been on the skids for a good month so I caved and ordered them (ah, small office mind games). However, after 9 months of pounding her mouse on the desk like a rational 29 yr old, she has yet to install it! And I think she was working on her resume....ooohhhh....small office scandal!!! (my life is not half as interesting as Days of our Lives...)

You're my kind of people, Ricci! Thank goodness you will be educating the adults of tomorrow. I feel more hopeful just thinking about it. Have fun in Florida, and congratulations on submitting!

Congratulations on the new and improved mouse, skagirl. No doubt the malfunctioning mouse is happily retired in the circular file. What a great way to start the weekend!

G'Day everyone, and especially our very own celebrity Yogi Bear! That's so cool that they filmed you - and I bet that you are way more glamorous than you think!

Re the washing of the hands - I am so particular about everyone washing their hands here, and find it inconceivable that people don't sometimes. I insist on the kids washing their hands and they just do now. However Mr Aussie's family in Montana don't seem to have the same hygiene expectations. Am a little worried, as that was something that offended me last time the in laws were here, and mother in law is coming here next week.

I took the kids to Sea World on the Gold Coast yesterday - they had a great time but I was sure worn out at the end of the day. Arrived home to Mr Aussie suggesting that we take the kids over to my mum's and he and I go out to dinner. Very rare for him to initiate something like that, usually it's me who suggests we go out to eat, so that was very sweet. Trouble was we had to get the kids bathed and fed and didn't leave here till 7.30pm, it's a half hour drive to mum's, the kids were irritable by this time, and we didn't eat till late, by which time I was almost falling asleep. Still it was nice to just have some time together without kiddie interruption.

After Mr Aussie's mum (or should that be "mom!) arrives in a week, we are all going back to the Gold Coast to stay in a beatiful resort right on the beach, for 4 days. Can't wait to get in some long walks on the beach. Also looking forward to catching up with some old friends, and just generally having a nice break.

Hey, AussieGirl, nice to see you! Perhaps you could just put out boxes of antibacterial wipes in the guest room and living room and next to their places at dinner, and your inlaws will get the picture? What's that you say? That idea wouldn't be the most tactful thing in the world?
Oh, all right then.
I'm in the last stages of this stoooopit cookbook and am going insane. Would anybody like a recipe for Hazelnut Crusted Sirloin Steak with Balsamic Syrup? It's quite delicious.
Man, it's blowing up a storm out there today. Not a skirt-wearing day, that's for sure. Poor Mr. Hildy is looking longingly at his windsurfing stuff, and then eying the pond. No go for him, he's got the spawn to tend.
Yogi's a TV stah! Are you going to vote off the other inhabitants of the hotel and tell them it's nothing personal, just business?

Hey and G'day Marketers
That recipe sounds wonderful, Hildy. How could Hazelnut Crusted Steak with Balsamic Sauce have only three ingredients? Please do send me the recipe. I am fascinated. And take heart, the last stages are always the worst - not unlike labor. Push, push, push and don't forget to breathe! You'll be done before you know it! And I bet it's going to be a terrific cookbook.

I actually think I would put out those boxes of antibacterial wipes, AussieGirl if someone was sitting down to dinner without washing their hands. But lets face it, In-Laws can be very, very challenging. Best not to cause waves, generally. I saw my Mother-in-Law yesterday. Ugh. Yet it was very nice because we went to my husband's aunt's home. She and her husband made a tasty Italian lunch. Plus, I got to go out to the country. They have a wonderful old tree behind their house. So beautiful - it is the oldest Oak of it's type in New York. What a wonderful life, a home with a big garden and an old tree for shade. I just wish my Golden Retriever could have come and taken a run.

Surprisingly enough, Starr Jones has just shown up on the cover of TV Guide sporting a rather large diamond which she is waving at us. I sincerely hope her hands are clean. I'm really thinking about writing the woman a letter. Do you think saying something like "wash your damn hands" is too harsh?

And please, let me assure you, AussieGirl, I am woefully lacking in glamor. It's pitiful. When we meet, you will surely say, "why doesn't that woman do something with herself?! Put on some makeup, buy some new clothes." I don't even dry my hair before I leave most days, so generally, I'm on the street with wet hair, no make-up, and exercise clothes. In fact, on the show, I am reportedly carrying a huge gym bag. Oh well, you can take her (me) places, but you can't dress me up!

It's a beautiful day. Tell Mr. Hildy to take the children out for kite flying. Everyone will enjoy that.

I must say I like the idea of anti-bacterial wipes, Hildy. But I'm not sure if she would get the hint. I was thinking more along the lines of saying to the kids, in her hearing, and repeatedly, "Make sure you wash your hands, we don't want any germs around the food, do we"?. But I can just see my 11 year old saying, "Grandma doesn't wash her hands, why do I have to"? It really was something that bugged me last time they were here. But my mother in law is really a nice person, and if she would just wash her hands, she'd be even better.

Are you writing a cookbook, Hildy? I've noticed in these forums some incredible recipes you've mentioned, so I guess I'm not surprised. I'd love the recipe, if you can send it. I really like trying new recipes, but sad to say, Mr Aussie prefers the same old favourites again and again. Your recipes sound delicious, like something you'd get in a classy restaurant. Can I come over for dinner next time I pop over to Boston? Hee.

Yogi where in the country did you go to? And that tree sounds beautiful. I've always wanted a huge big garden with a big tree like that in it. Every kid should have a tree like that for playing in, and a golden retriever too!

Also, I don't believe for a minute that you're not totally beautiful! As for hair, make up etc, beauty comes from within, dontcha know, and it certainly comes out in your posts!

All right, who is Starr Jones? Ringo's daughter?

Edited to say Bon Appetit!

AussieGirl, Star Jones is a TV personality on an annoying talk show called The View. In the picture on that link, Star is the the African-American woman, second from right.

Hildy, be sure and let us know when that cookbook comes out. Have I mentioned my cookbook addiction?

edited because of stupid sexy coding

I hate to admit it, but I'm not sure when the cookbook is due to be published. I only know when the deadline for the draft is. It's for 500 three-ingredient recipes. and I get water, salt, pepper and oil/butter as 'free' ingredients that don't count. Thank god.
At any rate, the reason those recipes sound classy is b/c my brother is a chef and he did the vast majority of the recipe creation. there are a bunch of basic recipes in there, too, like meatballs and burgers and such.

I love a cookbook with a recipe for hamburgers and such. I got one such cookbook when at a shower, and I use it quite happily for things a variety of meat and potatoey and eggy type dishes. I have lots of stuff written in the margins, but it's so great to have a guide.

Tracey Bee's description of Star Jones is accurate, though it does not capture the essence of her .... obnoxiousness. Unfortunately, I lack the wit to do her justice. (Unlike TraceyBee who has the wit, but who is just nicer than me.) Star Jones is someone I just want to cork. Ugh.

Thanks for the nice words, AussieGirl. Any good in me is just a reflection of the lovely company here in the MM.

Love this sunshine. I hope the co-worker hasn't driven skagirl to shoving the new mouse into one of co-worker's orifices..... Though we and the police would all understand, there might be long term repercussions.

Hi all!! Hildy you have to let us know when the cookbook is published. It sounds so wonderful! I'm dying to see how to make all those great sounding dishes from only three ingredients (plus one freebie).
Yogi I never dry my hair anymore after I wash it, and I haven't worn makeup since Birdboy was a baby (he's 18 now). Birdgirl who's almost 21, keeps badgering me to do something with my hair, wear makeup, jewelry and perfume and just generally clean up my act, but I'm happy and comfortable so I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
I wish you could see the countryside where I live. I think upstate NY has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. You'll have to keep working on Mr.Yogi and make him take you to places sans cement and high rises on your vacations. The Finger Lakes region and the Catskills have awesome scenery and lots of things to do in the summertime, and they're only a short drive from the city.
The weather here has FINALLY become delightfully springlike. The leaf buds are coming out on all the trees, still no flowers yet, but I'm getting so excited! I'm almost unbearably happy in the spring!

I've been kind of MIA from board postings in the past few weeks (trying to be "good") at work. But today I'm just to excited to not share... I'm getting married! That means that Kate'sBoy will become MrKarateKate (though the rest of the name changing falls to me, alas, and the myriad of confusions that come with such a name change).

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

karatekate, that's awesome! Congrats! I'm so happy for you!

Unfortunately, my news isn't so good. I'm assuming things are off with my guy. I say "assuming" because I'm being left to draw my own conclusions. One of those. I honestly have no idea what happened. Everything was fine the last time I talked to him on Thursday, then I called him on Saturday and he seemed kind of distant, but said that he'd like to see me on Sunday. Called him early Sunday afternoon; nothing. Called him before I went to bed Sunday night and left a message saying I hoped everything was OK. I have yet to hear anything.

Only thing I can figure is that he did say that he went out Friday night with his roommate; maybe he met someone else. I've had that happen to me before...hell, just about a month ago, actually, with that one guy. I've also had times like this before where everything seems fine and then they just disappear and you never know what happened. So that's why overall I'm just feeling this dazed combination of blindsided and deja vu. It's not so much specifically about him, because I only knew him for a short time, as it is "Again?!?" Because I honestly didn't see this coming.

So yeah, this, and I still hate my job situation but I'm stuck with it for the time being, and then--you know, this may sound crazy, but it's hard for me to relax in my freetime because be it TV shows, TWoP, magazines, whatever--it's like there's always something I'm behind on, and even though individually and in theory they're all things I enjoy, collectively they start to seem more like a chore than anything else. Like I decided to take my mind off things this weekend I'd catch up on my magazine reading, but then I was desperately struggling to plow through them all...and anyway, all these things combined just got to me and I just wound up having an emotional meltdown Sunday. I'm doing better overall now, although my mood kind of comes and goes.

Ah well. On the plus side? I really had no business doing so financially, but last night I went out and bought some new clothes because my "fat" clothes are starting to become seriously MC Hammeresque on me--and because I just needed a pick-me-up, quite frankly! Turns out I'm now a 29" waist and the "S" shirts are starting to be too big on me...whee! (By way of comparison, before I gained weight I was a 28"/XS, and before I started losing I was up to 32-33"/M.)

Also on the lighter side, if you watch them, I entered Pixel Challenge entries based on The Apprentice and American Idol. Hope you're all doing OK!

Karatekate & Mr.KarateKateWhoActuallyIsn'tNamedKarateOrKate, big time WHOOOTT! for you two. That's super fly & super awesome.

I got some good news too...the wedding I'm that I'm in this July was all good from my end (except for the bachelorette party-it's in crazy mode), and the bride & her mom did a really awesome job of searching high & low to find an inexpensive place for our dresses, which ended up coming to $100/each. Good, huh? Well, I was getting ready to send her mom the check (she's receiving the shipment since all of us are apartment dwellers, no doormen or anything) when the bride emails us. Her mom got some crazy twinge of guilt & is not accepting the $100 - she just wants us to find good alterations. WHAT??? This is so beyond awesome for me, and her mom is getting some serious thank you card action from me. It's not like we're all poor students, we're poor young adults, but it's way too generous & stuff. Sheesh. I feel like a princess.

Last Dodo, don't fret about the boy. If it makes you feel any better, you've had 3 times the number of dates in the last month than I had in the last two years. I think it adds up to you going through so many transitions now, what with your new license and looking for new work and losing weight and all this excitement and meeting people and the spring fevor v. winter doldrums that it's a LOT to handle. Don't take this guy's maybe rejection too hard - a) it's maybe and b) if it is a ditching of you, he's quite young. Seems like a split for you of creepy older dude & flighty younger dude. I have no doubt it will all work itself out in due time - you've got a ton of exciting new possibilities ahead!

However, congrats on the new clothes, however. That rocks, you fly thang!

Congrats, karatekate!!

Ah, springtime ... when love and allergies are in the air!

KarateKate congratulations! What wonderful news! When and where etc? We're waiting to hear all about it.

Dodo my heart goes out to you, mate. Here's a big Aussie hug. And here's hoping that both your job and love life improve really soon.

Hildy let us know when your cookbook is published - I'd love to buy a copy. It sounds great.

I'm ba-ack!! England was wonderful. We actually made it outside of London this time around, which was very nice to see the countryside for a change. The first town we visited was Birmingham, which is the kind of in the center of Britain. A LOT of shopping was done there, but mostly of the window varitey. But that's alright with me, window shopping is just as fun, if not more fun than actual shopping because you don't have to use money! But you don't get anything, which is the downside. Alas, all I bought there was socks, books, and candy.
The next town we visited was Brighton, which was on the coast in the south. Wonderful sunsets. They have a peir there that was just cute. It had rides and arcades there. My sister and I got addicted to these two pence machine games. Basically, you feed your coins into the slots and they land on a platform that moves and you try to knock more coins off to the lower level to knock them off and you get more coins to play with. A waste of money when you put it that way. Across from that peir was another one, all burnt down. They have pictues of what it used to look like in a few shops, and it was beautiful. An arsonist decided to burn it down though, and that's just tragic. On a lighter note, I bought my prom dress there! It's slinky and not at all poufy, but sexy indeed. I'm aiming to knock some socks off.
Then we went to Stonehenge. I truely don't see how it is a big deal, I just see it as a pile of big rocks. But my sister has always wanted to see it, and this was the third time we tried. Frist time, it was blocked off because of hoof-and-mouth disease, second time it was mad cow disease. I guess third time really IS the charm.
Then back to London. Quick warning: don't EVER go to Camdentown. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life. They had stores and markets there, but among those were mushroom stands. Yes, I said MUSHROOOM stands. Very illegal. One guy came up to me, offering "good shrooms for cheap." Also, lots of goth-like type people hang out there, smoking weed and God knows what else. Not the friendly goth people either, not like the kind that work at Hot Topic. Things I Never Thought I'd Do In England: Eat KFC in a hotel rooom, sleep in a hotel room that was themed "Boudior", get offered mushroooms, get in a fight with a bum about shoes, and buy clothes from a store that was a fundraiser for Altimhers's (sp?) patients. But all in all, it was a blast hanging out with my sister and mom for a week.
BTW, British Airways ROCKS. They have the best movies playing on the flight, with personal TV's for each seat so you can choose what you watch. The movies choices were Cheaper By The Dozen, Gothika, Love Actually, and a few others I can't remember. Also, the Simpsons!! YaY!Simpsons! And good food. Beef tips in a mushroom sauce, or chicken with veggies, or vegitarian pasta. Good service and not too bad noise level. The flight back was terrible though. About two screaming babies, and an odd dozen or so toddlers. It is my personal opinion that people should not tourture their children by taking them flying, mainly on long, nine hour flights. They can't sleep, their ears won't pop, and they keep everyone else awake by screaming. Maybe I don't understand the reasons because I'm not a parent, and am not planning on being one for a loooong time. Still.
Congrats to KarateKate!!!! Details, please! Dodo, don't fret, if he doesn't call you then he's just not worth your time and energy. You deserve so much, so just wait and you'll find someone as special as you! And good luck with the raise! Hildy, you have a cookbook coming out?? I want! Happy Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for some parts of the world!
But I'm still a wee bit jet lagged, so I'll say Cheerio!! Big hugs to all!
Edited cuz typing while half asleep is just not cool..and I'm obvisouly retarded cuz this is my third time editing it.

Honestly? I think you've hit the nail on the head. It feels like my life is in FF right now or something and I don't fully have control over a lot of factors. And given that I hate not being in control and/or unanswered questions, it's extremely frustrating! I think things will be more relaxed, hopefully, by summer.

Do have some good news though--I got that raise! It's not effective until the paycheck I'll get 2 weeks from now, and I didn't get the paid involuntary time off (but he said we could revisit it closer to Thanksgiving, which is when the real killer season for that starts--God forbid I'm here that long!), but I did get the full $50 a week I asked for! Squeeeeeeee!

So apparently we're in for rain here in NYC through Sunday. Bleah.

Thanks, you guys! We are both just ever so excited right now. We don't have a definite date set, and that will be a toughie, because we really don't want to wait. We'd like to get married this summer, but not just the quick turn around but June-August is pretty much "please book one year in advance." Luckily we both have fairly simple tastes, and it may actually be easier to avoid some froofieness this way.

We have so many friends and family to invite, it's bound to be large, but we don't want a big wedding, you know what I mean?

I work for a company that has a catering deal for us - cost of materials/labor plus 10%. That is such an awesome deal. I mean, really. And that's half of the reception right there.

We're leaning toward a Sunday afternoon or Friday night wedding.

And I so want to register for Hildy's cookbook!

It's pretty crazy because I just resigned my lease a few months ago, and SoonToBeMr.KarateKate already has a house, so clearly I'm moving. Between the two of us we're not sure what else there is for which to register! WE have more furniture, linens, kitchenware, china, etc. than we have room for as it is. Maybe a nice tablecloth. And that's it. Unless you can register for season tickets for sports teams.

Dodo, I'm sorry to hear about your boy-turmoil, but I'm so glad for the excitement of *your raise*! Cheers to you, you sexy thing! ;-)

skagirl - Hee! And great news about your dress! Props to your friend's mom!

Karatekate, I'm so excited for you! And of course for Mr.AlmostKaratekate. I can't wait to hear all the details of the planning, the dresses, the flowers etc. Congratulations and very best wishes!
pretty in pinki thanks so much for all the details of England. I would absolutely love to see Stonehenge, but that's just me. But thanks for the heads up about Camdentown. That must have been unnerving to say the least!
Oh Dodo! I really think that skagirl was right. It's way too early to think of rejection. Anything could have happened to delay him from getting in touch with you, and like you said, you only knew him for a short time. If it doesn't work out with him, that just means that someone much better is waiting for you right around the corner.
Ah Spring!!! We had three whole days of sunshine, Sunday - Tuesday, and I've finally seem some flowers starting to bloom. I'm deliriously happy!!!

Well, it's good to see they're capable of change. Last time I was there it seemed to be mostly weed. And I'm suddenly embarassed to say I bought wedding and birthday presents for friends there. British Airways do rock, don't they? Did they come around with little ice cream bars in the middle of the flight? That was always my favorite part of flying with them.

In news not related to illegal substances or weddings, I donated blood yesterday, and now I have a 1.5-inch diameter circle bruise on my arm. I look like I was attacked by a vampire with a fetish for elbows.

Up to my eyeballs in deadlines, but had to say, Congratulations, Karatekate! I love, love, love weddings, and can't wait to hear about all the preparations.

prettyin pinki welcome ba-ack! We missed you. It was great to read of your adventures over there in Pommie land. Re Stonehenge, I couldn't believe that they had built a major road, a highway almost, right next to it. While it was in some ways, quite awesome, I found another place, about half an hour's drive from Stonehenge, called Avesbury that was absolutely incredible. Same thing as Stonehenge, except that these huge stones are right in the middle and all around the little village there. So incredibly ancient and very beautiful. Anyway, hope you are getting over your jet lag.

KarateKate great to hear you'll have a good deal on the catering. Weddings cost so much, and any amount saved can go towards a great honeymoon!

Dodo - yeah mate!!! Congratulations on the raise. Well done.

Good for you! I never have had the nerve to do it, but I know people who's lives were saved from donated blood. The bruise may be ugly, but don't you feel good cause you did something good? Oh, and when did you go to England? And how come I didn't get ice cream bars? :(
Dodo, that's great that you got your raise! Congrats!
It's been raining here lately, pretty heavy so far tonight, but is suppose to clear up by Friday and be in the 70's over the weekend. I won't be here to enjoy it though, I'm going to Richland for a softball tourniment. First of the season!!
Yes, I'm finally getting over my jet lag!
Ooh, one more thing, I got contacts today! I've been wearing glasses for the last two and a half years, and decided it was time for a change. What a difference!! I'm not quite used to the yet, but I'm hoping I will be soon. Now, to complete my look, braces come off in 14 days and counting!

pretty in pinki, I sure do. And what's odd, it's one of the few things I do that makes me feel like a grown-up (you'd think all the bills and taxes and boring business meetings would do it, but noooo...). I think it's because I remember waiting in the little canteen area when my mom donated blood when I was a kid, and at that age, sixteen was sooo far away and it sounded soooo adult. Needles don't bother me, so nerves were never much of an issue. (Don't worry, I'm scared of plenty of other things, including my two most stupid fears, figureheads and a certain shade of light blue. Yes, I have issues. And I'm too squeamish for contacts, go figure.)

I was in England most recently from July 1999 to January 2000. It's not quite as fun as it sounds, I had to work (do you want to hear about the differences in residential lending in the US and the UK? I didn't think so), but it was still pretty cool. Like AussieGirl, I went to Avebury and liked it better than Stonehenge. I could go on for ages about other stuff I liked, but you probably don't have all night, so I'll just say I miss it a lot, even if I was constantly broke!

Hi jennblevins, I'm a blood-giver too! I wanted to give blood for a long time when I was in my 20s, but I never weighed enough. In my 30s when I didn't have that problem anymore I kept forgetting to go to wherever the blood drive was being held. But luckily the place where I work now has blood drives right at the workplace every few months, so I give blood there. It's really strange too, 'cause I'm extremely squeamish and I can't stand to watch when they put the needle in (just thinking about it now makes me a little sick to my stomach!), but I'm really glad to do it. My son was hurt pretty badly a few years ago, and Thank God he didn't need blood, but I just keep thinking, what if he had needed blood and there wasn't any to give him? So I'm happy to do my part, even though I get huge bruises too. Luckily, bruises fade and go away.

jennblevins I couldn't access that Avebury site, can you post it again? I'd love to see it. I tell all friends going to the UK to not only see Stonehenge, but to go see the Stones (not the Rolling ones, either) in Avebury. Amazing place.

pretty re the screaming kids on the plane - hey, we oldies have to travel sometimes too! And we have to take our kids with us. What we try to do is get a direct flight from Sydney to LA, which takes 14 hours, and we try to leave OZ late in the day, so that the wee ones will sleep. We've also mildly sedated them on the plane too, for the sake of everyone's sanity, but sometimes it just doesn't work. I remember on our first flight to the US with our then 19 month old, he kept crying and saying, "I want to go outside", and just couldn't understand why he couldn't. Result - 2 very worn out parents, and lots of sleep deprived passengers, but hey, what can you do?

Hey great news about the contacts and the braces coming off. It will be worth it, I'm sure.

Enjoy your Thursday Survivor, guys! No, that's not envy you're detecting, not at all.....