One of my coworkers received a gorgeous bouquet of flowers today.
However, when she read the card, she didn't recognize the name. Because it was kinda like the Candy Incident from last year, but kicked up a few notches, she immediately said she didn't want the flowers. And Matt, being the solver of all things awkward said "I'll fix it!" and then the flowers disappeared (and now, since his girlfriend reads this, he's totally in trouble if he tried to claim he paid for the flowers).
Anyhow, since my coworker didn't recognize the name on the card, she called the florist and asked to know who paid for the flowers. The florist told her, and that's how we learned that the flowers were from her stalker. At least we refer to the guy as a stalker. He asked her out about a year ago and she agreed to meet him for drinks at a bar. He sent her flowers shortly after that. She called and told him that she wasn't interested in a relationship. He proceeded to text her and email her and have candy delivered to her house on Valentines. She dutifully ignored everything and didn't contact him at all. He finally seemed to get it and hadn't had any contact with her for about 6 months. Then it suddenly started up again and has culminated with flowers being delivered to her work under a false name.
Creeeepy.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Ethiopian Food
Today was my first foray into Ethiopian Food. And yes, it really is more than bread and water.
I'm not sure that I really like it (as in I'll eat it again, but I probably won't be the one making the suggestion). The food would be much better with Naan instead of the Injera. Injera looks like a crepe, and it tastes kinda like sourdough. I actually liken the texture to that of the foam wrapping stuff that is put around LCD panels. I didn't find the spicy foods nearly as spicy as indian food, but there was definitely more cinnamon used than in indian food. Also, this was my first go at lentils (which I will likely eat again). I think my biggest problem with African, Middle Eastern, and Indian food is the texture--I will 100% refuse to eat a food if the texture is 'off'. This is why I don't eat most beans--the texture isn't what I'm expecting. I think that's the reason why I think naan would be better with the food.
I'm not sure that I really like it (as in I'll eat it again, but I probably won't be the one making the suggestion). The food would be much better with Naan instead of the Injera. Injera looks like a crepe, and it tastes kinda like sourdough. I actually liken the texture to that of the foam wrapping stuff that is put around LCD panels. I didn't find the spicy foods nearly as spicy as indian food, but there was definitely more cinnamon used than in indian food. Also, this was my first go at lentils (which I will likely eat again). I think my biggest problem with African, Middle Eastern, and Indian food is the texture--I will 100% refuse to eat a food if the texture is 'off'. This is why I don't eat most beans--the texture isn't what I'm expecting. I think that's the reason why I think naan would be better with the food.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Brussel Sprouts
Okay, I do not know what is wrong with me. It's like I went on my vacations and suddenly I don't have anything to blog about (when, logically, I should have TONS to blog about).
So, instead I have decided I will use other peoples' blogs as my jumping point to ramble aimlessly on about something or other.
Since Kristie does such a great job of getting me to think about things, I will use her blog. Now, for those of you that don't follow her blog (The Spiteful Chef, link at right), she mostly blogs about cooking, food, and things that annoy her. And not always in that order.
Anyhow, her blog today made me think of Thanksgiving foods (I know, it's not even Halloween yet and I'm already thinking about the next holiday, soon I'll be singing Christmas Carols in July). She mentioned Cranberry Sauce so it's totally her fault. It also made me crave a roast turkey with cranberry sauce sandwich. Instead I ate some of my Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese bowl doohicky thingy. God I love that stuff (and now Kristie has disowned me as a friend, internet or otherwise). But I digress.
What this really made me think about was Apple Pie. That's right, delicious, wonderful, served warm with a dollop of Cool Whip. And then, because it's actually close to Halloween, I decided I ought to make Apple Dumplings.
[Aside] My mom always made apple dumplings around Halloween, now then, I don't know if that's because I liked them so much and she was actually making them because of my birthday, or if she specifically aimed for Halloween. In any case, now when it starts feeling like "fall" here in Austin, I feel the need to make apple dumplings and apple pie. Last year I made dumplings for Colleen's Birthday, and apple pie for Thanksgiving, and another for 2 Christmas. [/Aside]
So, as I'm sitting there eating my Mac n Cheese and fantasizing about Apple Dumplings, I realize that I want one, but not a whole one, and wouldn't it be GREAT if I made Mini-apple dumplings? And so, now, this idea has been hatched and it will not go away. Of course, I've never made mini-apple dumplings. So it will be a grand experiment that will hopefully have a tasty end result. I already have a built in taste test facility. It's called "Work."
So, look for mini-dumplings on Friday.
So, instead I have decided I will use other peoples' blogs as my jumping point to ramble aimlessly on about something or other.
Since Kristie does such a great job of getting me to think about things, I will use her blog. Now, for those of you that don't follow her blog (The Spiteful Chef, link at right), she mostly blogs about cooking, food, and things that annoy her. And not always in that order.
Anyhow, her blog today made me think of Thanksgiving foods (I know, it's not even Halloween yet and I'm already thinking about the next holiday, soon I'll be singing Christmas Carols in July). She mentioned Cranberry Sauce so it's totally her fault. It also made me crave a roast turkey with cranberry sauce sandwich. Instead I ate some of my Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese bowl doohicky thingy. God I love that stuff (and now Kristie has disowned me as a friend, internet or otherwise). But I digress.
What this really made me think about was Apple Pie. That's right, delicious, wonderful, served warm with a dollop of Cool Whip. And then, because it's actually close to Halloween, I decided I ought to make Apple Dumplings.
[Aside] My mom always made apple dumplings around Halloween, now then, I don't know if that's because I liked them so much and she was actually making them because of my birthday, or if she specifically aimed for Halloween. In any case, now when it starts feeling like "fall" here in Austin, I feel the need to make apple dumplings and apple pie. Last year I made dumplings for Colleen's Birthday, and apple pie for Thanksgiving, and another for 2 Christmas. [/Aside]
So, as I'm sitting there eating my Mac n Cheese and fantasizing about Apple Dumplings, I realize that I want one, but not a whole one, and wouldn't it be GREAT if I made Mini-apple dumplings? And so, now, this idea has been hatched and it will not go away. Of course, I've never made mini-apple dumplings. So it will be a grand experiment that will hopefully have a tasty end result. I already have a built in taste test facility. It's called "Work."
So, look for mini-dumplings on Friday.
Friday, October 24, 2008
And I'm finally back
hello loyal Reader(s).
I have finally returned to regale you with stories of my adventures on the east coast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York namely)
And really. There are none. Nope, no real stories...so...let's see....
1. It's cold in Vermont. Doubly so when you're wearing a formal dress and trying to appear like you're not cold because you need to be 'cool'.
2. New York is also cold. Especially with that wind and sea spray (if you can call the Hudson River "Sea") is blowing in your face. Also, beware of seagulls peeing on you. Yes, that happened.
3. One can teach a 4-month-old lab to fetch in less than half an hour.
4. Do not look for Little Italy in New York. It does not exist. It has been swallowed up by Chinatown.
5. Also, Chinatown is sketchy at night. Don't do that.
6. Wall Street is shut down. No really, We went there. The only people there are tourists. Quite a few of them were from England.
7. Irony: Going to the USS Cassin Young, a World War II boat used against Japan. And then watching the Japanese and German tourists walk around on the boat. I am SO not kidding about that.
8. Historic Boston is dead during the work day. Well, except for all the tourists.
9. There are 296 steps in the Bunker Hill Memorial (which of course the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on Breed's Hill. Maybe the colonial Americans were pulling a fast one over the Brits. You know, like how the Vikings called the land covered in ice "Greenland" and the green land "Iceland". Or maybe they just liked their beer. Actually, I bet it was the beer). Also, the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANI! Now you have 2 things to remember your birthday by--OJ Simpson and his 'slow speed chase' and the battle of Bunker Hill.
10. Shawn has decided he likes New York City better than Vegas. This likely means that we will be making more 3-day weekend trips to New York instead of Vegas.
Pictures to come later.
I have finally returned to regale you with stories of my adventures on the east coast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York namely)
And really. There are none. Nope, no real stories...so...let's see....
1. It's cold in Vermont. Doubly so when you're wearing a formal dress and trying to appear like you're not cold because you need to be 'cool'.
2. New York is also cold. Especially with that wind and sea spray (if you can call the Hudson River "Sea") is blowing in your face. Also, beware of seagulls peeing on you. Yes, that happened.
3. One can teach a 4-month-old lab to fetch in less than half an hour.
4. Do not look for Little Italy in New York. It does not exist. It has been swallowed up by Chinatown.
5. Also, Chinatown is sketchy at night. Don't do that.
6. Wall Street is shut down. No really, We went there. The only people there are tourists. Quite a few of them were from England.
7. Irony: Going to the USS Cassin Young, a World War II boat used against Japan. And then watching the Japanese and German tourists walk around on the boat. I am SO not kidding about that.
8. Historic Boston is dead during the work day. Well, except for all the tourists.
9. There are 296 steps in the Bunker Hill Memorial (which of course the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on Breed's Hill. Maybe the colonial Americans were pulling a fast one over the Brits. You know, like how the Vikings called the land covered in ice "Greenland" and the green land "Iceland". Or maybe they just liked their beer. Actually, I bet it was the beer). Also, the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANI! Now you have 2 things to remember your birthday by--OJ Simpson and his 'slow speed chase' and the battle of Bunker Hill.
10. Shawn has decided he likes New York City better than Vegas. This likely means that we will be making more 3-day weekend trips to New York instead of Vegas.
Pictures to come later.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Remembering Colorado
A conversation from the first night we were in Boulder--Adam is one of Shawn's coworkers who has never lived in Colorado, Michaela is another coworker who grew up in Colorado and went to CSU (we'll forgive her though).
We walk to campus at about 630pm (so it's not dark yet) for a presentation that Adam has to make to the IEEE.
The meeting goes from 7 til 830 and then we start walking back to the hotel.
Of course I decided that I wanted to go to the grocery store, but didn't see a reason for Adam and Michaela to join us. So, as they start blindly following Shawn and me north (when they should be going east), I turn and say "oh, you guys can go that way (pointing east), you don't have to follow us."
And Shawn helpfully points out "We're going t'the Safeway."
Michaela says "oh, cool, well see you back at the hotel then." And starts walking east.
Adam watches Michaela walking across the street and then gives a funny little laugh and turns to follow Michaela.
That's when I realize he heard "We're going the safe way." not "We're going TO the Safeway"
Yeah, that was a fun one to explain.
We walk to campus at about 630pm (so it's not dark yet) for a presentation that Adam has to make to the IEEE.
The meeting goes from 7 til 830 and then we start walking back to the hotel.
Of course I decided that I wanted to go to the grocery store, but didn't see a reason for Adam and Michaela to join us. So, as they start blindly following Shawn and me north (when they should be going east), I turn and say "oh, you guys can go that way (pointing east), you don't have to follow us."
And Shawn helpfully points out "We're going t'the Safeway."
Michaela says "oh, cool, well see you back at the hotel then." And starts walking east.
Adam watches Michaela walking across the street and then gives a funny little laugh and turns to follow Michaela.
That's when I realize he heard "We're going the safe way." not "We're going TO the Safeway"
Yeah, that was a fun one to explain.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Home Cooked Meals
We've been extremely lazy since coming back from Colorado and I haven't really cooked a good meal. Oh sure, I made Breakfast Potatoes for dinner the night we came back, and then I made Spaghetti the next night. But after that, we just went the ordering out route. But the reason for doing this is because we didn't want to go to the grocery store--mostly because we would be going on vacation again and didn't want to have to force ourselves to eat a dozen eggs, or drink half a gallon of milk.
And I gotta say, it's taking it's toll on me.
Who ever thought I'd be like "But I WANT to cook!"?
I pulled out my new cook book (America's Test Kitchen: Restaurant Favorites at Home) and started reading it. Not the 'flipping through the pages reading the titles to find something that sounds good' type of reading. Actual READING.
And I found something intriguing about the America's Test Kitchen recipes (aside from the fact that they are very minimal on the pictures): They go into great detail about the hows and whys of doing what you're doing.
First recipe: Deviled Eggs.
Explanations of: How to best hard boil an egg, best canned tuna to get, why the recipe calls for oil packed tuna instead of water packed tuna, reason for saute-ing vegetables, and reasons why the garnish should be chopped instead of being left whole.
Recipe: Very similar to everything you know about Deviled Eggs (only there's tuna).
Picture: How to prepare to boil and peel an egg in drawings. There is no picture of the final product.
Verdict: It sounds delicious. And I don't even like fish but I'm now all like "okay, who's having a barbecue where I can bring deviled eggs?"
Then I went on to the second recipe: Shoestring Onions with Blue Cheese.
And then I had to wipe my mouth because I was drooling on the book.
But seriously, this is going to take a while to get through...especially when I read something (such has how to perfectly boil an egg) and then I'm like "Damn! I gotta try that! Where are my eggs?! Why didn't we get eggs at the grocery store?!?"
And I gotta say, it's taking it's toll on me.
Who ever thought I'd be like "But I WANT to cook!"?
I pulled out my new cook book (America's Test Kitchen: Restaurant Favorites at Home) and started reading it. Not the 'flipping through the pages reading the titles to find something that sounds good' type of reading. Actual READING.
And I found something intriguing about the America's Test Kitchen recipes (aside from the fact that they are very minimal on the pictures): They go into great detail about the hows and whys of doing what you're doing.
First recipe: Deviled Eggs.
Explanations of: How to best hard boil an egg, best canned tuna to get, why the recipe calls for oil packed tuna instead of water packed tuna, reason for saute-ing vegetables, and reasons why the garnish should be chopped instead of being left whole.
Recipe: Very similar to everything you know about Deviled Eggs (only there's tuna).
Picture: How to prepare to boil and peel an egg in drawings. There is no picture of the final product.
Verdict: It sounds delicious. And I don't even like fish but I'm now all like "okay, who's having a barbecue where I can bring deviled eggs?"
Then I went on to the second recipe: Shoestring Onions with Blue Cheese.
And then I had to wipe my mouth because I was drooling on the book.
But seriously, this is going to take a while to get through...especially when I read something (such has how to perfectly boil an egg) and then I'm like "Damn! I gotta try that! Where are my eggs?! Why didn't we get eggs at the grocery store?!?"
Saturday, October 11, 2008
On Getting Carded
Today Shawn and I went to the Lowe's to pick up some deck stain. After an insanely inordinate amount of time debating the pros and cons of getting toner over semi-transparent, and then debating on Cedar Natural or Redwood Natural, we head for the checkout lanes.
We choose a lane, the lady scans the gallon of toner and then asks "are you over 18?"
Shawn gives her a goofy look and says "yes, I'm over 18."
She didn't believe him because she turned to me and asked if he was over 18.
I nodded my head and she let us pay and then be on our merry way.
Shawn of course got in the car and then started listing all the things that prove he's at least 18:
1) He doesn't look like he's 18.
2) He was wearing his wedding ring.
3) We were buying a gallon of deck stain. it was $30. If we were looking for a high, there are much cheaper options. Even among the deck stains.
4) He was paying with a credit card.
Of course, sadly, the only one that I could see would prove he was over 18 was the price of the deck stain....but then, I remember going to Walgreen's once and there was a kid who was buying a bunch of individual rolls of toilet paper to TP a house. And he didn't go for the cheapest kind. That's just stupidity.
We choose a lane, the lady scans the gallon of toner and then asks "are you over 18?"
Shawn gives her a goofy look and says "yes, I'm over 18."
She didn't believe him because she turned to me and asked if he was over 18.
I nodded my head and she let us pay and then be on our merry way.
Shawn of course got in the car and then started listing all the things that prove he's at least 18:
1) He doesn't look like he's 18.
2) He was wearing his wedding ring.
3) We were buying a gallon of deck stain. it was $30. If we were looking for a high, there are much cheaper options. Even among the deck stains.
4) He was paying with a credit card.
Of course, sadly, the only one that I could see would prove he was over 18 was the price of the deck stain....but then, I remember going to Walgreen's once and there was a kid who was buying a bunch of individual rolls of toilet paper to TP a house. And he didn't go for the cheapest kind. That's just stupidity.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Boulder Photos
 |
| Boulder |
I totally meant to get a photo of the signs they post under the bridges, but I forgot. They basically say "don't use as shelter. Area prone to flash flooding."
Monday, October 06, 2008
The Only Time
When we were back in Colorado last week, we had an opportunity to visit with my Grandparents. Which, is quite the feat considering that we both live in different states other than Colorado.
The beginning of our conversation was talking about the Gully-Washer they had at their house in Arizona.
And my Grandma said something that I only expect to ever hear her say once:
"well, you know old people. We're a weird bunch and we'll always jump to the worst possible conclusion ever."
The part about old people jumping to conclusions isn't the part that I never expected. It's the "We" part that I never expected.
So, here's to my spitfire grandma! 70 years young.
The beginning of our conversation was talking about the Gully-Washer they had at their house in Arizona.
And my Grandma said something that I only expect to ever hear her say once:
"well, you know old people. We're a weird bunch and we'll always jump to the worst possible conclusion ever."
The part about old people jumping to conclusions isn't the part that I never expected. It's the "We" part that I never expected.
So, here's to my spitfire grandma! 70 years young.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Missing Boulder
I miss Steve and Sherwin.
They can come down and live at our house.
Of course, they say we should move back here and live with them.
Point is,
I miss hanging out with them.
They can come down and live at our house.
Of course, they say we should move back here and live with them.
Point is,
I miss hanging out with them.
Glasses
So Shawn had to leave early this morning to make his 8am interview.
He left at 715 to go get some breakfast, and then came back to the room at 730. I asked why he came back.
"Oh, while I was eating breakfast, I realized I forgot to put my wedding ring on."
"Oh, that's so sweet!"
"not really. After I remembered I forgot my ring, I remembered I forgot my glasses. And it would be kinda good to be able to see during the interview. So I came back."
"oh...so you came back to get your glasses? Not your wedding ring?"
"Yes, the glasses. But I guess I could also get my ring since I did come back, after all."
...sigh...
He left at 715 to go get some breakfast, and then came back to the room at 730. I asked why he came back.
"Oh, while I was eating breakfast, I realized I forgot to put my wedding ring on."
"Oh, that's so sweet!"
"not really. After I remembered I forgot my ring, I remembered I forgot my glasses. And it would be kinda good to be able to see during the interview. So I came back."
"oh...so you came back to get your glasses? Not your wedding ring?"
"Yes, the glasses. But I guess I could also get my ring since I did come back, after all."
...sigh...
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Welcome to Boulder, Colorado
We've been in Boulder since Monday at lunchtime. The weather is wonderful (bright and sunny, but not too hot), and the nights are crisp but not too cold. It definitely makes me miss this area.
Monday night I went to an NI presentation about FPGA stuff for the IEEE society. About half way through I realized that I wasn't paying any attention, but it was a good thing I went.
At the career fair on Tuesday I had to corral cats and convince people to fill out the dreaded "blue forms." The blue forms are the voluntarily provided information about race. Most companies have you fill the information out online, BUT since NI actually interviews people on campus, it bypasses the whole "fill it out online" thing. Thus the actual printed form. I only had three or so people actually ask why the forms were needed in the first place.
And who knew standing on your feet for 5 hours would make you so tired?
Today I wandered around campus taking photos. Since Michelle Obama was speaking on campus, I decided to stop by and take a few pictures. I'll put them up later (probably when I get back to Texas where I have all my accoutremants). the most annoying thing about being on campus is that everyone keeps asking me to register to vote since I look like a student.
Which brings me to my next point.
In Texas, I generally don't get carded any more. At the bar on Monday night not only did I get carded, but I also had it taken over to the black light to make sure it wasn't a fake.
I guess all my anti-aging creams are starting to work.
:)
Monday night I went to an NI presentation about FPGA stuff for the IEEE society. About half way through I realized that I wasn't paying any attention, but it was a good thing I went.
At the career fair on Tuesday I had to corral cats and convince people to fill out the dreaded "blue forms." The blue forms are the voluntarily provided information about race. Most companies have you fill the information out online, BUT since NI actually interviews people on campus, it bypasses the whole "fill it out online" thing. Thus the actual printed form. I only had three or so people actually ask why the forms were needed in the first place.
And who knew standing on your feet for 5 hours would make you so tired?
Today I wandered around campus taking photos. Since Michelle Obama was speaking on campus, I decided to stop by and take a few pictures. I'll put them up later (probably when I get back to Texas where I have all my accoutremants). the most annoying thing about being on campus is that everyone keeps asking me to register to vote since I look like a student.
Which brings me to my next point.
In Texas, I generally don't get carded any more. At the bar on Monday night not only did I get carded, but I also had it taken over to the black light to make sure it wasn't a fake.
I guess all my anti-aging creams are starting to work.
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)