Wednesday, November 30, 2005

A Quick Word From Our Sponsors.

Katherine is casting off a fluffy knitted item three feet away from me.

I very cleverly lured her here by having a nervous breakdown (wink, wink). I was just not cool with having to go more than a year between visits, you know? A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

My editing/proofreading job is going well (on my end, at least).

I need a new bra and some panties. Nothing fits anymore and I am getting really itchy from wearing too-tight underthings. So we are going to Victoria's Secret, where I have a charge account, as soon as I get dressed.

Whoo!

Sunday, November 27, 2005

On Friendship.

I wrote a long post the other day, despairing the friends I've lost abruptly lately. I didn't publish it for a lot of reasons.

Today I received an email from Katherine that reminded me what friendship really is. I can't really put it into words at the moment, so I open up the floor: what is friendship to you?

Friday, November 25, 2005

Quote of the Day

Me; Oh, is she Scottish?

Will: What makes you say that?

Me: Oh... the forced accent... the fact that her name is Moira MacTaggert...

Important Question!

Can the Green Lantern fight someone with blond hair?

Thanksgiving

I don't think any single event has exhausted me this much in my life. Except our wedding.

Even starting on Tuesday, I wore myself out. I don't remember being this tired last year, and I did just as much work and most of it day-of. Mysterious! I guess I will have to blame the fact that I am pregnant. Shelby certainly saved the day mid-dish washing by giving me a back rub.

Dinner was excellent. Every guest was a new one; none of last year's guests were here this year. I missed absent folks, but the seven guests we had were just perfect. Chris & Elise, Shelby & Briana, Patrick, Rich, and Dan (who we'd never met before, which only gave me a couple of hives).

The belle of the ball was my macaroni and cheese, which I made from Martha's recipe, slightly modified (I replaced part of the cheddar with Monterey Jack because the cheddar I bought was extremely sharp and I wanted to cut the flavor a little, and I used a combination of store-bought breadcrumbs and homemade croutons on top). I am so pleased to have had another vegetarian to feed, because otherwise I might not have made the "macamoni" and that would be a tragedy. Everyone loved it and Will and I have been eating the leftovers all day.

The pumpkin soup also came out very nicely. I'll be adding notes on the recipe to the post below.

Despite a minor disaster first thing in the morning when we discovered that our fresh Willy Bird was partially frozen inside, the turkey came out good (I hear) and the dressing was all eaten and the gravy was apparently very good (I added bourbon).

Shockingly, no one really touched the brussel sprouts. OK, I'm not shocked at all, but slightly ashamed. They are delicious!

The salad did, however, make Elise cry with joy.

Desserts were a big hit, to no one's surprise.

We are in talks to make more macamoni for tomorrow's dinner guests. Is that wrong? Oh, don't tell me. I don't want to know.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Pumpkin Soup! For Kulia, but everyone else can use it too.

This is the recipe I'm using. I haven't ever tried it before, so I'll post any changes I make to it tonight or tomorrow.

Cream of Pumpkin Soup Recipe | Cream of Pumpkin Soup Recipes| Pumpkin Soup Recipes @ CDKitchen.com :: it's what's cooking online!

A few notes:

I made 10 servings, and I halved the water (which I used in place of stock), and I still had twice as much as I needed. I guess the servings listed assume the soup is a main course or something.

I garnished the soup with curried walnuts. Dee-lish!

I guess that's it.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Why I will never wear contacts.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to wear glasses. Most of the time I don't mind, because they are HOT in that naughty librarian kind of way, but when I start to break out at the temples, or when I had that weird bruise on the bridge of my nose, or when I wake up and can't remember where I left them and can't find them because I can't see because I'M NOT WEARING MY GLASSES, I get a little annoyed at my husband's 20/20 vision. Also, cute non-prescription sunglasses make me cry.

My main reason for never getting contacts, other than the cost, is the fact that I have never been able to apply eyedrops to my own eyes. I figured that would be a problem. On the other hand, I always figured that if I absolutely forced myself, I could learn. Slowly, and with lots of practice.

Yesterday morning I got in the shower just after Will left for work. I washed my hair and shaved my legs, which I do with cheap-o conditioner instead of soap or shaving cream. So there I am with shampoo and conditioner everywhere, and SOME GETS IN MY EYE. I have no idea which, but I think it was the shampoo. My hands are coated in conditioner. My hair is covered in shampoo, which has started running down my face. I am holding a razor and can't see to put it down.

So I felt around with my free hand till I found the ledge, and set the razor down. I rinsed off my hands, then my hair. ALL WHILE TRYING NOT TO SCREAM IN PAIN. Then I put my face, specifically the left eye, directly under the stream of water. But I couldn't get my eye to open, and the pain was just intensifying. I had a chiropractor appointment in less than an hour, and it's a 30 minute drive. I was having visions (extremely blurry, painful ones) of trying to apply drops to my swollen eye so that I'd be able to drive; then visions of crawling blind and naked and soaking wet to the phone to beg Will to come apply the eyedrops for me and drive me to see Dr. Doug. It was, not to put too fine a point on it, bad. Finally I managed to PRY MY EYE OPEN WITH BOTH HANDS, while under the stream of water. I doubt it opened more than a hair's width, but it was enough. The pain subsided almost instantly, and by the time I finished showering (I skipped conditioning my hair in favor of leave-in) and dried off I didn't even need drops. Yay for the ocular cleansing and hydrating system!

No contacts for me. Ever.

Monday, November 21, 2005

It's beginning to smell a lot like turkey...

On the stove are two stock pots, both full of stock in the making - one turkey (using last year's carcass), one veggie. These will be put to use for the dressing (also called stuffing by some individuals not comprehending that if it's baked in a dish, it isn't stuffed into anything, let alone a dead turkey's ass) on Thursday. Normally I just eat dressing made with turkey or chicken stock, but this year there will be another vegetarian at the table. A real one. Who does not eat meat products. Of course, the thought of his presence sent me into a panic this morning - what if he doesn't like just eating a plateful of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce? I mean, some people are crazy. That's not all heavy carbs! Cranberries are a fruit, which is almost a vegetable! But then I hit upon the GENIUS idea of making baked macaroni and cheese (also carbs but with the exciting addition of protein), which everyone likes. Yay!

So, the menu, as planned:

First Course (how fancy!): cream of pumpkin soup

Salad

Roasted Turkey
Dressing
Gravy

Macaroni and Cheese

Mashed Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce

Brussel Sprouts with fennel, almonds and lemon

Corn muffins

Coffee course: pumpkin pie, brownies (or maybe coffee cake), coffee

There will also be mulled cider.

The big question is, am I crazy to think I can have all that on the table by 2:00?

Meme

I'm always saying that I don't do these things, but I like this one (or really, it looks like two squished together). So there.

Ten years ago
I had just taken the SATs and the test for the GED (high school equivalency degree) and was about to move back to New York City to work my infamous film festival job.

Five years ago
I had just begun working at USA Today, which enabled me to drink all the time to try to forget that Will had left me and never wanted to see me again.

One year ago
Will and I were freshly married and very busy telling everyone that no, nothing was different, damn it. Also I was preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for ten, just like I am this week, and dealing with a leaky ceiling.

Five yummy things

  • pumpkin soup
  • mashed potatoes
  • cranberry sauce
  • brussel sprouts
  • dressing/stuffing

Five songs I know by heart
  • "American Pie" by Don McLean
  • "Three Imaginary Boys" by the Cure
  • "Last Song About Satan" by Slim Cessna's Auto Club
  • "Falling For You" by Weezer
  • "I Know It" by Madonna

Five things I would do with a LOT of money
  • pay debts
  • buy house (in LA) and flat (in NY)
  • travel (top priorities US Southwest and UK/Europe)
  • save/invest
  • PRESENTS!

Five things I would never wear
  • flip-flops to formal events (my own wedding DOES NOT COUNT)
  • tapered pants
  • a teensy backpack
  • the bones of my enemies (sadly)
  • store-bought maxi pads (and I'm phasing out pantyliners)

Five favourite TV shows
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  • A Nero Wolfe Mystery
  • Cowboy Bebop
  • Wonderfalls
  • The Young Ones

Five things I enjoy doing
  • sleeping
  • eating
  • cooking
  • snuggling
  • knitting

Five people I want to inflict this on
Homey don't play that.

Dude, what happened to Sunday?

One minute it was Saturday night and the next minute, here I am. So confusing. I don't do drugs anymore! (Mom: I mean ever. I never ever did drugs.)

Oh, wait, I do remember seeing a Frank Lloyd Wright house and laughing ourselves silly because we both insisted on calling it an Andrew Lloyd Webber house. We took pictures. I'll post them sometime after I post the last five weeks' worth of belly shots. Which will be...hmm, before the child's third birthday, I promise.

In short:

Woke up just before Will left for weekly ride with Andy. Drank juice, checked internet, watched several episodes of Red vs Blue, drifted off just before Will returned home. Was extremely grumpy and head hurt, negotiated do-over, went back to bed. Slept hours and hours, woke up feeling much better. Went for drive along the boys' route from that morning, saw pretty house, got junk food, went home. Watched some Cowboy Bebop, went to bed early with book, fell asleep almost immediately.

So you see, I really did miss basically an entire day. I think I need another do-over, because it turns out that Will has to work, which means I am bored.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Hi. I am a dork.

Yesterday two small but very exciting events took place, both of which may be career advancing.

What? Yes, of course I have a career. It's just...stalled.

First, I got an email from a friend who has tried several times to set me up with temporary PA (Production Assistant) work. This came on the heels of a bitterly disappointing phone call on Wednesday evening when she offered me a five day on-set gig on Nip/Tuck, starting immediately, which I couldn't take because of jury selection on Thursday. She may be able to set me up with work on a WB series (I don't have any idea which one), and wanted my resume. So I added my reading job to it and sent it off. Looking over the two little bits of paper that outline my experience, I thought, "I look good." And I do - I look experienced and smart and desireable. And there aren't even any lies!

Second, I got an email from a writer friend who wants to hire me to proofread a manuscript. I hate the idea of asking friends for money. But we came to an agreement that I am happy with and I'm very excited to do the job. Honored that my friend thinks highly enough of my skills.

If I could just get a part-time (or temporary) pre-production research job, I'd be the happiest duck in the pond.

The Knitted Wedding

A few months ago, someone on my local Stitch 'n Bitch list posted this link. I thought - Oh, how cute. A knitted wedding. But will they really pull it off?

Oh my word, did they ever! The bride is absolutely stunning in a patchwork dress of knitted bits. The groom wears a knitted top hat straight out of Dr. Seuss (and a scarf out of Dr. Who). There is knitted everything - flowers, champagne, bridesmaids...

The Knitted Wedding

Friday, November 18, 2005

Good news.

Happy to say that Annika (the one that is not me) is home safe from her ER scare.

falling down is also a gift: Back on the train, part II

Thursday, November 17, 2005

If mostly dead is still slightly alive, then I begrudgingly admit to being slightly alive.

See also: Jury Duty.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

What do you get the atheist who has everything?

Link and joke borrowed from Sylvain of the WD

I didn't have High School. I had Powell House.

I will never have a high school reunion, because I was my entire graduating class. I attended two days of high school ever, and they weren't my own - my friend Lisa took me along as her guest one day to the Saugerties public school, and my friend Mike one day to the Poughkeepsie Day School.

I went to weekend youth conferences, every couple of months, at a place called Powell House, which is the retreat center for the New York Yearly Meeting of Friends, i.e. Quakers. The conferences were not particularly religious (in most cases not at all), and while they were themed, they were completely open and relaxed, with lots of free time.

At Powell House I found the me I'd lost in school.

At Powell House I kissed my first (and second, and third) girl. I don't remember ever kissing any boys there.

At Powell House I learned lots of life skills without being taught. For example, we all pitched in for meal prep and clean-up. Wahaba, the cook, showed me how to smash garlic with the edge of my knife to make it easier to peel. It's a tiny thing but little things like that add up. (She also showed me Bringing Up Baby for the first time, and made sure there was soy milk for my cereal when I was in a lactose intolerance phase. She was a hell of a nice lady.) As a Junior Counselor I learned leadership skills and responsibility, heading up meal crews and organizing games and focus groups on the weekend topics.

At Powell House I learned all the words to "American Pie" and "River" and I still tear up when I hear either one.

At Powell House I learned games like Sardines, Four On A Couch, and Murder.

When I had my first car accident, friends from Powell House were in the car. Also my second car accident, come to think of it.

I graduated from Powell House. We walked around the pond singing songs, then planted a tree (�Miss Tree�). Shut up, it�s only a little hippie.

This coming summer will be ten years. So it is very appropriate that there is going to be a huge reunion next July. When I read about it I became unbearably nostalgic, and probably cried a lot. I also told Will that there is no way I am missing it, that I will move heaven and earth if I have to but we are going to that reunion. He is agreeable as long as I let him hold the baby whenever he gets uncomfortable or overwhelmed. I think he will be fast friends with everyone I loved by the second day.

If you went to Powell House (or Silver Bay) you are invited. More information: NYYM Young Friends : New York Yearly Meeting Young Friends

Oh, you're so funny! (abortion post follow-up)

Remember that post I wrote last week about abortion? You probably do, and if not, that was a link.

Yesterday I received an inappropriate and anonymous comment:

Baby it's cold inside.... said...

How can you be so beautifully excited about that wonderful baby in your womb and in the next breath be outraged that abortion could be outlawed?

No baby deserves to die because he's an inconvenience to his mother.
I responded in the comments:
Um, "Baby"? Did you even read what I wrote? And for that matter, what you wrote? Right wing Christian rhetoric is not very impressive. No one is talking about inconvenience.
But I've been thinking about that word, "inconvenience," and its implications, rhetoric or not. So now I am going to talk about it.

First, I just have to say that as attached as I am and as much as I love my baby, it could not survive on the outside so it does not actually get baby status. That is just a word I use because I expect that my fetus will become my baby. But maybe that is left wing atheist rhetoric.

(That part makes me very uncomfortable, so let's move on.)

Second, while I could probably out-rhetoric anybody (I am damn good with words), I see no point. People with convictions do not change their minds because of clever tricks and wordplay. But I do have a thing or two to say, nonetheless.

Baby, I don't think anyone's ever put you in a corner.

If you had ever been pregnant, you would know that the word "inconvenient" is not appropriate to describe pregnancy. (Oh, there might be some woman out there who'd use it, but I've never met her.)

Pregnancy is a joy for me. In fact, I may be having the easiest pregnancy on record, except for that woman I know (but can't name because she's famous) who didn't even realize she was knocked up until she was four months along which is a month further than I am, can you imagine?

Here are some of the changes ("conveniences"?) pregnancy has brought for me, in simple list form:
  • Weight gain. Only five pounds in three months, but that is on top of 20 extra pounds I would have lost by now if not pregnant. I have outgrown almost every single item of clothing that I own.

  • Fatigue. For the first two months I could barely function for more than two hours at a time. Now I am much improved, sleeping about eleven hours a night and napping for one to three hours in the afternoons.

  • Headaches and back pains. These are directly related - my back is stiff and sore which causes my head to hurt. I can't take ibuprofin, the only painkiller that relieves swelling, and acetaminophen does nothing for this type of pain.

  • Shifting center of gravity. The baby only weighs a few ounces right now, but my uterus is expanding and other organs are being moved out of the way to make room. Fat is moving around from my hips to my belly. Soon my belly will poke out and my back will bend more to accommodate it. My pelvis will start to open up to make more room. This will all add to my back pain and weight, which will eventually put strain on my hips, knees, and ankles.

  • Hunger, nausea, and cravings. For the first month or two, nothing sounded good but I was hungry all the time and nauseated when I didn't eat immediately. I was also easily suggestible and if a food was mentioned that sounded good, I had to have it immediately. Now I am interested in a wider variety of foods, and still hungry all the time.

  • Bladder pressure. I have to pee at least once an hour. At night I usually make it through with only one or two wake-ups. These are very uncomfortable since my bladder is over-full, and by the time I make it ten feet to the bathroom I am wide awake and stay that way for as much as several hours.

  • Hormonal mood swings. I can cry at the drop of a hat. I become angry at my sweetheart, the father of my child and love of my life, over absolutely nothing and am not able to be swayed by even the finest logic. I occasionally (maybe once a week) have panic attacks and hyperventilate.
And this is a happy, wanted pregnancy. Some women puke for nine straight months.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

these dreams go on when I close my eyes

The phone just woke me from a dream in which I had just bitten down into the most delicious brownie. It was a strange dream from the start, beginning with the premise that John had originally visited LA to interview with Gen Art, where Stefan had told him they wouldn't be hiring till they'd finished cataloging all their films, and John had been most put out that they wouldn't hire him to help with that, and that had been the impetus for his looking into an archiving MFA. Then I dreamed I was touring the offices, which weren't offices, and then I dreamed there was a fridge and I lived there and I ate that brownie.

gestation update

At 3:30 this morning, when I was lying in bed wondering why I can't just wake up enough to pee, go pee, and then get back to sleep promptly, I noticed something: when laying flat on my back, the baby pokes up. Until now, laying on my back has made me flat-tummied in a way I haven't been for about 25 pounds. Now I am starting to get a bump of the desireable sort. Yay! Also, I don't know if I mentioned this already and am too lazy to check - my hips are changing shape; bits of fat are actually moving around to the front for baby, making me slightly more slender from head-on. (Ass-on I do not look slender at all. I've started using the stretch mark oil on my bottom as well. If it won't help, don't tell me.)

In other news, I got my back adjusted this morning and it was kind of like smoking really good pot (hi Mom!) without getting sleepy.

And finally, my tits are still huge.

pray if you've got 'em

falling down is also a gift: shit

Over in the midwest a little girl named Annika who has already had two liver transplants is in the emergency room. If you are the praying kind, please add Annika, her mother Moreena and father J�rg, and sister Frankie to yours.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Pumpkin's on a joy ride...

(Pumpkin of course being Will, who is out on Vera riding tandem with Andy, whose scooter doesn't have a name I am aware of.)

Later I might make breakfast. Tonight we're going to see The Ministry Of Unknown Science take on God.

I spend much of my time making Christmas stuff, including knitted goods, lists, and other plans. I need to find the boxes of cards we didn't send last year.

All I want for Christmas is a new computer and a new place to live. (OK, I would also like a sweater.)

I am still reading Steinbeck's Arthur book. Last night I dreamed that I cheated on it with T.H. White.

Thanksgiving is soon! As it was last year, it is looking like we may have several more guests than originally anticipated. I checked Martha Stewart's website to see how much turkey I need per person (we already ordered the Willy Bird so if I don't have enough I'll be supplementing like last year) and her menu looks a lot like mine. Which I find so funny! Because I am not much of a Martha.

On the baby front, I have yet to find anyone (hang on for caveat) who does not expect me to get a sonogram and most likely find out the sex of the baby - except, of course, my parents and Steph and Pat, all of whom skipped those very tests. My grandmother was, however, thrilled that we are not finding out the sex. Then she tried to bribe me into naming any possible girl babies after her. Of course, her name is on the list (it's a very good name), but gee whiz. Also I was delighted last night at dinner with friends to get a very positive reaction to our choices in pregnancy and childbirth. That was unexpected.

In related news, I am thinking of starting a wishlist for the baby solely for the purpose of figuring out how much space it will all take up.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Can you say BAD IDEA, kids?

Researchers reconstruct killer 1918 flu virus - MSNBC.com

And then I rubbed oil all over my belly.

Special oil.

In the absence of anything interesting to write about, I thought I'd post both a list of what I bought at Whole Foods last evening, and a list of what I plan to buy at Trader Joe's and Ralphs today.

Whole Foods

  • food-based Prenatals
  • Expecting Mother oil
  • green split-peas (I prefer yellow but they don't carry them)
  • tofu, extra firm
  • unfiltered apple juice
  • chicken stock
  • aged cheddar cheese
  • stew beef
  • potatoes
  • broccoli
  • cauliflower
  • carrots
  • mustard greens
  • kale
  • tomatoes
  • brussel sprouts
  • Annie's salad dressings, Sesame-Ginger and Goddess
  • mixed baby greens

Trader Joe's
  • Sicilian wine
  • fresh-baked bread
  • sweet cream butter
  • more potatoes
  • onions
  • limes?
  • flour
  • salt
  • olives
  • whole wheat pasta
  • peppermint tea
  • soy milk
  • nuts

Ralphs
  • mushrooms (would have bought at Whole Foods if I'd realized)
  • Italian bread
  • provolone, American, Swiss
  • kilbasa
  • orange juice
And we also need pepperoni, but the really good stuff, so I will probably have to go to the butcher.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Crafty stuff

I have been meaning to learn short row shaping. But I don't like meringue.

Make-your-own gift boxes!

And...I really thought I had more than two items of interest. The trouble is that I can't write about any of my current projects because most of them are Christmas pressies. But I did spend much of last evening helping Meghan learn how to knit.

Hee hee hee.

I'd sort of prefer my own listing. But it'll do for now.

PSA

Last night I forced my poor, poor husband to order himself some nice junk food to be delivered to our door. He chose Pizza Hut. They had a special which involved him getting two kinds of pizza (one pepperoni one sausage), some "hot" wings, and jalapeno poppers, which I co-opted. The PSA part of this message follows: These are not jalapeno poppers. They are tater tots containing teensy pieces of what may have once been a jalapeno but I doubt it, and also a tiny squirt of cheese product. I don't know how Pizza Hut gets away with calling these things either jalapenos or poppers, but I do know this - they are delicious. And also totally gross.

The spellchecker thinks "jalapenos" should be "Calvinist." My work here is done and I can now return to my home planet.

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Everything new is new again.

That mangled quote made no sense. In the words of my dear friend suki - Bygones!

I've simplified everything template-wise. This is almost certainly a signal of a shift to an entirely new template. Such things usually are.

On the other hand, I've forgotten all the html I ever knew.

While I sit here, not making up my mind, you may have to refresh a lot.

I did not make this up.

Today I recieved a spam email titled, "sexy baby and bad erection?" from someone called Rhoda Holland.

You just can't make this shit up.

Except that apparently someone can.

How do I apply for that job?

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Abortion makes me want to cry.

I'm going to try not to get all preachy or debate-y. Your opinion is welcome as long as it is extremely respectful. However, please understand that I will censor comments if I feel the need.

I am twelve weeks pregnant. I am totally, completely head-over-heels in love with this tiny baby growing inside of me.

The mention of abortion makes me hyperventilate.

Today was Election Day. California voted on 8 propositions, most of which sucked. I voted No on everything but...um, I forget.

Prop 73 would amend the constitution to require parental notification and consent before girls under 18 could get an abortion.

I would love to live in a world where no young woman would be without her parents' love and support when faced with a decision as serious as a pregnancy. BUT WE DON'T.

I believe that outlawing abortion is legalizing the slavery of women. I make this statement with no hyperbole. I think it is slavery to force a woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term.

As of 9:46, with nearly 30% of precincts reporting, the measure is passing by 1,350,110 to 1,340,255. The gap is narrowing.

I hope by the time you click this link it will be reversed.

Today I was a citizen.

After nearly two days of almost nothing but knitting (I finished my mother's Christmas gift and am more than halfway through this baby blanket which I have decided not to keep but that is another story) I took action today. For all of twenty minutes, but still. Action.

I walked to my polling place and cast my vote on several annoying propositions, most of which I find abhorrent (give the government more power and monetary discretion? I DON'T THINK SO.) That was entertaining, and I got an "I Voted" sticker to add to the collection on my monitor (which aptly proves that I don't vote every time, just when I can be bothered). I also overheated on the walk. My mistake - I thought since it's cold outside, I'd wear a sweater. Crazy!

On the way back home I passed a boy (maybe ten or so) on the front stoop doing his homework. He said hello and I said hello and he asked me if I knew how much two tons is. I told him that a ton is two thousand pounds, so I reckon two of them would be four thousand pounds. I did not get into long and short tons because I was pretty sure his practice test didn't cover that. YES THAT'S RIGHT. I HELPED A SCHOOLBOY WITH HIS SCHOOLWORK. Wanna make something of it?

Sunday, November 06, 2005

In which we are adorable and quaint.

After waking up around 8:00 to a kiss from my sweetheart, we made lattes (mine decaf mocha) and sat on the couch, chatting. Then Will got a phone call and ran downstairs to go riding with Andy, who acquired a Vespa yesterday. They rode all around the Silver Lake area, went to Trader Joe's for milk, and came here for some orange juice and a quickie photo shoot (pictures coming soon). I made cornbread, which Will and I ate after Andy went home. We would have shared with Andy but I guess he wanted to see his wife or something. Will is now playing X-Men: Legends while I alternately knit a baby blanket and play online.

Aren't we precious?

p.s. I was up for about an hour at 4:00 this morning (sadly somewhat routine) and spent much of the time in awe of baby dancing. Or, if baby is anything like mommy, s/he was actually asleep and just restless. I also got to listen to Korean love ballads being blasted, presumably from a car, across the street. That wasn't so precious.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Excellent.

  • Breakfast: eggs, home fries, toast, oj
  • Sleep: eleven hours (see also: knocked up)
  • Baby: growing nicely
  • Screenplay idea I've been toying with for several years: first scene committed to paper
  • King Arthur book: still reading (about halfway through)

Also, yesterday we went into a little shop on Melrose where I saw a hand-knitted scarf for sale for nearly $300. The materials probably cost $20-$30. I am going into business pronto. For serious.

Friday, November 04, 2005

Reason #587 that I Love Austin:

Full Moon Over the Klan

Thursday, November 03, 2005

About that DreamWorks thing...

I probably should have clarified that the executive in question had almost definitely not seen Doom, and was therefore stocking up on reviews to give himself something to say about it, and, well, mine was the only positive review on the entire internet.

It's like coverage (sadly the only writing I get paid to do) - I write a synopsis and notes on a screenplay so that the development people can sound like they've read it themselves when they pass to the agent.

But.

The list of DreamWorks Execs who read Creature Corner and know my name is up to three people.

I expect a three-picture deal any day now.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

A little bit of this, a little bit of that.

  1. You know how it's a lousy idea to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, except maybe with a detailed shopping list? Well, it turns out it's a bad idea to go grocery shopping when you're pregnant, too, regardless of whether you're hungry at that moment or not.

  2. I think the bank issue is resolved. Well, almost resolved. Definitely not as bad as it looked, anyway.

  3. A HIGH-LEVEL DREAMWORKS EXECUTIVE CALLED MY HUSBAND TO ASK FOR THE URL OF MY DOOM REVIEW TO READ BEFORE HE MEETS WITH THE FILM'S DIRECTOR.

  4. Yes, ALL CAPS were absolutely necessary on that previous item.

  5. I burned the roof of my mouth today. This is of the good, because it means I ate lunch at Albano's pizzeria, where they serve actual New York-style pizza, unlike all the other places that claim to serve New York-style pizza.

  6. Mmmmmm, pudding.

  7. We celebrated Halloween (on Halloween itself) by carving fake pumpkins. Fake because they last forever and because no one had real ones. I also bought tons of decorations at 70% off. And a POUND OF YARN, which is acrylic, which I am not fond of, but I don't care because A WHOLE POUND FOR $3.00! I'm making a baby blanket, because I can. I neglected, of course, to buy circular needles, so I am squishing it onto straights, which is HILARIOUS.

  8. Yesterday I had a headache so awful that I slept until 12:30 in the afternoon.

  9. Did you ever see something on Wikipedia that you know is incorrect, but not bother fixing it because you just don't think the world deserves the correct information? Yeah.

  10. Absolutely no one believes me, but I can feel the baby. I feel my uterus stretching, and I felt movement once.

  11. Also, don't hate me, but the nausea went away at 8 weeks. Oh, I still get uneasy tummy when I'm hungry, but nothing like it was (which wasn't bad anyway).

  12. There are ants in my pants. Wait...they're in the kitchen. My bad.

  13. We ordered a turkey today! If you are in Los Angeles over Thanksgiving, you are probably invited. (If you are yucky or plan to steal any of my guests' identities, this offer is null and void.) RSVP required!

What's new with you?

My favorite yet.

From: "Henry Charles Jnr DELE" [henrycharles@henrycharles.net]
Subject: PIE FUNDS!
Date: Tue, 01 Nov 2005 04:38:38 +0000

FROM: ROBERT MCCLURE AND PARTNERS
2a queens Park View, Victoria Island.
Lagos Nigeria/


Good day,

I wish to make an urgent and important business proposal to you, which
is based on trust and confidentiality.

I am a Forty (52) year old Lawyer practising in Nigeria. One of my
clients was late MR. NOMOTO PIE, a foreign national (Now deceased).
Three
years ago.
MR.PIE successfully executed a contract for Federal
Government of Nigeria worth US$40 million. A part payment of US$32
million
was paid to MR. PIE, while the balance of US$8 million was still unpaid
before MR. PIE, his wife and only daughter died in a plane crash in May
2002.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is now paying fully all Contractors
who have successfully completed their jobs. MR.PIE is among those
dueto be
paid. As his personal Attorney before his death, I have been
officially notified and instructed to forward particulars of MR. PIE'S
next of kin so that he/she can be paid the outstanding US$8 million. I
know he did not leave any WILL (because of his sudden death). This
money
will therefore be paid to whomever I present as MR. PIE'S next of kin.

Simply, I intend to channel this money to the account of a clever but
reliable person who upon successful payment of the money, will earn 25%
thereof, 70% will be for me and the officials that will approve the
payment, while 5% is set outside to cover incidental expenses along the
line. Your nationality does not matter as all modalities have been set
to pay whomever I present as the next of kin. To create a perfect
semblance of genuineness however, the next of kin must be a Foreigner.
This
transaction will take about 21 working days to conclude as soon as you
indicate your interest. For prompt action, contact me urgently through
email
.
Please, do accord this transaction the confidentiality it deserves.

Regards,

Barrister ROBERT MCCLURE
Principal Partner
I can only assume that my name on Yahoo is set as Bettie Pie. But my favorite part is his age.

"It feels like a spring morning and cat hair in my mouth!"

Belly-Timber: Kitty Kaga Speaks! (WCB #21)

Thanks to my cousin Andrea who nearly made me snarf orange juice when I clicked on this link in her journal.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Check out my fiction debut!

My friend Jim's new (online) literary journal has just published its debut issue. Included is a (very) short story I wrote a few years ago, called "Puppy Love." Check it out! And check out the rest of the issue as well - there is some great stuff.

Noneuclidean Cafe - Table of Contents

Second Annual Noirbettie Awards

Following last year's rousing success, we are once again hosting the Noirbettie Awards - and by "we" I mean "me," which is why the announcement is up a month early this year. As you may have noticed, I have zero follow-through. Now that I am all pregnant and stuff, that 0 is down to somewhere around absolute zero, so I need the extra month to make pretty award buttons.

Leave a comment if you want an award. Everybody gets one! The only requirement is that you have a blog, and leave a link to it. Otherwise I can't possibly decide on an appropriate award for you, now can I?