Boston Bound!

Off to Boston tomorrow, back Saturday, see you then!

what next?

Whew, after waiting so long to read the last Harry Potter book, what does one do nextg for reading?

Well, I just downloaded season 3 of Lost + The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand) and The Time Traveller's Wife (can't spell the author's name). Lost is for my plane trip next week. I need to be engrossed for a cross-country non-stop flight, since I refuse to use the facilities on a plane (knowing that the moment I closed the door, the plane will go down). I haven't read Ayn Rand for 10+ years, and figured listening is the next best thing. The unabridged version is 31 hours. The abridged version -- get this -- is eight hours. How do you capture a book like this in eight hours? I guess it would be like reading the Cliff Notes and thinking you experienced the whole book.

I'm watching The Fountain right now. I'm always a sucker for a fantasy, and the more complex the better. I wasn't that sold at first, even with Hugh Jackman :-), but I'm enjoying it now, waiting to see where this is going, though I think I've figured it out. I reserve the right to be proven wrong!

After immersing myself in my book yesterday, I spent today getting stuff done: chores, back yard, car stuff, cooking, laundry, ironing, downloading books. I'm enjoying a break to focus on the movie.

There's also the question of "what next" in life, but I won't know for a few weeks yet ... life altering decisions approach!

Kris, you're going to have a GREAT day tomorrow at your new job, and will really enjoy the commuting adventure you're embarking on -- big hug!

Harry Potter is Our King (Spoiler Free Blog)

GREAT book -- just finished. I didn't think I could read that fast anymore (I used to read a couple of books a day), so surprised myself. I'm completely exhausted after a marathon reading of >750 pages. Lots of kleenex was involved, as well as popcorn and sunflower seeds (great book reading munchies). Hopefully, my eyes will be less red and swollen by morning.

And I still get to listen to the audio, with the great Jim Dale narrating!

whole lotta nothin'

Doesn't seem like I've been up to that much, but I'm sure wiped. Here's what I've been up to.

1. Working
2. Changed my eating habits (lost ~8 lbs so far!)
3. Read the odd book
4. Moved my bedroom around, hate it, but haven't worked up the energy to move it back yet
5. Major moving of things and cleaning in my living room today, like the half that's clean, the other half is full of stuff from the first half -- no more steam -- will tackle when I'm back from my trip at the end of the month
6. Preparing to spend next weekend DEVOURING the new and last Harry Potter book, including comfort food and lots of kleenex
7. Finally watched Pan's Labyrinth -- brilliant, but weepy
8. Finally watched Stranger Than Fiction -- also brilliant, less weepy
9. Doing my first readings for the course I'm going to at the end of the month -- though somewhat half-heartedly -- I'll have to work on them this week
10. Family research -- with some new breakthroughs
11. Life decisions -- still in progress -- re school, family, work, residence, etc.
12. Usual lupus and neuropathy issues, just more so with the hot weather

I have been seriously wiped out, thanks to my friend, lupus, so of my two weekend days, I get one good one, and one in a prone position with lots of NSAIDs, napping and feeling a bit sorry for myself. By day two, I'm sick of myself, over myself, and overdo things catching up on the lost day. At least I'm aware of my patterns.

Upcoming things:

1. Harry Potter -- mixed emotions -- I've loved these stories -- can't wait to read it, yet sad that it's ending, and cringing over what I suspect may be a bittersweet end
2. Boston -- have to start figuring out logistics like wardrobe, packing, shuttle vs. long term parking, etc. I really should have gone one day earlier -- maybe it's not too late to move up my flight -- will check that out...
3. New cable with higher speed internet and dvr -- can't wait! I spent a day at home a couple of weeks ago for the installation, but they couldn't finish due to grounding issues. Grounding issues will be fixed tomorrow! I need to schedule the install, too! Better channels/etc. for much less than I'm paying now.
4. Life decisions should come to a head in the next couple of weeks, stay tuned!

Happy 4th of July!

Ahh, the fourth of July. Memories of margarita tailgates to watch fireworks at Cal Expo, the incredible fireworks in downtown San Jose (definitely worthwhile to live to tell the tale), sparklers that Dad had to start for us when we were really small and scared of the sparkles, and...

now enjoying federal holiday away from work!

I thought about going to watch fireworks, but I gotta tell you, the crowds are not that appealing. I'm hoping to enjoy a quiet day of chores, backyard work, cats, reading, some pictures to frame and hang, and maybe some cooking. My expectations have definitely changed over the course of my life, not necessarily a bad thing (it's called Growing Up, maybe?).

I decided I was tired for myself last week and cleaned up my eating habits. Lost 2 lbs already, yay! Two lbs a week is the right way to go. I have to say I'm craving Taco Bell right now, but will go get some whole wheat tortillas and make my own, healthier, lower sodium version.

Here's my latest creation -- Perfect Summer Salad:

Baby arugula
thinly sliced red onion
sliced green onion
sliced avocado
grapefruit segments, halved
chopped cilantro
very thinly sliced grilled london broil
your favorite dressing (mine if lime/cilantro vinagrette)

All amounts are up to you, based on # of servings, your personal preferences, etc. London broil should be cooked to the degree you most enjoy (for me, rare to medium rare), and seasoned the way you love the most (I made a garlic/pepper/mesquite rub for mine).

This would be great with feta cheese crumbled on top!
Toss, season with some fresh cracked pepper