Last night we held the first meeting of the Oceanside Sunday Night Supper Club. We served homemade pizzas-one pepperoni mushroom garlic, the other a white pizza with tomatoes, feta and green onions. The pizza was served alongside a lovely salad with fresh baby lettuces from the farmers market and homemade sourdough/dark rye croutons. This food went very well with Lost Coast's Raspberry Brown Ale. Dessert was brownies and cookies, prepared by our other club members. I'll rate the first meeting as a success, and look forward to many more!

Yesterday was our dog's 3rd birthday. We celebrated by leaving him at home and going to our friends house to drink beer and watch tv. I think this bodes very well for our future offspring.

Things are returning to normal, although the fires continue to blaze in areas very southeast of me. I'm taking my cues from the media, who have decided it is permissible to return to such truly vital programming as "Kid Nation" in place of the 24-hour fire coverage that we were getting.
Today I cleaned out our one and only closet, and found a great box of pictures from college. Feeling nostalgic, I put them into an album and will perhaps spend tonight labeling said album. This is what my life is when I don't go to work. Yawn.

Since I'm sure people are curious, it is very tense here in San Diego. About half a million people have been forced to evacuate their homes throughout the county. Since we live so close to the water, Oceanside is fine, but so many of the surrounding areas are not. There is a fine layer of soot and ash on our car and the air smells and feels disgusting. My school is closed and Nick is gone on a trip, so I'm here watching the news with my very sleepy dog.

No resolutions for 07, just a quick look back on 2006. Here's what has changed for me this past year:
went from single to married: good
went from brunette to blond: neutral
found a job I don't hate: good
am now able to watch a movie and THEN read the book: neutral
care more about animals and their welfare: good
can effectively style above-mentioned hair: good
have developed borderline obsession with certain video games: bad
purchased first major adult piece of furniture: good
ran first official race: good
lost touch with an important friend: bad
not living check-to-check: good

Quite a year, that 2006. Good luck to all in the New Year!

I know absolutely nothing about computers. What I do know is that I cannot open certain sites with firefox and I want to be able to. I looked through the FAQ's for mozilla and found nothing useful.
Any help would be appreciated. Please advise as though you are instructing an 8 year old with mild brain injury, as that is about where my computer knowledge level is. Thank you.

Today was a day where I really enjoyed my job. I got to go out to lunch with my student, and then had a productive meeting with other staff to discuss what we need to do our jobs better.
Right now I should be running, in preparation for next week's Turkey Trot, but theres that utter lack of motivation thing (again).
I have decided that I need to write more. I have decided to become less boring. Enough with the constant self-editing, just put something out there, dammit! I wish I had some eloquent thoughts about life's big questions, but this is all you get. The thinking is that more writing=improved writing=more interesting content.
My postman just delivered to me a lovely gift from my favorite (and only :)) husband-a white t-shirt with black letters which declare I hate Neve Campbell. I am now set for life. Good night.

Well friends, as my title so cleverly states, I am in fact on VACATION!!!! 2 glorious weeks sans children! Yippee! As much as I do love those little buggers, it is quite wonderful to be without them for 10 school days. Thus far I have:
slept in
done yoga
power walked
shopped for shoes
invented a delicious sammich (eggplant & artichoke)
joined a chorus
watched Match Point
gone to the beach
read Jane, Time, Bitch and Oprah magazines cover to cover

Future plans include the Farmer's Market, more yoga and a haircut. Life does not get much better than this. Only 40 years until retirement and I can live like this all the time.

Puke.

So far at work, I have been asked if I am Philippino, Mexican or Guamanian. I have also been told that I look like a former employee named Erin, who I would assume is Irish. I have decided to answer yes to all, making me quite the multiracial babe. I find it interesting in this very progressive time of "blended" families, that people still find the answer to "What are you?" imperative information.
In other news, married life is quite nice. Not so different from our life the day before we got married, but good. One of these days, I will be changing my name, which is quite a big deal for me, feminist that I am. I see at as upgrading, both alphabetically and emotionally.

I skipped my book club this month because I was A) too cheap to buy the book, since it was only out in hardback (I usually get them from the library) and B) they decided to have it at a sushi place during happy hour, which meant I would have had to buy something to eat/drink. I suppose if I liked the club more, this wouldn't have been a big deal, but I would much rather spend my money eating and drinking with people I really like, as opposed to only marginally like. It always amazes me how easily people assume that others just have money. I just don't. Like when I was talking about getting a dog (more on that later) with one of the members of said club, she was all "Here, I'll give you the breeders number", and I'm thinking, look lady, I can barely afford a pound puppy, let alone some purebred AKC thing. Just because you don't work and your husband has some big fancy job doesn't mean that we all live like that.
In other dog related news, I am petsitting for Daisy, the 3lb Yorkie this week. That's right folks, 3 lbs. Put your hands next to eachother, and that's how big she is! So cute!
In other non-dog related news, I am disgusted with American Idol. More specifically, I am disgusted with the results. Lisa in the bottom 3?! WTF? And, while she wasn't ever gonna win, sending Melissa home before Bucky???? Before Kevin the Weiner?!? Seriously America, get it together. Fox is making me watch this shit for the next 11 WEEKS. And you know that towards the end, it's gonmna be like 85 hours long EACH FREAKING NIGHT. I wish we could just fast forward to the top three, who I think will be Katharine, Mandisa and Chris. What do you think PMska?
Finally, it is my 25th birthday this weekend. I am SO looking forward to it. I will have a full report post-events. Bye!

Just when you think you're entering adulthood, you go to a job interview with safety pinned pants, because despite owning said pants for years, you just haven't had the time to get them tailored.... maybe someday I'll really grow up.

Sorry to be sexist and not recap the boys, but seriously, they all suck. The only one I can stand is Chris Daughtry, and thats only because he's hot. I also, for some weird reason, like that little wiener with the glasses, Kevin? I find him adorable, however, he cannot sing/win. So anywho, onto the babes:
K. McPhee is so effing beautiful I don't care what she sings, although her song choice was totally wrong last night. So was everyone else's. Wind Beneath My Wings?! Seriously Paris, have you started experimenting with drugs?! Celine Dion!! Ayla, you should be shot. And c'mon Heather Cox, no one, ESPECIALLY you, can pull off Mariah Carey. Why do you think no one has sung it before, idiot?! Pack your shyte gal. You and the horrific Brenna Gethers are going home. Kinnik Sky I could do without, although her performance was okay. Im liking Melissa even more, and she's somehow gotten cuter in the past week. Ah, the miracles of Hollywood. Lisa Tucker was very good, but I think ultimately she's too stagey to be The Next American Idol. Kelly Pickler is like too adorable for words. I was kinda pissed that she messed up lyrics on Bonnie Raitt, but whatever, she's so cute I got over it. She's got potential, if she can just get over them nerves of hers. Mandisa I like more each time I see her. Cowell said she was the best female vocalist, which is funny since that's what he told McPhee last week. Whatever, he's still my fav of the three. Speaking of the judges, they were truly ridiculous last night. Randy's dog pound schtick is so tired. Get some new material. And Abdul, seriously lady, get your shit together. Seacrest continues to amaze me with his lack of personality/talent that IS talent. I cannot stop watching this show. Please help me.

I'm so geeky that I've been watching American Idol religiously since it's inception. Here, gentle readers, are my thoughts thus far:
Mandisa is a big ol girl with a big ol voice. She has personality and charisma, but ultimately will not win. K. Pickler has a lot of potential, but is a little too Carrie Underwood. Next was Becky O'Donahue, the model. I hope her modeling career really takes off after this exposure, since she can't sing at all. Ayla Brown surprised me because she actually can sing quite well, but she's not amazing or anything. Brenna Gethers should be shot with a tranquilizer gun and removed immediately. Same for Stevie Scott-I have no idea how she even got this far. She keeps saying she's been trained in opera for years, but every clip I've heard of her sounds screechy and off key. Paris Bennett, an early fav for me, was adorable and can both sing and move. She's a natural performer who I think will go far in the competition. I'm probably the only person who really liked Meliss McGhee-her tone is good, and her voice is natural sounding. Unfortunately, she just isn't real easy on the eyes. This was the first time she's ever been shown on camera, and it's obvious why the producers made that decision. I think Heather Cox was next. Without the AI website, I wouldn't have been able to remember her. I bet she'll be gone within 3 weeks. On to Lisa Tucker, who I think gave the best performance of the night. Wow! Ultimately though, I don't think she'll win. She's almost too good for AI. Reminds me of Tamyra Gray from AI1. Kinnik Sky is too contrived, but does have a killer voice. The judges (we'll get to them in a second) are gonna keep harping on her age. Closing out the night was the highly talented Katharine McPhee. The girl can sing, and she's beautiful. As they love to say on this show, she's the total package.
I like the set-much homier than in previous years, and hallelujah for a real live accompanying band, rather than the recorded garbage in years past. Randy Jackson looks cute in his new frames. Paula Abdul seemed like she was a on a mellow E pill, with all of the "soul touching" and "heart opening". Whoever did her hair should be fired. I loved Cowell last night. He was very tame, and when he's complimentary, it really is heartfelt. Seacrest has no real talent of his own,yet he is a man who can host his ass off. Bravo!

So I decided to apply for jobs with the county, as they pay well, have unlimited advancement opportunities, and great job security. They are insanely thorough, and want to know everything about you, and request your college transcripts. I began the annoying process of requesting my transcripts-you'd think in this day and age, you'd be able to do it online, or at the least e-mail the request. So I check my account, and wouldn't you know it, I've got a hold. I graduated in 04, and the bitches still have a hold on my records. I call and get a recording. I call another number and lo and behold, get a human being. A nice one even! She takes care of my situation, and in one mouse click, I'm off hold, and can now write a letter via snail mail to potentially receive my transcripts in oh, about two weeks, well after they would be useful. Then something amazing happens.
"Hi, this is Claire, I just spoke to you. Your Perkins loan came in late, and there's a credit balance on your account of $1500. Should I apply it to your loan or cut you a check?"
"Claire", I say, "you have made my day!!! I'll take a check!"

Things I used to do during the day:
Clean the house
Do laundry
Talk to friends and family on the phone
Work out
Cook a nice lunch for Nick
Apply for jobs
Read the NYtimes online

Things I do now:
Nap
Watch the Cosby show
Read blogs
Myspace
Eat pudding

Cool, huh?!

On the back of the Pennysaver for this week is an ad for the Grand Opening of Mai's Nails and Spa. They do Pedicures for $20, Eyebrow Waxes for $12 and Acrylic Children Under 10 for only $8! What a deal! I cannot wait to be the proud parent of an acrylic 9 year old!

Yesterday was fun. A good job interview, tasty lunch and exploration of a new part of town.
After a failed attempt at bowling (who knew the Surfbowl was THE place to be?!), we saw Brokeback Mountain last night. Visually impressive. Quality acting by actors I enjoy. A very believable love story demonstrated by some touching scenes. But the pace. Good lord, I think we were there for 12 days. At least. What annoyed me was that after 134 minutes, I didn't care about any of the characters. In my opinion this film is overhyped. If it was about a man and woman falling in love, I don't think people would even care about it at all.
Today Nick is buying a motorcycle. It's a smallish Yamaha number that he is quite pleased with. We're also trying to get a pet. We wanted a dog forever, but after a visit to the Buff, where cute pets abound, have realized a bad-ass cat might be more our speed. I can't wait until we have a big old house of our own and can have dogs and cats aplenty.

This morning I almost punched a woman at JoAnn Fabrics. I despise that place more than any other store on the planet. I hate it even more than I hate TJ Maxx, land of the slow and incompetent. My hatred for JoAnn Fabrics runs deep. I am neither crafty nor patient, and the lack of these qualities combines in some awful way to make JoAnn Fabrics my own personal hell.
Thankfully, I did not punch anyone. Even the moron at the register who asked for my ID (um, see the picture on the debit card?!) was spared the wrath of my fists. I do hereby declare to NEVER set foot in that torturous place again. Amen.
I'm supposed to be running. Why oh why can't I get motivated? I'm at maximum capacity, which is never fun. Not so coincidentally, I'm the least active I've ever been and hating it, yet I can't seem to drag myself away from my self-induced Six Feet Under Marathon day after day. Where was I when this show first aired?! Hallelujah for Netflix!

This will be a year that I:
~cook and bake yummy, interesting food
~drink more water throughout the day
~get into some more reggae (any suggestions?)
~start thinking about my future in more realistic terms (winning the lottery or finding a bag of money a la Millions is just not going to happen)
~make more friends where I am (I love you all, dear East Coasters. But ya ain't here)

Ok, so now its in print. Check with me in six months.