Floating Leaf

Okay. Let me attempt an update. I still don't know where to start, but I'm going to start anyway. Please bear with me if I'm not making much sense.:)

I feel I have reached a sort of turning point in my life... a deciding phase during which I am ready and willing to make some lasting changes. Now, this is big, because generally I tend to have a rather negative reaction to changes. Something along the lines of a cat's reaction to a hedgehog.:P But every once in a while, there comes a moment where some thoughts/beliefs that had been percolating under the surface come into alignment and prompt me to take action. Whenever that happens, it feels like something that has been long in the making, but is ultimately inevitable. Like the slow shifting of tectonic plates or something. LOL. Well, the last time it happened was in 2008, when I joined WeightWatchers. ( Read more... )

So... I've been thinking of a way to deal with the pesky weight gain problem. I know I'm most likely never going to be slim again, and that's OK; but I refuse to sit back and wait until all my favorite clothes no longer fit. It's happened before, and I hate the way it makes me feel when it happens. So I've got to do something. I still have my info kit from WeightWatchers - I could look it up and start counting points again. But somehow that feels like too much effort. And don't even get me started on some intensive exercise regime - I'm trying to get back to doing ANY exercise at all, just to avoid muscle atrophy, and I know myself well enough by now to abandon any delusions of ever achieving anything beyond a mild 30-minute workout 2-3 times a week. It never happened when I was younger, and it's not going to happen now. But I've thought of something else. ( Read more... )

Anyone still remember that? It went around a few months ago. I don't know anyone who actually finished the whole thing... but I totally will. Like, in another year or so.:P Maybe. Anyway... because I am sluggish from TOO MUCH FOOD and have nothing relevant to say otherwise, I offer you the next installment.:)

( Day 04 - What you ate today, in great detail )

I didn't mention it yesterday, since I had planned on posting fic first, but there is quite a bit of commotion going on at my workplace this week. One of my team-mates is retiring - and since they're not planning on hiring anyone new in her place, we're all just gonna be pulling a bigger workload from now on. So, instead of being an "occasional helper" on the stuff she used to do, I will now be one of the major contributors. So there is a lot of "last minute" training going on - for everybody, really, since no one comes close to her level of experience (she's been with the company for THIRTY-EIGHT years; can you even imagine that???... working at the same place for so long?...). And there is overtime. And I haven't even touched my "regular" work in days. And the boss is sort of running around like an energizer bunny, tossing new projects this way and that... lol.

On the fun side, we're doing our best to send her off in style. We had a casual lunch out last week, just for our team; and yesterday was a big party at a fancy Italian restaurant, with the company president, the data operations department head, the HR manager etc. The whole thing took at least three hours, and it was sponsored by the company, so there was basically no limit on what we could order (they pay us next to nothing, but at least we get lavishly fed for free every once in a while... lol). We had appetizers (like shrimp and bruschetta and goat cheese and toasted garlic bread and olives), then we had soups or salads (my spinach salad with nuts and tangerines was so poetic I am going to dream about it), and then we had the main course. I ordered roasted salmon with Sardinian couscous (much bigger than regular couscous, as it turned out, but smaller than orzo), spinach and calamari in a spicy tomato sauce. Mmmmm... (lots of garlic too) And then some people had desserts. I wanted to, but my stomach wasn't willing to cooperate anymore.;) Of course we couldn't have wine, since we were coming back to the office afterwards - but it was a joyful experience anyway.:P Tomorrow is the final "goodbye cake" function for the entire company - with cards and gifts and flowers and speeches and group pictures and all that junk. And then most of us have to come in on Saturday to actually get some WORK done.:P

This is just by way of explanation, in case I get a bit behind on comment replies and stuff. I'm trying to keep track of it all, but the next few weeks might be crazy, and it might so happen that the only thing I feel up to in the evenings/weekends will be skimming flist and reading porn.:P I still feel inspired to write, but I have to watch my sleep schedule (7 hours a night, minimum) or things are going to get ugly.:/ At any rate, I'm always here (LJ-land, that is) in spirit.:D

So... I'll be going to my parents' house for Easter tomorrow. I'm not particularly looking forward to it, since I have to stay overnight (dad's neurologist appointment is on Monday, and it wouldn't make sense to drive back here tomorrow night only to drive back there the next day - it's over 40 miles one way, after all) - but I guess I'll find something to occupy myself. I might actually use the time to go through all the stuff in my old bedroom and decide what should go in the recycling bin - or make a dent in my sister's impressive gothic novel bookshelf.;) They do have a computer, btw, but it's situated in a very "public" area of the house - so I don't expect to be able to do much more than perhaps check my email. And I probably won't be responding to comments and stuff until Monday night or later (depending on what time I get back here etc.).

In other news, we had another company meeting at work this week, and our CEO announced that, financially speaking, we are slowly getting out of the dump and that there will be raises in July. No more than 2%, probably, but we haven't had any since 2008, so we'll take that, thank you very much. *relieved sigh* Oh, and btw: the management of my apartment building did get their act together and send me the lease renewal, only about a month late.:P And they did NOT raise my rent. I think they are very anxious to keep the tenants that they've got at this point, because there are several empty apartments in my building alone. Anyway - there is hope that my bank account will not reach negative balance.;) Unless my car breaks down again, that is - which it hasn't done in a while. *knocks on wood fiercely*

Also, I've added another wonderful recipe to my list of favorites: Mexican Sweet Potato & Black Bean Salad, with chipotle-chili dressing. OMG... yummmm.:D It has a rich taste, with just the right balance between heat and sweetness. It's also pretty quick & easy, as well as equally delicious either warm or cold. Definitely a keeper.:D

Oh, and I've finally seen Michael Moore's Sicko - but I'm not sure if I want to write about it. I would probably end up ranting for hours, and I don't really have the time. ( Read more... )

And one more thing, just to end on a positive note: I LOVE MY FLIST, and I love LJ in general. There are some absolutely amazing people on it. Some of my most wonderful friendships started here, and I can't think of a better way to CONNECT on a very deep level. Which reminds me of this conversation I had recently with a coworker. We were talking about the internet and various ways of online interaction, as well as being anonymous versus revealing your legal name on a public forum etc. - and I said that I usually prefer to use a nick, unless I have a deeper personal connection with someone. Whereupon my coworker stared at me like I was insane. "Deeper personal connection? Through THIS???", he asked incredulously, pointing at his computer screen. He just couldn't fathom what on earth I was trying to say. Well... I wasn't about to go into any details of fanfic porn and general awesome silliness/mental exhibitionism that goes on in these parts, LOL. So I'll just let him think that I am slightly off my rocker. And I will never tell him that my flist actually includes people who have met their SIGNIFICANT OTHER through LJ and are now LIVING TOGETHER as couples in real life, because they first had a deep personal connection through THIS.;) Just saying.

Oh, and THANK YOU for more postcards, dissonant_dream! They are gorgeous. Especially the one from Charlecote Park. Oh, how I'd love to live close to such a beautiful spot!... Damn, I miss Europe so much. Not just Poland by itself, but all of Europe - including places I've never been to, LOL. I miss historic areas, cultural atmosphere, my friends... everything. It's just... displacement syndrome, I has it.:(

Have to go do some cooking now. I might be able to respond to some comments later tonight, but if not, then I will hopefully catch up with them sometime next week. The main addressee of this cryptic remark certainly knows who she is.:D <333

I'm FUCKING COLD, dammit. It's 50F/10C outside, and they haven't turned on the heating yet. Why bother, since the weather forecast says it's supposed to warm up again within the next few days. Which might or might not happen, btw. It's OCTOBER, people. Summer is very officially over by now. It may be cool and refreshing during the day, but it is downright FREEZING at night. And there are only so many layers of clothing I can put on and still be able to move, lol. *wiggles toes inside two pairs of socks + furry slippers to encourage the somewhat sluggish bloodflow therein*

In other exciting news, I'm done organizing my Viggo pics. Doing Orlando now.:D I didn't realize I had so many pics of the boy, either. He is a sexy little beast, by the way.;P Maybe I'll post a little Viggorli picspam after I'm finished. I've disovered quite a few nice, rare photos I wasn't aware I had.:)

I also made Moroccan Chicken Thighs with figs and olives. Not to be confused with the date & apricot recipe (see previous post). This one is not quite as delicious, but close.:) It's seasoned with Marsala wine, honey, balsamic vinegar, ground cumin, coriander and cardamom. Which I had found at Dominick's for over ten bucks a jar. And it was ON SALE, too - the original price was about $14. For a tiny little jar of ground cardamom. And I bought it. Yes, I am unbelievable sometimes, I admit. I will pick the 99 cent can of beans instead of the $1.50 one, but then I will pay ten bucks for some exotic spice that I might use perhaps twice a year. I think it's my way of staying in (partial) denial about the shitty economic situation we're all in. I may barely be making ends meet, but I WILL have Moroccan chicken thighs with cardamom and Marsala wine. And if I can have something as seemingly classy and sophisticated as that for dinner, then I'm not really broke, am I?... LOL.

( Read more... )

Also, does anyone have any suggestions why my cellphone isn't showing the correct time? It's precisely 39 minutes behind right now, and it's been that way for the past few hours. I'm assuming it's the time on the cellphone that's wrong, since both my computer and my bedside clock are showing the same hour (39 minutes ahead of the cellphone). WTF???

I just have to boast today. I made The Best Food Ever. Moroccan Chicken, Date & Apricot Tagine. I have always thought that Moroccan cuisine was to die for, but this just tops everything. Imagine juicy chicken thighs & fajitas cooked to utmost tenderness in a mix of diced onion, chicken broth, fresh dates, dried apricots and some shredded lemon rind. Seasoned with crushed garlic, ground cumin, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and a dash of red pepper. Then mixed with couscous, which absorbs any liquid and all the blended flavors. Oh, and once the cooking is done, you throw in some chopped up fresh lemon sections and a handful of fresh parsley (the recipe also mentions cilantro, but I skipped it, because I'm not too crazy about its intense 'perfumy' smell). The resulting combination of flavors will make your tastebuds explode in ecstasy.;) I swear it's the second best thing to marrying a gorgeous Moroccan woman (or man, depending on your preference) and having them cook for you.:P

Also, I've been downloading Cruxshadows since last night, and I'm not even halfway done.:) This will be one looong playlist in my iTunes library. Probably the second longest after Lacrimosa (which is over 60 tracks). Needless to say, I've also been rooting through YouTube for their videos. Which is how I discovered them in the first place. Through YouTube, that is. I was actually searching for another band, called The Dreamside, recommended to me by my sister a long time ago. Here's a good example of how one thing can lead to another. ( Read more... )

Snagged from gairid and taelyn_sass:



( Mundane RL stuff under the cut. )

So I went to work on Saturday. It felt extremely weird to be there, but, fortunately for my sanity, I wasn't the only one, and the three hours passed very quickly. I think I can handle it every once in a while.;)

Also, a quick culinary note to myself: after making a salad dressing that contains yogurt/mayonnaise etc. (AND lemon juice as well), it is REALLY a good idea to store it separately and only mix with the salad right before eating. Otherwise the salad just might get a little bit... less exciting the next day.;)
And while I'm on this topic, let me just say I'm NOT going to try any recipe that involves tofu ever again. Blargh. I might be slightly obsessed with eating healthy at the moment, but I do have my limits... lol. Plus, the mushrooms & the delicious Sichuan sauce (which, unfortunately, didn't impart any flavor to the tasteless, colorless lumps) would go just as well with chicken, I'm sure.:D

And while I'm here, let me recommend a sweet (despite being rather heavy on the angst) Asian/American movie called Ethan Mao. ( Read more... )

EDIT: I forgot to mention that yesterday my scale showed 134 lbs. That's the lowest since... I don't know, sometime around 2003 or 2004, I suppose. As well as almost 30 lbs down since last summer. Wow. Looks like I really did it. I am, in fact, genuinely impressed with myself - and let me tell you, that doesn't happen very often.:P

The trailer for Good is out. Holy rockets. I WANT that movie, and I want it BAD. I can tell it's gonna be one of the top jewels in my Viggo collection.:D Just the kind of heartrending drama that hits all my sniffy buttons.;) Not to mention the fact that Viggo looks unbelievably hot in it, considering both his age and the stereotypically unattractive 'geeky professor' image. I have no idea how he manages to do it every time. I just know that a good percentage of his movie looks wouldn't work for me on anyone else (and yes, I'm talking chiefly about Master Chief here; I am also pretty sure he will be beautiful to me in The Road, where he's supposed to look like a seriously underfed hobo). It must be love.;D

In other news, I can't believe the extent of my cooking obsession of late. I currently own FIVE cookbooks. ( Yes, five - am I still the same person who used to say that two minutes in the microwave is about as long as I can stand waiting for my dinner to be ready??? )