You're so Vain, You Probably Think this LJ is About You

Lately all I have wanted to do is bake cakes. It started with making Nay-nay's rainbow birthday cake and for the past month, I will use any excuse to whip up something: homemade ding dongs for my brother because he was disappointed that they have not reappeared on grocery store shelves; experimenting with making tiny single and double servings of cake (you know, for the DIET); and now: my brother and sister's birthday cake:



You do NOT want to know how I made that icing. I know frosting is just butter and sugar but I don't want to actually see it! LOL...
This particular specimen is vanilla cake layered with nutella, marshmallow icing, and macerated strawberries. I'm sure we will all take a bite and go into diabetic comas. But what a way to go!

I would have updated this weekend but I was curled up on the couch, praying for Death's sweet release.

( I dunno...cut because I talk about my girly business... )

The good thing about not wanting to move around much is that I got a fair amount of reading done. I zoomed through Goblet of Fire and am just about through with Order of the Phoenix. This is my third go through the Harry Potter series and I love it as much as I ever did (although I never realized how often Hermione moaned - kinky!).

Work is always work and one minute I am being hailed as awesome and the next, I am being spoken to like the village idiot. I hate that BTW - if you ever really want to piss me off, be as patronizing as possible. You will see my eyeballs boil in their sockets and have the satisfaction of seing Pretentious Mel get her betch on.

I think I am going to have pancakes for dinner. I used to love it when my dad would make us pancakes for dinner...it always felt like we were being bad! LOL.

I have fallen in love with The Mighty Boosh (a little late to the party, but whatever) after JP foisted a few episodes on me. It's just absurd and lovely and funny and whimsical and even though I haven't seen all the seasons, I am already re-watching some of the eps. I have really weird crushes on the four main characters (including a lisping Naboo and the guy in the gorilla suit).

Don't be jelly, JP - you are still my number 1 weirdo!

Hmmm, I think that's it except to say I made a carrot turnip mash the other day and it was delish!

Oh, the excitement! I can't take it!

- I made some awesome chili last night. Omnomnom. It was super easy, too! Brown the meat and onions, dump in canned beans and tomatoes, most of a beer (keep behind a bit for the cook), add a truckload of spices, and cook until you have to go upstairs and go to bed, for crying out loud! We watched a few episodes of Entourage and A League of Their Own while I was cooking and JP gave me all kinds of cool facts about the movie, like how most of the stars were replacements and everyone hated Madonna. LOL!

- I am depressed beyond all reason that we are not attending the Rally to Restore Sanity. I am so tired of everyone shouting at the top of their voices in the political arena - and appalled at the ignorance of many of the Tea Party candidates. I wish I could go and show my support for rational discourse, but I might need that money pretty soon just to survive. : ( Good luck to all the rally goers! Be moderate and proud! Seriously, so sick of the constant state of anger and fear that seems to perpetuate every minute of our lives.

- As you can see, I have given up on the last meme. Oh, well. It was good while it lasted, baby. It's not you...it's me.

- I got invited to a Halloween party, but I'm not going because I am a wuss. I am filled with anxiety at the thought of attending, although I know once I get there, I will have a good time. So it goes, so it goes. Fear of talking to others in a social setting...bites ya in the ass every time.

- I am hungry. Chili for breakfast? LOL...

And finally: it's cool out, we have Ichabod Crane, Charlie Brown, and Garfield Halloween DVDs geared up for this weekend, so really, how bad can life be? Have a good weekend everyone and be careful!

Went to see Sorcerer's Apprentice today and not only was it awesome (I love Jay Baruchel), but it gave me a pretty cool dream when I took a nap this afternoon. People and wizards lived side by side in a place that was a cross between America in the 1950s and Miyazaki's version of a European town. The dream was about them going to war and us regular folks holding down the fort. As in any wartime, we worried about food and refugees (my family and I for some reason were boarding a bunch of blonde sorority girls that were unpleasant and whiny). There was a long and involved storyline wherein I had something going on with a young wizard who was sent home because he was not ready for battle. Even in dreams, I am a cradle robber. He was terribly cute and nerdy and told me I was "good arms." It was sorcerer lingo and it meant that I was dependable or something. I don't know. 

Went to the grocery store tonight and I swear I saw someone who looked EXACTLY like my TV boyfriend, Geof Manthorne from Ace of Cakes. *^____^*

Now, I am making sweet potato 'tater chips in the microwave. Nummy!

Okay, I think I have bored everyone enough. Laters!

Is the best part of Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs the part where the main villain Nemesis warns his subordinate that, "Every breath you take, every move you make - I will be watching you!" (Marc Handler, you are my favoritest story writer EVER)? I don't know - I am only two episodes in. But I'll keep you posted on any future song lyrics jammed into 80's Americanized anime. Many thanks to JP for convincing me to buy the complete set when it was on sale at Amazon ($16.49!!!).

Well, they let my dad go home from the hospital already, if you can believe that. Part of me is deeply relieved and part of me is scared that it's too soon. I guess time will tell. *crosses fingers*

I made stuffed mushrooms tonight. They were delish! Unfortunately, I am feeling the aftereffects of my lactose intolerance. Cheese...one day it will kill me and I just have to accept my fate.

I still want my beach mini-vacay, but most places are getting booked up. Maybe after Labor Day...

I swear I am not an alcoholic, but I was making risotto and the wine was open and 2 glasses + empty stomach = wheeeeeeee!!!!

$2 Pinot Grigio from the liquor outlet. I are klassy. LOL...

Work was so boring, I asked for Friday off. Wot, wot?!

ETA: risotto was DELICIOUS!

I ended my week with some nice OT, bought some jeans, pillow cases, and headphones (all on my shopping list), and started the Laundry (its sheer size and volume begs capitalization). I also bought a couple of $15 dresses because they were so cute and sometimes I like to wear dresses (usually with shorts underneath because my mother might check). True story: my mom let me wear mini skirts to school IF I wore biking shorts underneath and every morning, she would grab the hem of my skirt and lift it to check. It was pretty funny, because our dance team skirts practically showed our ASSES, but she never had a problem with that...

Ah, my mother...

I am weirdly happy today. Let's run with it and see how long it lasts!

Also, I had a dream last night where my sister got me a job with this small company and they were all so professional and kept telling me they couldn't wait to hear all my new proposals and how my sister told them such great things about me. The CEO was young and handsome and he liked me, but all I could think about was how I was a big phony and I didn't know what I was going to do once I got into the office. I was terrified. Boo!

Okay, off to make some eggs in a basket (I keep forgetting to buy a breakfasty side dish for them).

Well it took the better part of three hours, but I made beef bourguignon and it is delicious! And cheap! I used about $3 worth of stew meat, various veggies, and a $2 bottle of cabernet sauvignon (thank you, liquor outlet store) to whip it up. Ugh. So full, though.

I, er...don't actually have a recipe #2 but I might try and make some gingerbread cakes tomorrow and then my candied yams for Thanksgiving.

Also, I burned my tongue. Suck.

Tonight is the museum again and My Neighbor Totoro! Yay!