Just do you all know, I was tweeted back by a real live author! Thank you Jennifer Weiner!
And all it took was awful trivia knowledge of Dominique Swain.
I should probably get a life soon, huh?
‘Favorite Memories’ Category
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News Bulletin
December 6, 2011 by Blondette
Category blah blah, Favorite Memories, writing | Tags: | No Comments
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Not Just a Stinky Sock
December 24, 2010 by Blondette
“Missy got some socks. Are they yours?” Not only were they my socks, but they were my stinky, walking in the rain in my putrid Nike’s socks. They were a little stiff and and you could smell them from a distance. Perhaps the dog stole them to bury them, far, far away.
Today I want to tell you about a different type of sock. A happy sock. Oh wait, eww. A stuffed sock! err..
STOCKINGS. CHRISTMAS Stockings.
There we go. Every year I spend way too much money so I can get up hours before dawn and stuff presents and candy into stockings for my family. I love it. It’s a quiet, festive time when I can let the spirit of Christmas fill me up unconditionally. I love everything about it – the planning, the sneaking, the giving, and most of all, the tradition.
Some years there are themes. Two years ago, I hosted Christmas at my apartment. Though I had a fireplace, I did not have a mantle. Logistics challenge #1 to stocking deployment. What I did have was a shelf I’d so skillfully hung (by myself!) above the fireplace (and re-hung more skillfully by my brother.) All I had to do was figure out how to keep the stockings dangling from the shelf. Physics Challenge #1: stockings get heavy when you fill them with trinkets and chocolate. Luckily, Michael’s had Christmas mugs on sale (Nutcrackers! Santas! Penguins!) and I had an ingenious idea. All I had to do was fill the mugs with heavy stuff and I could tie the stockings to the handles!
Logistics and Physics challenges #2: You can’t make mugs heavy enough to support stockings that are crammed full of goodies. It sounds like this at 4am: “CRASH!”
Being the devoted holiday elf that I am, and down to my last few mugs, I realized that my solution worked if I placed the mugs on the edge of my coffee table whereby the stockings could rest on the floor. Engineering genius.
This year for the first time I have actual stocking holders sitting upon my real mantle. For now, it’s off to bed so I can get up and do the work of Santa and fall asleep on the couch watching A Christmas Story on repeat.
Merry Christmas!
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Three Things
May 13, 2010 by Blondette
Life is about association. I heard The Dixie Chicks on the radio earlier this week and it made me think of their song “Wide Open Spaces.”
Then I thought about listening to the Dixie Chicks on repeat in my dorm room while reading “The Deep End of the Ocean.”
One itty bitty thing triggered a physical, mental, and emotional response. Three things for three things.
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The Souvenir Cup
May 2, 2010 by Blondette
It costs $6, but you get to keep the cup.
On Wednesday, I attended the Royals game with a group of coworkers. Our agency acquired tickets and decided that each manager and director would take 3 staff members to a game. I totally picked the right day. The weather was amazing, though windy.
Every step we took made me think “boy, this place has changed!” When I was in the early elementary school years I got to tour the stadium with my school group.
I remember years of plastic souvenir cups at my aunt Jean’s house. I just kept thinking about the dishwasher worn cups and how many there were! They really must have gone to a lot of games. At that point, they were somewhere near my current age. To be fair, my aunt Jean is an extrovert and much more social than I am so I shouldn’t be that surprised that she had a lot more “life” than I do. In fact, she still has more life and extracurricular activities.
It’s not that I don’t like to do things, but it takes more mental effort for me. I have to force myself to say “yes.” I’m usually dandy once I get to an event. Sometimes, I’m not and I think about what I’m going to do when I get home…and hope it won’t be too late to enjoy my reclusiveness.
I’m just a homebody. I like activities that involve my home.
Anyway, the cups reminded me of a different time of life. Childhood. The house on McGee. Our first home in Kansas City – a strange mixture of emotions. I wrote something not so nice on the wall with wax. I played Uno on the wooden floors and watched Days of Our Lives with my cousins in the sunroom (which became the playroom when my cousin Stephanie was born.)
I remember going to a game with my mom, my aunt, and my aunt’s friends and feeling really cool becuase I was out with the women. We cleaned up after the game and went a Mediterranean restaurant for dinner (this was before I developed a love for hummus and feta cheese, but not before my love of black olives.)
All from one damn cup.
Category blah blah, Favorite Memories | Tags: memories | No Comments
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This is an Unedited Post
September 20, 2009 by Blondette
Earlier this year I wrote that I was going to post as I was thought about it. This hasn’t happened. I have several drafts for things I’ve wanted to share, but haven’t. I haven’t felt like I had the right words. I’ve questioned how people will react. I’ve wondered about making people uncomfortable.
Recently, I read a post by on Copyblogger.com called “How to Stop Making Yourself Crazy with Self-Editing” by Sean D’Souza. The main idea I took away was that we need to stop editing so much and just write. Isn’t that how they say we get better? Isn’t that one of the main themes in any creative writing class? Write.
You work on exercises to stretch your brain. You open up your imagination, heart, and you have no time to edit.
They call this stream of consciousness. I’ve been watching the Emmy’s and tweeting my opinions. I’m a little upset that Neil Patrick Harris lost to Jon Cryer and that Jim Parsons lost to Alec Baldwin. In fact, Jim Parsons became (and still is) a trending topic on Twitter but most of the comments are junk. NPH is hosting with some crap material but he’s still good. Jimmy Fallon is hilarious.
9pm and it feels like 10pm Sunday night.
Let me go back to the beginning of today. I awoke and shortly after a heard my phone ding- yes, I keep it by my bed (it’s my alarm! and what if I wake up and can’t sleep and feel like getting on Facebook or Twitter? or texting? or checking my email? and well, it’s my clock so I know how much sleep I’m not getting) Boys don’t like this about me. (it was before 7am so I figured it was Tammi because no one else is awake and texting me that early- usually.) It turns out the text was from my dad. Suffice it to say (trite!) I was surprised, but in a nice way. The highlights of our text conversation where his joke when I told him I had exciting news (me: I’m buying a house. Him: that’s better than being pregnant – indeed Dad, indeed!) and when I told him I’d just email him since his phone was dying and he LOLed at me.
Lately I’ve been telling people and myself to “step back.” Pull yourself out of the moment and really look at the whole situation. Imagine, my dad texting me and us having a fun conversation. My mom has been trying to text lately as have Tammi’s parents. Anyhow, I followed up with a cup of coffee and getting to the coffee shop on time and securing our table! Coffee was exceptionally fun today with upbeat banter and adult humor and friends.
You know what, if this is growing up, then I say, thank God.
Category blah blah, Favorite Memories, humor, Life Lessons | Tags: adult,improvements,lifeisgood,Personal | No Comments
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Haiku For You, Woo! A Favorite Memory
June 7, 2009 by Blondette
5,7,5. Nope, not a clothing store for skinny people. (that was 5,7,9)
As an English major I was expected to be well versed in meter,measure and the art of the syllable. It is with wholehearted something that I tell you how much I sucked at that portion of my studies. I’ve always been able to read and phrase well, but there was something about the counting and diagramming that just didn’t click for me. Maybe it was ambivalence.
My story begins at the Caddy Shack, a local lovable dive bar less than half a mile from my office. On this particular evening, I believe it was a going away party or an outing, or just a Friday night that had many folks out …after most went home, the core remained. We drank, we laughed, we texted. Oh my. Have you seen “texts from last night?” Well, I don’t know if our haiku laden texts would rate, but we were pretty creative.
Here’s where things are a little fuzzy: I believe the haiku started with a request from The Todd to Tammi. After that, all messages and a lot of the convsation was in haiku. We had teamwork! Bonding! Comraderie!
It stuck with us and we continued to email in haiku the next day. It still makes me warm and laughy which is why this is a favorite memory. Not everyone would sit around and enjoy creating haiku with a group!
Category Favorite Memories | Tags: | 1 Comment
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Why I Read
April 25, 2009 by Blondette
Just a bit of earth. A teenage detective. A great man who falls victim to justice.
I’m in the backseat of my dad’s Chrysler New Yorker, the scent of coconut and cigarette smoke filling my nose, and I’m reading just about every Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Super Mystery ever written. I’m somewhere between 10 and 12 and we are driving from Eugene, Oregon to my oma’s (that’s grandma in German) house in Salinas, California. I remember a story where the super mystery solving teams are out camping and they catch the culprit based on her addiction to pink nail polish. I remember Nancy’s mustang and her attraction to Frank Hardy- so riskque considering her oh so special relationship with Ned. (for the record, I’d pick one of the Hardy Boys.)
I’m fifteen years old and switching schools for my sophomore year of high school. I’m in the advanced English class so of course we have summer reading and papers to write. I’m lazy but I like to read so I get through the books, but procrastinate writing my paper. (it was about Inspector Javier) I consider Les Miserables by Victor Hugo to be one of my favorite books. I get a C on my paper (which was proofed by my aunt, a college English teacher and deemed excellent) because I say things like “mankind” instead of “humankind.” Oh well, at least I got a good book out of the deal.
A love of words and books was fostered in me from birth by my mom and her family. It started with my mom reading Brier Rabbit (and doing the voices!), Cinderalla (it was one of my favorites), and A Little Princess and progressed into the all day reading binges of my formative years.
One of my favorite things to do is read a book. A nice, long book that overtakes an entire day. The feel, the smell, the words blurring together as I blink them into focus because I HAVE to know what happens next. Staying up until 3am to finish a book without regret for the lost sleep is so rewarding. So, why is it that I can’t seem to connect with any books I’m reading? Where is that thirst? That anxiety? Where is that physical, psychological and emotional connection to the written word?
Have I changed? Have I just been picking up the wrong books for the last 6 months?
When I was growing up I relied heavily on books for entertainment and fulfillment. Now, I am by no means fulfilled in life, so shouldn’t I still need books for that? Dammit, my tortured soul still needs to live vicariously though the imaginary lives of others!
Category blah blah, Book Reviews, Favorite Memories | Tags: books | No Comments
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I Always Clean My Toilet For Guests
October 16, 2008 by Blondette
I find that a clean bathroom when guesting can significantly increase your level of comfort in a place that is not home. Your bathroom at home may not be super clean, but you expect more from an outside establishment.
My pre-guest prep work is generally a tizzy of cleaning binge- wrangling laundry, cleaning the litter box, doing dishes, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, and closing my bedroom door. This tizzy is usually conducted only hours prior to the actual arrival of guests- it just makes it all fresher. I generally try to vacuum (but I have vacuum cleaner woes- I’d love a shopvac if anyone is interested in just giving me one) and light either scented candles, or scented oil.
Warm, inviting and comfortable. That’s how my home should feel to others. I also love “hostessing.” That is, cooking and taking care of others. I’m pretty sure I’ve written previously about my desires to have dinner parties (these don’t even have to be parties so much as, just a friend or two over for dinner.) People, I promise, I can actually cook. I just don’t do it for myself. Invite yourself over- just give me at least 2 hours notice. If you don’t, I’ll only be able to triage my apartment and cannot guarantee perfection.
One recent hostessing decision I made was to actually clean my bedroom and let the guests have my bedroom. It’s just easier. The cats can’t stay locked in one room all night (they can open doors) and I tend to get up earlier than my guests. (what? you don’t get up at 7:30am?) Part of the reason I find myself up earlier than guests is purely survivalist. I must be able to get ready and settled (aka take possession)- shower, etc. If you really want to mess with me, get up before me and hog the bathroom. It will drive me insane, but I won’t be able to tell you so. (oh please please please DON’T actually do this.)
I apparently want to be that crazy matriarch who cooks the holiday meals and hosts events. It’s true. I envision myself hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas. From the decorations down to the dessert – lovely tablecloths, garland, delightful aromas, merry melodies. ahh yes. And it doesn’t just have to be major holidays. I can create these scenes for just a normal day.
So, come on over. I’ll make you some chicken or a roast. I’ll make you some eggs and some toast. And I promise to clean the toilet because I always clean my toilet for guests.
Category blah blah, Favorite Memories, Favorite Posts, heart of the matter | Tags: | 2 Comments
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Vegan Vegan What Can You Eat?
September 27, 2007 by Blondette
It’s been over 3 weeks since I embarked on my epic quest of veganism. Thus far I believe I’ve lost a little weight; I feel healthish minus the plague that I’ve near recovered from, and I’m proud of myself for following through on a whim.
A lot of the focus of my veganism is what I can’t eat. Let’s talk about what I can eat.
black beans
corn
tortilla chips
rice (brown)
fruit (dried apricots and mangos have been helpful with the sweet tooth)
juices (Naked is a favorite of mine)
vegetables
black bean burgers
veggie burgers
sweet potatoes
sweet potato chips
veggie chips
tofu
salsa
pasta
nuts (almonds win as my favorite nut)
avocado (guacamole!)
Luna bars
Odawalla bars
soy milk
rice milk
tea
water
hummus
triscuitsVegan Friendly Restaurants:
Chinese (Bo Lings in City Market has been a saving grace at lunch time)
Mexican
Antonio’s The Walnut Street Deli
Tai restaurants
Ghengis Khan (KKKKHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA NNNNNNNNNNNNN–I really need to get some Ghengis Khan action this weekend)
Chili’s
Taco Bell (with modifications)
Chipotle
ItalianI’m looking to experiment with pumpkin soon. I can make “pie” with soy milk and agave nectar. (i hope)
What do I miss?
cookies-nah
chocolate-a little
cheese (feta and mozzerella–feta on salads and mozerella because it’s what i use on grilled cheeses) –yeah
omelets–yep
pizza–oh yes
crab rangoon–oh my yesCategory blah blah, Favorite Memories | Tags: | 10 Comments
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Week-i-versary
September 13, 2007 by Blondette
Lavender pajamas with pink and purple flowers after a nice hot bath are a lovely way to ease into bedtime. It is Wednesday night and I am sitting in bed with the lights off. There is no music playing or television broadcasting. As I reflect on my day, I feel mostly sadness. Each morning I awake with a fresh perspective and hopes for the day ahead. Today was the same, no different. I bathed and put on my tan cordoury pants, mauve shirt, vintage lion sweater (my moms), broke out my much anticipated brown suede pumps (less than $20 on clearance from $76), and accessorized with two rings given to me when I turned 16 (a ruby ring my dad gave to my mom for an anniversary and my moms wedding ring to my dad.)
I arrived at work at 7:15am. The 7:30am Media training was interesting and much better populated than last weeks Account Service training. In the hours that followed, I managed to say and do several things that still weigh on my mind. After training, I went about my tasks and replied to some messages and began my liquid diet for a day to reduce gas because “when my bowels speak, I listen.” Yes, eww is the appropriate response. (PS, I lasted on juices, water, and coffee most of the day–then I got a burrito bol from Chipotle for dinner.)
I stayed back from our 3rd Quarter Company Outing (poker and pool at Rivermarket Brewery.) My rationale was simply that I wanted to avoid temptation. Rivermarket Brewery would be full of it.
You see, a 1 week and 1 day ago, I gave up meat, dairy, booze, pop, and candy and became vegan. The outing would surround me with the things I’m avoiding (minus the candy.) I am strong and have remained vigilant for 1 week, but I was not ready for the test that the outing would provide. (it was a good thing I opted out because all the food was fried meat and cheese and all the people I would have hung out with were boozing pretty good.)
During my first week of veganism, I gained a new perspective on how and what I eat. Instead of eating sugary candy that makes me feel yucky, I now eat dried fruit such as apricots and mango slices. (I have papaya chucks yet to be taste tested.) I now end my days without the ravenous lust I previously felt.
*Must blog faster, Benedryl is kicking in.*
The week in food went by slowly because I was so focused on trying to find things I could and would eat. I made a trip to Whole Foods on Saturday (not advisable if you are not fond of large amounts of people.) There I picked up sweet potato chips, mango slices, fig Newmans, and carob covered raisins.
It is now 9:51pm and I feel better. Hot bath, Benadryl, and blogging make an excellent aid.
I must sleep, so for now, I say, Happy Week-i-versary, Self!
(*a note dearest readers: I posted this on Thursday morning because I fell asleep while writing last night. oops.)
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