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Long time since I updated..
Apr. 17th, 2010 | 11:53 am
Let me see....what has been going on?
Ryan out of work for better part of a half a year now, not a huge financial burden but certainly feeling a pinch. We have been trying to stay vegetarian for a few months now..not militant about it, but working on it. I have been working out five times a week for a few months as well, loving that - nothing crazy but a solid maintainable exercise plan. I feel good about myself - I know I could be better but I am not unhappy with where I am or who I am.
Other than that, waiting out the economy and trying to plot my next move. I have no idea what that is, but I get the feeling I am moving towards a change. You know, I am getting older, feeling more comfortable in my skin and am starting to feel okay about the fact that it is all my fault and it is all up to me to change anything I am not happy with.
Frivolity wise, reserved a hotel on the beach next weekend, gonna go hang with Ryan's brother and his fantastic girlfriend - two bed/bath/kitchen/balcony/ on the beach - Treasure Island. Let's just get stupid and sun fried for the weekend. We were all supposed to be in Marco Island next weekend seeing Jim Norton (our beloved comic) and hanging on the beach there until the douche cancelled the show - go eff' yourself Jimmy and lap up the evidence!
Reading The Road right now my Cormac McCarthy,I wanted to see the movie but can hardly ever do that before I read the book, feels like cheating. Wow - highly recommended read by me. Also been catching up on the Micho Kaku books, recommend if you are a geek or just generally interested in how to break out of this damn reality we are stuck in.
Peace out.
Now going to read everyone else's goings on.
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Last few minutes of peace
Aug. 28th, 2009 | 07:56 am
Gulping down my cup of coffee before I have to get my ass in gear to start getting ready to go to the airport.
I am not looking forward to the travel, but the idea of a change of scenery, no pets and a luxurious hotel does seem inviting.
I am not looking forward to the travel, but the idea of a change of scenery, no pets and a luxurious hotel does seem inviting.
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Soup for the soul or something gay like that
Aug. 2nd, 2009 | 05:14 pm
There is something so wholesome and grounding about making homemade clear broth soup at home. We do a lot of that between the two of us.
I recently came across a WWII chicken soup recipe that seemed perfect and I believe that for the vegans out there you can easily start with with a store bought or homemade vegetable broth and it would be just as superb a soup as with the chicken. The recipe can be found here,
www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vi
BTW Epicurious dictates a lot of our cooking.
On another topic, we saw Funny People today and loved it. I have had a short standing fantasy love affair with Adam Sandler (since Spanglish) so my opinion may be a little skewed, but great film! I Highly recommend it with a pee break in the middle somewhere.
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What a month so far!
Jul. 19th, 2009 | 03:11 pm
This quarter end was busier than usual for me for some reason. I don't necessarily have a financial quarter end like I did at Citi. In my current position quarter end just means that I have to report how work is progressing on my compliance project. Basically I manage work to fix whatever tour internal auditors consider to be a deficiency from our SOX, PCI and OCC audits. To summarize the quarterly activities I meet with our IT Directors, CIO and Internal Audit and go over the status of my deliverables, this is in addition to a bi-weekly staff meting with the Directors and CIO. There were so many moving part this past quarter that pulling it all together was challenge. BUT - I did excellent, we did excellent, very positive meeting. Huge sigh of relief on my part. Now I can catch-up on everything else and start looking towards vacation!!
Last weekend we went to my sisters house and got home pretty late, sometime shortly after we left to go to my sister's Cooper did his usual trick of closing himself in a room somewhere - generally not a big deal, this time however he locked himself in the cat room...where the litter boxes are...all day. That made one Mr. Hulky not very pleased and he pissed all over my sectional in the family room. I loved that sectional, it was the comfiest set we ever had and it was barely two years old. So 1-800 junk picked it up from our garage yesterday, we ordered a new set from Broyhill again, but I fear it will be nowhere the comfort we had from their last set. I really did not need that right now and I was planning to get a new bedroom set shortly, so that will have to wait. What a pisser (literally).
On a positive note, we did have 1-800 junk clear out some other shit from our garage. What a rip off that place is, I knew it when I scheduled them and took it on the chin financially to save me some trouble.
Last weekend we went to my sisters house and got home pretty late, sometime shortly after we left to go to my sister's Cooper did his usual trick of closing himself in a room somewhere - generally not a big deal, this time however he locked himself in the cat room...where the litter boxes are...all day. That made one Mr. Hulky not very pleased and he pissed all over my sectional in the family room. I loved that sectional, it was the comfiest set we ever had and it was barely two years old. So 1-800 junk picked it up from our garage yesterday, we ordered a new set from Broyhill again, but I fear it will be nowhere the comfort we had from their last set. I really did not need that right now and I was planning to get a new bedroom set shortly, so that will have to wait. What a pisser (literally).
On a positive note, we did have 1-800 junk clear out some other shit from our garage. What a rip off that place is, I knew it when I scheduled them and took it on the chin financially to save me some trouble.
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Birthday Plans
Jul. 4th, 2009 | 08:07 pm
Just finalized my b-day plans. Reservations at Peter Luger's Steakhouse in Brooklyn, 4 day trip to NYC staying at the Carlyle Hotel. I still need to plan the Metropolitan and Guggenheim visit, not sure about Broadway, I have already seen half of the shows here so I am not finding anything that strikes my fancy.
Suggestions for activities welcome.
Suggestions for activities welcome.
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Lately
Jul. 1st, 2009 | 09:30 pm
Staying out of trouble.
Been working hard to get into shape, it is always a game of catch-up isn't it? I have been spending time at the beach this summer so the motivation to tone up was there!
I bought a little netbook recently and am finding it useful for surfing from bed and reading recipes while cooking, otherwise too small.
Managed to get my tickets for DM and Pet Shop Boys. Not too impresses with the latest DM album, yet to hear the PSB's latest, maybe I will pick that up this weekend.
Random Note: Waiting to catch a glimpse of Prince in the movie Purple Rain is much like waiting for the action in soft core porn, hate the wait but sweet release once he appears. Man, I have never extinguished my torch for him, in fact I think I can better appreciate his sexuality now that I am a seasoned hag. Watching the movie now obviously, he helped me stay on the treadmill an extra 10 minutes, rawr!
Depending on weather, Friday morning beach and then Lakeland in the evening for fireworks, otherwise quiet weekend I believe.
Been working hard to get into shape, it is always a game of catch-up isn't it? I have been spending time at the beach this summer so the motivation to tone up was there!
I bought a little netbook recently and am finding it useful for surfing from bed and reading recipes while cooking, otherwise too small.
Managed to get my tickets for DM and Pet Shop Boys. Not too impresses with the latest DM album, yet to hear the PSB's latest, maybe I will pick that up this weekend.
Random Note: Waiting to catch a glimpse of Prince in the movie Purple Rain is much like waiting for the action in soft core porn, hate the wait but sweet release once he appears. Man, I have never extinguished my torch for him, in fact I think I can better appreciate his sexuality now that I am a seasoned hag. Watching the movie now obviously, he helped me stay on the treadmill an extra 10 minutes, rawr!
Depending on weather, Friday morning beach and then Lakeland in the evening for fireworks, otherwise quiet weekend I believe.
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Ryan's B-Day
Jun. 2nd, 2009 | 08:32 pm
So about this time last week I was in a panic because Ryan's birthday was scheduled for Saturday and I had yet to decide what to order as far as food, no cake ordered and I did not have his gift picked out.
Somehow, I managed to pick spanish food and ordered from La Cubanita. I bought him the most rocking treadmill, delivered the day of his b-day with a TV built -n, iPOD , cable and DVD ready, I ordered the cake. By the time people arrived Saturday it looked like I had been planning for weeks. The food was so good absolutely everyone went for seconds. We got the additional FIOS box this week for the treadmill and it really helps to focus on a movie while working out - you stay motivated longer. It is working for me too and it is what he wanted. WIN WIN!
We went to Heatwave a few weeks back, spent most of our time there with Brian (AIV.) The shows were great, it was really a refreshing change. We won 5 visits to the yoga place on Kennedy, so I guess we will make a temporary switch from the place we found in Riverview. Last WMNF event we went to we won a gift certificate for some restaurant in St. Pete, we have yet to check that place out.
I think I am going to try and go out this Friday. Not really sure why, but just have the itch.
Olivia is on food trials, her skin allergies are just really bad. I am not sure what this will determine, but I am willing to try just about anything at this point.
That is about it. Work is okay, I am feeling really good and positive. I need to schedule a little time off and head for the beack for a few days or something.
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Ruth Eckerd Hall today
May. 3rd, 2009 | 10:11 am
My friend's son is in a high school band so we are going to Ruth Eckerd Hall today to see him perform in a Jazz concert. Not really my cup of tea but I love her so I shall support.
We also won a GC to the Garden Bistro when we went to the Cure deal so we will make a pit stop afterward to have dinner in St. Pete.
House is clean, laundry under remediation, overall a productive weekend even though I spent all day reading yesterday. Michio Kaku's latest book went to paperback so I ran out Friday night and bought it, halfway through the book now.
Friday was bad, we went to have dinner at the Ethiopian place on Kennedy, I had coffee - then went to Barnes and Nobles, I had coffee. I don't drink much coffee so by the time I went to bed Friday night I was so wound up that I did not fall asleep until 4:30 a.m. and was promptly up by 6:30, still buzzing! I was useless Saturday. I was hoping to go see my sister, but by the time I cleaned the house I was just not motivated for anything except more reading.
Planning to head to Washington D.C. in June, I need to get my password in order at the Czech embassy and we figured we would make a week out of it. In the next few years I want to get a few trips under my belt, of course to see my family again, but then I want to hit the African continent fo' sho' and who knows what else, traveling papers must be in order and I have been sitting on it for too long.
Ryan is getting the dogs all riled up around me, all I can hear is growling and barking :)
We also won a GC to the Garden Bistro when we went to the Cure deal so we will make a pit stop afterward to have dinner in St. Pete.
House is clean, laundry under remediation, overall a productive weekend even though I spent all day reading yesterday. Michio Kaku's latest book went to paperback so I ran out Friday night and bought it, halfway through the book now.
Friday was bad, we went to have dinner at the Ethiopian place on Kennedy, I had coffee - then went to Barnes and Nobles, I had coffee. I don't drink much coffee so by the time I went to bed Friday night I was so wound up that I did not fall asleep until 4:30 a.m. and was promptly up by 6:30, still buzzing! I was useless Saturday. I was hoping to go see my sister, but by the time I cleaned the house I was just not motivated for anything except more reading.
Planning to head to Washington D.C. in June, I need to get my password in order at the Czech embassy and we figured we would make a week out of it. In the next few years I want to get a few trips under my belt, of course to see my family again, but then I want to hit the African continent fo' sho' and who knows what else, traveling papers must be in order and I have been sitting on it for too long.
Ryan is getting the dogs all riled up around me, all I can hear is growling and barking :)
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Update
Apr. 18th, 2009 | 01:08 pm
<vent> I don't do this often, but...
Having a rough go of it at work, to best describe what I do I generally say that I make sure that when you swipe your card at one of our stores, your information is never compromised (think Sweetbay last year). My company does an amazing job in that.
I basically interface with the Internal Auditors and I sub out and control work that remediates anything they find. It is challenging, rewarding and I get to learn about everything from how DB2 works in the nuts and bolts to technologies and implementation techniques for data encryption during transit. I think my time spent on this project over the past two years and in the near future is invaluable.
Downside, I am constantly working with Directors and the CIO and I would rather be in the ditches making sure the work gets done. I had enough politic sat Citi. In addition, despite the fact that I am well respected because of my competence level (I have hard as well as soft skills) and am generally liked because I am not a douche-bag at work, people do hate to see me coming because I bring bad news and more work. In addition, with the economic times being what they are I have a hard time making people understand why what I need takes precedence over anything else they have going on (sometimes even I half hearted-ly believe that).
So that's all.
</vent>
Otherwise, off to the WMNF Cure trib concert tonight at Skipper's, I know a little gay, but whatever - it is a beautiful day and I want out.
My dad just left, we had such a great time with him this year. He is 70 and he ran us into the ground with his energy level, just an amazing man with such a unique perspective on life. I appreciate that more and more as I get older. He is really a gem. Typical French with his vitality and spirit of fun.
I guess enough delaying of the inevitable...cleaning and laundry. Why oh why did I get this many pets? I love them all dearly, but man are they a chore and a half. Beasts of burden literally.
Having a rough go of it at work, to best describe what I do I generally say that I make sure that when you swipe your card at one of our stores, your information is never compromised (think Sweetbay last year). My company does an amazing job in that.
I basically interface with the Internal Auditors and I sub out and control work that remediates anything they find. It is challenging, rewarding and I get to learn about everything from how DB2 works in the nuts and bolts to technologies and implementation techniques for data encryption during transit. I think my time spent on this project over the past two years and in the near future is invaluable.
Downside, I am constantly working with Directors and the CIO and I would rather be in the ditches making sure the work gets done. I had enough politic sat Citi. In addition, despite the fact that I am well respected because of my competence level (I have hard as well as soft skills) and am generally liked because I am not a douche-bag at work, people do hate to see me coming because I bring bad news and more work. In addition, with the economic times being what they are I have a hard time making people understand why what I need takes precedence over anything else they have going on (sometimes even I half hearted-ly believe that).
So that's all.
</vent>
Otherwise, off to the WMNF Cure trib concert tonight at Skipper's, I know a little gay, but whatever - it is a beautiful day and I want out.
My dad just left, we had such a great time with him this year. He is 70 and he ran us into the ground with his energy level, just an amazing man with such a unique perspective on life. I appreciate that more and more as I get older. He is really a gem. Typical French with his vitality and spirit of fun.
I guess enough delaying of the inevitable...cleaning and laundry. Why oh why did I get this many pets? I love them all dearly, but man are they a chore and a half. Beasts of burden literally.
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(no subject)
Jan. 28th, 2009 | 09:40 pm
I have really been trying to turn over somewhat of a new leaf. I am trying to stay off the net and not play so many video games. Instead I am reading non-fiction in the evenings.
Ryan and I have also taken up hiking on the weekends, he has been scouting out state parks and you would not believe how many there are in the very near vicinity. We are doing about 5 miles on Sat and Sun. it feels really good and the dogs love it. There is also a yoga place near my house that I have been eyeing. I am in a bad way for time at work currently, so as soon as that lets up I plan on going.
Ryan and I are as steady as ever. Sometimes it amazes me how good we are for each other.
There is a local farmer close to here that does those delivery baskets of fruits and veggies to your house and while I am not too into that, we do now go to her little shop and buy a ton of stuff every weekend - very cheap - and it forces us to place vegetables and fruits into the main focus of our diet. very good.
Otherwise, I have been trying to spend time with family, I did talk to my best friend, she seemed annoyed that it took so long, but she also knows me so I believe all is well and we had a good talk. Mom was here over Thanksgiving anf dad is here now.
I have been re-aligning myself for the most part, back to the basics as far as personality and concentrate on the more quality rebuild. I think I realized I am no longer twenty-something and I should just take it to the core foundation if that makes any sense. Who the eff knows right?
Ryan and I have also taken up hiking on the weekends, he has been scouting out state parks and you would not believe how many there are in the very near vicinity. We are doing about 5 miles on Sat and Sun. it feels really good and the dogs love it. There is also a yoga place near my house that I have been eyeing. I am in a bad way for time at work currently, so as soon as that lets up I plan on going.
Ryan and I are as steady as ever. Sometimes it amazes me how good we are for each other.
There is a local farmer close to here that does those delivery baskets of fruits and veggies to your house and while I am not too into that, we do now go to her little shop and buy a ton of stuff every weekend - very cheap - and it forces us to place vegetables and fruits into the main focus of our diet. very good.
Otherwise, I have been trying to spend time with family, I did talk to my best friend, she seemed annoyed that it took so long, but she also knows me so I believe all is well and we had a good talk. Mom was here over Thanksgiving anf dad is here now.
I have been re-aligning myself for the most part, back to the basics as far as personality and concentrate on the more quality rebuild. I think I realized I am no longer twenty-something and I should just take it to the core foundation if that makes any sense. Who the eff knows right?
